What to expect at Motor City Comic Con

Set your phasers to fun: Captain James T. Kirk is beaming down to Novi this weekend as Motor City Comic Con returns.

Actor William Shatner is among the main draws at this year’s event, says Davina Newcomb, program director of Motor City Comic Con. The “Star Trek” star is appearing Friday and Saturday and will be available for autographs and photo ops.

“He never fails to draw crowds,” Newcomb says.

Other celebrities slated to appear include Christopher Eccleston, Alicia Silverstone and Danny Trejo, to name a few.

Listen: Davina Newcomb previews this year’s Motor City Comic Con.

In addition to celebrity appearances, the Superman Legacy Group will be selling an exclusive comic with all the proceeds benefiting the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, which does research and advocacy for spinal cord injuries, Newcomb says. Christopher Reeve, the actor who portrayed the Man of Steel in the “Superman” films, was paralyzed in 1995 in a horse-riding accident and was an advocate for spinal cord research.

For cosplayers, they won’t want to miss the contest on Saturday.

“Some of these creators here in this area are just beyond belief with what they’re able to create and craft,” Newcomb says. “So [we] definitely encourage everyone to come and check that out.”

The pandemic sparked interest among people who weren’t as familiar with comics and particular pop culture fandoms, Newcomb says.

“We’re starting to see people that have never experienced [a] convention before. So it’s kind of exciting to see these people come in and find a new space where they can express themselves and meet with like-minded people.”

As COVID-19 cases climb again in Michigan, Newcomb says people may be feeling uneasy in large crowds. To help alleviate those concerns, the convention will have quiet rooms where people can decompress as well as a “geek therapeutics room,” which will have coping resources available and licensed professionals.