It's cold outside, but it's time to snap out of that video game coma and break out of hibernation because signage for Jaws and a giant TARDIS outside the Irving Convention Center in Las Colinas can only mean one thing: Sci-Fi Expo 2014! So, burrow out of that cozy blanket fortress you've built and trade in your Batman onesie for your Batman cosplay. The smallest of Dallas Comic Con's three annual events only lasts two days, but they are jam-packed with more than enough fandoms worthy of braving the cold air and biting wind you've heard so much about.
Here's a preview of the biggest franchises represented at this weekend's Sci-Fi Expo:
Doctor Who This is why you crawled out of bed. Guaranteed to be one of the most popular attractions of the event, I recommend getting there early because "The Girl Who Waited" is worth the wait. Karen Gillan, Amy Pond herself, will be here Saturday! Get in line for an autograph or photo-op with one of your favorite companions or grab a seat to check out the Doctor Who panel where she is joined by the fourth Doctor, Sylvester McCoy.
Jaws Oscar-winning actor Richard Dreyfuss will be in Irving this weekend celebrating all things sci-fi. Just go with it.
Star Trek Trekkies (or Trekkers, if you prefer) can revel in their long and prosperous fandom from every angle this weekend. Karl Urban, aka Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy, of JJ Abrams' recent Star Trek and Star Trek: Into Darkness will be on hand for autographs and photos all weekend. And don't forget to catch the world premier screening of Episode II of the Star Trek Continues web series followed by a Q&A with director Chris White and Vic Micnogna.
Robocop Peter Weller just can't seem to cut his North Texas ties. The UNT graduate returned to "futuristic" Dallas in 1987 to film the iconic sci-fi flick. Now finally, in 2014, he makes his triumphant return ... at the Dallas Sci-Fi Expo. To make it a family affair, he's even bringing Mrs. Robocop, Angie Bolling.
Six Million Dollar Man Despite his amazing civil war era name, Lee Majors is not from Texas. But that didn't stop him keeping Mr. and Mrs. Robocop from being the only human/machine hybrid couple at this weekend's event. Bigger. Stronger. Faster. Majors and Lindsay Wagner, otherwise known as the Bionic Woman, will be also be competing for the king and queen of sci-fi.
Defiance With Valentine's Day just around the corner, it makes sense that even the science fiction world salutes the couples of our fandom. The elite Castithan husband and wife from Defiance, Tony Curran and Jaimie Murray, may need therapy, but they made time for a Q&A on Saturday and photo-ops all weekend.
Warehouse 13 The popular Syfy show takes the Irving Convention Center by storm this weekend with four of it's stars making an appearance. Eddie McClintock, Saul Rubinek, Allison Scagliotti and Jaimie Murray will answer all your questions about the secret service, supernatural artifacts and McClintock's favorite type of cookie. Don't miss this onstage reunion of cast members, new and old.
Star Wars If you've ever wondered if the guy who played Chewbacca is actually that tall, the answer is yes. And yes, that kind of height is hard on the knees. So hard, in fact, that Peter Mayhew sadly missed out on mingling with fans and reuniting with his Star Wars co-stars at October's Comic Con Fan Days. He was missed and thousands of worried fans signed several Chewbacca-sized get well cards for him. Apparently, he's on the road to recovery and the British resident of Boyd, Texas, shows his appreciation with a Q&A on Sunday and photo-ops all weekend.
Battlestar Galactica Aaron Douglas is in Texas this weekend to represent Galactica. The endearing, hardworking, Cylon-loving Chief Galen Tyrol kicks off the weekend with the first Q&A of the expo at noon on Saturday. Ask him how he feels about fracking.
The Dallas Sci-Fi Expo is February 8-9 at the Irving Convention Center (500 W. Las Colinas Blvd). Tickets will be available at the box office beginning at 9 AM Saturday morning starting at $25. Bring cash for parking.
