Beam Me Up

Get your pop culture fix this Memorial Day weekend at Houston’s Comicpalooza

The galaxies of costumes are coming out to play, the stars are aligning, and the fandoms are colliding.

A magical weekend of anime, comics, gaming, literature, cosplay, and more is on the roster during Comicpalooza, which is descending on Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center over Memorial Day weekend, May 26-28.

This destination event — and Texas’ largest pop-culture convention — is literally no joke, with endless programming, stellar special attractions, an exhibit floor of cool vendors and must-have merch, geeky entertainment, and more.

Naturally, there will also be a star-studded cast of guests in the mix, including this high-octane lineup from your favorite series.

Rising Marvel-ous stars
Black Panther 2 breakout star Tenoch Huerta — who portrayed Namor, the king of Talokan, in the film — will be joined by fellow Marvel Cinematic Universe actor Alaqua Cox, who plays Maya Lopez (aka Echo) in Disney+'s Hawkeye. Cox will soon be bringing her deaf Native American amputee hero with photographic reflexes to the spinoff series Echo.

See Captain Kirk twice
Two Star Trek captains are landing in Space City, when the legend himself, William Shatner, comes to Comicpalooza and is joined by Paul Wesley — much to the delight of every single Trekkie in the house.

Have a vampy reunion
If you’re not a Trekkie, you might still know Paul Wesley from The Vampire Diaries. He’ll be pulling double-duty for fans of the vampy show when he reunites with co-star Ian Somerhalder over the action-packed weekend.

Step into the Arrowverse
Speaking of TVD, superfans will recognize werewolf Stephen Amell — even if he’s better known now as the Green Arrow from the hit show Arrow — and he’ll be bringing all his vigilante charm to Comicpalooza. Castmates Colton Haynes, Rick Gonzalez, Juliana Harkavy, and Josh Segarra will also be there.

Meet The Boys
It’s one of buzziest shows around right now, so you better believe cast members from Amazon Prime’s original series The Boys will be in town. See your faves, including leader of the Supes Antony Starr along with Hughie himself, Jack Quaid.

This list of renowned names is also joined by award-winning actor Lou Diamond Phillips; voice actor Christopher Judge; anime voice over talents Paul Castro Jr., Luci Christian, Colleen Clinkenbeard, Amber Lee Connors and Jason Douglas; comic book guests Steven McNiven; and literature guests Terry Brooks, Stephen Graham Jones, and Mary Robinette Kowal.

Catch all these celebs on Saturday and Sunday at guest panels along with photo and autograph opportunities.

But the fun really starts on Friday, when you can shop merch and rare collectibles before heading to the Friday Night Bash dance party. That evening, you can also catch the pros from Texas All-Star Wrestling, who will have everyone on the edge of their seats.

Photo by Darrell Williams

Bring your friends and make new ones while you're there.

On Saturday, aspiring and pro cosplayers take the stage in the annual Cosplay Contest. Artists will also be highlighting their work during the Live Art Auction. Throughout the weekend, Itasha Showdown: A Car Runway Experience is a must-see, too, with the coolest cars and motorcycles on the block.

For the most epic experience, VIP passes are the way to go. Check out all the ticket options and full schedule at comicpalooza.com.

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Texas-based microbrewery theater chain claims Houston's shuttered Alamo Drafthouse

Courtesy of Flix Brewhouse

The menu includes burgers and other sandwiches.

The Houston area’s shuttered Alamo Drafthouse will soon reopen under new ownership. Flix Brewhouse has claimed all four Drafthouse locations that had been operated by Triple Tap ventures, including two theaters in El Paso and one in Lubbock.

Founded in Round Rock, TX in 2011, Flix Brewhouse touts itself as “the world’s only first-run cinema brewery.” The acquisition brings Flix to 15 locations nationwide, including theaters in San Antonio, Oklahoma City, and Albuquerque. The Houston location is in Katy’s LaCenterra development (2707 Commercial Center Blvd.).

All four locations will reopen on February 23, in time for the release of Scream 7, with tickets going on sale February 13.

“This acquisition is a natural extension of who we are and what we believe in,” CEO Chance Robertson said in a statement. “Cinema success today means creating better experiences. We’re grateful to the entire Triple Tap team for their work in cultivating these moviegoing communities, and we’re honored to carry that legacy forward.”

Similar to an Alamo Drafthouse, Flix serves a wide range of classic American fare, all of which is scratch-made in the theater’s kitchen. They include breakfast tacos (available all day), burgers, salads, pizza, and entrees such as chicken tenders, fish and chips, and quesadillas. Naturally, theater goers have four popcorn choices: butter, bacon ranch, elote chili lime, and dill pickle.

They’re paired with beers brewed exclusively for Flix. Current styles include a Scottish ale, a raspberry wheat, a hazy IPA, and a Mexican-style lager. Last year, it won a Gold Medal at the Texas Craft Brewers Cup.

Each location screens first-run films as well as “Flix Picks” for classic movies and a FanFest screening that includes a custom menu and a souvenir glass. All theaters feature digital projection and sound, reclined seating and parabolic screens.

This YouTube commercial previews the experience.

“As the industry continues to evolve, Flix Brewhouse remains focused on thoughtful, strategic growth and delivering a distinctly different experience for moviegoers,” Robertson added. “The path forward in exhibition isn’t one size fits all. Innovation at Flix means staying true to what sets us apart: our craft and constant drive to raise the bar on quality, service, and community.”

Alamo Drafthouse opened its Katy location in 2018. It closed on Saturday, February 7.

Courtesy of Flix Brewhouse

The menu includes burgers and other sandwiches.

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