Missing my chance to meet Captain America

I am addicted to trade shows and when I can’t get to a certain show I will look online for news and information about trade shows not taking place in Las Vegas


The one show that has eluded me year after year is Comic Con — the annual convention of popular arts with special guests, themes and anniversaries, and programming. It is the ultimate gathering of science fiction characters, comic book heroes and the celebrities who portray them in films.

Most of the characters are the attendees who travel to the San Diego Convention Center to participate in the convention. The press enjoys covering this event because there is never a shortage of costume-clad sci-fi fans. This year the show is going ape with the release of “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” on Aug. 5.


More than 125,000 fans have descended upon the Convention Center this week, dressing up like their heroes, which this year will include vampires, werewolves, zombie-killers and demon-hunters featured in recent and forthcoming comic books, TV shows, movies and video games.

Hugh Jackman was photographed at Comic Con passing out movie poster to hundreds of fans. Most fans know him as Wolverine of X-Men films of he has been promoting “Real Steel” his latest action film about boxing robots.

According to press releases, Jackman is Charlie Kenton, a washed-up fighter who lost his chance at a title when 2000-pound, 8-foot-tall steel robots took over the ring.

This film will most likely appeal to males. From the trailers it looks like the Rock ’Em Sock ’E Robots of my youth have taken over the silver screen.

I wouldn’t mind donning my Star Trek uniform and spend a day walking among Captain America, the Hulk or Spiderman.

Las Vegas does host the Star Trek Convention but it is not the same since Star Trek: The Experience shut down at the Hilton.

Las Vegas meanwhile has a beauty show in Cosmoprof North America, a show shoe from WSA and the ASD merchandise show taking place this month.

I may not get to rub elbows with Captain America but next month I will get chance to listen to President Bill Clinton who is the keynote speaker for the Summer 2011 Las Vegas Market at the World Market Center on Aug. 1.

Live long and prosper.