This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
In its fourth year, FanX has gotten a bit smaller.
The annual event — the springtime version of the massive Salt Lake Comic Con — will run just for two days this year, Friday and Saturday, at the Salt Palace Convention Center in downtown Salt Lake City.
Organizers cap ticket sales for FanX, for a more intimate experience for fans — and "intimate" means around 50,000 in attendance, compared with the 100,000-plus at Salt Lake Comic Con in September. With the shorter run, organizers also have dropped prices for multiday passes.
Weaving through the schedule of celebrity appearances, panel discussions, book signings and special events — plus trips to the vendor floor and Artist Alley, as well as just gawking at the creative gamut of cosplayers — it's hard to know what's worth seeing. With that in mind, here are 10 expected highlights (in roughly chronological order) that promise to make FanX 2017 a unique experience.
1. Stan the Man
Without Stan Lee, it's hard to imagine comic books and comic conventions would be the cultural monsters they are now. Lee is credited with creating Spider-Man, The Hulk, Doctor Strange, Iron Man, the Fantastic Four, Daredevil, Thor, the X-Men and many other characters of the Marvel Comics universe. Lee is 94, and it's expected that his event to kick off FanX 2017 will be his last visit to Salt Lake City, health permitting. Show him some love while he's still around to appreciate it. (Friday, 11 a.m., Grand Ballroom.)
2. Inconceivable!
Wallace Shawn is an acclaimed writer, theater director and actor — but most fans know him as the rotund criminal mastermind Vizzini in "The Princess Bride," or as the Grand Nagus, leader of the Ferengi, in "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," or as the voice of the dinosaur Rex in the "Toy Story" franchise. Shawn also was the "my" in the conversational cult classic "My Dinner With Andre," whose fandom has been woefully underrepresented at past comic conventions. (Friday, 1 p.m., Grand Ballroom.)
3. 'Chuck' amok
Zachary Levi is one of the last big stars announced for FanX. Levi first made a splash as the stereo-equipment guy who became a secret agent on the TV series "Chuck." He also voiced the character Flynn Ryder in Disney's "Tangled" and appeared in "Thor: The Dark World" as one of Thor's Asgardian comrades. (Friday, 4 p.m., Grand Ballroom.)
4. The clang of steel
Adrian Paul, star of the '90s TV series "Highlander," leads a master class in cinematic swordfighting techniques. Participants who pay for the "Sword Experience" (priced at $185 and $210) get a 2 ½-hour class in movie-style swordplay choreography, along with a certification and photo signed by Paul — and a photo op with him. (Friday and Saturday, check-in at 5:30 p.m., 155B&C. The Friday class is sold out.)
5. The Force is with her
The fandom worlds were rocked in late December with the sudden death of Carrie Fisher. Salt Lake Comic Con paid tribute to the actor and writer, best known as Princess (and later General) Leia Organa in the "Star Wars" universe, by dedicating this year's FanX to her memory. Some quite knowledgeable "Star Wars" fans will lead a panel to celebrate Fisher's life and legacy. (Friday, 6 p.m., 250A.)
6. Life after 'Potter'
OK, "Harry Potter" fans, you didn't think FanX would forget about you, did you? Potterheads won't want to miss an appearance by Bonnie Wright, who appeared in all eight movies as Ginny Weasley, youngest of the red-headed Weasley clan — and (spoiler alert!) ultimately the wife of Harry Potter himself. Wright will no doubt talk about growing up on the Hogwarts set and her burgeoning career as a director. (Friday, 6 p.m., Grand Ballroom.)
7. Big fish
Jason Momoa is one of the biggest stars at FanX this year — and not just because he's 6-foot-4. Momoa's cred in the fandoms is long established, from his time on "Stargate Atlantis" and starring in the 2011 "Conan the Barbarian" remake. He's familiar as the rugged Khal Drago on "Game of Thrones" and will be getting even more familiar with his role as Aquaman in the DC Cinematic Universe — appearing this fall in "Justice League." (Appearing for photo ops both days.)
8. Westley vs. Humperdinck
This year is the 30th anniversary of "The Princess Bride," one of the more beloved fantasy movies in any geek's DVD collection. FanX is marking the occasion with several events, the capper being a joint panel with stars Cary Elwes (who played the farmboy-turned-pirate Westley) and Chris Sarandon (who played the villainous Prince Humperdinck). (Saturday, 1 p.m., Grand Ballroom.)
9. Woman of a thousand voices
You may not know Tara Strong by name, but if you're a fan of cartoons, you know her voice. Strong has been the voice of 10-year-old Timmy Turner in "The Fairly OddParents," Bubbles in "The Powerpuff Girls," Raven in "Teen Titans" and "Teen Titans Go!," and Dil Pickles in "Rugrats." She currently voices Harley Quinn, The Joker's psychotic girlfriend, in various animated DC titles. But to millions of fans, she's best known as the voice of Twilight Sparkle in "My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic." (Strong will take part in a "My Little Pony" panel, Saturday, 1 p.m., 250A, and a panel on "DC SuperHero Girls," Saturday, 4:30 p.m., Grand Ballroom.)
10. Hearing voices
Twisted Toonz is back for another run, setting cartoon voice actors loose on the script for Disney's "Beauty and the Beast." This year's lineup includes Jeff Bennett (Johnny in "Johnny Bravo," Kowalski in "Penguins of Madagascar"), Jennifer Hale (Aayla in "Star Wars: The Clone Wars," Commander Shepard in the "Mass Effect" games) and Jess Harnell (Wakko from "Animaniacs," Ironhide from "Transformers") — and they usually manage to wrangle a surprise guest or two. Easily the biggest laugh-generator at any comic con, but definitely not for the kiddies. (Saturday, 3 p.m., Grand Ballroom)
Twitter: @moviecricket —
FanX 2017
Salt Lake Comic Con's FanX 2017.
Where • Salt Palace Convention Center, 100 S. West Temple, Salt Lake City
When • Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Admission • Advance prices for two-day passes are $45, $75 (Gold Pass) and $175 (VIP Pass). One-day passes are $25 for Friday, $35 for Saturday (in advance). An additional child pass, good for 8 and younger, is $5 per day.
Online • For schedules, information and tickets, go to saltlakecomiccon.com.