This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A couple of good ol' boys never meanin' no harm are headed to Salt Lake Comic Con.
So are a galactic bounty hunter, an interstellar bandit, a hunter of supernatural creatures and the country's best known comic-book store operators — plus return visits from a Hulk, a Power Ranger, the original Capt. Kirk and a reasonable facsimile.
"This September is going to be one of the best lineups we've ever had," Salt Lake Comic Con co-founder Dan Farr told a collection of costumed fans Wednesday in the Utah Capitol Rotunda.
Topping the list of guests coming to the Salt Palace Convention Center for the event, Sept. 1-3, is William Shatner. The Canadian-born actor is marking 50 years since his first appearance as the iconic Capt. James T. Kirk on the original "Star Trek" TV series. Shatner spoiled the surprise, tweeting in March that he would be coming to Salt Lake City in September.
Also appearing are the three main stars of "The Dukes of Hazzard": Tom Wopat, John Schneider and Catherine Bach. The series, which ran on CBS from 1979 to 1985, chronicled the exploits of the Duke cousins — "good ol' boys" Bo (Schneider) and Luke (Wopat), and the cutoff-wearing Daisy (Bach) — evading the law and the corrupt Boss Hogg. (Schneider is also well-known among geek audiences for his work on the "Superman" prequel series "Smallville," in which he played Clark Kent's father for five seasons.)
Other Salt Lake Comic Con guests announced Wednesday are:
• Jason David Frank, who portrayed Tommy, the Green Ranger, on the original "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" and several spinoffs.
• Lou Ferrigno, the onetime bodybuilder who played the title role in "The Incredible Hulk" TV series, from 1977 to 1982.
• Jim Beaver, who plays the gruff demon-hunter Bobby Singer on "Supernatural." He also had recurring roles on "Deadwood" and "Justified," and appeared in Guillermo Del Toro's Gothic tale "Crimson Peak."
• Jeremy Bulloch, who portrayed the masked bounty hunter Boba Fett in the "Star Wars" chapters "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi."
• Vic Mignogna, a voice actor familiar to fans of Japanese anime, particularly for his work in the "Fullmetal Alchemist" and "Dragon Ball Z" series. Mignogna also plays Capt. James T. Kirk in the fan-made web series "Star Trek Continues," which he developed.
• Michael Rooker, a veteran character actor recognizable as the space bandit Yondu Udonta in Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy." Rooker also appeared on "The Walking Dead" (as Daryl's racist brother Merle), "Cliffhanger," "Eight Men Out," and in the title role of the 1986 cult film "Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer."
• Three of the stars of the AMC reality series "Comic Book Men" — Ming Chen, Mike Zapcic and Bryan Johnson.
Shatner, Frank, Ferrigno and Mignogna have all appeared at past Salt Lake Comic Con events — which co-founder Farr said indicates how much the Utah fans love them, and vice versa.
"We have had so many great guests. It's hard not to bring them back again," Farr said. "Also, they want to come back."
Farr's business partner, Bryan Brandenburg, said they are working to line up more guests — including famous names from the Marvel and "Harry Potter" franchises. "This is just the tip of the iceberg," he said.
Twitter: @moviecricket —
Salt Lake Comic Con
The fourth annual Salt Lake Comic Con, bringing thousands of fans together for celebrity events, cosplay and panel discussions.
When • Sept. 1-3
Where • Salt Palace Convention Center, 100 S. West Temple, Salt Lake City.
Tickets • On sale now at saltlakecomiccon.com