Stargazers will be thrilled to be at Iron City Comic Con, a sci-fi and fantasy convention in Birmingham. The event, taking place June 1 and 2 at the BJCC East Exhibit Hall, will feature about 30 special guests from the worlds of “Star Trek,” “Star Wars” and the “Scream” series, professional wrestling and more. Comic book artists, anime voice actors and cosplay experts will also be making appearances.
Here are five A-list celebrities you can't miss at the downtown convention, who will be meeting fans, signing autographs, and taking photos almost all day long. Have your mechanical pencils ready.
Reasons for fame: The 71-year-old actor and director is beloved and enduringly famous in the “Star Trek” universe, where he made an indelible impression playing Starfleet officer William T. Riker, right-hand man to Captain Jean-Luc Picard, in the TV series “Star Trek: The Next Generation” (1987-1994). Frakes also played the role of Riker in five “Star Trek” films (Deep Space Nine, Voyager, Enterprise, Picard and Lower Decks) and three “Star Trek” films. Riker also appeared in several “Star Trek” video games.
Good to know: Frakes has a prolific body of work as a director, including about 30 episodes of various “Star Trek” series and two “Trek” films. In 2024, he received two Saturn Awards, winning a Lifetime Achievement Award along with the rest of the cast of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series for “Star Trek: Picard.”
Meet him and say hello. Frakes will be at the autograph booth Saturday and Sunday, June 1 and 2. Cost is $60 per autograph, $50 per selfie and $75 for a photoshoot (photographed by Celeb Photo Ops and includes prints). The cost of a combined autograph and selfie is yet to be determined.
Reasons for fame: The 76-year-old actor is best known for playing Q, a powerful and volatile presence in the “Star Trek” universe. The popular character made his debut in “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” wreaking havoc and clashing with Captain Jean-Luc Picard. De Lancie has previously played Q in four other “Star Trek” series, “Deep Space Nine,” “Voyager,” “Lower Decks” and “Picard,” as well as in several “Star Trek” video games.
Good to know: Besides “Star Trek,” de Lancie has appeared in numerous film and television productions, including “The West Wing,” “Stargate SG-1” and “Breaking Bad.” She is also popular as a voice actress.
Meet him and say hello. De Lancie will be at the autograph booth Saturday and Sunday, June 1 and 2. Costs are $60 per autograph, $50 per selfie, $100 for a combination autograph and selfie, and $75 for a photoshoot (photographed by Celeb Photo Ops, print included).
Reasons for fame: The 67-year-old actor played Kyle Reese, a soldier who travels back in time to protect protagonist Sarah Connor, in 1984's “The Terminator.” Biehn was also a main cast member in 1986's “Alien,” playing interstellar Marine Corporal Dwayne Hicks, who becomes the love interest of heroine Ellen Ripley. Biehn's resume includes roles in numerous films and TV series, including “The Mandalorian,” “The Walking Dead,” “Tombstone,” “The Abyss” and “Navy SEALs.”
Good to know: Bean was born in Anniston, but his family moved when he was young and he grew up in Arizona, where he attended college.
Meet him and say hello. Bean will be at the autograph booth Saturday and Sunday, June 1 and 2. Prices for autographs, selfies, combos and photos have yet to be determined.
Reasons for fame: The 49-year-old actor and stuntman is revered by Star Wars fans for his portrayal of the villain Darth Maul, who first appeared in Episode I: The Phantom Menace and reprised his role as the Sith Lord in Solo: A Star Wars Story. (Darth Maul was voiced by Peter Serafinowicz and Sam Witwer, respectively.)
Good to know: A martial arts expert, Park has also appeared in films such as “X-Men,” “Sleepy Hollow,” “Mortal Kombat: Annihilation” and two “GI Joe” films, and played Chuck Norris in the TV series “The Legend of Bruce Lee.”
Meet him and say hello. Park will be at the autograph booth Saturday and Sunday, June 1 and 2. Costs are $80 per autograph, $80 per selfie, and $105 for a photo shoot (photos taken by Celeb Photo Ops, prints included). The cost of a combined autograph and selfie is yet to be determined.
Reasons for fame: The 64-year-old actress is best known for playing Private Vasquez, a tough soldier who fights alongside Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), Corporal Hicks (Michael Biehn), Private Hudson (Bill Paxton) and Private Drake (Mark Rolston) in “Alien.” Goldstein won a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in James Cameron's 1986 film.
Good to know: Goldstein's film and television credits include Lethal Weapon 2, 24, ER and Star Trek Generations.
Meet her and say hello. Goldstein will be at the autograph booth Saturday and Sunday, June 1 and 2. Prices for autographs, selfies, combos and photos are to be determined.
If you go:
Iron City Comic Con will be held June 1-2 at the BJCC East Exhibit Hall, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. North in Birmingham. Hours are 10am-6pm on Saturday and 11am-5pm on Sunday. Admission is $25 per day or $40 in advance for the weekend. Same-day admission is $35 per day or $55 in advance for the weekend. Military admission is $20 per day or $35 in advance for the weekend. Children 10 and under are admitted free, but there is a limit of two children per adult. The con will include vendors, panels, games, cosplay, costume contests, and more (see answers to frequently asked questions here). Iron City Comic Con can be found on Facebook as well as on their official website.
