Greg Atoms grew up in the golden era for geeky kids.
“We had Batman and X-Men with massive animated shows, Ghostbusters and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in theaters, comics weren’t hard to find, and the toy aisles were overflowing with action figures to match it all. My friends and I would run around as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and when I got home, I would steal the vacuum hose to shove one end into a backpack and run around with the other end like I was a Ghostbuster.”
It is no wonder that today, Greg is wrapping up plans for the 11th annual Geek’d Con to be held at the Shreveport Convention Center, Aug. 14-16.
“There are actually two of us,” Greg adds. “Matt ‘Puff’ Puffenbarger was there when we launched this crazy idea. He’s been running with it ever since.”
Geek’d is a word that followed Greg throughout his career in radio, from Geek’d Radio in Michigan, to a Geek’d Podcast in Wisconsin, before finally landing as the instantly recognized and much anticipated convention that has taken North Louisiana by storm.
“We wanted to create an event that had a bit of everything, with the idea that we could prove to anyone that they’re a little geeky.”
Geek’d Con is the primary destination for fans of film, television and comic books to gather for a professional convention experience and a whole lot of fun. Not only do fans, at least 10,000 in previous years, flock to Geek’d Con, they also plan all year to participate in the not-to-be-missed cosplay competition.
“We’ve seriously had so many high-tier cosplayers come from the Ark-La-Tex over the last decade, it’s mind-boggling,” Greg says. “We had a winner one year that came as Captain America, Sam Wilson style, and had motorized wings on her back that folded in and expanded out. The wingspan seemed like it was 8 to 10 feet.
“John Stout has been coming to the show for a few years, and some of his cosplay work was getting noticed online and going viral, so we asked him to appear as an official guest. One of John’s cosplays I still can’t fully figure out. He came as a Nuka Cola vending unit. There didn’t seem to be spots for him to see, he had working lights inside it, and you could open the door and get into the cooler. It was wild.”
The cosplay contest is the main event on Sunday, and it is free to attend as part of your Geek’d Con ticket purchase.
Every year fans look forward to the variety of artists Geek’d Con brings in, including film stars, voice-over actors and comic book artists, and of course those behind the masks we love. This year, Geek’d Con is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Scream franchise.
For those who still have vivid snippets of the movies in your memory banks, you’ll be excited to know that Lee Waddell, who originally played Ghostface in 1996’s “Scream,” will be onsite, as well as “Scream 2” Ghostface Allen Robinson, “Scream 3” Ghostface Jeff Brockton and “Scream 6” Ghostface Max Laferriere.
In addition, Dave Sheridan, who played Special Officer Doofy and, spoiler alert, the Ghostface killer in the horror parody “Scary Movie,” will also be in attendance.
“We’re calling it The Gathering of the Ghostfaces,” Greg says. “Most of them have told us that this is the largest number of Ghostface actors they’ve ever been a part of.
“All of these actors will be doing professional photo ops in their Ghostface costumes. Fans will have a chance to get a picture taken, which will be printed right away, and they can go over and have it signed too. There has been a lot of discussion to try and get the world record for the most Ghostfaces in one photo.”
Greg adds, “Anyone with a Ghostface mask is invited to help us try to pull it off on Saturday during Geek’d Con.”
Geek’d Con will also feature Scream’s lovable lawman, Deputy Dewey Riley, played by David Arquette.
Beyond the Scream cast, there is a dizzying array of actors this year, such as Summer Glau, who played an advanced, reprogrammed Terminator in “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles,” as well as Walter Jones and David Yost, founding cast members of the 1993 “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.”
“One Piece,” “Black Clover” and “Chowder” are just a few of the series represented by guest voice actors this year.
“I say this every year and I truly mean it,” Greg adds about photo ops. “This is the best way to support your favorite celeb. When you go to see their movie, that money goes to a distributor, a studio, lawyers and all sorts of filters before they get pennies on the dollar.
“Same with TV and music. But when you meet someone at Geek’d Con and trade them $50 for an autograph, they get 100% of that money.”
The Comic Book Artist Alley is also stacking up with industry veterans who bring decades of experience from iconic titles like Wolverine, The Infinity Gauntlet and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
As if all this wasn’t already over the top, there is a sea of vendors and a feast of food options.
“We have a great core of vendors that have been with us year after year,” Greg says, “and last year we saw an explosion of food vendors on the second floor.”
“Morris and Dewitt have been huge partners, and we love having them as our presenting sponsor,” Greg adds. “We have other great sponsors like Excalibur, Gamers XP and Sports Card Louisiana, who are ticket stops where you can buy physical tickets.”
“This year, we’ve added something that I think is really helpful for ticket buyers. We have ticket deposits,” Greg says. “Fans can get online and place their ticket order, put a deposit down without having to pay the whole thing right now.
“I really think it’s important to chop up your convention budget over time instead of trying to come up with all of it at once in August.”
Ticket prices range from $25 for a Friday or Sunday-only pass to $60 for a Saturday-only pass, and a weekend pass is $75. Kids are $10 a day, or $25 for the weekend. There are also SWAG and VIP passes ranging from $95 to $125. All tickets have additional fees and processing charges. Photo ops with celebrities are extra.
“We now have a generation of attendees who are reaching out to say that their parents brought them to the event when they were younger, and now they’re bringing their kids. This community is what sets Geek’d Con apart,” Greg adds.
“When I first stepped foot in Shreveport-Bossier, I noticed how many comic book, trading card game and hobby shops there were. It was a huge number for the size of this market.
“I said it the first year, and it’s still true: This is pound-for-pound the geekiest place in the country.”
Geek’d Con transforms the Shreveport Convention Center on Friday, Aug. 14, from 5 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 15, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Aug. 16, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parking is free.
Ticket packages, celebrity guest information and pricing, as well as detailed cosplay rules, are available at geekdcon.com. Better yet, download the Geek’d Con app for the most up-to-date information.
Tickets are on sale now.
Photos courtesy of Geek’d Con/Jeremy Hernandez.
