Shatner, still best known for his role as Captain James Tiberius Kirk on the original Star Trek television series, has made Denver a regular stop over recent years. He was here for one of the early Denver Comic Cons back in 2013, for StarFest in 2019 and again for Fan Expo's off-season Denver debut in October of 2021. Four years later, he'll be there to speak and meet fans at the Colorado Convention Center for the first two days of the event on Thursday, July 3 and Friday, July 4.
This will make at least two visits from Shatner since he told Westword in an interview leading up to his 2019 appearance at StarFest that he was then on his "Farewell Tour to Life," albeit with a characteristic tongue-in-cheek grin. Even then, he admitted that "a farewell tour can be extended for years, you know." So perhaps consider this year six of that multi-year mission.
Shatner will be on hand for photos and autographs — and at a surprisingly reasonable rate, when compared to other celebrities of a similar notoriety in recent years, which have been known to charge several hundred dollars. For Shatner — whether you're getting him to sign a Captain Kirk phaser, a glossy headshot from TJ Hooker or the cover of his 1968 album The Transformed Man — it's only $120-$150.
"Totally worth it," says Denver fan Paul Ballew, who says he still regrets not shelling out the $100 it cost back in 2016 to get Stan Lee's autograph. It was the comic icon's final Denver appearance, as it turned out — he died two years later.
"And we missed out completely on Carrie Fisher," adds Ballew, referring to her planned appearance in that same year, which she had to cancel due to Star Wars filming — right before her death that same December at the far-too-young age of 60.
But "the Shat" isn't the only big name that's already been announced by Fan Expo in order to make the nerd event a must-attend show. The celebrities list is only just beginning to fill in, but already three other fan-favorites have been announced: Alan Tudyk (Firefly, Star Wars, Resident Alien, etc.), Jodie Whittaker (Doctor Who) and John Boyega (Star Wars), along with several actors from the cast of Twilight. Many more celebrity guests are expected to follow in coming months.
John Cena and Other Big Names Coming to Fan Expo Denver
And don't fret, comic book lovers: the guest list for creatives of the four-color sort is already impressively stuffed, and also expected to grow. So far, the list boasts both classic artists and writers as well as some serious new talent. Just a highlight list of these includes:- John Cena: It was announced May 27 that the current undisputed WWE world champion and professional wrestler will be joining the event, with a Q&A slated for Saturday, July 5. Tickets are on sale May 30.
- Icons of Superman: Six iconic supermen will soar into Fan Expo. Brandon Routh (Superman Returns), Tyler Hoechlin (Superman & Lois), Dean Cain (Lois & Clark), George Newbern (Justice League), and Tim Daly (Superman: The Animated Series) will join Tom Welling (Smallville) for one super-powered reunion.
- Tom Grummett, notable for his work for both DC and Marvel since the 1980s, including Superman, Supergirl, Teen Titans, X-Men, Thunderbolts, Spider-Man and more.
- Michael Golden, another noted pro with credits going back decades, including some definitive work on Dr. Strange and who many fans know as one of the co-creators of the super-popular X-Man Rogue.
- Don Rosa, who made his name with Disney's Uncle Scrooge and various tales of Duckberg since 1987, valiantly carrying on the tradition of classic duck-artist Carl Barks.
- Greg Capullo, now a popular Wolverine artist who got his start working on Todd McFarlane's Spawn.
- Stanley "Artgerm" Lau, the Hong Kong-born co-founder of Imaginary Friends Studios — a world acclaimed digital art studio that produces high-quality artworks for the likes of Capcom, DC Comics, Marvel Comics and other giants in the entertainment and gaming industries.
- Scott Snyder, an award-winning short story writer who counted no less than Stephen King as a fan — and has made his name in comics writing Batman books, including the new smash hit Absolute Batman.
