Our 2023 Guests

Promo image for 131 Mockingbird Lane.

1313 Mockingbird Lane

Attention Toy Lovers! 1313 Mockingbird Lane Toys and Collectibles from Lawrence, KS will be joining us at SiouxperCon this year! (and psst! the owner is something of a local Sioux Falls legend, and a rock star, so you’ll want to to meet TERRY TAYLOR too!)

You may have seen them on the Amazon Prime TV series “A Toy Store Near You” 

(Season #1, Episode #2 – or check it out for free on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/A5MTcg8mEFE)

THEY SELL AND BUY NEW AND USED TOYS!–1980s to present day!

Horror, Sci-Fi, Star Wars, Masters of the Universe, Funko Pops, Supernatural, Marvel, DC, GIJOE, Harry Potter, Nightmare Before Christmas, Hello Kitty, Plushes, Anime, Spawn, TMNT, Power Rangers, Godzilla, Transformers and so much more!

You’re sure to find some treasures!

Check them out ahead of time on:

Facebook.com/1313mockingbirdks

Instagram.com/1313mockingbirdks

TikTok: mockingbirdlane

www.1313mockingbirdtoys.com

Promo photo for David Barclay.

David Barclay

Yoda is coming to SiouxperCon 2023: To Sioux Falls and Beyond!

Yes, you read that right! Yoda will be here along with expert puppeteer David Barclay, one of the most sought after puppeteers in both Hollywood and England.

David assisted Frank Oz with Yoda during filming of “The Empire Strikes Back” and was also chief puppeteer for Jabba the Hutt in “Return of the Jedi”. His film credits include work in other amazingly popular movies such as “Labyrinth”, “The Dark Crystal”, “Little Shop of Horrors”, “Muppet Christmas Carol”, and “Where the Wild Things Are”, among others.

David will be bringing with him the ONLY EXACT replica of the “Empire Strikes Back” Yoda puppet taken from the original mold. He and Yoda will be available for professional photo ops, and David will greet guests and sign autographs throughout the convention.

Don’t miss your chance to meet David Barclay and ask him what it’s like not only to be in control of the most disgusting creature in the “Star Wars” universe (Jabba the Hutt) but to be inside him as well! And get your photo with Yoda! How often are you going to get an opportunity like this?

Promo image for John Bivens.

John Bivens

John Bivens’ work has appeared in the Eisner and Harvey Award winning “Comic Book Tattoo”, the Harvey Award winning “Popgun volume 4”, and the Harvey nominated “Reading with Pictures”. He has also received nominations for an Eagle Award and a Ghastly Award. He has worked for IMAGE Comics, Heavy Metal Magazine, Vault Comics, Valiant Comics, IDW Publishing, and others.

John’s work spans the genres of crime, horror, science fiction, fantasy, romance, and education. His education includes the undergraduate illustration program at Northern Illinois University and the Graduate program at Minneapolis College of Art and Design. He has taught as an adjunct professor at Northern Illinois University, Dakota County Technical College, and participated in multiple visiting workshops and panels.

Promo photo for Ren Brown.

Hailey “Ren” Brown

Hailey “Ren” Brown is an award-winning, internationally-published artist with a love for color, motion and storytelling.

She has worked as a sequential artist, colorist and illustrator for a wide range of clients, including Brink Literacy, “F(r)iction Magazine”, New York Times bestselling authors, Newsarama, Dynamite Entertainment, and a variety of independent projects.

 

Promo image for Celtic Honey.

Celtic Honey

A long time con attendee starting way back with Gen Con in 1997, Honey has always had a passion for all things cosplay, gaming, anime, sci-fi, and more! Joining us from the Quad Cities (Iowa/Illinois border), Honey loves hosting panels for cosplay, burlesque/nerdlesque, body positivity, consent education, martial arts and enjoys anything to do with art and inspiring creativity. We can’t wait!

As some of you already know, Honey headlined the Nerdlesque show for SiouxperCon 2022! What you don’t know yet is that Honey will also be a part of the VeauxDevil Cabaret Burlesque Show again this year under drag persona, Stinger Wright-Sin!

Promo photo for Jim Cummings.

Jim Cummings

Winnie the Pooh is coming to SiouxperCon 2023: To Sioux Falls and Beyond! …and Tigger too!

A true legend, Jim Cummings has voiced almost 400 roles in his decades-long career – perhaps most notably as the official voice of Winnie the Poo since 1988 and Tigger since 1989. He’s also the official voice of the Tasmanian Devil, since 1991 and Disney’s Pete (aka Peg-leg Pete, Bad Pete, etc.) since 1991.

If you’ve visited Galaxy’s Edge at Walt Disney World, you’ve heard his voice as Hondo Ohnaka, which he also voices in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars: Rebels.

Among his multitude of voice credits, he’s also played Darkwing Duck, Cat on “Cat Dog”, Dr Robotnik in the “Sonic the Hedgehog” animated series and many, many, many more.

Even before his amazing career as a voice actor, Jim had a fascinating life, designing and painting Mardi Gras floats in New Orleans, working as a riverboat deck hand and singing and playing with a regional rock band.

Promo photo for Sean Gunn.

Sean Gunn

We are Out-of-This-Galaxy excited to announce that Sean Gunn is coming to SiouxperCon 2023: To Sioux Falls and Beyond!

It’s not every day you get to meet someone who plays a character in Marvel Universe – and even more rare to meet someone who plays two! Multi-faceted Sean Gunn not only portrays Kraglin in the “Guardians of the Galaxy” & other Marvel films, but also provides motion reference for Rocket Racoon! He will also reprise both roles in “Guardians of the Galaxy 3” coming in 2023!

If his many, many Marvel movies aren’t enough, his other movie credits include “The Suicide Squad”, “I am Mortal”, “Agnes”, “The Belko Experiment”, “A Boy Called Po”, “Ordinary World”, and more, including new projects currently in development.

Sean has also had many television roles. Fans of “Gilmore Girls” know him as the quirky Kirk Gleason in both the original series and the recent “Gilmore Girls Revival”. He has also appeared on “3rd Rock from the Sun”, “Glee”, “Yes, Dear”, “Bones”, “The Rookie”, and many more.

Promo photo for Megan Hollingshead.

Megan Hollingshead

We’re so excited to announce that the Original Nurse Joy from Pokémon – Megan Hollingshead – will be our guest at SiouxperCon 2023: To Sioux Falls and Beyond!

In addition to being the “OG” Nurse Joy, Megan is also well-known in the voiceover world as Yu-Gi-Oh!’s original Mai Valentine!

She has voiced hundreds of characters in animation and games including Bleach (Rangiku and Nemu), Naruto (Shizune and Ton Ton), Valkyrie Profile (Lenneth), Ergo Proxy (Rey-L Meyer), Code Geass (Villetta Nu), as well as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Dr. Abigail Finn), Sonic the Hedgehog (Scarlet Garcia) and many, many more Pokémon characters! The list really does go on and on and on!

If you’re starstruck and at a loss for words when you meet her at SiouxperCon: To Sioux Falls and Beyond!, ask her about her adventures braving volcanic hot springs with George Takei (Captain Sulu from Star Trek) or how she feels about the movie Raiders of the Lost Ark.

 

Promo image for Clara Meath.

Clara Meath

Clara has been working professionally in comics since 2014. She graduated from SCAD Atlanta in 2016 with the honor of Valedictorian, and her credits include two independently Kickstarted graphic novels–‘Edgar Allan Poe’s The Conqueror Worm’, and ‘Mother47‘ both of which are now published by Comics Experience Publishing.

Come say “Hi” to Clara and see what she’s up to now! Join us September 29 – October 1 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center!

Promo image for Rags Morales.

Rags Morales

Morales is the artistic talent behind many of the most famous DC Comics titles, including “Identity Crisis”, DC’s ongoing company-wide storyline.

You may have seen his work in “Nightwing”, “Superman/Batman”, “Blackest Night”, “Wonder Woman”, “Forgotten Realms”, “Black Condor”, “Justice Society of America”, and “Hawkman” among many other titles. He has also done work for Dungeons and Dragons magazine and novella work for Harper Collins, including titles by Isaac Asimov and Margaret Weis.

Promo photo for Nick Palma.

Nick Palma

 

We’re excited to announce that stunt man, martial artist and “Action Turtle” Nick Palma will be joining us at SiouxperCon 2023: To Sioux Falls and Beyond!

His movie credits include being the “Action Turtle” (the performer in the suit) for Michaelangelo in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: Secret of the Ooz.” Nick will appear at SiouxperCon in the Michaelangelo suit for character photo ops as well as greeting attendees & signing autographs in the exhibit hall.

Nick is a U.S. Army veteran, a Golden Glove-awarded boxer, and a skilled martial artist & performer having studied Wing Chun Kung Fu, Tae Kwon Do, Judo, Wrestling, Gymnastics, Fencing and Tai Chi.

Promo photo for Adrian Paul.

Adrian Paul

There Can Be Only One! …Sound familiar? Well, we’ve got him!

The one and only Adrian Paul, star of the Highlander tv series, is coming to SiouxperCon 2023: To Sioux Falls and Beyond! as a featured guest. In addition to playing Duncan MacLeod on Highlander for 6 years, Adrian has appeared in numerous movies and television shows, and even live theater & Broadway! He’s more than an onscreen star. He’s also a director, executive producer, screenwriter, accomplished martial artist and even a choreographer for fight scenes.

He has also developed and personally heads The Sword Experience, a sword training event that he will be bringing to Sioux Falls to coincide with his appearance at SiouxperCon! This is an exclusive, separately-ticketed event.

This is your chance to learn sword techniques from sword and martial arts expert, not to mention famous actor, Adrian Paul! In addition to your training session, you’ll also receive keepsakes from the event, including photos and video!

Customize your experience by selecting the package of your choice. To ensure the best Experience for all participants, registration is limited, so don’t wait! Spectator tickets for the Sword Experience are also available. 

Get all the details and register for your very own Sword Experience with Adrian Paul!

Promo photo for Arthur Sundyam.

Arthur Sundyam

Love zombie stories? C’mon – who doesn’t? Our guest–Arthur “Zombie King” Suydam–is probably partially responsible for that. Suydam’s work for the smash hit series “Marvel Zombies” helped prompt the international pop-culture zombie phenomenon.

Suydam is an award-winning artist for “The Walking Dead”, “Marvel Zombies”, “Deadpool”, “Army of Darkness”, “Moonknight”, “Black Panther” and many more.

He’s won the Spike TV Scream Award, Spectrum Gold Award for Institutional Art, The San Sebastian Film Festival Lifetime Achievement Award, U.O.M.E.S. Lifetime Achievement Award, and numerous fan-site favorite awards across the globe.

And did I mention ZOMBIES? 

Promo image of Veronica Taylor.

Veronica Taylor

She’s a classically trained actor who has performed in New York City and around the U.S., but you probably know her best as the voices of Ash and May on “Pokemon”! That’s right, Veronica Taylor will be joining us for SiouxperCon 2023: To Sioux Falls and Beyond!

In addition to “Pokemon” cartoons, you may also recognize her voice from her role as April in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”, Sheep in “World World”, Mixiebot in “Lunch Lab”, or Ramona from “Chuck Vanderchuck’s ‘something something’ Explosion!” and voice roles in “Cubix”, “Dinosaur King”, “Yu-Gi-Oh”, “Huntik”, “Tai Chi Chasers”, and more!

Her current projects include voicing characters in “Sailor Moon”, “Mofy”, “Astroblast”, and “Welcome to the Wayne”. Some of her anime favorites include Amelia on “Slayers”, Yukino on “His and Hers Circumstances”, all seven Nanas on “Nana Seven of Seven”, and Narue on “World of Narue”, as well as many others. She also does numerous voices for animation, video games, audiobooks, commercials and documentaries.

Promo image for Caroline Williams.

Caroline Williams

As announced on the Screams from the Basement podcast, horror star Caroline Williams will be appearing at SiouxperCon 2023: To Sioux Falls and Beyond!

After starting out in mainstream movies, commercials and voiceover work, Caroline Williams earned her first horror role by running screaming down the hallway and bursting into the casting office, pulling the chairs out from under the casting directors and performing her audition huddled in a corner. Her antics won her the role from a field of 440 actresses and set her on a path to roles in a mix of horror and mainstream films, including “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2”, “Leprechaun 3”, “Stepfather II”, “Days of Thunder” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”.

She has also appeared in numerous TV series guest starring roles including “Grey’s Anatomy”, “The Mentalist”, “ER”, “Nip/Tuck”, “NYPD Blue” and “Murder She Wrote”, among many others. She even made an appearance in the Sharknado franchise, appearing in “Sharknado: The 4th Awakens”.

Promo photo for Renée Witterstaetter.

Renée Witterstaetter

If you’ve been to SiouxperCon before, you’ve probably met writers, editors and color-artists, but have you ever met someone who has also been included as a character in comic books? SiouxperCon: To Sioux Falls and Beyond! guest Renee Witterstaetter is not only the real-life editor of “She-Hulk” but is also written into the comic books as a character, as well.

In addition to “She-Hulk” comics, she has worked as an editor for a long list of other comic titles such as “Guardians of the Galaxy”, “Superman”, “Silver Surfer”, “Conan The Barbarian”, “X-Files”, “Jurassic Park”, “Xena” and “Hercules”.

She has worked as a colorist on hundreds of comics including “The Avengers”, “Spider-man”, “Captain America”, “Jurassic Park” and many, many more.

Beyond her comic book work, she writes books, works on music videos and movies, curates gallery shows and currently represents a number of artists and actors through her own talent agency.

Knightmage

Can’t get enough Cosplay? Neither can we! We’re thrilled to welcome back international cosplayer/entertainer/philanthropist Michael “Knightmage” Wilson as a cosplay guest for SiouxperCon 2023: To Sioux Falls and Beyond, sponsored by Sioux Falls Pride!

 
A current, decorated 24-year Deputy Sheriff for the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office in Ohio, Michael has been cosplaying since 2012. Having created over 350 costumes and won numerous awards and accolades, Michael is noted as one of the most influential and diverse cosplayers in the world. And yes! We’re bringing him to Sioux Falls to meet fans right here!
 
Genuinely loving to entertain, make a positive impact and bring smiles, Michael most often uses his costuming by participating in many charitable events, benefits, parades, birthdays and hospital visits to children. This has led him to becoming a member of esteemed costuming groups all over the United States such as “The League of Heroes, The Heroes Alliance-Ohio Branch, East Coast Avengers, Costumers with a Cause and Superheroes to Kids in Ohio and Heroic Inner Kids”.
 
Michael often works closely with charity organizations as a sponsor and has partnered with over 200 various organizations around the world to fundraise and bring awareness to these organizations. Michael has received numerous awards for his charitable deeds including the “Outstanding Service Award” from Credit Where Credit Is Due, the CosBravo Award, Electronic Sports Industry Most Influential Male Cosplayer Award and most notably the “Presidential Volunteers Award” from President Barack Obama and the White House.
 
In addition to philanthropy, Michael also has a love for acting and stunt work, having worked on several Hollywood comic book movie productions. He was even an alternate for the 2006 reality show “Who Wants To Be A Superhero” hosted by Stan Lee. You may have seen him featured in the popular YouTube series “MAN AT ARMS: Reforged”. In addition to his own cosplay looks, Michael has also created various costumes for World Wrestling Entertainment superstars.

Maria Wolf Lopez

Back by popular demand from last year and sponsored by Rainbow Comics, Cards and Collectibles – Maria Wolf Lopez – will again be our guest at SiouxperCon 2023: To Sioux Falls and Beyond!
 
Maria is a Chicago-based comic book artist and freelance illustrator. Her work has been published in several short stories and anthologies like Deer Women and The Lost Pages. Her artwork has been displayed in many galleries and charity events; she was also given the opportunity to illustrate artwork for the Smithsonian Museum [Native Knowledge 360]
 
Her cover work for Marvel are some of the most sought after variant covers on the market. Her work includes Marvel Voices, X- Force, Death of Doctor Strange: Bloodstone, Reptil, Women of Marvel, Spider-Punk, Devils Reign, X-Men, By the Horns, Refrigerator full of Heads, Drumsticks of Doom, Lunar Room, God Killer and Barbaric.
 
She expresses her love, passion and raw detail through every line she draws. She believes that every line should bring out movement and flow, making even the smallest of details matter.
 
Her art has been described as intense and powerful. She looks forward to every new
opportunity and welcomes the challenges of her next big projects.
 

Peter Wartman

We are thrilled to announce that Peter Wartman, cartoonist and illustrator will be back with us
for SiouxperCon 2023: To Sioux Falls and Beyond!

Peter is currently working as the artist on the Avatar: The Last Airbender graphic novels with writer Faith Erin Hicks. 

His past work includes his debut, creator-owned graphic novel, Over the Wall, and its sequel, Stonebreaker, both of which were published by Uncivilized Books. He has also done work as a writer, most recently writing the NY Times Best Selling Dragon Prince: Through the Moon with artist Xanthe Bouma.

Hannah Eva

Get ready to meet cosplay guest Hannah Eva at SiouxperCon 2023: To Sioux Falls and
Beyond!

Hannah Eva is a cosplayer who considers herself a child at heart–who never grew out of playing dress up. Hannah attended her first convention in 2014 and immediately fell in love with the cosplay culture. She treats every costume that she makes like a work of art and loves to put creative twists on classic looks.

The winner of multiple costume competitions, she now uses her experiences to focus on judging cosplay competitions. When she is not attending conventions, she helps promote charities and local businesses with her cosplays. Hannah has always had a dream of making a career out of dressing up in costumes and with each stitch, button, and sequin she is proud to be making her dream a reality.

Eliot Rahal

Eliot Rahal is returning to SiouxperCon 2023: To Sioux Falls and Beyond benefitting Make-A- Wish of South Dakota & Montana!
 
Eliot Rahal is an acclaimed writer based in Minneapolis. Best known for his creator-owned comics, Eliot has also collaborated on graphic novels with international entertainers like Machine Gun Kelly, Cheech & Chong, and “Last Podcast on the Left”. Additionally, Eliot’s works have been featured by “The New York Times”, “Late Night with Seth Meyers”, “The CBS Morning Show”, and “The Drew Barrymore Show”.
 
Be sure to spend some time with Eliot on the Vendor floor September 29th to October 1st at the Sioux Falls Convention Center!