Comic conventions, like political conventions, are places where groups of like-minded enthusiasts gather for pageantry and the revelation of a superhero to save modern times. Commune with society-saviors with today’s Groupon: for $10, you get one adult ticket to the Wizard World Austin Comic Con at the Austin Convention Center (a $25 value). This deal is valid for admission on Sunday, November 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Wizard World Austin Comic Con herds international artists, writers, and celebrities together into one super-powered carnival atmosphere. Attendees can don their favorite superhero cape or movie-themed costume before wandering the pavilion's floor to meet their film and comic-book idols face-to-face, asking penetrating questions about their artistic processes, favorite projects, and availability to join a vigilante crackdown on line-cutters. During Sunday’s whistle stop, chat up Firefly alumnus Adam Baldwin or Academy Award–winner Louis Gossett Jr., famous for forcing fans to do pushups before he signs autographs.
Wizard World’s all-star lineup of legendary comic artists includes Greg Capullo, best known for his gritty pencils on Spawn, and Eisner Award–nominee Jo Chen. The day’s program also features thrilling pop-culture events such as a reunion of the five kids from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. The comic con’s game room is free and open to those who need to work off the jitters resulting from meeting the giants of panel and screen or exercise their newly cartoon thumbs.