2012 Guests of Honor

Media Guest: Travis Richey

Travis Richey, aka Inspector Spacetime from the NBC show Community, will be joining our fandom fun this September. Since first appearing on September 22, 2011 in the Community episode “Biology 101″ as a show within a show parody of Doctor Who, the good Inspector in his red time traveling phone box has been catching up with the blue time traveling phone box. In the initial episode it is claimed that Inspector Spacetime has been on air since 1962, placing it a whole year older than Doctor Who and thus making it the longest running science fiction television show ever. We shall therefore be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Inspector Spacetime at Pandoracon this year!

Travis Richey, very friendly and full of energy, describes himself as “as big a nerd as anyone else,” and fully recognizes the fandom phenomena that Inspector Spacetime has so quickly become. Richey also produces various independent web series, and this April successfully managed to raise the funds to produce a new show inspired by Inspector Spacetime which is currently called Untitled Web Series About A Space Traveler Who Can Also Travel Through Time . . . known as UWSAASTWCATTT for short.

NBC owns the name Inspector Spacetime and as of yet seem like they wish to keep it, but that has not stopped the fandom world from recognizing Travis Richey as the 11th incarnation of an alien who travels through time and space, and likes to inspect things. According to the Inspector Spacetime wiki site, Mad Man with a Booth, ten other actors have played the famous inspector, including British actress Lynda Bellingham. It is amazing how quickly the Inspector has captured the imagination of fans everywhere and has truly become a cult within a cult figure.

Media Guest: Jason Carter

Babylon 5 Ranger Marcus Cole, also known as British actor Jason Carter, will join the Pandoracon festivities this September.

Born in London and raised in Gainsborough, a small market-town in Lincolnshire, Jason was advised to pursue a career in rubber technology. He opted instead for three years at L.A.M.D.A. (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art). His first television role was on BBC2′s“Jackanory” (1965) in ‘Hawkwing’. Jason then did long runs in the London West End which included such plays as ‘Melon’ with Alan Bates, ‘The Sleeping Prince’ with Omar Sharif, ‘Salome’ with ‘Steven Berkoff’ and his Royal National Theatre productions, ‘The Boiling Point’ and ‘Absolute Hell’. Upon moving to America, Jason expanded his career in numerous roles and guest appearances. His television appearances included  “3rd Rock from the Sun” (1996),  “Roar” (1997), “Almost Perfect” (1995) and Diagnosis Murder (1992) (TV). In “Beverly Hills, 90210″ (1990) he portrayed Roy Randolph, the dashing British theatre director. Not forgetting what Jason is most known for in Science Fiction, the role of the much loved and missed Marcus Cole on “Babylon 5″(1994). His credits also include numerous Television miniseries and made for TV movies, including Taking Liberty (1993), _Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris (1992) (TV), Orchard House (1991) (TV) Ellis Island (1984) (mini) and Forever Young (1983) (TV). Jason’s movie credits include Georgia (1995), Dakota Road (1990), The Emperor’s New Clothes (1987) and King David (1985).

Guest Artist: Billy Tackett

Announcing Billy Tackett as Pandoracon’s guest artist! With humble beginnings in rural KY, award winning artist Billy Tackett freelanced tirelessly for 12 years to receive international recognition as an accomplished artist and illustrator.  His numerous works include fine art paintings, portraits, and various other commercial illustrations.  His work has been seen on National Geographic Channel and showcased in publications such as Horrorhound Magazine, ImagineFX and Harper-Collins’ Vampire Art Now. His client list includes authors Shane Moore, Curt Siodmak, Richard Lupoff and Jonathan Maberry, pro wrestler Jerry Lynn and death-rap musician Necro.

After publishing over 200 book covers he created his signature piece, Zombie Sam, which gave birth to his Dead White & Blue series and has amassed a loyal fan base that transcends all genres and stereotypes.

In addition to creating art in his studio he also attends over 20 events per year, most by invitation as Artist Guest of Honor, and has launched a line of apparel and merchandise featuring his art. His art book, For The Love Of Monsters, is out now and his graphic novel, Dead White & Blue Comics, is scheduled for release later in 2011.

Avoid visiting www.BillyTackett.com if you suffer from heart problems, weak stomach, fear of the dark, or a shortness of a sense of humor.

Guest Author: Terri A. Jacobs

Teri A. Jacobs, dark fantasy author of “The Void” and “Secrets of the Bones,” joins Pandoracon as a guest author. Jacobs is not for the faint-hearted and critics have described her as “a fearless storyteller who knows how to grab your attention. This [“The Void”] was a genuinely frightening and intelligent book, filled with all sorts of malicious fun.”

Her most recent novel, “The Secret of the Bones,” is a tale of  the Grigori, the fallen angels of the Old Testament, have escaped their prison in heaven and once again seek to spawn ravenous sons-with Rani, as their prey, their pawn for exquisite pain and sex . . . but she is another’s pawn as well. One man, a master in the art of necromancy, murdered her son years before and now holds his tortured soul ransom-her life for his peace. Because within her flesh and bone lie divine secrets and the keys to controlling the angels. Power he craves. Power she possesses. Power that manifests in the deadliest ways. Delve into the Secrets of the Bones, into this apocryphal covenant of gods and monsters, into this disturbing Dark Testament of madness and magick, blood and blasphemy…

Guest Artist: Jeff Carlisle

Born in the town of Shelby, OH (Birthplace of the seamless tube industry in America), Jeff Carlisle grew up in the bustling metropolis of Columbus, OH. There, he attended public school without being shot or stabbed and continued his education at the prestigious Columbus College of Art and Design, to whom he swears he will pay back his tuition.

A year or so after graduating from Art School, Jeff submitted art to the Star Wars fan site TheForce.Net, which resulted in a dedicated fan art gallery there and enough courage to actually talk to his peers. In the year 2000, A chance meeting with acclaimed fantasy artist and children’s book author Tony DiTerlizzi resulted in a new friendship for both and persistent nagging from DiTerlizzi to “get in the game,” which led to the 2000 GenCon game fair, which led to his first industry job: programming Binary Load-Lifters, er, drawing Starships, Droids and Aliens for Star Wars Gamer magazine.

After moving for a short time to San Diego California to work on a video game, Jeff returned to Columbus — where he lives with his wife, Lisa, and their white hellcat, Snow.

After six years of freelance illustration and concept design, he has worked with a number of clients including:Alderac Entertainment Group (AEG), COSI Studios, Decipher, Goodman Games/Sword and Sorcery, Green Ronin Publishing, Lucasfilm Ltd., Paizo Publishing, Poop House Reilly, Presto Studios/Microsoft Game Studios,The Scarefactory, Inc., Topps and Wizards of the Coast.

Now, people actually pay him to do what he does for free on his own time, but don’t tell anyone–that’s a secret.

Guest Author: Muffy Morrigan

Born in California, Muffy Morrigan began her writing career at the age of six, when after completing her first hand written novel she attempted to sell it to the neighbors for the lofty price of ten cents.

After myriad careers, including archaeological consultant, teacher, herbalist, shop keeper, news editor, reporter and columnist, she has settled in to her first love and passion–writing. She currently lives and works in the Pacific Northwest.

Morrigan is author of The Sail Weaver, The Hunt: A Custodes Noctis Book, The Legacy: A Custodes Noctis Book, and The Summoning.