Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Fans get into character at Lilac City Comicon

Science fiction and anime fans gathered by the thousands Saturday for the 11th annual Lilac City Comicon, some wearing elaborate costumes and others wandering around in street clothes.

One of the featured guests at this year’s event was Tim Russ, who played Tuvok on “Star Trek: Voyager.” Fans lined up to get his autograph Saturday morning, but the line was generally short enough that Russ could take the time to chat with his fans.

Russ said he likes the busy, larger Comic-Cons because it makes the time go faster, but he also likes to linger in interesting conversations when he can.

He said he knew he would become a lifetime member of the Trek universe and its dedicated, loyal fans when he accepted the role on “Voyager.”

“I had a pretty good idea what was going to happen,” he said.

In between his convention appearances, he has been busy acting and directing, he said. He starts shooting a film called “Sun, Sand and Romance” next week and stars in “Fifth Passenger,” a sci-fi movie that hits theaters on July 1. He also directed and starred in “Renegades: The Requiem,” a fan-funded sci-fi web series that includes Star Trek luminaries like Nichelle Nichols, Walter Koenig, Terry Farrell and Robert Beltran.

Russ said he looks back at his time on “Voyager” fondly. “I miss the people,” he said. “That’s the one thing that was absolutely amazing. I don’t miss the 16-hour days.”

In addition to meeting the variety of guest stars, people could also purchase comics, posters and other fan-friendly items.

The original 1996 Batmobile drew a steady crowd of onlookers. It’s owned by Clint Young, who has worked as an Adam West look-alike for the past 30 years. He occasionally wears a Batman suit, which he says takes a half-hour to get into.

Dylan Beecher was one of many who paid $19.99 for the chance to sit inside the Batmobile and have his picture taken. “It was great,” he said after he posed inside the car. “It’s been a childhood fantasy, ever since I was a little kid running around in my Batman costume.”

His love of all things Batman has continued, as evidenced by the Batman earrings dangling from his ears Saturday. “I’ve got Batman everything,” he said.

Terrance MacMullan was dressed as Qui-Gon Jinn, a Jedi from the Star Wars movies. The costume was enhanced by his beard, his hair and his uncanny resemblance to actor Liam Neeson, who portrayed the character.

“I honestly looked like this, and then the movies came out,” he said.

His look was so spot-on that several people asked to take pictures with him. One woman dubbed him “everyone’s favorite space Jesus.”

MacMullan has been coming to the Lilac City Comicon, usually dressed as Qui-Gon, for 10 years. It’s a great community event and a way to meet “other nerds and geeks,” he said. “This is one of those things that make the community real.”

Saturday he was accompanied by his 13-year-old daughter, Sylvia, dressed as Harley Quinn, Joker’s girlfriend, and a young Star Wars padawan learner, his 7-year-old son, Liam. And yes, his name does have a little bit to do with that other Liam. Plus, it’s a good Irish name, MacMullan said.

Perhaps it’s no accident that MacMullan, a philosophy professor at Eastern Washington University, teaches a class called “Star Wars and Philosophy” that puts everything in terms young students can understand and appreciate.

“It’s a platform to actually talk about philosophical issues,” he said.