Infinity Con Tallahassee 2021 is a comic convention on June 5-6 at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center in Tallahassee, Florida. The family-friendly event features comic book, science fiction, fantasy, gaming, and pop culture genres. We interviewed David Heringer of Infinity Con Tallahassee to learn more.
Here are seven magnificent reasons you should be there.
Magnificent reason #1: Roxy the Rancor, pet of Jabba the Hutt, will be there.
Roxy is the gigantic, vicious pet of Jabba the Hutt from Star Wars: Return of the Jedi who nearly killed Luke Skywalker. The mammoth-sized beast has dark, beady eyes and giant, sharp claws – and, of course, massive fangs.
The 501st Legion’s Florida Garrison in 2012 became so passionate about Roxy the Rancor they partnered with professional theme sculptor Pizzazz Scenic to build a life-size model, which is 17-feet long and weighs more than seven hundred pounds. Roxy’s purpose for being built is to attend conventions. So for transport, Roxy breaks down into seven pieces, which is done by a team of five people called “Roxy’s Pit Crew.”
The complex skeletal frame was constructed of plywood, with the body being sculpted using 2,000 cubic feet of expanded polystyrene foam. Intricate details in the teeth, eyes, and claws show the extraordinary craftsmanship. The gigantic, scaly hide is airbrushed with hundreds of colors.
Photos below show how Roxy can strike fear into the hearts of aliens, or allow geeky girls to clean her teeth. The YouTube video below shares the story — the love, hard work, and inspiration — of how Roxy was created. (photo credits left to right: technabob.com, geekwithcurves.com).
Magnificent reason # 2: Lemmy the Luggabeast will also be there
Joining Roxy the Rancor is Lemmy the Luggabeast, the Jakku-wandering Luggabeast in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The same team that created Roxy, the 501st Legion and Pizzazz Scenic, came together again to create the life-sized reproduction of Lemmy.
Their process began with building a wooden skeleton to support the weight of up to two riders. Huge blocks of polystyrene foam coated with a rubberizing compound were added for strength and resilience. Painting and detailing finished the massive piece that appears at conventions. See the Luggabeast’s butt (image below left) at Infinity Con Tallahassee 2021. (photo credits left to right: technabob.com, EricHollanderDesign.com)
Magnificent reason # 3: Super Smash Bros. tournament is expected to be big
There is a two-day gaming tournament of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, which is a Nintendo crossover action fighting game, the fifth installment of the series. The massively popular games have sold nearly 23 million copies worldwide. Heringer is expecting as many as 1,000 players for Infinity Con’s tournament, which is the first major Smash event in the U.S. since COVID-19 shutdowns. Tournament registration closes May 30 at 11 p.m. (image credit: gamepur.com)
Magnificent reason # 4: There is a special effects panel hosted by Jeh Howell
Infinity Con Tallahassee 2021 features a special effects panel hosted by Jeh Howell, an expert in makeup and theatrics who crafts prosthetic appliances, scene elements and costumes. He has worked on many projects in theater and film, most notably for the fandom is Zombieland starring Woody Harrelson and Emma Stone. He owns and operates Factory of Effects, which is a professional make-up studio and manufacturer of latex masks, prosthetic body parts, props and costumes for theatrical productions.
Magnificent reason # 5: You can get to know comic artists and writers
There will be numerous comic artists, writers and publishers at Infinity Con Tallahassee 2021. Among them is Michael Shelfer, an artist whose credits include Marvel Comics Presents as well as Domino (image below left) and Domino Hot Shots. (image credit Marvel.com). And Martin Pierro is the writer and owner of Cosmic Times, an independent publisher of more than 12 titles including Deep Space Tragedy (image below center, credit cosmictimes.net). Also at the event are artist Amanda Rachels and writer Kevin Laporte of Inverse Press, which publishes independent comics in the genres of horror, science fiction, and dark humor, including Vicious Circle (image below right, credit inversepress.com)
Magnificent reason # 6 There is a cosplay contest facilitated by Fred Reed
There will be a cosplay contest, which is facilitated by Fred and Elle Reed, who are professional cosplayers and costumers from Jacksonville, Florida. Notably, Fred was a participant on the Syfy Network’s “Cosplay Melee,” a reality show where cosplayers put their skills to the test as they craft cosplays and assume the characters in performances.
Magnificent reason # 7: Florida Cosplay Digital Magazine will be there
Florida Comic Cons publishes Florida Cosplay Digital Magazine, which will be at Infinity Con Tallahassee 2021 in search of talented cosplayers. Here are some of our past magazines, which are always free. Learn more and read mags (covers below)
