This year at Tampa Bay's Comic Con, one of the greatest and most hated villains in television history will attend. Of course I speak of the late King Joffrey Baratheon, also known as permanently retired Irish actor Jack Gleeson. Along with dozens of other celebrities, authors and professional cosplayers, he will take pictures and sign autographs for fans. Gleeson's memorabilia is on the pricier side, at $50 a picture, but most of the rest cost less, if anything. Hundreds of booths will sell pop culture swag, a speed dating event specifically for nerds and other panels and tutorials. Costumes obviously not required, but encouraged to say the least. Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa. Aug. 5-7, $30-$60. tampabaycomiccon.com.
This article appears in Jul 21-28, 2016.