Star Trek Legend William Shatner Leads Stacked Lineup at Motor City Comic Con
The annual Motor City Comic Con has officially returned to Novi, Michigan, bringing a massive celebration of pop culture, comic arts, and genre entertainment to local fans.
This year’s spring convention features an array of legendary talent from across film, television, gaming, and comic books, giving attendees a unique opportunity to interact with their favorite storytellers.
Headlining the high-profile guest list is Hollywood veteran and Star Trek icon William Shatner, who traveled to the Wolverine State to connect with his dedicated fan base.
Event Schedule and Venue Logistics
The three-day pop culture festival took place from Friday, May 15, through Sunday, May 17, offering a packed schedule of panels, gaming tournaments, cosplay contests, and fan experiences.
The entire convention was hosted at the Vibe Credit Union Showplace, located at 46100 Grand River Ave in Novi, Michigan, just outside of Detroit.
The doors opened to the public across varying operational hours for each day of the weekend event:
- Friday, May 15: 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM
- Saturday, May 16: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Sunday, May 17: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
William Shatner planned his highly anticipated appearance specifically for Saturday and Sunday, making the announcement directly to his followers via his official Instagram page.
To accommodate the heavy volume of convention attendees, strict operational windows were implemented for Shatner’s scheduled activities during the weekend.
On Saturday, May 16, the Captain Kirk actor was available on-site until 4:30 PM ET, while his Sunday availability concluded at 4:15 PM ET.
Star Trek Reunion and Autograph Opportunities
Beyond individual appearances, the event served as a major destination for sci-fi fans due to a rare gathering of legendary Star Trek franchise stars.
Shatner, world-renowned for his iconic portrayal of Captain James T. Kirk in the original series and seven subsequent films, was joined by other legendary franchise figures.
To explore how similar large-scale fan events manage high-profile guest line-ups and autograph demands, check out the latest Entertainment Convention Updates across the industry.
Jonathan Frakes, best known as Commander William T. Riker from Star Trek: The Next Generation, joined Shatner for the weekend festivities on Saturday and Sunday.
Brent Spiner, the actor behind the beloved android Commander Data, rounded out the primary franchise trio and committed to appearing across all three days of the convention.
The convention structured several pricing packages for fans seeking to secure direct autographs, inscriptions, and professional photo sessions with the attending actors:
- Shatner Regular Autograph: Available to attendees for $120.
- Shatner Premium Autograph: Offered at a rate of $150.
- Shatner Inscription: Priced at $30 for fans wanting custom text.
- Shatner Solo Photo Op: A professional photograph session costing $150.
- Star Trek Trio Photo Op: A group photo featuring Shatner, Frakes, and Spiner bundled together for $260.
Every professional photograph package managed by POSE photo ops included a physical printed 8×10 copy alongside a free digital download for the participants.
Other notable names connected to the broader Star Trek universe, including actors Karl Urban and Simon Pegg, were also present in the convention lineup.
A Diverse Roster of Celebrity Guests
The weekend extended far beyond the bounds of space exploration, incorporating major actors from some of the most prominent television series and film franchises in media history.
To learn more about how major television networks and streaming platforms coordinate these large cast gatherings for fans, review current Hollywood Production Schedules online.
Fans of the hit superhero series “The Boys” had the chance to meet multiple central cast members who traveled out to the Michigan convention area.
Laz Alonso, recognized for his role as Mother’s Milk, and Tomer Capone, who portrays Frenchie, represented the popular television series during the event.
Shawn Ashmore, who played Lamplighter in “The Boys” and Bobby Drake in the X-Men film franchise, made appearances on both Saturday and Sunday.
The television roster was further bolstered by international stars representing critically acclaimed fantasy dramas and comic book adaptations:
- Kit Harington: The Game of Thrones star was available Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for $50 standard autographs and $70 premium autographs or solo photos.
- Charlie Cox: The Daredevil and Daredevil: Born Again lead actor made an exclusive appearance on Saturday, May 16.
- John Boyega: The Star Wars sequel trilogy actor, known for playing Finn, met with fans during the weekend.
Panels, Artist Alley, and Community Culture
In addition to the main celebrity autograph and photograph areas, the event hosted an extensive lineup of creative and industry panels inside designated rooms.
Media outlet ScreenRant maintained an on-site presence, with reporter Liam Crowley acting as a moderator for several prominent panels across the weekend.
Aspiring comic book creators attended the “All Sorrows” panel on Saturday morning in the Legacy I room, where Crowley and indie creator Sean Peacock detailed the comic creation process.
Immediately following that session, veteran comic book creators Rick Leonardi and Sam De La Rosa took the stage in the same room to discuss their extensive careers.
Attendees also spent time perusing the iconic Artist Alley, participating in competitive gaming tournaments, and exploring specialized vendor booths filling out the convention floor.
