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Meet Artist Mark Watts at Retro Con 2025!
Returning for Retro Con 2025 is esteemed artist Mark Watts!
Mark is responsible for the iconic painted artwork made for the box art on G1 Transformers toys! With a dynamic style and a metallic sheen, his art is striking to this day. Catch him in the Guest section at the show!
Check out Mark’s website here:
https://markwattsart.com/
Meet Michael Bell at Retro Con 2024!
Yoooo Joe! If anyone is qualified to take over Neil Ross’ spot on our guest list, it’s this man! Please welcome veteran voice actor Michael Bell to Retro Con 2024!
An actor of more than 50 years, one of Michael’s most popular characters is field commander Conrad “Duke” Hauser on the classic 80’s cartoon GI Joe: A Real American Hero by Marvel/Sunbow Productions! In addition to playing Duke, Michael also voiced Major Bludd, Scrap-Iron, Xamot, Clutch, Tollbooth, and Blowtorch on the show. He reprised his Duke role for the very last scene of GI Joe Renegades in 2010, and for a hilarious GI Joe parody episode of Community in 2014!
Michael was also a big part of the original Transformers cartoon, celebrating its astounding *40th Anniversary* this year! Michael voiced such well-known characters on the show as Prowl, Scrapper, Sideswipe, Bombshell, First Aid, and Swoop! “Me Swoop no see nothing!” He also reprised the characters of Sideswipe and Scrapper for the Transformers: Devastation video game in 2015, and Prowl for a recent 40th Anniversary re-recording of the very first episode of Transformers!
Other notable characters Michael voiced include Lance and Sven on Voltron, Zan, Gleek, and the Riddler on Super Friends, Drew Pickles and Chas Finster on Rugrats, the title character in Ruby-Spears’ Plastic Man cartoon, “The Fear” in Metal Gear Solid 3, Raziel in The Legacy of Kain/Soul Reaver series, Handy, Lazy, and Grouchy on The Smurfs, Bruce Banner on The Incredible Hulk, Allstar Seaworthy on Snorks, Mark on Speed Buggy, Lawrence in the Ratchet & Clank series, and way too many more to list!
Michael also provided dubbing work on the original 1977 Star Wars, voicing General Willard on Yavin 4, and he overdubbed Peter Criss’ dialogue in the infamous TV movie ‘KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park’!
You may have also see Michael Bell on-screen! Look for him on classic tv shows such as Three’s Company, Star Trek: TNG and DS9, the Monkees, CHiPs, Get Smart, Mission Impossible, M*A*S*H, and Charlie’s Angels!
Meet the man behind the characters at Retro Con 2024, September 7th & 8th in Oaks, PA!
Follow Michael Bell Online!
Website: http://www.michaelbellvoices.com/
Meet the Cybertronic Spree at Retro Con 2024!
Fashionably late, but the party bots and cons have arrived!! Help us celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Transformers with the REAL Rock Lords… The Cybertronic Spree!!
Join Hotrod, Arcee, Rumble, Unicron, Soundwave, Bumblebee, Shockwave, and all 5 faces of the Quintesson as they prove they’ve got the power to light your darkest hour! These rockstars in disguise play music from Transformers: The Movie (1986), plus songs from hit movies & shows, cartoons, classic rock, video games, plus their own original tunes! They blend their love for 80’s and 90’s pop culture into an energon-fueled, unforgettable live show that just might transform you back into a kid again!
The Cybertronic Spree will be attending Retro Con as convention guests early on Saturday, September 7th. Meet the band, snap some pictures, and pick up band-related merchandise at their table! Tentative meet/greet times are 10am to 1pm.
And of course, the Spree will also be performing a LIVE CONCERT that Saturday night next door at Arnold’s Entertainment Center in Oaks! Tickets for this concert/after-party will be separate from Retro Con proper, and will go up for sale TOMORROW!! Keep watching the Retro Con and Cybertronic Spree pages!
We’d like to dedicate the concert this year to the memory of Jason Gross, a friend and longtime supporter of Retro Con who we lost late last year. His presence will be felt at the show.
Meet Voice Actor Neil Ross at Retro Con 2024!
We’re kicking off our guest list with a voice acting great… Please welcome the esteemed Neil Ross to Retro Con 2024!
A fifty plus year veteran of voiceovers and radio, Neil has so many classic characters under his belt, it’s tough to pick a foremost role! He played unruly swabbie Shipwreck on the hit 80’s cartoon series GI Joe: A Real American Hero, one of the most popular Joes on the show. He also voiced other featured characters on the program such as Dusty, Buzzer, and Monkeywrench, as well as incredulous reporter Hector Ramirez, who is notable for being a crossover character in GI Joe, Transformers, Jem, and Inhumanoids!
Neil was also a big part in the Generation 1 Transformers cartoon, with his largest role being the rugged Autobot Springer in season 3 of the show. He also voiced surly Dinobot Slag, Hook and Bonecrusher of Constructicons/Devastator fame, Crosshairs, Pointblank, and Sixshot!
“And I’ll form… the head!” Switching over to Voltron, Neil played two of the main characters on the popular ‘Lion Force’ version of the show- Commander Keith and Pidge! He reprised the role of Keith for Voltron: The Third Dimension, and also voiced Voltron himself in a nostalgia-fueled “Happy Honda Days” series of commercials back in 2018.
Neil had another popular role in the 1990’s where he played the demented Green Goblin on the 1994 Spider-Man TV series, reaching a whole new generation of fans! You may also have heard Neil as Clyde in the 1982 Pac-Man cartoon, Leoric on Visionaries, Ace McCloud on Centurions, Herc Armstrong on Inhumanoids, FLUFFI on Bionic Six, Dr. Doom on Fantastic Four, the Clamp building announcer in Gremlins 2, and he voiced the title character in Rambo: The Force of Freedom! Yes, we had to include the image of Rambo riding on the back of a great white shark in Neil’s promo pic…
It’s been a full eleven years since Neil has been at Retro Con, and we’re looking forward to showing him how much we’ve grown since then. And we’re hoping you’ll come out to meet him too!
Neil has written his own autobiography entitled Vocal Recall: A Life in Radio and Voiceovers, chronicling his upbringing in the UK, time in the military, and his long career in the voiceover realm. You can buy it directly on his website, with net proceeds donated to Broadcasters Foundation of America & The Actors Fund!
Retro Con 2023 Weird Toy Contest!
NEW CONTEST ALERT!!
The Retro Con household has an unhealthy obsession with offbeat/quirky toys, and now we want to see YOUR weirdness! Come witness the strange, the bizarre, the unexpected… at the Retro Con 2023 Weird Toy Contest!
The contest will be held in the Panel room on Saturday at the show. No sign-ups are required, you can simply show for line-up with your toy just before contest start time (full show schedule very coming soon). Your toy can be officially licensed, unlicensed, vintage, new, or even bootleg. We’re also allowing “toy adjacent” items to be entered, which are those tie-in items associated with a toy line or brand, such as lunchboxes, gumball machines, electronic toothbrushes, model kits, pharmacy rack toys, and of course… He-Man slippers like the ones shown in our picture!
If your toy involves a gimmick you’d like to demonstrate, you’re welcome to do so. Custom toys however will *not* be allowed as they’re too easy to purposely design “askew”. We also request that your toy be suitable for a family-oriented crowd. We reserve the right to decline any toy we feel is inappropriate for the contest. So leave your Shape-shifter Punisher at home!
Top prize for the contest is a brand new in box Super Shogun Optimus Prime by Super7! Shogun Optimus stands at a commanding 24″ inches tall, has rolling wheels on his feet, and a launching fist just like the old Shogun Warriors! 2nd Prize is the currently sold-out GI Joe Classified Serpentor figure, and 3rd Prize is the Comic Con (or “Cosmic Con”) exclusive ALF figure by NECA!
A big thanks to our friend Mike from The Breaux Show for hosting the contest!
Mark Watts Gallery at Retro Con 2023
We’re pleased to announce the return of artist Mark Watts for Retro Con 2023!
Mark is the man responsible for the brilliant artwork used on the boxes of the original G1 Transformers toy line! He created over 45 commissioned paintings for Hasbro between the mid 80’s and early 90’s, most used directly on the packaging of the product. His dynamic art style set the trend that other artists would emulate for other characters in the line.
Some of the iconic characters he illustrated include Shockwave, Jetfire, the Constructicons, Devastator, Predaking, Menasor, the original Minibots, and dozens more! He also did several paintings used for Transformers mail-away offers, such as Reflector, the “Time Warrior” Autobot watch, and the Omnibots. He’s also produced art for other toys such as Tyco’s Crash Test Dummies, and Matchbox’s “Cargantua” robotic car carrier!
Check out Mark’s booth in the guest section where he’ll be displaying his artwork and offering prints for sale! He had a great time meeting attendees in past years. He loved hearing stories of how fans would cut his artwork out of the toy packaging as kids and tape it to their walls as room decoration!
Check out Mark’s website: markwattsstudios.com
Meet Singer Stan Bush at Retro Con 2023!
**Guest Appearance plus Concert Performance!!**
He’s got the touch! He’s got the power! YEAH!! Please welcome Emmy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and musician Stan Bush to Retro Con 2023!
Stan Bush is best known for his iconic song “The Touch”, heard prominently during Optimus Prime’s epic last stand in the classic 1986 animated film ‘Transformers: The Movie’! An anthem for Transformers fans around the world, The Touch has been used in several TF productions over the years, and also featured on ABC’s The Goldbergs, NBC’s Chuck, FOX’s American Dad, Guitar Hero: World Tour, Saints Row IV, Shadow Warrior 2, the movie Boogie Nights, and many more!
Stan also collaborated with Vince DiCola for the song “Dare”, another standout track from the Transformers movie. You can also hear Stan’s song “Hearts vs. Heads” in the turbocharged film The Wraith (1986), “Never Surrender” in the Jean-Claude Van Damme cult classic Kickboxer (1989), “Warrior” in the video game Shadow Warrior 2, “She’s Got the Power” in DiC Entertainment’s english dub of Sailor Moon, and his song “Capture the Dream” was used as the official anthem of the US Swim Team at the 1996 Summer Olympics!
Stan will be a featured guest at Retro Con both Saturday and Sunday, so stop by his table in the guest section to say hi. Bring along your copy of the Transformers movie soundtrack on LP, cassette, or CD to get signed!
And as teased earlier, Stan will be taking the stage with the Cybertronic Spree for our Saturday night concert!! Being held at ‘Arnold’s at the Factory’ in Oaks, Stan will be singing Dare and The Touch with the band as back-up, as well as one or two more surprises! This team-up has never happened before, so don’t miss this chance to witness history!! Concert tickets go on sale next month!
Stan Bush’s trip to Retro Con is being sponsored by the generous folks over at Tommy & the Order of Cosmic Champions! We thank them for coming to us with the idea of bringing Stan to the show, and for their part in helping make this amazing crossover event a reality! Please check out their website! It’s a book and a multimedia experience. Their soundtrack even includes a brand new song by Stan Bush himself!
The Cybertronic Spree at Retro Con 2023! With Secret Guest Star!
A legendary event is in the making…
The bots with the power of rock are returning, and THIS year they’ll have some serious back-up! Please welcome to Retro Con 2023… The Cybertronic Spree!!
Join Hotrod, Arcee, Rumble, Unicron, Soundwave, Bumblebee, Shockwave, and all 5 faces of the Quintesson as they prove they’ve got the power to light your darkest hour! These rockstars in disguise play music from Transformers: The Movie (1986), plus songs from hit movies & tv shows, cartoons, classic rock, video games, as well as their own original tunes. They blend their love for 80’s and 90’s pop culture into an energon-fueled, unforgettable live show that just might transform you back into a kid again!
The Cybertronic Spree will be attending Retro Con early on Saturday (September 9th) as convention guests, where fans can meet the band and pick up band-related merchandise. Tentative times are 10am to 1pm.
And like usual, the Spree will be performing a LIVE CONCERT on Saturday night at 8pm at the nearby ‘Arnold’s at the Factory’ in Oaks. Tickets go on sale in May!
But UNLIKE usual, this year they’ll be joined on stage by a SECRET GUEST PERFORMER! Who’s the secret guest?? Find out in a future Retro Con announcement! Your only hint is that this person has never performed with the band previously. *activates the rumor mill*
No worries, CS purists! This will absolutely be a Cybertronic Spree concert! They’ll just have a special guest joining them for a few select tracks. Believe us, this will be “relevant to your interests”…
We won’t leave you hanging for long. Stay tuned for a follow-up post next week!! Or in the words of a Transformers cartoon two-parter: TO BE CONTINUED…
Cybertronic Spree Concert Tickets Now On Sale!
Get ready for the REAL Rock Lords!!
Tickets are NOW AVAILABLE for the Cybertronic Spree concert, happening Saturday, September 24th at Arnold’s at the Factory in Oaks, PA!
Venue:
Arnold’s at the Factory in Oaks
(Water Tower section)
2200 West Dr
Oaks, PA 19456
Website: http://arnoldsffc.com/
Concert start time: 8pm
**Please arrive between 7pm and 8pm for concert check-in**
Purchase tickets via Paypal below!
CONCERT TICKETS SOLD OUT!!
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Please read concert details in full:
You DO NOT need to pre-register for (or even attend) Retro Con itself to buy tickets for the concert. But likewise, purchasing a concert ticket does not grant you access into Retro Con. These are separate events.
These are considered “Will Call” tickets, which means physical tickets will NOT be mailed to you. Please bring along your ID or a print-out/screen cap of your Paypal transaction receipt. Our staff will use it to check you in at Arnold’s. We will send you an email to confirm your ticket purchase.
Tickets are NON-REFUNDABLE. However, in the unlikely event the concert is cancelled, full refunds will be given.
Please note you should enter through The Water Tower entrance at Arnold’s Family Fun Center, which is just to the right of the main entrance at Arnold’s (look for the blue awning). Arnold’s itself is located directly next door to The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks.
The concert start time is 8pm, though you can arrive for concert check-in any time after 7pm. But feel free to get to Arnold’s Family Fun Center early! They have a numerous fun activities such as go-carts, mini golf, lasertag, arcade games, bowling, a restaurant, and much more!
The concert will run about one hour and fifteen minutes. Maybe longer if you charge up the band with your positive energy!!
Attendees can purchase band-related t-shirts and other merch at the venue before the show if you want to watch the concert in style! The band will also be available for a meet/greet immediately after the concert. But to ensure you get the full band experience (and first crack at their merchandise), please come to Retro Con on Saturday! The band will be at the show from 10am to 1pm, and will be taking part in a Q&A panel!
Please note that this is a General Admission/Standing Room Only concert. This means that there will be no chairs in the main audience section, and there will be no assigned positions. The staff at Arnold’s will of course do their best to accommodate attendees with disabilities.
There is a full bar in the venue, where attendees 21 and older can purchase drinks.
There are no age restrictions at this event, though all ages require a concert ticket. We do not recommend bringing very young children to this event, as it is a rock concert played at full volume. Please also keep in mind the concert will be held in a bar setting.
We want to keep this event fun and safe for everyone! Anyone found to be disorderly will be asked to leave without refund.
If you need to make a name change on your ticket reservation, please drop us a line at screamers85@gmail.com!
Missed our original announcement about the Cybertronic Spree? Read all about them here:
retrocons.com/2022/05/27/cybertronic-spree-guest-appearance-and-concert/
Cybertronic Spree Guest Appearance and Concert!
These “metalheads” are the real deal! Traveling to Oaks via the Spacebridge, please welcome back for Retro Con 2022… The Cybertronic Spree!
More than meets the eye, this band of Transformers are here on Earth with one critical mission: To party like it’s 1986! Join Hotrod, Arcee, Rumble, Unicron, Soundwave, Bumblebee, Shockwave, and all 5 faces of the Quintesson as they prove they’ve got the power to light your darkest hour! These rockstars in disguise play music from Transformers: The Movie (1986), plus themes from hit movies, cartoons, and video games, as well as their own original tunes. They blend their love for the 80’s and 90’s pop culture into an energon-fueled, unforgettable live show that just might transform you back into a kid again!
The band is in the midst of their ridiculously successful RAVAGE kickstarter campaign, designed to get their first original full-length album produced. It not only reached its goal… it reached its goal in an hour flat! The campaign has gone on to get funded nearly 7 times over, with over a week and a half still left to go. I think it’s safe to say this album is skipping gold/platinum/diamond, and going straight to “Energon” status! The kickstarter is still live if you’d like to get in on the action.
The Cybertronic Spree will be attending Retro Con early on Saturday (September 24th) as convention guests, where fans can meet the band and pick up band-related merchandise. Tentative times are 10am to 1pm.
Have a burning question for the band? The Cybertronic Spree will also be taking part in their FIRST-EVER RETRO CON Q&A PANEL at the show! Ask them anything! But please, no marriage proposals for Arcee. 😉
And of course, the Spree will also be performing a LIVE CONCERT that Saturday night at 8pm at the nearby Arnold’s at the Factory in Oaks! Tickets for this concert/after-party will be separate from Retro Con proper, and will go up for sale very soon! Keep watching the Retro Con and Cybertronic Spree pages.
PRE-REG HAS ENDED! BUY AT DOOR!
Vendor Table Info Below!
Sponsors!
Retro Con would like to thank all those that helped to sponsor this show!
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98.5 WXPM The Phoenix
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The Retro Network
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Rediscover The 80s
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Friends of Retro Con!
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The Breaux Show
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Fandom Spotlite
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Toy Spotlite
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The Very Best
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retrocons.com 