PANAMA CITY BEACH — Spider-Man may be hiding somewhere in the Marvel multiverse, but Bay County’s own local superheroes know where and when to find him: opening weekend at The Grand Theater in Pier Park, on December 17 and 18.
“Friday will be for a few hours, but Saturday will be daytime,” said Dustin “Skip” Skipper, aka Dr. Ehvil Bheard, local cosplayer and event planner, co-founder of Spring Break Super Heroes (Facebook.com/ SpringBreak SuperHeroes).
A sizable group of costumed heroes (and at least one villain) are expected to be in place for the local opening weekend of the new Marvel movie, “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” The movie is supposed to bring the current web-slinger, played by Tom Holland, into conflict with villains from previous incarnations of the Spider franchise by bringing them into the current Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The Dutch version of Peter Parker is joined by the Sandman, Doctor Octopus, Green Goblin, Lizard, Electro, Doctor Strange, and potentially other spider heroes, who will do anything a spider can do.
As a result, a veritable multiverse of Spider-cosplayers will also emerge locally, including Emerald Coast Spider-man (Michael Waldrop), Ghost-Spider (also known as “Spider Gwen”), as well as a local version of the Sorcerer Supreme and a “very special surprise villain,” Skipper joked.
They will be available for photos and autographs on Friday night and all day Saturday, December 17 and 18 at The Grand, 500 Pier Park Drive, Panama City Beach. And they could use a little help.
“We’re looking for cosplayers, especially if you have a Spider-type character,” to join in the fun, Skipper said. “Dr. Ehvil Bheard will be on hand taking photos for those who want a photo with the heroes and villains. He will also have his Polaroid camera so kids can get a signed photo to take home.”
Anyone else who wants to get out there and participate, whether in costume or to lend a hand, is more than welcome, Skipper added. The group will watch the movie together later that afternoon, and the public is also invited to watch it with the superheroes and villains.
Because, for these heroes, it’s about coming together for a good cause.
“We really love giving back to the community,” Waldrop said, speaking at a Spring Break Super Heroes event hosted by the Bay County Public Library in the summer of 2018.
The group first came together and began participating in public events in 2016, Skipper said, with the idea that they would make free appearances at birthday parties and participate in events to benefit charities or community organizations, and put smiles on the faces. children’s faces.
“That’s what it is for us. We just like to make (kids) smile,” Skipper said. “Instead of just dressing up, we wanted it to mean something.”
Over the years, they have held a Marvel vs. DC at the library, circled the crowd (and have volunteered) at Creative Con in Panama City, and celebrated the opening of “Teen Titans GO!” movie at the Grand. They volunteered at KidsFest, a Northstar Church event, and Heroes & Sidekicks at the Panama City Mall, as well as numerous other public appearances in a variety of costumes over the years.
Skipper, for example, has been known to don Green Arrow’s emerald gear, Ant-Man’s helmet and jumpsuit, and Deadpool’s red and black mask. At the upcoming event, he will be in a new Spider-Man costume.
Watch: The cosplayers arrive at the Grand Theater
“This will mark a special occasion since Hurricane Michael and COVID hit us and we were able to go back to the theater for an event,” Skipper said, noting that the last time local cosplayers got together for such an event was when “ Aquaman” debuted in 2018. “We miss seeing all of your lovely faces and happy kids. It will be an EPIC day to enjoy everyone’s camaraderie and bring smiles once again to our great community.”
And to battle the forces of evil alongside his friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, er, Spider-People.
Peace.
Tony Simmons is an author, teacher, and editor. His column has appeared for many years in the Entertainer. You can reach him atwriter.tony.simmons@gmail.com.