It was on April 12 in 1979 that audiences were first introduced to the iconic dystopian film, Mad Max, with Steve Bisley portraying Max’s right-hand man, Goose, while Hugh Keays-Byrne took on the role of villain Toecutter before triumphantly reappearing as Immortan Joe in Mad Max: Fury Road. So it’s only fitting that these original alumni and Aussie icons are driving their way onto the already talent-packed Melbourne (6-7 April) and Gold Coast (13-14 April) events.
To take celebrations up a notch, Bisley and Keays-Byrne will also be headlining the Supanova Superhero Parade (Sunday 14 April) on the Gold Coast that’ll be marching from Broadbeach at 9am, making its way to the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre where Supanova will open its doors at 10am. They’ll be joined by hundreds of fans in a variety of costumes to celebrate the Gold Coast Superhero Weekend.
In further guest news, Supanova favourite Graham McTavish (The Hobbit, Outlander) has also been confirmed. Following an appearance as King Atlan in this summer’s blockbuster, Aquaman, and more voice work as Dracula in Castlevania, McTavish is currently filming the fourth season of Preacher in Melbourne.
Australian publishing imprint IFWG will also have a strong presence, with founder and dark fiction maestro Gerry Huntman (author of upcoming fantasy series Sky Realms Chronicles) appearing in Melbourne and Sydney-based spec-fic author Christopher Sequeira (The Phantom, Sherlock Holmes: The Australian Casebook) gracing both events while also hosting contributor and New York Times bestselling author Nancy Holder (Wicked series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Smallville) at both events.
They will bring a worldwide exclusive to Supanova with the launch of Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Was Not, featuring multiple international and award-winning writers.
There’s also Banksia Project recipients, illustrators Alex e Clark (Melbourne exclusive) and Cameron Davis (Gold Coast exclusive), lending their creative talents to the lineup, while comic artist Mike Krome (Zenescope, Valiant, Aspen), writer and illustrator Jan Scherpenhuizen (Possible Press), and Julie Ditrich (Comics Mastermind CEO and Founder) are slated for Melbourne.
The latest guest announcement is rounded out by Australian comic artist Stewart McKenny (Star Wars: Clone War Adventures, Captain America) and local author Brad Mengel, who currently works in Australia’s criminal justice system.
In further news we’re sad to announce that Clive Standen has to postpone his visit to Supanova in April as he’s landed a new role that will be filming in April. He sends his apologies and looks forward to heading down to visit his fans when his schedule next allows.
