Wrestler Sabu among special guests slated for Lodi Comic Con

May 2—Comic book fans and pop culture enthusiasts will converge on the Lodi Grape Festival grounds on Saturday, May 11 when Lodi Comic Con returns for its spring show.

The event features comic artists and animators, writers, actors and writers who will be on-hand to answer questions, sign autographs and give Con attendees a glimpse into the comics and entertainment world. This year's special guests include former professional wrestler Sabu, as well as actors Keith Coogan and Francois Chau.

Sabu, whose real name is Terry Brunk, was known for his trademark style of hardcore wrestling, which he pioneered during his time in Extreme Championship Wrestling from 1995 to 2000, according to www.cagematch.net.

He is a three-time world heavyweight champion, having held the ECW world heavyweight Championship twice, and the National Wrestling Alliance World heavyweight championship once.

Gen Xers might remember Coogan as Kenny from "Don't Tell Mom The Babysitter's Dead" or as Brad in "Adventures in Babysitting."

Coogan began his acting career as a child starring in several television commercials before landing spots on series such as "Mork & Mindy," "ChiPS" and "Growing Pains." Recently, Coogan has been seen in numerous feature films including "Beautiful Garden," "Dawn Patrol," "Cats Dancing on Jupiter," "Limelight," and "A Tale of Two Coreys." His most recent on-screen appearance is in Kevin Smith's "Jay and Silent Bob Reboot."

Chau has been seen in a variety of film and television roles over the last three decades, most notably as The Shredder in "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze," and as Dr. Pierre Chang in 17 episodes of ABC's "Lost."

Recently he played the Great Sage in Netflix's live-action adaptation of "Avatar: The Last Airbender."

Chau has also appeared "24," "Stargate SG-1," "Alias," "Criminal Minds," "Grey's Anatomy," "JAG," "Medium," "The X-Files."

His latest projects have included a Syfy's "The Expanse," starring as recurring character Jules-Pierre Mao, father of main character Julie Mao, and a recurring role as Arthur's step-father Walter on Amazon Prime's "The Tick."

Returning faces to this year's Con include Stockton native Ramon Villalobos and Mel Smith, of which the former is an artist for "Secret Wars," "What If?" and "Young Avengers," while the latter is known for his work on "Dead Ahead."

Fans of 80s action and sci-fi films will be saddened to learn that Michael Biehn and his wife Jennifer Blanc-Biehn will be unable to attend the event next weekend due to filming conflicts.

Biehn is known for his role as Kyle Reese in James Cameron's "The Terminator" opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger, as well as Cpl. Darryl Hicks in "Aliens" — also directed by Cameron — alongside Sigourney Weaver.

Organizers said they hope to have Biehn in attendance for the fall Con.

Tickets are as low as $6 online, or $5 in local stores, and $10 at the gate. Children 12 and younger are admitted free.

The spring Con is May 11 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit lodicomiccon.com.