Five things to see at SoonerCon 33
Word Balloons #1273: Author and comic-book writer Michael A. Stackpole among guests of Norman, OK, convention
The pop-culture convention SoonerCon celebrates its 33nd iteration in 2025.
Fans of “Star Wars” and “Star Trek” will both have lots to see at this year’s show, as will fans of dozens of other sci-fi and fantasy properties.
The convention, which began in 1986, went on hiatus in 1997 before being revived in 2006. While the pandemic canceled the 2020 edition and pushed the 2021 edition online, the show has been held in person since 2022 in Norman, OK. This year’s edition is at the Embassy Suites Norman Hotel and Conference Center, 2501 Conference Drive, in Norman, OK, from June 20-22.
Overall, SoonerCon features more than 100 panelists and guests, including writers, artists, scientists, actors, comic-book creators and more in a host of workshops, panels and other sessions over three days. It draws thousands of guests to the metro area annually.
FIVE THINGS TO SEE
Meet ‘Voyager’ actors Ethan Phillips and Garrett Wang
2025 marks the 30th anniversary of “Star Trek: Voyager,” and two key crew members from the show are making the voyage to OKC for this year’s SoonerCon.
Ethan Phillips played Neelix, an alien chef, navigator and morale officer for the starship Voyager on “Star Trek: Voyager.” Phillips also played Pete on Benson and Spike on Avenue 5. Other credits include Better Call Saul, Younger, New Amsterdam, Girls, Veep and Criminal Minds.
Garrett Wang played operations officer Harry Kim on “Star Trek: Voyager.” He has been named as one of People Magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People as well as one of E! channel’s 20 Coolest Bachelors.
He appeared as Harry Kim again in voiceover, during the fifth and final season of “Star Trek: Lower Decks.”
See the guests of honor
This year’s author guest of honor is Michael A Stackpole.
Michael A. Stackpole is an award-winning novelist, game designer, computer-game designer, podcaster, screenwriter, and graphic novelist. He’s had over 60 novels published, the best known of those being the New York Times-bestselling I, Jedi and Rogue Squadron.
His comics work includes writing “Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Squadron” and “Mara Jade: By the Emperor’s Hand.”
This year’s artist guest of honor is Mai Van.
According to the convention program, Mai Van is an illustrator and 3D modeler whose work can be seen in films and video games, many of them from her time as a lead artist at Sony Playstation.
Get an autograph!
Voice actors including Brian Mathis, Allegra Clark and Emi Lo will meet fans and offer autographs for a fee throughout the weekend.
The Art Show
At over 3,800 square feet, the Soonercon Art Show is one of the largest fantasy- and sci-fi-themed art exhibits in the Southwest, according to the SoonerCon website
Learn how to wield a lightsaber
JediOKC will hold three different panels teaching the proper use and handling of a lightsaber! Saturday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. in Sooner B.
Panel description: The Force is strong with this one! Join the Jedi Masters of JediOKC for an exciting lightsaber training session. Young Padawans will learn basic lightsaber moves, practice their Jedi reflexes, and discover the ways of the Force—all in a safe, fun, and welcoming environment. No prior Jedi experience required. May the Force be with you!
SoonerCon is produced by the Future Society of Central Oklahoma, a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to promoting the arts, literature, and sciences through the lens of pop culture.
For more information, go to
Matthew Price, matthew@matthewLprice.com, has written about the comics industry for more than two decades. He is the co-owner of Speeding Bullet Comics in Norman.