Updated: December 04, 2016

Announcing HISTORY'S first-ever Alien Con! October 28-30, 2016 Santa Clara, CA HISTORY'S highly rated Ancient Aliens property is now being featured at the first-ever Alien Con, a weekend "infotainment" event including exhibits, panel discussions, interactive experiences, talent appearances and merchandising. Alien Con will be a platform for Ancient Aliens show fans, Sci-fi enthusiasts, and pop culture to mingle and mix with talent and experts in the fields of science, history, archeology. This 3-day convention promises to be an engaging experience with smart, fun and entertaining elements from beginning to end.

By Rodney De Luca:

The Fantasy Worlds of Irwin Allen converged in California's South Bay area over the weekend of October 28-29, 2016. First, the Campbell Con 2106 held a Land of the Giants Reunion with Gary Conway, Deanna Lund, and Don Marshall. While the line to get in was long and slow moving, there were not many people so accessibility was great. At the Land of the Giants Q & A, Conway and Lund spoke about what is was like to be on the set and the physical exertion needed working with the gigantic props. Also, Lund talked about what it was like with Irwin Allen and his vineyard near Pasa Robles, CA. The two were congenial to the small crowd of us. One fan, Joe Siler, dressed as "Captain Steve Burton" in a replicated costume and brought an "enlarged" rope and safety pin. Afterward Conway and Lund signed autographs and chatted with fans. They signed my Land of the Giants DVD set "The Giant Collection." Siler had them sign his Spindrift and "Valerie Scott" specialized model. Lund said that Marshall was not feeling well, so he had to cancel his appearance. Unfortunately, Marshall passed away the next day at the age of 80.

After a twenty minute drive over to Santa Clara Convention Center, the inaugural Alien Con was in full-force. The vendors' area was crowded, and I made my way to the "Guests" area. I spotted the Lost in Space cast aligned in one row along with the original B-9 Robot used in the original series. The Robot had not been seen since 1997 at the Lost in Space Return to Earth Reunion in Hollywood, CA. Excited to meet "The Lady from the Green Dimension," Vitina Marcus, I excepted her to speak in a subvert-ethereal voice like her character; however, she spoke with New York accent. Marcus was sweet, appreciative, and gracious enough to have many pictures taken.

At the first of three panels, Marc Cushman, writer of the Lost in Space Authorized Biography, hosted "The Fantasy Worlds of Irwin Allen" panel with Kevin Burns, Jon Jashni, Burns's Synthesis Entertainment partner. They discussed Irwin Allen and his impact on pop culture. On Sunday the Lost in Space and Lost in Space Comics panels were held. In an almost packed-room, Marc Cushman, again, presided over the question and answer session with Mark Goddard, Marta Krista, Bill Mumy, Angela Cartwright, Kevin Burns, Jon Jashni, and Vitina Marcus. They shared about their first meeting with Allen, commented on the impact of the series, and imparted their thoughts about the new Lost in Space reboot. Burns does an impeccable impersonation of Jonathan Harris as Dr. Smith. Close your eyes, and Dr. Smith is alive in well. If you have not the seen the Lost in Space's Epilogue on DVD , do yourself a favor and see it! It is fantastic!

The final panel was on the most recent Irwin Allen's Lost in Space comic series by American Gothic Press. The company recently published unfilmed scripts. Carey Wilbur wrote the scripts some fifty years ago. Holly Interlandi, the adaptor and writer, and Patrick Mc Evoy, an illustrator, shared their process of how these scripts came to live in the comics. They showed slides and discussed their experience in this venture. Both were enthusiastic and comfortable. Also, they were star-struck as was the audience when Marta Krista attended a few moments of the panel.

The day came to a close with a group photo with the Lost in Space cast. Mumy thought my Lost in Space Return to Earth t-shirt was cool.

(*) Special thanks to., Rodney De Luca and Jerome Franceschi for the photos!!!!