Armageddon (convention)
Armageddon is a commercial science fiction and comics convention held in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Melbourne Adelaide and Sydney. In recent years it has also showcased computer and video gaming, animation, and consumer electronics. The convention attracts celebrity guests from popular TV shows and computer games.
History
Armageddon was first held in Auckland, New Zealand on the weekend of 2 December 1995 at the Avondale Raceway. In 1997 the convention first came to Wellington, a first Melbourne event was held in 1999, a first Christchurch event was held in 2007. The event is a mixture of gaming, wrestling, music, anime, sci-fi, fantasy, comics and stalls. Armageddon has become the largest fantasy event in Australia/New Zealand with 44,000 attendees at the 2010 Auckland event. The Expo will spread further through New Zealand in 2012, with an expo planned in April in Hamilton.
Contents
Special events that take place at Armageddon include a Dragonball Z kamehameha contest (created in NZ in 2001), Pizza Eating Contest, Pillow Fight, Black Box Session console gaming tournament, Wuss Factor (fear factor style eating contest), AMV and Cosplay, trading card tournaments, movie screenings, and celebrity panels.
Armageddon also hosts a variety of stalls run by Tamika.Y and Mikaela.V and companies from all over NZ and Australia, with DVD, gaming, trading card, comic, anime, and sport memorabilia sales.
Venues and guest appearances
1995-1997
- 1995 (2–3 December) - Avondale Raceway, Auckland
- 1996 (25 August) - Freemans Bay Community Centre, Auckland
- 1997 (9 March) - Freemans Bay Community Centre, Auckland
- 1997 (17 August) - Freemans Bay Community Centre, Auckland
- 1997 (24 August) - Victoria University, Wellington
1998
- 21–22 March - Alexander Raceway, Auckland
- 28–29 March - Wellington Raceway, Wellington
- 3–4 October - Aotea Centre, Auckland
1999
- 29–30 May - Aotea Centre, Auckland
- 5–6 June - Melbourne Expo Centre, Melbourne, Australia
2000
- 18–19 March - Aotea Centre, Auckland
2001
- 10–11 February - Aotea Centre, Auckland
- Sean Schemmel (voice actor; Dragonball Z), Christopher Sabat (voice actor; Dragonball Z), Teryl Rothery (Stargate SG1), Don S. Davis (Stargate SG1), Peter Williams (Stargate SG1), Virginia Hey (Farscape), Colin Baker (Doctor Who), Katy Manning (Doctor Who), Brian Michael Bendis (comics), Walter Simonson (comics), Louise Simonson (comics), Dian Schutz (comics), Ted Raimi (Xena), Kevin Smith (Xena)
- Buffy Invitational event - Aotea Centre, Auckland
- 15–16 September - Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington
2002
- 12–14 April - Aotea Centre, Auckland
- Claudia Black (Farscape), Wayne Pygram (Farscape), Jonathan Hardy (Farscape), Lani Tupu (Farscape), J. G. Hertzler (Star Trek), Robert O'Reilly (Star Trek), Tim Russ (Star Trek), Jason Carter (Babylon 5), Yvonne Craig (Batgirl), Peter Mayhew (Star Wars), Robert Leeshock (Earth Final Conflict), Marjean Holden (Beastmaster), Steven Grives (Beastmaster), Veronica Taylor (voice actor; Pokémon), Stephanie Nadolny (voice actor; Dragonball Z), Mark Millar (comics), Frank Quitely (comics), David Mack (comics), Che Fu (musician)
- 23–24 November - Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington
- Amanda Tapping (Stargate SG1), Teryl Rothery (Stargate SG1), Don S. Davis (Stargate SG1), Sandi Finlay (Star Wars Episode 2), Bradley Kahl (Team Red Star), Christian Gossett (Team Red Star), Mariah Martin (voice actor, Amazing Nurse Nanako), Kyle Hebert (voice actor, Dragonball Z), Salmonella Dub (musicians)
2003
- 12–14 April - Aotea Centre, Auckland
- Tony Amendola (Stargate SG1), Kenny Baker (Star Wars), Robert Picardo (Star Trek Voyager), Sean Schemmel (voice actor, Dragonball Z), Mira Furlan (Babylon 5), Gil Gerard (Buck Rodgers), Erin Gray (Buck Rodgers), Brent Stait (Andromeda), Anthony Simcoe (Farscape), Debi Derryberry (voice actor; Jimmy Neutron), John Cassaday (comics)
- 20–22 September - Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington
- Peter Mayhew (Star Wars), David Prowse (Star Wars), Garrett Wang (Star Trek Voyager), Christopher Sabat (voice actor; Dragonball Z), Veronica Taylor (voice actor; Pokémon), Darren Dunstan (voice actor; Yu-Gi-Oh), Jonathan Ross (voice actor; Yu-Gi-Oh), Kaduko Tadano (anime creator), Hiromi Matsushista (anime creator), Mark Bagley (comics), Christian Gossett (comics)
2004
- 16–18 April - Aotea Centre, Auckland
- John Rhys-Davies (Lord of the Rings), Bruce Hopkins (Lord of the Rings), Mark Ferguson, Lawrence Makoare, George Takei (Star Trek), Anthony Montgomery (Star Trek Enterprise), Corin Nemec (Stargate SG1), Xenia Seeberg (Lexx), Eric Vale (voice actor; Dragonball Z), Wayne Grayson (voice actor; Yu-Gi-Oh), Megan Hollingshead (voice actor; Yu-Gi-Oh/Pokémon), David Kaye (voice actor; Transformers Armada), Brian Michael Bendis (comics), Marc Silvestri (comics), Alex Maleev (comics)
- 25–26 September - Queens Wharf Events Centre, Wellington
- John Rhys-Davies (Lord of the Rings), Sean Astin (Lord of the Rings), Andy Serkis (Lord of the Rings), Thomas Robins (Lord of the Rings), Sarah McLeod (Lord of the Rings), Jed Brophy (Lord of the Rings), Cirroc Lofton (Star Trek Deep Space 9), Penny Johnson Jerald (Star Trek Deep Space 9), Stephanie Nadolny (Dragonball GT), Dan Green (Yu-Gi-Oh), Wayne Grayson (Yu-Gi-Oh), Joshua Seth (Duel Masters/Digimon), David Finch (comics), Stuart Immonen (comics)
2005
- 16–17 April - Queens Wharf Events Centre, Wellington
- 22–24 October - Aotea Centre, Auckland (10th Anniversary)
- Gates McFadden (Star Trek The Next Generation), John Rhys-Davies (Lord of the Rings), Richard Hatch (Battlestar Galactica), Torri Higginson (Stargate Atlantis), Rainbow Sun Francks (Stargate Atlantis), Cliff Simon (Stargate SG1), Dean Haglund (X-Files), Julie Caitlin Brown (Babylon 5), Robin Atkin Downes (Babylon 5), Nicole DeBoer Dead Zone, Jay Laga'aia (Star Wars Episode 2), Joshua Seth (voice actor; Duel Masters) Dan Green (voice actor; Yu-Gi-Oh), Sonny Stait (voice actor; Dragonball Z), Christian Gossett (comics), Mark Waid (comics), Michael Turner (comics), Francis Manapul (comics)
2006
- 29–30 April - Queens Wharf Events Centre, Wellington
- 21–23 October - Aotea Centre, Auckland
- Rachel Luttrell (Stargate Atlantis), David Nykl (Stargate Atlantis), Colin Cunningham (Stargate SG1), Tony Amendola (Stargate SG1), Summer Glau (Firefly/Serenity), Mira Furlan (Lost), Clare Kramer (Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Bring It On), Tom Lenk (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Kevin Weisman (Alias), Kevin Conroy (voice actor; Batman the Animated Series), Darren Dunstan (voice actor; Yu-Gi-Oh), Jennifer Hale (voice actor; Powerpuff Girls), Vic Mignogna (voice actor; Fullmetal Alchemist), Steve Blum (voice actor; Cowboy Beebop), Arthur Suydam (comics), Gary Frank (comics)
2007
- 14–15 April - Christchurch Convention Centre, Christchurch
- 21–22 April - TSB Arena - Wellington
- Billy Dee Williams (Star Wars), Doug Jones (Hellboy/Fantastic 4), Aaron Douglas (Battlestar Galactica), John Rhys-Davies (Lord of the Rings), Don S. Davis (Stargate SG1), Maile Flanagan (voice actor; Naruto), Yuri Lowenthal (Naruto), Tara Platt (Naruto), Susan Eisenberg (voice actor; Justice League), Crispin Freeman (voice actor; Hellsing), Carolyn Lawrence (voice actor; SpongeBob SquarePants), Brian K. Vaughan (comics), Jimmy Cheung (comics)
- 19 August - A Day With The Doctor (Doctor Who convention) - Auckland
- 13–14 October - Melbourne Exhibition Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Alan Tudyk (Serenity), John Wesley Shipp (The Flash), Jane Badler (V), Connor Trinneer (Star Trek Enterprise), Peter Woodward (Crusade), Joe Flanigan (Stargate Atlantis), Chris Rankin (Harry Potter), Amanda Conner (comics), Jimmy Palmiotti (comics), Gail Simone (comics), Nicola Scott (comics), Billy West (Futurama), Richard Horvitz (Invader Zim), Stephanie Sheh (Naruto), Neil Kaplan (Transformers), Rodger Bumpass (SpongeBob SquarePants), Rino Romano (The Batman/Sailor Moon), Rob Van Dam (WWE), Jasmine St. Clair (WWE), Sabu (WWE)
- 20–22 October - Aotea Centre, Auckland
- Connor Trinneer (Star Trek Enterprise), Christopher Judge (Stargate SG-1), Ellen Muth (Dead Like Me), Peter Woodward (Crusade), Joe Flanigan (Stargate Atlantis), Chris Rankin (Harry Potter), Amanda Conner (comics), Jimmy Palmiotti (comics), Gail Simone (comics), Nicola Scott (comics), Billy West (Futurama), Richard Horvitz (Invader Zim), Stephanie Sheh (Naruto), Neil Kaplan (Transformers), Rodger Bumpass (SpongeBob SquarePants), Rino Romano (The Batman/Sailor Moon), Rob Van Dam (WWE), Christy Hemme (WWE), Raven (TNA)
2008
- 19–20 April - TSB Arena - Wellington
- 26–27 April - Christchurch Convention Centre - Christchurch
- 25–27 October - Aotea Centre, Auckland
2009
- 28–29 March - Christchurch Convention Centre, Christchurch
- Darick Robertson (comic book artist), Queenie Chan (manga writer/artist), Bill Farmer (voice actor/voice of Goofy), Peter Davison (Doctor Who), Michael Hurst (Hercules), Kevin Sorbo (Hercules/Andromeda/Meet the Spartans), Michael Winslow (Police Academy), Mark Strickson, (Doctor Who - Turlough), Jonny Fairplay (Survivor/Fear Factor/TNA), Sam J. Jones (Flash Gordon), Michelle Deighton (America's Next Top Model), Colleen Clinkenbeard (voice actor; One Piece/Fullmetal Alchemist), Greg Cipes (voice actor; Ben 10 Alien Force/Teen Titans), Brina Palencia (voice actor; Black Cat/One Piece/Fullmetal Alchemist).
- 4–5 April - TSB Arena, Wellington
- Darick Robertson (comic book artist), Queenie Chan (manga writer/artist), Bill Farmer (voice actor/voice of Goofy), Peter Davison (Doctor Who), Michael Hurst (Hercules), Kevin Sorbo (Hercules/Andromeda/Meet the Spartans), Michael Winslow (Police Academy), Mark Strickson, (Doctor Who - Turlough), Jonny Fairplay (Survivor/Fear Factor/TNA), Sam J. Jones (Flash Gordon), Michelle Deighton (America's Next Top Model), Colleen Clinkenbeard (voice actor; One Piece/Fullmetal Alchemist), Greg Cipes (voice actor; Ben 10 Alien Force/Teen Titans), Brina Palencia (voice actor; Black Cat/One Piece/Fullmetal Alchemist).
- 17–18 October - Melbourne Exhibition Centre, Melbourne.
- Joe Flanigan, Jason Momoa, Paul McGillion (Stargate Atlantis); Noah Grey-Cabey (Heroes); Cameron Bright, Christopher Heyerdahl, Bronson Pelletier (New Moon); Gigi Edgley (Farscape); Seth Green, Matthew Senreich, Tom Root (Robot Chicken); Greg Cipes (Teen Titans/Ben 10 Alien Force); Travis Willingham (Fullmetal Alchemist); Laura Bailey (Soul Eater); Sean Schemmel (Dragonball Z); Dante Basco, Olivia Hack (Avatar); Peter David (comic book writer), Nicola Scott (comic book artist), Greg Rucka (comic book writer), Matthew Clark, Bill Sienkiewicz (comic book artist)
- 24–26 October - ASB Showgrounds, Auckland
- Joe Flanigan, Jason Momoa, Paul McGillion (Stargate Atlantis); Bronson Pelletier (New Moon); Gigi Edgley (Farscape); Seth Green, Matthew Senreich, Tom Root (Robot Chicken); Craig Horner, Craig Parker, Tabrett Bethell, Mark Beesley, Bridget Regan (Legend Of The Seeker); Michael Winslow (Police Academy); Greg Cipes (Teen Titans/Ben 10 Alien Force); Travis Willingham (Fullmetal Alchemist); Laura Bailey (Soul Eater); Sean Schemmel (Dragonball Z); Dante Basco, Olivia Hack (Avatar); Steve Downes (Halo); Peter David (comic book writer), Greg Rucka (comic book writer), Matthew Clark, Bill Sienkiewicz (comic book artist)
2010
43. 23–25 October - Auckland, ASB Showground's (Fifteenth anniversary event!) Celebrity guests included Michael Shanks (Stargate SG1), Paul McGann, Sylvester McCoy, Sophie Aldred DOCTOR WHO, Jerri Manthey, Jonny Fairplay (Survivor) David Faustino MARRIED WITH CHILDREN, Michael Biehn TERMINATOR/ALIENS, Torri Higginson (Stargate Atlantis), Claudia Christian (Babylon 5), Lloyd Kaufman TROMA FILMS and Miracle Laurie DOLLHOUSE Animation Guests included Bill Farmer DISNEY, Mela Lee VASMPIRE KNIGHT, Vic Mignogna FULL METAL ALCHEMIST, John DiMaggio FUTURAMA and James Tucker WB ANIMATION Comic Guests – Daniel Way, Darick Robertson, Lar Desousa, Rya Sohmer, Georges Jeanty and Nicola Scott
- 16/17 October - Melbourne, Melbourne exhibition centre
- Ben Browder FARSCAPE/STARGATE, Michael Shanks STARGATE SG1, Juliet Landau BUFFY, Michelle Forbes BATTLESTAR GALACTICA/TRUE BLOOD, Paul McGann, Sylvester McCoy, Sophie Aldred DOCTOR WHO, Jerri Manthey, Jonny Fairplay (Survivor) David Faustino MARRIED WITH CHILDREN, Michael Biehn TERMINATOR/ALIENS, Torri Higginson (Stargate Atlantis), Claudia Christian (Babylon 5), Lloyd Kaufman TROMA FILMS, Bruce Hopkins LOTR and Miracle Laurie DOLLHOUSE
Animation Guests included Bill Farmer DISNEY, Mela Lee VAMPIRE KNIGHT, Vic Mignogna FULL METAL ALCHEMIST, John DiMaggio FUTURAMA and James Tucker WB ANIMATION Comic Guests included Daniel Way, Darick Robertson, Lar Desousa, Rya Sohmer and Georges Jeanty
41. Dunedin, Castle Complex Otago University. NZ Anime convention Animation guest, Johnny Yong Bosch
40. Wellington - 2–4 April 2010, TSB Bank Arena Celebrity guests include Michael Winslow and Marion Ramsey POLICE ACADEMY, James Kyson Lee HEROES, Dominic Keating and John Billingsley ENTERPRISE, Bonita Friedericy CHUCK, Paul McGann DOCTOR WHO, Rene Auberjonois STAR TREK DS9, CHASKE SPENCER TWILIGHT NEW MOON Animation Guests included Steve Blum WOLVERINE AND THE XMEN, Tom Gibis NARUTO, Michael McConnohie WARCRAFT/VAMPIRE HUNTER D and Melodee Spevack DIGIMON Comic Guests – Christian Gossett, Michael Allred, Francis Manapul and Nicola Scott Author Guest - Robert Rankin
39. Christchurch - 27/28 March 2010, Christchurch Convention Centre Celebrity guests include Michael Winslow and Marion Ramsey POLICE ACADEMY, James Kyson Lee (Heroes), Dominic Keating and John Billingsley ENTERPRISE, Bonita Friedericy CHUCK and Paul McGann DOCTOR WHO Animation Guests included Steve Blum WOLVERINE AND THE XMEN, Tom Gibis NARUTO, Michael McConnohie WARCRAFT/VAMPIRE HUNTER D and Melodee Spevack DIGIMON Comic Guests – Christian Gossett, Michael Allred, Francis Manapul and Nicola Scott Author Guest - Robert Rankin
2011
- 26/27 February - Sydney, Australia
- 5/6 March - Adelaide, Royal Adelaide Showgrounds, Australia
- 2/3 July - Christchurch, Addington Raceway (Usually Christchurch Convention Center)
- 9/10 April - Wellington, New Zealand
John Rhys-Davies (Lord of the Rings), Colin Baker, John Leeson (Doctor Who), Katee Sackhoff (Battlestar Galactica) Kristianna Loken (Terminator 3). Among others.
- 4/5 June - NZ Anime convention - Dunedin, New Zealand
- 22/23 October - Melbourne, Australia
- 28–31 October - Auckland, New Zealand (four day event)
See also
External links