Peter Mayhew, most famous for playing the Wookiee "Chewbacca" in the Star Wars movies, will be attending the 1st annual MonsterCon on October 6th in Salisbury, NC. Organizer of the convention Ray Franks (owner of Comic Monstore) is excited to be able to have Peter join the other outstanding guests at his convention. Chewbacca is one of Ray's childhood heroes. "When I think back to childhood my best friend and I would go outside and one of us play would be Han and the other would be Chewie. I don't know why it wasn't Luke and Darth Vader. We just always were Han and Chewie. Also, when I've met Peter in real life he is so easy going and has a gentle spirit and is just a real cool guy."

Joining Peter Mayhew as special guests are Ethan Van Sciver (current Green Lantern comic artist), Gary Friedrich (creator of Ghost Rider), Shane Davis (DC Comics Superman/Batman), Andy Smith (profession comic artist), Budd Root (creator of CAVEWOMAN), 501st Carolina Garrison, Sky Pirates comics, S.C.A., Brian Shearer (GravyBoy), Charlotte Fan Force, Cheralyn Lambeth (Actress, Costume Designer, Prop & Puppet Maker), Dan Johnson (writer of the Dennis the Menace comic strip), Comic Book Artists Guild, Buccaneers of the Atlantic Coast, Chace Ambrose (Actor and Screenwriter - Troma Entertainment), Vera Van Munster (Retro/Sci-Fi/Fantasy Model), Model Mario Kersey (Dish comic), Liquid Grey Productions, Vanguards of Comics. What a great line up for this convention!

During the much anticipated MonsterCon attendees can participate in events including Halo ActionClix Demo Game, Costume Contest, Quick Draw Contest, Model & Monsters Discussion, Star Wars costuming discussion, "Starro Attacks" World HeroClix Event, Star Wars Trivia Contest, SCA Tournament, Comic book discussion with authors, artists and creators, creating a comic and the piece de resistance ~ An Evening with Peter Mayhew.

Kids (and kids at heart) can enjoy seeing all the costumed characters that will be on hand including the Lucasfilm Ltd. endorsed 501st Legion's Carolina Garrison. They can also enjoy face painting by the Salisbury High School cheerleaders and Bounce House by KidSports where they can practice leaping the tallest buildings.

MonsterCon organizer Ray Franks (who when he isn't running Comic Monstore plays guitar and sings in his band The Graveyard Boulevard) believes in giving back to the community. With that in mind the Red Cross will be hosting a blood drive from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Each donor will be entered in a drawing for a prize of 100 comic books. Drawing will be held at 3:00. Also, the 501st's Carolina Garrison will host a Charity Auction of a 12" signed Chewbacca figure and the Charlotte Fan Force's Charity Raffle of a 12" Backpacker Luke figure that traveled across the United States and Canada and made a stop at the recent Star Wars Celebration 4 convention where he met actors from the movie who donated signed autograph photographs. Luke has also collected items from various places he has visited and those items will be included in the raffle. Proceeds from both the raffle and the auction will benefit Make-A-Wish in memory of Katie Johnson - the late daughter of 501st founder, Albin Johnson.

MonsterCon promises to be so fun it's scary! For more information visit the MonsterCon website.