Comikaze: LA’s Premiere ‘Con’

GameStop, Inc.

by R.C. Samo

Editor-in-Chief

Stan Lee’s Comikaze Expo being held September 15-16, 2012, is the brain child of Regina Carpinelli CEO of Comikaze Entertainment (www.comikazeexpo.com) and was created out of sheer love for any and all things comic and geek related.

Following the disappointed feeling of several other conventions listing themselves as, “Comic Con,” Carpinelli decided that out of love and respect for the people who put on San Diego Comic Con and San Francisco’s Wonder Con, she would start her own, all the whilenot use the “Comic Con” name and instead call it “Comikaze.”

“I don’t mind paying $175 for San Diego, but $35 for one of those other shows in a down economy, are you kidding me?” said Carpinelli, in a phone interview with FanboyNation.

The desire for something bigger and better is a long standing family tradition. Carpinelli’s great grandfather migrated from Italy to Argentina during World War I creating a successful business, unfortunately, under the rule of Juan Domingo Perón, her grandfather was forced to move the entire family to Los Angeleswhere they had the first Argentinian import market called, “Catalina’s,” off Westernand Santa Monica in Los Angeles, CA.

“It’s still there, just under different ownership now,” said Carpinelli, which is a testament to her family’s desire to being successful as is proven with Comikaze.

Her father transitioned from imports/exports into a music promoter, instilling the value of hardwork into his six children as Carpinelli was out on the street from the age of three passing out fliers with her siblings. At the age of 16, she was promoting two successful night clubs that housed 3,000 patrons a night, of which she proudly proclaims, she was not old enough to attend.

“I grew up in the entertainment business. My brothers and I grew up on comic books and one year we couldn’t get into San Diego, we were so disappointed by the other Comic Cons we decided to start our own,” said Carpinelli.

The title, “Comikaze” was born, no doubt from the Carpinelli family’s adventure seeking ways, Regina is a professional skier while her brother Fabiano is a cross country cyclist, along with her four other brothers who are rescue divers and extreme sports enthusiasts.

“We are all really crazy…we are happy sleeping in a tent and happy sleeping in a bed in a nice house. We sacrificed a lot and that’s how we put it together and made it work.We are the people who jump off cliffs and others follow, we have zero fear and 100% passion,” said Carpinelli.

The first annual Comikaze Expo was not expected as gargantuan a success as it was. The original estimate for attendance was 5,000, when the numbers were finally counted, 35,000 tickets were sold, filling the Los Angeles Convention Center, breaking every first time attendance record for a convention and catching the attention of its guest of honor, Stan Lee.

“After the show I got a call from Stan Lee, who was impressed and wanted to be a part of it, without hesitation I said ‘yes,’ you don’t say no to Stan,” emphatically stated Carpinelli.

Ever since the event she has been hanging out with Lee and promoting the event at various comic conventions throughout the country.

“Here I was just a fan that wanted to do something that was affordable and different and here I am palling around with Stan Lee. It’s amazing and humbling at the same time,” said Carpinelli, in awe of her own achievements.

Before Lee attached his name to Comikaze, Carpinelli claims to have harassed Elvira, Mistress of the Dark’s manager for several months before agreeing to attend the expo, who now, after the initial outing is an investor with Stan Lee’s Comikaze Expo.

Regina Carpinelli is a prime example of what being a kind person who works hard can achieve,I don’t care if you are CNN or a blog read by your mom, we will talk to you and support you. It’s what being a nerd is all about,” said Carpinelli.

Tickets for the event are $15 for a one day pass and $24 for the weekend, making it affordable for the whole family. Visit Stan Lee’s Comikaze Expo at www.comikazeexpo.com, follow them on Twitter @StanLeeComikaze and like them on facebook at www.facebook.com/ComikazeExpo

Anytime Costumes

Leave a Reply

FanboyNation
Animation/Anime Interviews Animation/Anime News Animation/Anime Reviews Film/TV Interviews Film/TV News Film/TV Review
‘Wednesday’ Comes to Blu-ray on Tuesday from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment

‘Wednesday‘ Comes to Blu-ray on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, from Warner...

Toy Lei Talks About Playing Auntie Victoria in ‘The Brothers Sun’ – Interview Rewind

Asian-American actress Toy Lei stars as Auntie Victoria in the new...

Marcus Massey Talks ‘Winnie-The-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2’ – Interview

Marcus Massey Shares his Wisdom as Owl in ‘Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and...

Event News Event Reviews
‘MJ the Musical’ Chronicles the Life of the ‘King of Pop’ Running at Segerstrom – Review

‘MJ the Musical‘ is the Ultimate Stage Adaptation, Chronicling the life...

Aiden Sinclair and Michael Rangel Talks ’57 Ghosts’ Aboard the Queen Mary Séance

Aiden Sinclair and Apparitionist, Michael Rangel Discuss their new Theatrical Séance...

Luke and Madison Rhoades Open ‘Slashers Axe Throwing’ – Interview

Luke and Madison Rhoades Open Orange County’s first ever horror themed...

Automotives Football MMA, Kick Boxing & Boxing Professional Wrestling
Olympic Runner Colleen Quigley ‘On The Road to Paris’

Team USA Olympic Runner, Colleen Quigley is On The Road to...

Paralympian Swimmer Ahalya Lettenberger On The Road to Paris

Team USA Paralympian Swimmer, Ahalya Lettenberger is On The Road to...

Ultimate Women of Wrestling Comes to the Globe Theatre – Interview

Ultimate Women of Wrestling Comes to the Globe Theatre on Sunday,...

Adult Continuity Comics on the Can Cultural Junk Drawer Future Comic Rock Stars Is That Racist? Revisiting the Reviled THAT'S NOT ROTTEN! The B-Reel The Cantina Scene This Week in Crowdfunding What the HELL Did I just...?
Fantoy Comics Presents: Harry Potter and the Pahrump Apocalypse – SID SPEAKS!

"We Demons! Let's go CRUNK on this punk-ass world!"

Fantoy Comics Presents: Harry Potter and the Pahrump Apocalypse: Escalation

When you said "Destroy" Kurt grabbed his mini-gun an AK-47 and...

Fantoy Comics Presents: Harry Potter and the Pahrump Apocalypse, the continuing saga!

If cautious means being careful when I break a foot off...

Music Interviews Music News Music Reviews
Joe Kwaczala Talks About His new Comedy Album ‘Funny Songs & Sketches’ – Interview

Joe Kwaczala Talks About His new Comedy Album ‘Funny Songs &...

Songwriter and Poet, Tamara Mechael Talks About Her Career in the Arts

First Generation Assyrian-Chaldean, Songwriter and Poet, Tamara Mechael Talks About Her...

Louden Swain Headlining Los Angeles Show at The Echo

Press Release – Louden Swain are headlining Los Angeles show at...

Enabled Gaming Gaming News Gaming Reviews
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Gameplay Trailer

The first Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League gameplay trailer was revealed during...

Wonder Woman Game
Wonder Woman Game Announced By DC and WB Games

Wonder Woman game will feature the iconic hero in a 3rd...

MultiVersus
MultiVersus brings Batman, Arya Stark, Bugs Bunny, and More

MultiVersus is bringing Shaggy, Harley Quinn, Jake, Batman, Arya Stark, Bugs Bunny,...

Comic Creator Interviews Comic/Graphic Novel News Comic/Graphic Novel Reviews Manga News Manga Reviews Novel/Novella Author Interviews Novel/Novella News Novel/Novella Reviews
Gary Morgenstein Talks ‘A Dugout to Peace’ the Final Installment of his Trilogy

Gary Morgenstein Talks About ‘A Dugout to Peace‘ the final installment...

Chris Clews Is ‘Raised on the 80s’ and Shares Those Life Lessons

Chris Clews was ‘Raised on the 80s‘ and Shares Those Life...

Roye Okupe Brings Authentic African Representation to HBO Max and Cartoon Network

Nigerian-American, Roye Okupe brings authentic African representation to HBO Max and...

Apparel/Personal Maintenance News Apparel/Personal Maintenance Reviews Entertainment Product News Entertainment Product Reviews Food/Beverage Reviews Hardware News Hardware Reviews Mystery Box News Mystery Box Reviews
Harry Potter: Magic Caster Wand Demo

The new ‘Harry Potter: Magic Caster Wand‘ is ready to ship...

Chef Jen Peters and Matthew Clayton Bring us the ‘Good Flour’

Canadian Super Chef Jen Peters and Matthew Clayton Bring us the...

Pop Insider 2021 Holiday Gift Guide
Pop Insider 2021 Holiday Gift Guide

The Pop Insider 2021 Holiday Gift Guide is now available to help...

Gaming Uncensored Toon-In-Talk
Episode 38: Hamid Rahmanian

Join Whitney Grace as she speaks with artist Hamid Rahmanian, who...

No Preview
Toon-In Talk Episode 37: Niki Smith

Whitney Grace interviews graphic novel writer and artist Niki Smith about...

Toon-In Talk Episode 36: Rob Paulsen

Rob Paulsen takes some time from his busy voice acting schedule...