EVENTS: FX SHOW

(Credit: Tanya Hanson/Metromix Orlando)

Yesterday I felt like I was in a "Twilight Zone" episode every time I encountered Klingons, Barbie, the Joker, Stormtroopers or other costumed characters during the 20th Annual FX International Show at the Orange County Convention Center. Besides the Halloween experiences, I saw vendors galore selling "Nightmare Before Christmas," "Star Trek" and rare blasts-from-the-past collectibles that were still in the original box.

I was up close and personal with writers and artists whose creativity comes to life in comics and graphic novels in the Creator's Alley. One artist in particular, Greg Horn, is best known for his artwork on Marvel Comics' Elektra, Emma Frost, She-Hulk and Witchblade. He disclosed that his inspiration is in the exploration of art and in order to create good art, you must be passionate about what you're doing.

My favorite part of the day was chatting with celebs that were signing autographs and striking poses with fans. FX always has an impressive guest list and this year was no exception. Leonard Nimoy of "Star Trek," James Marsters, Juliet Landau, Julie Benz and Clare Kramer of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," Morena Baccarin and Jewel Staite of "Firefly" and "Serenity," James Kyson Lee of "Heroes" and the "Bionic Woman" herself Lindsay Wagner were all there.

James Kyson Lee who plays Ando Masahashi on "Heroes" says he has a fun power because he gets to blast energies. But he also gave me the scoop of what to expect before and during the season finale. Next Monday the team is going to find out who's behind Building 26, try to take down Danko and save their friends. The finale is going to be a big one, too. One of the scenes features 10 original characters, which has never happened before on the show.

Joss Whedon's goddesses participated in a Women of the Whedonverse panel discussion, which enlightened fans about what Landau, Benz, Kramer, Baccarin and Staite are doing these days and how they all had grown as actresses and individuals from working with Whedon on his shows.

Landau directed a documentary about Gary Oldman called "Take Flight" and co-directed the Godhead music video "Hero." Benz plays Dexter Morgan's girlfriend Rita Bennett on "Dexter" and will be portraying Eunice Bloom, a real bad ass in the "Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day," which is scheduled to hit theaters sometime this year. Kramer will be returning to Orlando next week to start filming the movie "Endure" where she plays a woman that gets kidnapped. Baccarin was Adria on "Stargate: The Ark of the Truth" and in "V's" pilot and Staite portrayed Dr. Jennifer Keller on "Stargate Atlantis."

After the ladies' panel discussion, a video tribute of Andy Hallett was shown, created by "Angel" writer Tim Minear. Hallett passed away on March 29 of heart failure. He portrayed the demon Lorne on "Angel."

James Marsters paid homage to Hallett during his panel discussion and says he was a sweet person that made people laugh and never whined on the set. Those experiences made him golden in Marsters eyes. Marsters let out "You're a bloody puppet" for a fan and revealed Spike wanted his soul back and didn't think he was cool. He discussed his other roles over the years and shed light about why "Angel" got canned, which was for another vampire TV show called "Dracula" produced by ER executive producer John Wells. The script never worked and "Dracula" never saw the light of day.

FX will be back, so you have another year to plan your custom costumes and hope your favorite TV babes and faves will be there.

See our photos: Costumes : Celebrities and more