Cradle-Con returns to Long Island with 'ThunderCats,' cosplay and more

Most comic-cons are held in big locales like San Diego and Manhattan, drawing more than 100,000 people. Here on Long Island, we have a more intimate version, Cradle-Con, which is in its sixth year at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Uniondale.

“This is a local homegrown convention in your backyard,” says Seamus Keane, the museum's director of special events. “We want people to come in and feel at home. This way you can explore the museum through a pop-culture lens.”

Here are five things not to miss.

The Cereal Club

In celebration of the Saturday morning cartoons of yesteryear, Cradle-Con is delivering a shot of nostalgia with the Cereal Club, located in Hangar 2 on the first floor both days.

“As a kid, Saturday morning was all about sitting in front of the television, watching cartoons and eating cereal,” Keane says. “You get a souvenir bowl, go into Hangar 2 and sit down to watch Saturday morning cartoons while enjoying all-you-can-eat cereal.”

For a $10 add-on ticket, attendees can watch "She-Ra," "Jem & the Holograms," "SilverHawks," "DuckTales," "He-Man" and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" on old TVs all day long while munching on Lucky Charms, Fruity Pebbles, Honeycomb, Kix, Frosted Flakes and Apple Jacks.

Special guests

To mark the 40th anniversary of the Rankin-Bass cartoon “ThunderCats,” voice-over stars — Peter Newman, Larry Kenney and Lynne Lipton — will reunite in the Space Gallery "Future Cities" exhibit on the first floor.

Newman, who is from Syosset, voiced the roles of Tygra, Wilykat, Bengali and Monkian. “I have guys in their mid-40s to early 50s reflecting on how much this show meant to them,” says Newman, 82. “The producers initially had child psychologists reading all the scripts to make sure they were delivering positive messages with good morals.”

Kenney, who played Lion-O, would often say signature lines like: “Sword of Omens, give me sight beyond sight!”

“Fans tell me they love the Code of Thundera: justice, truth, honor and loyalty. It taught them to do the right thing,” says Kenney, 77, from Connecticut, who also voiced Jackalman, Snarf Eggbert, Torr, Safari Joe and Wizz-Ra. “There weren’t many cartoons telling them that. Fans will say, ‘ "ThunderCats" really helped me find my moral compass.’ That means a lot to me.”

Comic book writer-illustrator Larry Hama returns to Cradle-Con where he will be signing toys, comics and pictures as well as taking commissions for pencil sketches ($200) in the Space Gallery.

Known for writing G.I. Joe for Marvel, Hama is also credited with creating characters like Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes.

“At the beginning, Snake Eyes was this masked, faceless silent figure. Any kid, no matter what they looked like, could imagine themself as Snake Eyes,” says Hama, 75. “No matter what kind of jam you are in, Snake Eyes will come get you out!”

Also on hand will be artist-writer James O’Barr, creator of the comic book series The Crow.

“The Crow as an independent graphic novel shattered everything a comic book was,” Keane says. “It invented an entire genre.”

Artist Alley

On the second floor guests can find Artist Alley, where 50 independent artists will sell and sign their work.

Illustrator-painter-author Jay Stuart, of Westbury, is set to bring works from his Poppycock Productions. He will be selling dark illustrated storybooks for adults such as his latest, “The Last Centralian,” plus “Symphony of Horror,” an adaptation of Nosferatu ($20 each).

“I have an old Gothic style to my art,” says Stuart, 47, who teaches at Westbury Arts and The Art League in Dix Hills. “I work with brush, nib and ink. The material has a historical look to it.”

For the first time people can get tattooed at Cradle-Con. Tattoo artist Jared Stomber, of Commack, is taking walk-ups for those wishing to get inked ($200 minimum).

“It’s fun to be in the mix with all of the con hype. I love the atmosphere and thrive on it,” says Stomber, 44, who is known for his illustrative work with vibrant colors.

Vendor marketplace

More than 80 vendors are going to be spread across the atrium and cafe on the first floor selling  golden age and modern comics, old-school action figures, playsets, handmade jewelry, pop-culture statues and more.

Kyle’s Comics of Smithtown is preparing a booth where comics and toys range from $1 to $2,000, focusing on rare, hard-to-find items. Meanwhile Blast From the Past of Bay Shore will offer retro video games, vintage toys, comic books, autographed sports cards and trading cards.

“We attend Cradle-Con every year. It’s our home away from home,” says Blast From The Past owner Richard McWilliams. “My absolute favorite part is seeing the joy one of my items brings to a child or adult when they find the treasure they either came to the event to find or didn’t know they needed until they saw it.”

Cosplay and more

A cosplay contest for adults will take place at 4 p.m. May 17 in the Museum Theater, where the grand prize is $500. A  kids cosplay contest ($250 prize) is set for 4 p.m. May 18.

The Arcade Age exhibit on the second floor Skywalk presents free play on more than 15 video arcade cabinets (Double Dragon, Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Defender, Space Invaders, X-Men) plus several home-console systems (Nintendo, Sega Genesis, Sega Saturn).

Kids can get crafty in Panel Room B on the first floor by making Shrinky Dinks as well as pixel art logos and designs with perler beads.

Alert for “Star Wars” fans! Train to use the Force and become a Jedi by taking light-saber lessons with the Saber Guild: Endor Temple in the rocket section of the Space Gallery on the first floor. Take selfies on a Tatooine set, provided by the 501st Legion-Empire City Garrison.

Those who get the munchies can head to the cafe or outside where an array of food trucks like Kong Bab Korean food, Kona Ice and Yankee Doodle Dandy’s await.

By David J. Criblez

david.criblez@newsday.comDavidJCriblez

David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.