Eternal Con back on LI: 5,000 fans pack Hofstra for comics, cosplay, etc.

After a one-year hiatus, Eternal Con, one of the area’s favorite pop culture events, made its triumphant return to Long Island this month.

Hofstra University hosted the two-day extravaganza July 12-13, featuring comics, artists and celebrities from the worlds of cosplay, anime, gaming and more. 

“The show went great … We were off for a year, so we didn’t know what to expect,” said Frank Patz, founder of Eternal Con, which celebrated its 13th year of “fandom,” this year.

While Patz didn’t have exact attendance numbers, he estimated that more than 5,000 people attended the two-day show. 

“We were very happy to hear that people loved the show … It’s funny to hear people say they grew up with the show, or that they’ve gone to the show since they were kids,” he said. “It’s something that people do look forward to.”

For the uninitiated, cosplay is a growing area of pop culture and performance art, whereby participants dress up as a character from a work of fiction, such as a comic book, video game or television show.  

“It’s great to see Eternal Con back,” said Franzese, a Deer Park resident who has been in the cosplay game for the past 12 years. He noted that he’s been mentioned on “The Family Guy” TV show twice already.

Franzese gained popularity for his uncanny resemblance and impersonation of Peter Griffin. And in person, he sure does sound and look like Peter Griffin. He also does personalized greetings via the Cameo platform. 

@KawaiiKiwicosplay is both a professional figure skater and cosplayer known for bringing her cosplays to life on the ice. She uses social media to both promote herself, her crafting and the art of cosplay. 

“I’m a professional cosplayer, and I’ve been doing it for about six years,” she explained. 

@KawaiiKiwicosplay can be found via her YouTube channel, as well as on Tik Tok and Instagram.

“I get invited to many cosplay events and comic anime conventions,” she said. “I show up to meet fans.” 

A Suffolk County resident, KawaiiKiwi has traveled widely and does many shows and events on Long Island and beyond. 

“Lots of young people are interested in cosplay, and parents and kids both have questions about related events,” she said, comparing cosplay to an art, where you enjoy a lot of creative freedom. 

Stephen McDonald, 36, of has cosplayed since 2012. At the show, he was dressed as the character Keldor, the son of Skeletor from the Master’s of the Universe animated series.

“I’ve always loved events such as this,” said McDonald, who makes his own costumes.  “I do this mainly as a hobby, and also to just explore the world of cosplay.”

An avid pickleball fan, Gannascoli was at Eternal Con autographing a range of items — from his culinary crime novel, “A Meal to Die For,” to his own branded vodka (and even a bobblehead doll.)  Among Gannascoli’s upcoming projects is the production of a television show based on his book.

“My book is being turned into a show about what mobsters ate and where they ate their last meals, for example some high-profile mob killings such as when mob boss Paul Castellano was killed at Spark’s steakhouse in New York City in 1985, or when mob boss Joe Gallo was killed at Umberto’s Clam House in Little Italy in 1972,” Gannascoli said. 

An accomplished chef who has owned several restaurants, Gannascoli still does private chef, Sopranos-themed parties. 

Also in attendance from the world of The Sopranos, was Eugene Funaro, who played Eugene Pontecorvo, a conflicted hitman on the show. 

“I do a number of these shows, but I don’t do them all,” said Funaro, who has family living on Long Island. “It’s a lot of fun to meet the fans.” 

For fans of the Power Rangers TV series, actor Jack Guzman who played Danny Delgado, the Black Ranger of the Wild Force Power Rangers, was also on hand to meet fans and sign autographs. Guzman is also part of the current cast of the Netflix show Lincoln Lawyer, playing deputy Sanchez in five episodes.

“I try to do conventions as much as possible, but obviously If I’m working on a show, it’s limited,” he said.

Regarding his appearance at Eternal Con, Melendez quipped, “I’m kind of semi-retired now … Doing this show is basically beer and date money.”

Originally from North Massapequa, Melendez published his book, “Easy” For You to Say,” in 2018.

“I enjoy talking and taking pictures with people, it’s a fun thing,” said Melendez, who has recently been touring the country doing stand-up comedy. He is scheduled to appear at Uncle Vinnie’s comedy club in New Jersey on Aug. 9.

Large Anthony, 40, runs Main Street Tattoo in Kings Park and said the show went very well.

“Tattoos are now much more socially acceptable,” he said “You have soccer moms getting full sleeves. 

“Tattooing saved my life, I love everything about it,” he added.

_{Top photos: Taken by Alan Krawitz for GLI.}