FanCons.ca Press Releases


February 8, 2009

News for Zenkaikon 2009:

Zenkaikon announces new guest Robert Axelrod

VALLEY FORGE, PENNSYLVANIA - February 8, 2009: The staff of Zenkaikon is pleased to announce another guest for its 2009 convention, Robert Axelrod. Mr. Axelrod has performed in countless anime and television series since 1976, in both live action and voice acting roles.

About Robert Axelrod:

Robert Axelrod's career in show business runs the gamut. Born and raised in New York City, he did commercials and theater there during his childhood and teenage years. Eventually he ended up in the Avant-garde theater scene in Soho, acting in a show called Little Trips, as well as Off-Broadway in a play called The Destroyers. Around this time, Mr. Axelrod left acting for the world of music. He spent eight years as a rock musician playing electric bass, and singing in folk, rock, and soul bands. Music brought him to Los Angeles, where he decided to return to acting, a decision he has never regretted.

Since moving to L.A., Mr. Axelrod has appeared in over thirty feature films including the sci-fi hit remake The Blob, and The Last Shot with Alec Baldwin and Matthew Broderick. Television appearances include guest star roles on Amazing Stories, Star Trek Voyager, and The Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers. He also starred in the Michael Jackson music video Stranger in Moscow.

As a voice actor, Mr. Axelrod has been busy. His most recognizable roles are as the voice of Lord Zedd and Finster on The Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers. As Lord Zedd, he starred in the first Power Rangers feature film, as well as the wildly popular live show that toured the country. He was also a regular character on Saban Entertainment's Wowser series (Ratso Catso), Journey to the Heart of the World (Scarface), and Hallo Spencer (Elmer). In addition, he voiced Armadillomon and Wizardmon on Digimon and Microchip, the Punisher's sidekick on Spiderman.

Mr. Axelrod has performed voices in countless anime features including Akira, The Big O, Ghost in the Shell, Cowboy Bebop, and Brain Scratch. He has just finished narrating the mockumentary Safety First: The Rise of Women, as well as providing voices in two anime series – Gaiking and Danguard Ace.

About Zenkaikon:

Zenkaikon was formed by the merger of the anime and sci-fi convention Zentrancon and the anime convention Kosaikon, both in the Philadelphia area. In 2006, they put on their first event, which was a tremendous success. Zenkaikon will return for its fourth installment on November 7 and 8, 2009, moving into the Radisson Hotel Valley Forge. The convention will feature two days of programming with dealers, artists, panels, performances, gaming, and more. The Zenkaikon staff wishes to thank the many attendees who made the 2008 event such a huge success. They hope to see this trend continue in 2009, and are actively anticipating expansion with larger performance and panel areas, dealer space, and video game rooms.

Zenkaikon 2009 Membership:

Pre-registration for Zenkaikon 2009 is currently open.

Registration Rates:
By June 6: One Day (Saturday or Sunday) $15.00, Two Day $28.00, Two Day VIP $48
By October 6: Saturday $18.00, Sunday $15.00, Two Day $30.00, Two Day VIP $50
At Door: Saturday $23.00, Sunday $20.00, Two Day $40.00, Two Day VIP n/a

Two day group rates are available.
Children under 6 years of age are free.

Visit www.zenkaikon.com to pre-register online, as well as to find information on exhibitor space, panel registration, and Zenkaikon rules and regulations. Printable forms for mail-in registrations are also available.