Photograph by Michael Kandel

For last year’s AwesomeCon, thousands of comic book fans, cosplayers and sci-fi nerds descended upon the Washington Convention Center in their best Marvel-inspired apparel to get their photo taken with accomplished Hobbits (Sean Astin), dread pirates (Cary Elwes), and time-travelers that rarely make appearances stateside (Billie Piper). So how do they plan to follow up that banner year of geekdom? By doubling the number of appearances from the Power Rangers cast, naturally.

Yes, AwesomeCon has announced many of their celebrity guests and they are all over the map. Part of the beauty of the convention is that the represented pockets of geekiness are so far flung and inclusive. In fact, some of last year’s guests, such as voice actor Phil Lamarr (Hermes from Futurama among others) and local horror host Count Gore de Vol, will be back again. They’re also bringing in James Marsters, most famously known as snarky British vampire Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Grant Imahara of Mythbusters fame.

But now it seems that Awesome Con is also making a decided play at the otherwise ignored stoner demographic this year, since Jason Mewes and Brian O’Halloran from Clerks will also make an appearance. In all fairness, Stan Lee did have a cameo in Mallrats, but the billing of infamous slackers Jay and Dante is something of a surprise.

Also, Dana Snyder who voices the incredibly annoying Master Shake in the surreal Adult Swim cartoon Aqua Teen Hunger Force will be at the convention this year. Hopefully, this means that this year’s musical guest is either Mastodon or MF Doom, one hopes. It’s going to be tough to top last year’s performance from party maestro Andrew W.K., but a performance of songs from The Mouse and the Mask might fit that bill.

This year’s Awesome Con will invade the Convention Center again the weekend of May 29-31 and their plethora of pass options are now on sale. And for those who were worried, there is a special Power Rangers VIP pass since four members of the cast will be present this year. Of course there is.