Claudelands will demonstrate its flexibility and multi-dimensional character when the Armageddon Expo returns this weekend, 25-26 May.

The popular expo will feature a large number of international sci-fi, fantasy and comic book stars and attractions across the venue’s two levels.

Claudelands Arena will be the focus for the weekend, with all kinds of exhibits, signings, photo areas and a ‘Main Stage’ for celebrity panel sessions.

Guests appearing on the main stage range from Yeardley Smith, the voice of ‘Lisa’ in The Simpsons to Game of Thrones’, Jason Momoa. Once Upon A Time’s, Tony Amendola and The Hobbit’s, Sylvester McCoy and Joe Flanigan, who featured in Stargate: Atlantis, are among other key draw cards.

Special sessions on the main stage will be dedicated to a TipTop Ice-Cream Eating Challenge, a Cosplay Parade and games session, a Fear Factor Contest and a Body FX Contest.

More than 50 companies will fill the large exhibition hall downstairs which includes an anime signing area.

Downstairs at Claudelands also features IPW wrestling and a Lasertag area where friends can battle it out for the entire weekend. A special new feature in 2013 is the Vegas Horror Show, to which squeamish guests are advised not to attend.

Comic book celebrities Christopher Smith, Gail Simone and Dean Rankine all appear upstairs on Stage Two, which also hosts screenings of a number of television series, including Shazam, Birds of Prey and Logan’s Run.

The upstairs area is a feast for anime fans, with two animation rooms featuring a dozen anime series over the course of the weekend.

A popular feature at Armageddon Hamilton in 2012 was the Zombie Walk, which will be a  highlight again this year. The Zombie Walk starts at Claudelands at 3.30pm on Saturday 25^th May and ends with a Zombie Lolly Scramble.

A sold-out Stargate brunch is being held on the Saturday morning, with stars from the Stargate franchise in attendance. Photo sessions with the guests give visitors a chance to be photographed with their favourite celebrity and gain a special momento to remember Armageddon 2013.

Hamilton City’s Event Facilities Director of Business Development, Murray Jeffrey says he is delighted to welcome Armageddon back to Claudelands.

"Claudelands was very proud to host last year’s Armageddon, the first event of its kind for Hamilton City and one that attracted huge interest from across the region”, says Jeffrey.

“The event used almost every part of our venue, demonstrating Claudelands’ versatility, and it was a great success. Organiser, Bill Geradts is building on that success, with excitement crammed into every corner again this year", he said.

"We can’t wait for Armageddon 2013 and we’re looking forward to the event growing as more Waikato people embrace the fun”, says Jeffrey.