Explore the Unforgettable Highlights of Corpus Christi Comic Con 2026

The experience of Corpus Christi Comic Con 2026 did not disappoint. Between the cosplayer and the special guest in attendance, the event was one of the warmest and most welcoming environments that anyone could ever want or imagine. From the moment you walked in the door, the positive energy was there, and it was contagious.

Doing our favorite cosplay of Ruby Rhod and the Flostine Flight Attendance not only brings my wife Joy and me happiness but the happiness we can share with fans of the film is always the main reason we love to do it. This time around, we were not able to gain the number of autographs or selfies we desired. Honorable mentions go out to the great Dante Basco and Amy Jo Johnson. My wife told me to focus the money we saved up for the event on getting an autograph and/or selfie with Ray Park. As I've recently been able to get an autograph and picture taken with Sam Wittwer it seemed like destiny that I complete the circle and get an autograph from the O.G. Darth Maul.

Once again, my wife is always right. When they say, never meet your heroes, they were not talking about Ray Park. As he is known to play some bad ass booty kickers on film, he was an absolute gem of a human being. The moment he took a look at our cosplay outfits, his jaw hit the floor. He told us about how he went on a date to see The Fifth Element with his then-girlfriend. The funny thing is, he's seen the movie multiple times afterwards, but on this date, the first time he watched it, he fell asleep. Not because the film bored him, just the opposite, it was because he was so exhausted. At first, I thought to myself, 'self, how the hell can you fall asleep on that movie?', Maybe he didn't see it, then Ray began quoting it like a true fan, not just the Ruby lines. He was legit. So he continues with the story, he was exhausted do to the long hours he was putting in on a secret project that he was not allowed to tell anyone about at the time. A small movie called The Phantom Menace. I kid you not, Ray tells me and my wife Joy, that he'll always have a place in his heart for The Fifth Element because of that date, and when he saw us in the outfits, the memories just rushed back. He believed everything happened as it was meant to, because that date led to his then-girlfriend becoming his wife, and then he pointed to his children who were there with him, helping with the line of fans. Once again, The Fifth Element made another cosmic connection.

The only thing I felt bad for during the moment was how long it took because it did seem like he spent a little extra time with us than anyone before, that we noticed, so for that I'm sorry, but at the same time. I'm not telling Darth Maul to wrap up one of the most heartfelt epic stories that was quasi-related to my costume. Are you mad? That ain't happening, I soaked up every millisecond.

We got our pictures, and he signed the base of my Darth Maul Hot Toy. He even did it in red marker. Now my Maul figure is complete, and I have Sam and Ray's autograph displayed with it. Literally the heart and soul of Darth Maul. The best thing about Ray's autograph, he wrote "FITH ELEMENT" next to my name. So there was no way I could forget the moment. I may have done a bit of a Ruby impersonation before shaking his hand for the 3rd time and letting the line move on. Epic.

Thank you, Corpus Christi Comic Con for another unforgettable event, and thank you, Ray Park, for all that you have done in the business, your kind words, the amazing story, and for allowing me a moment of your time.