On a clear blue-sky day during the final weekend of spring break, I stepped into Pop Culture Con, the fourth annual convention held in Spring, Texas. I didn’t know exactly what to expect—only that I would likely leave with a bag full of treasures (which I did). What I experienced, however, went far beyond that. Along with vintage Lord of the Rings calendars, spooky comic books, a hand-drawn gnome from Dirk Strangely, and new Croc bedazzles from a family-owned business, I had the opportunity to speak with one of the 1980s’ most beloved cult-classic stars: Zach Galligan of Gremlins.
Upon entering, one is immediately tasked with wandering through a hall of treasures. Smiles abound at every booth, and everywhere you look, something entices you to pause and contemplate if you have enough money in your checking’s account. I couldn’t help but stop at one display that glowed with toys from my early-2000s childhood: a Pocahontas game, a Barbie camera, my Little Ponies; each glance was like lifting the lid on a forgotten box in the attic, discovering objects you thought had vanished into time. By far the most surprising find was a box overflowing with old McDonald’s Happy Meal toys. Once considered nothing more than disposable plastic, these tiny figures now rest carefully preserved. I found myself grateful to the collectors and vendors who safeguard these remnants of play.
Next, I was stopped by game producer Kamau Vassall, who introduced me to his new sci-fi creation, Gravity’s Edge, currently available to wishlist on Steam with a projected release in April 2026. He described the game as a “planetoid area where you can jump from planet to planet.” Within it, there are two main modes—story and survival. In story mode, players follow a 14-year-old boy on a journey to find his father or save the galaxy. The goal centers on solving puzzles, with gameplay that he compared to something like The Legend of Zelda.
Then came the grand room where vendors and artists had truly made camp, their tables laid out like offerings for curious wanderers. There was something for everyone. I was delighted to spot 3D-printed Fallout Nuka-Colas. Horror fans, too, had plenty to gaze upon; and if you dug around long enough, you might have struck gold like I did: a nostalgic Scholastic Book Fair Goosebumps titled, Monster Survival Guide, which I’m certain will prove useful someday.
But it was local artist and spooky children’s book creator Dirk Strangely’s wall of strange illustrations that stopped me in my tracks. I was drawn in like a moth to a flame. For those unfamiliar, Dirk Strangely is a Houston-based artist and children’s author known for his delightfully macabre style and imaginative storytelling. I had the pleasure of chatting with him as he sketched me a small gnome, that he titled If You Gnome, You Gnome. If you’re drawn to the strange, the surreal, and the slightly unsettling, I highly recommend seeking out his art.
Throughout the convention, Gremlins memorabilia was everywhere—and, as if summoned by all that nostalgia, the 80s star himself was there too. Zach Galligan sat at his table, ready to meet fans. I passed by more than once, quietly psyching myself up for the conversation. Gremlins is such a cult classic but, somewhat shamefully, I had never actually seen it. So, my first question to him was simple: “How would you explain Gremlins to someone who’s never seen it?”
He didn’t hesitate. “It’s a wonderful lizard of Oz from hell.”
I laughed, a little caught off guard. He continued, “It’s sort of like the flip side of E.T., it starts out all cute and cuddly, and then they get… horrible.”
Curious, I asked if his own home reflected that legacy. He smiled and said, “People assume my house is like a Gremlins museum, but I only have the movie poster framed.”
There’s been talk of Gremlins 3 on the horizon, with speculation pointing toward a 2027 release, though little has been confirmed, especially when it comes to casting. Still, it’s hard to imagine the franchise returning without Galligan. Much like the nostalgic revival of Beetlejuice, some roles are simply inseparable from the actors who first brought them to life. After all, Gremlins wouldn’t quite be Gremlins without Billy Peltzer. I wrapped up our conversation by telling him I hoped to see him back on the big screen soon. At that, he gave a small wink in return.
All in all, Pop Culture Con was one for the books; a lively celebration of stories, nostalgia, and the people who keep both alive. I’d recommend anyone with a love for pop culture, in all its forms and eras, to mark their calendars for next year. After all, you never quite know what you’ll stumble across, or who you might find yourself in conversation with. And that, more than anything, feels like the real magic of it.
