JP Karliak Brings Morph to Halloween Fan Fest Fun

The X-Men ’97 voice actor met fans, signed collectibles and posed for photos at a Frisco store’s first annual Halloween Fan Fest.

For collectors in North Texas, Halloween came with a special guest this year. JP Karliak, the voice of Morph in X-Men ’97, spent the afternoon of Saturday 31 October at Star Collectibles in Frisco, Texas. There, he met fans, signed autographs and posed for photos.

His appearance anchored the store’s first annual Fan Fest, a full day of games, cosplay and community events. MN2S arranged the booking after the store came to us with a clear request. It wanted to bring JP to Frisco so local fans could meet the performer behind characters they love.

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Who Is JP Karliak?

Karliak grew up in Dunmore, Pennsylvania, and has since built one of the most varied careers in modern voice acting. Today he is best known as Morph, the nonbinary shapeshifter in Marvel Animation’s X-Men ’97 on Disney+.

His animation credits reach well beyond Marvel, though. He voices the title character in The Boss Baby: Back in Business and Wile E. Coyote in Wabbit / New Looney Tunes. Younger viewers also know him as Vic in The Loud House and Dale Dimmadome in The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish. Additionally, he played the Tin Man in Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz and Green Goblin in Spidey and His Amazing Friends.

Gamers have plenty to bring to the signing table too. Karliak voices Wolfgang in Skylanders, Dr. Nefarious Tropy in Crash Bandicoot 4 and the Joker in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. On top of that, he plays both Gargamel and Razamel in Smurfs.

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That range matters for a live appearance. A single signing can draw Marvel fans, gamers and parents whose children grew up on his cartoons, all in the same queue.

Off-mic, Karliak is just as active. He founded Queer Vox, a nonprofit academy and community for LGBTQIA+ voice actors. He also co-founded NerdsVote, a non-partisan nonprofit that encourages pop-culture fans to register and vote. In addition, he writes and performs Donna / Madonna, an autobiographical solo musical comedy.

Inside Star Collectibles’ Halloween Fan Fest

Star Collectibles is a specialist store on Dallas Parkway in Frisco. Its range spans Marvel, anime and nostalgia pieces, and it also runs regular trading card game events for local players.

For its first Fan Fest, the store promised “twelve hours of absolute love for our fans”. The day opened at noon with a free Pokémon Learn 2 Play session for newcomers. Karliak then took over from 2pm to 4pm, while cosplayers offered photo opportunities until 5pm.

The evening shifted back to tabletop gaming. A Marvel Champions “Slice of New York” event brought players together over pizza, and a Magic: The Gathering special event followed at 7pm.

Several activities also ran all day. Visitors could enter a costume contest, pick up door prizes and buy raffle tickets for prize packs. The top prize was tickets to a private screening of Avengers: Doomsday.

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The JP Karliak Meet-and-Greet Experience

During his two-hour slot, Karliak signed prints, comics and collectible items. The store specifically invited fans to bring their X-Men ’97 Morph figures for signing, which suited a collector crowd perfectly. Fans also had the chance to chat with him about his roles and pose for photos.

Halloween gave the afternoon an extra layer of fun. Morph is a character defined by changing faces, so he fitted naturally into a day built around costumes and cosplay. As a result, the appearance felt like part of the celebration rather than a bolt-on.

Why Voice Actors Make Strong Retail Draws

Voice actors hold a distinctive place in fan culture. Audiences know their characters intimately but rarely see the people behind them. Meeting the actual voice of a favourite character therefore carries a real sense of discovery.

For years, conventions have been the main place where that connection happens. However, independent retailers are increasingly bringing the same experience to their own shop floors. A well-chosen guest gives fans a reason to visit, stay longer and come back.

Signed items also add lasting value. An autograph on a figure or comic turns a purchase into a keepsake with a story behind it. Similarly, photos from the day give stores a steady stream of authentic community content long after the event ends.

Why JP Karliak Was the Right Fit

The match between talent and venue was clear from the start. Star Collectibles serves fans of Marvel, animation and nostalgia, and Karliak’s career runs through all three. His role in X-Men ’97 connects directly to the Marvel product on the store’s shelves.

MN2S saw the fit and made it happen. We worked with both sides on the format, from signing details to onsite logistics, so the afternoon ran smoothly for the store, the talent and the fans.

What This Means for Retailers and Brands

Talent appearances do not have to mean arena-sized budgets or global campaigns. For community-focused businesses, the right guest at the right moment can build loyalty that lasts well beyond a single day.

Whether you are planning an in-store event, a fan activation or a brand partnership, it starts with the right introduction. Get in touch with our team to find the right talent for your next event.