Dark History and Horror Convention: A Chat with Founder Brian Ward

I guess there are a couple of things you could do when true crime has been your passion since junior high. You could always head in the wrong direction and start committing crimes yourself. Or you could be more productive and provide an environment where other people who love it as much as you do can gather to enjoy it.

That’s what Brian Ward does with the Dark History and Horror Convention. As it states on its Facebook page, the con is an annual event that “showcases the darker elements of history along with artwork, authors, horror and all things dark!” There’s even a little paranormal thrown in for good measure.

I’m fairly sure (but not 100% positive) that I’ve included it on the Paracons & Horror Fests listings ever since Brian first launched his con. I’ve also been curious to talk with him about it, and guess what? That finally happened!

In addition to discussing our favorite (and least fave) true crime subgenres, Brian also highlighted a few of the special guests that he’d so far announced at the time of our chat. (Which was a month ago.) I’ve embedded the video of our entire chat below, but this post hits some of the highlights.

Dark History and Horror Con 2022 Special Guests

Since our chat a month ago, Brian has announced even more guests, including actors Jason London (Dazed and Confused; To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar) and R. A. Mihailoff (Leatherface, Hatchet II).

But here were the guests he featured during our talk:

1. Dacre Stroker, the great-grandnephew of Bram Stoker, which is exciting anyway, but even more so because this year mark’s the 125th-anniversary release of Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
2. Matthew Atchley, an actor who’s appeared in episodes of Snapped and the movie Richard Jewel.
3. Bob Motta, attorney and podcast host of the Defense Diaries.
4. Cesar Garcia, an actor known for many roles, including “No-Doze” in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.
5. James O’Barr, creator of The Crow.
6. Rob Mello, the actor who played John Tombs in Happy Death Day and Happy Death Day 2U.
7. The Harp Twins, identical twins Camille and Kennerly Kitt form the popular Nordic Celtic harp duo.

There will also be lots of podcasts representing themselves this year because that was something Brian wanted to expand on more. And authors. There will also be a ton of those.

Dusty’s Prop Shop will also have some cool props available for selfies and such, such as “Rusty,” a “screen authentic” Impala just like the one from Supernatural. (It wasn’t ever used in the series, but is a dead-ringer for it I’m told.)

Rusty’s will also display a Tardis and a Jurassic Park Jeep from the movie.

Something else that was super popular in years past was getting inked, so tattoo artists are back by popular demand. (Brian even showed off some of his ink during our chat!)

A Funny Story

“Hopefully no true crimes have ever happened at your event?” I asked.

I don’t even know why I asked that, but it seemed like a good idea at the time and I was glad I did. Brian shared a funny story about Judith Yates, a true crime author out of Nashville.

He didn’t remember which con it was, but he got a message that she was in the hospital. It was the day before the first day of the con. He went to pick her up and joked with her that he was envisioning the headline, “True crime convention kills true crime author.”

“Damn, we don’t need to be doing that!” he joked.

She was in good spirits and laughed about it too.

But he admitted that even though the saying goes “no press is bad press,” he felt that would’ve been bad press.

“Don’t want that press or that stress!” I agreed.

I also thought it was nice he cared enough about a guest that he personally went to get her and help her out like he did.

Taboos & Stigmas

The other thing I appreciated was Brian’s candor about the taboos and stigmas associated with true crime. The paranormal encounters them too, especially when people investigate better-known tragedies. Some of which are still fresh and people don’t appreciate ghost hunters running around trying to make contact with the otherside.

But true crime is even more taboo. Yes, true crime TV shows and books have become super popular in recent years, but people are still hesitant to go to events and associate themselves with “liking” true crime enough to do that.

For instance, many consider it bad form to say you have a favorite serial killer. Other true crime addicts know you don’t mean “favorite” as in you like or admire them, but rather that you’re intrigued by them. But if you want to get a funny look quick from the general public, an admission like that will do it.

He also wanted to make it clear that he doesn’t idolize any serial killers, even though that is his favorite true crime “subgenre,” so to speak. And he admits it’s shameful we don’t place enough importance on the victims. We all know who the killers are, but how often do we know the victims by name? (One case that came to my mind was the Camp Scott Murders. I have a hard time remembering the killer’s name, but not Lori Lee Farmer, Michele Guse, or Doris Denise Milner, the little girls he murdered.)

Watch the Chat

For More Info

Visit the website https://thementalward.wixsite.com/darkhistoryhorrorcon or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DarkHistoryCon.

This year’s Dark History and Horror Convention takes place August 19-20 in Champaign, Illinois.

And be sure to check out Brian’s podcast, Dark History Time with Brian: https://open.spotify.com/show/2SJhNS9pWA5x4rkhgoZ7MZ.

Check-In

What’s your favorite subgenre of true crime?