Heroes Convention 2006 brings a new spin to its 25-year tradition of exposing the Carolinas' comic fans to the best in the industry. This year the usual line-up of artists and writers is being enhanced by the appearance of a movie star who's moonlighting as a comic hero and by a best-of showcase of independent films based on comic stories. Rosario Dawson, star of Kids and Sin City, provides the impetus behind rookie Detective Sophia Ortiz in the miniseries Occult Crimes Taskforce. Dawson will be in town, Friday and Saturday only, to promote the new Image comic and possibly give hints on the upcoming Sin City 2. Meanwhile, 3 Boys Productions will present a screening of the best from their crop of entries in the Students of the Unusual Independent Filmmaking Contest. Filmmakers and fans like Kendall Bruns, Anthony Cothron, Josh Flowers, John Taddeo, Ricardo Porven, Steven Shea and others really answered the call to visualize their favorite stories from the series. A reception for the showcase will be held Friday, June 30, at 7:30pm at the Charlotte Westin, where the audience votes for the grand prize winner. Heroes Convention 2006 runs June 30 through July 2 at the Charlotte Convention Center starting at 8am. Visit www.heroesonline.com.