The time has once again come. A time of where unbridled joy is mixed with unspeakable horror. Where the vile and the beautiful come together in a sense destroying fusion of terror and delight. Where if you dare to venture...you will be lucky if you survive.
That’s right my lil nipplets! I'm talkin' bout COMIC CON TIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIME!!!
A time when we in comics, animation, film, television, games and toys. Professionals and fans of all sorts gather together to have a one to four day
Visual extravaganza!!!
The
Now for anyone who has never gone to one of these things (and if your a fan in any way), I gotta say...you HAVE to do this, at least ONCE in your life. It truly is an experience that is both exhilarating and nauseating. Exciting and exhausting. Beautiful and gruesome. All rolled up in one big fantastic sensory OVERLOAD.
Over the next few posts I'll have a few thoughts about
So....let me give you an idea of what "comicon" is all about.
I HIGHLY suggest that you spend more than one day at this thing. that’s right...get a HOTEL ROOM. Make a full on vacation of it. OR plan it AROUND your vacation and bring the family. If they (and by ‘they' I mean your wife) just cant stand the sight any more,, then send her packing to see the sights by herself for the day. I mean man…. it IS
I like to stay in any of the hotels CLOSE by the con. Because after a day of meet and greets or just running around the floor, Trust me. Your gonna want sompin close! My hotel of choice is the Hyatt. A little pricey but mmm MMMM good! You can split the costs with your pals that will be sharing the room with you.
I like to get in early and since I am what is regarded as a "pro",,,I don’t have to stand in the long lines. Luckily the
Once you do get in and your about ready to go through those doors. It’s like every dork gene in your body about to explode. You get through those doors and KAPOOW!
Your hit with so much visual stimulant you have to kind of blink a few times to adjust your frikkin eyes. So much color and items, it’s as if a great big comic book puked all over the place.
If you’re a newbie to it, It will be a bit overwhelming at first. So pace yourself. The first thing that gets you is the scope. It’s big, big BIG. With big huge company booths from all the top comic companies. Marvel, DC, Wildstorm, Image, etc.
Along with all the dealers and venders of anything and everything related. FROM comics to games to toy companies to people selling original art to animation to film to YOU NAME IT.
If you go with people/friends, I recommend you meet up with them somewhere at a set time. Say at the food stand (that will happily sell you a coke at the same price as the Jim lee trade paper back that you just bought.).
Why? because if you are there to do any sort of real buying, a lot of your experience is going to be about prowling in a very fast and methodical way. And trust me. Your going to slow each other down.
The con has several things that make this “EVENT STATUS”. Such as artist ally. A great place to meet up and talk to some of your favorite creators. And possibly pick up a sketch at a reasonable price.
The portfolio review is also great. Where industry pros will give you a very… and I mean VERY honest crit of your work.
Also: the programs and panels can be hit or miss, But if you get into one with people like Erik Larson, or Frank Miller...Your gonna be properly jazzed afterwards. So Bring a change of undies.
Another fun thing is all the kooky people that like to dress up as they’re favorite whatever. From pokemon to vampirella.To every star wars monkey that you can think of.
It can be creepy, but it is fairly harmless. And if you are a people watcher as I am...It’s a hoot. Its like a mardi gras without all the herpes and aids. But sometimes WITH the smell unfortunately.
Word to the wise...DO NOT EAT AT THE CON. Its too damn expensive and you can get way better food out and about. PLUS you'll need a bit of a breather for your eyes and lungs after a few hours. Use the time to get out and take your bags of crap to your hotel (another reason to get a room CLOSE BY).
After you leave the con, grab some great dinner somewhere downtown! Hang out with friends and talk about the day and swap stories over beers and margaritas (YEAH BABY!!).
And then off to the night time events for you! From the Eisner awards to the after party of the masquerade show. Where else can you watch wonder woman dance with an ewok?
The masquerade party is too damn long. I've never really enjoyed it. But it is usually always packs em’ in. (different strokes for different folks I guess).
Bottom line.…Your gonna have fun. Dress appropriately because your going to get hot. And always have some deodorant with you! Because while everyone else around you will be stinky, and sweaty. You can at least lift up your arm and smell the sweet aroma of someone that planed ahead.
ENJOY!
