Throughout the year, thousands of people flock to cities for “comic conventions” with celebrity guests, informative panels, and costume or “cosplay” contests, but don’t fear that cape just yet. Comic conventions aren’t for comic book creators and the fans only; they’re celebrations of all aspects of popular culture for everyone to enjoy. Find out everything you need to know about joining in the media merriment in our Comic Cons 101, your complete travel guide to geek culture gatherings.
What is a “comic con”?
“Comic con” is short for “comic convention” since the first conventions showcased comic talent, but now, a “comic con” is a celebration of pop culture. This includes comic books, movies, TV shows, toys, and video games as well as sub-divisions of those genres such as horror films, anime (Japanese animated TV shows) and manga (Japanese comics). At the celebration, major companies, such as Warner Bros., Universal, Disney, Fox, DC Comics, Marvel, etc., host “booths” with interactive games, upcoming releases, and free stuff!
So…what? Why would I want to go to a comic con?
Actors, film directors and producers, editors, writers, and artists frequent comic conventions, so you might be able to meet your favorite creators (and find out they’re human, too).
Cast of The Walking Dead at NYCC
Seriously? Like who? Brad Pitt?
Maybe not Brad unless he does another sci-fi movie, but George R.R. Martin, the driving force behind A Song of Ice and Fire and Game of Thrones, has attended the famed Comic-Con International: San Diego. Steven Spielberg has been a guest and panelist, and Tom Hiddleston made his famous appearance as Loki from The Avengers at a comic con. Other guests have ranged from the entire cast of Twilight to Richard Dean Anderson from MacGyver, and Conan O’Brien who will host his late night show from San Diego during the event in 2015.
Cool! How I can see my favorite stars?
With your eyes. Just don’t use heat vision.
Comic cons are broken up into four distinctive parts—the floor, panels, artist alley, and an autograph section.
The Floor has the proverbial convention “booths,” but at comic cons, they are anything but conventional. These portable entertainment stages present con-goers with the latest video games, books, movies, and signings, so you can have a blast with or without your favorite actor or creator.
Travel Tip: Visit the floor early in the morning and avoid it like a Star Wars’ fan at a Trekkie Con later in the day. The floor tends to become crowded, so much so that breathing can become an issue.
You can also find your favorite actor, filmmaker, or creator at Panels, which are held in large meeting halls. Panels are usually moderated by a celebrity or creative host and offer film and comic sneak peeks. Ending with a question and answer with the cast/creative team, panels provide incredible interaction for the ultimate geek.
Travel Tip: Always arrive early for the panel you want to attend, and read the con FAQs. Some cons don’t empty the rooms between panels, so while a line might be forming outside for that next Batman panel, you can be sitting first row, listening to the latest developments on [insert awesome geekdom here].
Artist Alley is one of the biggest sections of the con and showcases the best talent in the comic industry. Here artists, and sometimes writers, set up tables with merchandise like sketch books, original drawings, and prints. They are also a great place to talk with your favorite creators and discuss their work.
Travel Tip: Read the con information before leaving your home. Make a list of the creators you want to see, and then after you’re done on the floor, head immediately to Artist Alley. Many artists set up shop after the con opens for the day, so if you head there at opening, you’ll miss some of your favorites. Also, hit Artist Alley on the first or second day of the con. The first day of a con is always the least busy (especially in SDCC and NYCC, where the first days are during the week), and by the last day, some creators already have packed up shop and headed home.
Finally, Autograph Sections are usually panels of ultra celebrities, and you wait on line for your moment with the actor/writer/filmmaker. (Please be advised. An additional fee may be charged by certain celebrities. Generally, autographs in artist alley and on the floor do not incur an extra charge.)
Travel Tip: AVOID THIS. Unless you are a diehard fan of Mr. I-Wielded-A-Lightsaber-Twenty-Years-Ago, you’re going to become frustrated by the long wait times and miss some of the other great festivities.
All right. All right. So maybe, I might, kind of be interested. Do I have to wear a cape?
Why wouldn’t you want to wear a cape? Capes are cool! But no. Capes and costumes are not requirements of comic con, but they are an integral part of the atmosphere. Many attendees of comic cons enjoy dressing up like their favorite characters in a practice called costume play or cosplay. There are even famous cosplayers who go from convention to convention wearing different costumes.
So where can find myself a comic con or comic-con or ComicCon? What the—?
Comic conventions abbreviate themselves in different ways depending on which company organizes the event, but they have invaded America and the world quicker than the aliens in Independence Day. Wherever you live, there’s a comic convention near you! Check out blog.gogovacations.com for a rundown of the best geekfests!
Read about the best comic cons in America and abroad this month’s issue of On the Go!
