Girls With Comics

And not because someone finally said “HEY WHY ARE THERE STRIPPERS* AT A FAMILY FRIENDLY CONVENTION.” No, because they might have sold something to a minor because the idiot working at the SG booth didn’t check for an I.D. While I’m glad they aren’t allowed back, what gets me is why were they even there in the fucking first place. All of these conventions claim to be “family friendly”, yet at Wizard World Philly I saw Suicide Girls, and then right across there was some other booth of hookers offering free massages. Right out there in the open. And while I will usually be the last to scream “WON’T SOMEONE THINK OF THE CHILDREN?!” I must say, won’t someone think of the children? And yes, a parent should be there to make sure their kid doesn’t buy porn, but it’s a little hard to avoid that booth when it’s right in the middle of the convention.

Take Otakon for example. They keep ALL of their adult material (or rather, the showings, as well as the adult art show) in a separate room/rooms. The only way to get in to see any of that stuff, is by showing your I.D. I can safely say, from experience, that the people working at that convention due in fact check I.D’s. While there are dealers and artists who have adult material, even they are thoughtful and do stop people and warn them or check for I.D’s. Otakon also has a somewhat enforced dress code, which is also a plus. Otakon also calls itself family friendly, and I can agree. They are. Wizard World conventions? Maybe not so much.

Which brings me too this; Wizard World claims to be a comic book convention. They really need to just call themselves a multi-geek fandom convention. Do you want a good example of a real comic con? Baltimore Comic Con. Every guest is involved with comics in some way. There are no washed up actors, wrestlers, America’s Next Top Model winners, Star Trek guests, nor are there Suicide Girls. Just comics. I’m dead serious.

-Lauren

http://blogs.laweekly.com/informer/events/suicide-girls-comic-con-banned/

*Or “alternative model”, whatever. I’m not even mad about SG being a site where girls show their boobies. More power to them. But back in the day that site required age verification, which to me doesn’t scream family oriented.

All pics by either myself, or Pat Gavin on Flickr.

And last but not least, our glorious reunion was full of unicorns, poop rainbows, and glitter!

See you next year, Philly!

-Lauren

I would have pictures, but my sister took the USB cord for my camera. She’s an asshole.

Well, what a day! I’m fighting the urge to sleep on my laptop, but I want to get this out while everything is still fresh. Last night I didn’t sleep since I was really excited for this con. Last year it was wonderful. This year, it was just as amazing! Han and I did reunite and it was rainbows and unicorns and magic.  The line to get into Wizard World was very easy, since the weather was so nice.

Finally, after an hour (but did not feel like so) we were inside. The con is still “small”, but it was much more crowded than last year. I promptly got autographs for my dad (Patrick Stewart was underwhelming, in case you care) and then walked around for a long time. Han and I eventually met back up and went to Reading Market for lunch. It was delicious. OM NOM.

We then walked some more! I don’t really buy comics at these cons. The most of what I look for is good deals on toys, and there were deals to be had! I got one of those awesome $80 Batgirl dolls (the  1:18 scale ones or something) for $35. I was thrilled. I also got two Sub-Mariner comics for $15. My boyfriend got a bunch of Spider-Man comics.  I even got a nifty Archie puzzle from 1972, but that was after the con!

My only real complaints would be the following;

-I am looking for an Archie 2. Every dealer I asked scoffed and said “Good luck. That comic is rare.” No, unicorns are rare. Do you know why? Because they don’t exist. However, Archie #2 does.

-Crowded. Sweet Jesus it STANK up in that bitch!

On a positive note, I got to see a Pep #22 in person. It would be the second one I’ve seen in real life. I’ve clearly done a lot with my life.

Overall, great con. I’ll go back next year! Yay! 😀

-Lauren

Well, next Saturday, June 12th, I will be down at Wizard World Philly. I had initially gone to get William Shatner’s autograph for my dad as a Fathers Day gift, but he canceled. Instead, Patrick Stewart will be there. Now as a a child I grew up with The Next Generation, and Captain Picard was (and is) my favorite captain. Patrick Stewart himself is a bad ass motherfucker. Seriously, look at this bad ass motherfucker talk about the letter ‘B’:

THAT SHIT IS AMAZING.

Also, Bruce Campbell will be there. And he is a pretty sexy guy, or at least he was. I mean he’s still cute but you know.

-Lauren

Con season is around the corner, which means there will be a whole slew of con virgins! If this would apply to you, please keep reading. If you have been to more than one con, I suggest you keep reading too. You might learn something.

1- Shower. Please, for the love of God, use proper hygiene at a con. In honesty this should be common sense and should be practiced daily in real life, but sometimes that just doesn’t happen. If you want to impress your fellow con goers, please shower, wear deodorant, and try to look like a decent enough human being. I don’t care if you wear a Flash shirt and jeans. Just smell decent.

2- Eat. Yea, you read that. Some people try to pull all day/nighters at various cons. I’ve noticed this is mostly a trend at anime cons (because kids are silly), but again, eat three meals a day. A bottle of Coke, chips, and a candy bar is NOT  meal. Nor is it good for you. Getting away from the con for an hour and refueling will do wonders for you.

3- Sleep. Get at least 6 hours a night, and try to not get more than 8. Usually you’ll be well rested. Again, pulling all nighters is never a good idea, even in college.

4- Bring cash. While most dealers accept credit cards, cash is pretty much the safest bet. It’s up to you how much to bring.

5- Bring a sketchbook! I like keeping sketches I get from artists handy in books.

6- Wear comfortable shoes. You will be doing a lot of walking, and moving, and the floors of most con centers are not comfy. Even in hotels!

7- I highly suggest not looking for love at conventions. Con hookups generally fail, but every so often do work. Meeting people is dandy, but trying to find the one might let you down. Just let love happen, don’t rush into it over the course of a weekend.

There really is so much more I could suggest, but really those seem like a good outline. What do you guys think?

-Lauren

Back in the day when I would cosplay at a con, I would notice other convention goers taking pictures of myself, or other cosplayers, from far away. Usually these pictures are of cosplayers mid-sentance, mid-hamburger-bite, whatever. Nothing looks more awkward than a Sailor Moon cosplayers sitting down, minding her own business and eating some food, when someone randomly gets a shot of her. I understand candid shots, but those are an art form that very few convention going photographers know how to pull off. Random dude with a point and shoot, you are not one of them.

While an argument can be made that if you are in costume, naturally you want people to take your picture. Of course, why else would I dress like this? But when I’m eating, DO NOT TAKE MY FUCKING PICTURE. I’ll take a photo of you on the crapper and see how much you like it, you asshat. The people who take pictures from a distance are also annoying. You’re at a con with several thousand other people. I’m willing to bet your world wont end if you ask a cosplayer for a real photo. I’m also willing to bet the cosplayer will not bite off your head! Hell, he or she may even be friendly!

Bottom line is, you look creepy when you take a photo from a distance. Is there something wrong that you can’t ask? If you are that shy, why are you at a con with several thousand other people. That seems very counter productive.

No really, ask for a picture.

-Lauren