It is that time of the year. Con Season has begun. I am attending C2E2 once again. It has almost become tradition. I always have a blast at C2E2 and day one of 2016 is no different.
Things are slightly different this year from years past. C2E2 decided this year that Geeky KOOL didn’t qualify for a Press Pass. We found this to be disappointing but it is a conventions purgative to assign those as they chose. We determined that there is no hard feelings (but would have liked a different decision) and attended anyway.
Because of this change, I have changed my approach to the Convention. Instead of focusing on covering this convention, I am here primarily as a fan. I brought a bunch of comics to have signed by my favorite comic creators. I attended sessions because I wanted to attend them and not because of the new worthiness of those sessions.
I started off the day with Bryan (part time writer at Geeky KOOL) and Mike (Buddy) heading to the convention. We stayed at the Chicago South Loop Hotel, which is in walking distance to the Convention center. Since C2E2 is a month earlier this year, it was a lot cooler than in years past but we toughed it out.
One we arrived at the Convention Center, we stood in line for 30 minutes. I am not used to standing in line since the Press get into the convention early. The line squeezed together as we prepared for the floor to open. A gentleman struck up a conversation about gaming while we waited.
As soon as we entered the floor, we checked in at the Marvel Booth. We picked up some freebies including a Scottie Young glossy Star Wars scene.
We rushed to Artist alley and our group split up temporarily. We all had comics to be signed. Signings are much easier on Friday than on Saturday (busiest day). All of the comic creators were extremely nice and happily signed my books. I got signatures from Phil Noto, Frank Cho, Franko & Baltazar, Tom Hutchison, and Skottie Young.
I met Gail Simone and bought the Red Sonja trade for her to sign. I have always wanted to read her run on Red Sonja. I had a few things for the humorous and awesome writer Mark Waid to sign. I met my all time favorite writer, Chris Claremont, and he signed my X-Men #1 issue (couldn’t get my introduction of Kitty Pride issue for him to sign).
There were two writers that I loved. They were both super friendly and had wonderful conversations with them. Spidey writer, Robbie Thompson, is a huge Spider-Man fan from his childhood. We bonded over our love for Peter Parker and his every positive outlook in the midst of darkness. We were kindred spirits.
Marguerite Bennett was super friendly. We talked about her Secret Wars A-Force run. She loved building this world and I loved reading it. She was extremely sweet and talkative. She made me feel right at home. Then she offered me a mini candy bar. She is awesome.
I attended two sessions on Friday. DC’s Villain Panel was a ton of fun. They discussed how the villains are really fun to write and draw. Then I attended Marvel’s House of Ideas. This panel focused on the digital side. One of the panelists played the 1960s Spider-Man theme song and the 1990s X-Men Theme song on his Ukulele to entertain us as they had technical difficulties.
Marvel always has a give away at C2E2 at the end of the day. I didn’t win any prizes but it was still a ton of fun.
After the day ended, Bryan, Mike, and I head to China Town. We made our way into the restaurant, Triple Crown. We bought Dim Sum and had to roll back to our hotel.
This was an awesome day. Thank you Chicago and C2E2!
Stay Geeky My Friends!
