|
July 2004
It's July, the month for fireworks, barbecues,
vacations, and of course, Comic Con! It's hard to
believe an entire year has passed since the last Comic
Con, but it is that time again. Unfortunately, a trip
to Comic Con isn't in the budget for me this year, but
in case it is in your budget and plans, I'd like to
devote this month's column to some tips for enjoying
your first Con.
First and foremost, whatever Con you plan on
attending, pre-register if at all possible. In most
cases, you'll save money on admission by doing so, and
you'll certainly save time when you reach the Con.
For the larger Cons like San Diego, the crowds can be
large enough that the lines to register can last for
an hour or more. That's an hour that you could be
inside checking out the Con instead of staring at the
back of the person in front of you. Granted, some of
the people in line can be very interesting, but it
would be nicer to check them out at your leisure,
instead of doing so because you're both stuck in line
together for what seems to be an eternity while the
pre-registered folks saunter on by and enter the Con
itself.
Another "tip" is to try and arrive plenty early, even
the day before if possible, and check out the area.
Parking, bus routes (either municipal or convention
contracted), street "quirks" (such as which streets
are one-way), freeway access, etc. are all seemingly
minor things that can contribute to pre-convention
frustration if you're not prepared for them. You can
often save yourself a lot of frustration if you do
your homework ahead of time and determine how to use
public transportation to get close to the Con, and
leave your personal vehicle parked at the hotel, a
friend's house, or other secure location that's "easy
in, easy out". Information on public transportation
routes, schedules, and costs are typically available
on line, and since you're reading this on the
internet, you have access to that wondrous resource.
The Con is like an entirely different world. If you
have ever had the desire to run around in a Spandex
super-hero outfit, but feared public ridicule for
doing so, the Con is the place for you. It doesn't
matter how well you "match" the character's build as
long as you have a good sense of humor and are out to
enjoy yourself. True, a well done costume on someone
who "looks the part" will garner a lot of attention,
but even a "quick costume" on a completely different
body type is a kick at Comic Con. You're going to
see, for instance, someone six feet tall dressed as
Yoda. You might see a Superman with a "super beer
belly", or a Batman that's only four foot, eight
inches tall. It doesn't matter; the folks in those
costumes are having fun, and you should too. Dressing
for the Con can be a very rewarding part of the
experience, and if you fondly recall your childhood
days of "Trick or treat", the Con is a great way to
experience that again without terrifying your
neighbors.
Well, OK, terrifying the neighbors can be fun, too,
but at Comic Con, you're not nearly as likely to find
yourself the subject of a Police Search. That said;
if your costume includes something that could be
construed as a weapon, even something as innocuous as
a Wizard's Staff, expect it to be "Peace Tied" at the
door by security. In past years, a very few
individuals have done some dumb things with costume
weapons, so for safety and insurance purposes, all
weapons get peace tied. This isn't just to make sure
you don't wield it in the Con; it's also an
"inspection process" that makes sure you're not
bringing a fully functional Light Saber in with your
Darth Vader costume, and allows them the chance to
reiterate the Con rules regarding the handling of such
things. Splitting other Con visitors in half with
your Light Saber may make for a good show, but it's
messy and tends to upset the family and friends of
your opponent.
The exhibitors and vendors at the Con will have lots
of "freebies". Help yourself to any you might find
even remotely interesting, and load up your bag with
all you can carry. Plan on looking it all over later;
you're going to get some "loser" stuff, but you'll
also get some spiffy items that you'll enjoy. I've
been turned on to some great comics from giveaways at
Comic Con.
If you have some favorite artists, take along a
sketch book. These are available from most book
stores, stationary supplies, art supplies, and craft
outlets. Most of the artists are happy to do a sketch
in your book, and if you buy some of their work
they're even happier to do an autographed sketch on it
for you. Meeting your favorite artists face to face
is not only fun for you; the artists appreciate
hearing from us as well. It's always nice to know
that people enjoy what we do.
The Cons are a Gamer's paradise, too. Many of the
game companies set up displays with demos of the
latest releases or upcoming releases. Whether you're
into table-top games or computer/console games, you'll
find opportunities to try out new and different games,
often before they've even been finalized. The Cons
are often used to test new games, with feedback from
the Con players being incorporated into the final
release of the game. Take time to play while you're
at the Con; you might find a new game you really like,
or it might save you a few bucks when you decide that
one you thought you'd like isn't really your cup of
tea after all.
Finally, plan your Con budget ahead of time. Certain
expenses, such as travel, lodging, parking, and meals,
can be calculated ahead. Once in the Con, though, the
attraction of available things can be overwhelming.
You can expect to find items priced from the "terrific
bargain" range to the "outrageous gouging" range.
"Caveat Emptor" is the rule of the day. However,
you're most likely going to find stuff you want, and
if you're anything like me, you're going to find more
stuff that you want than your budget can handle. Know
how much you should spend, and prioritize your
desires. Don't blow your entire bankroll on trinkets,
just to find that one gem you've searched for after
you're broke. The odds are the trinkets will still be
waiting at the end of the day; make note of where you
found what item, and unless it's a very rare find,
look around thoroughly before buying.
Even if it is your first Con you don't have to look
and act like a Newbie. Go prepared to have a good
time, and the odds are, you certainly will. I sure
look forward to my next Con visit, and I hope to read
some great anecdotes from others about their visits
this year.
See you in August, when I might just make another
shameless plug for my story, "Cardan's Pod". (You
know I had to sneak that in here somewhere, didn't
you?)
|