If you can't get tickets to the now-famous, ever-more-crowded San Diego Comic Con, never fear: Long Beach Comic Con is close, it's big, and it has all the comic books and costumes you need. LBCC opened its doors this past weekend, September 12-13th, to usher in waves of fans during its largest event yet. Inside, hallways were filled with comic creators, beloved actors, and merchandise in support of favorite shows and characters. Characters from all types of media were seen as cosplayers turned out en masse, dressed as their favorites and ready to hit the show floor.
Guests
An impressive variety of well-loved guests appeared for autographs and photo ops with awaiting fans. TV favorites like John Barrowman from Doctor Who and Arrow, and Nick Brandon from old-school favorite Buffy the Vampire Slayer set up meet-and-greets, offering signatures, hugs, and conversation. Famed artists also attended with original art for sale, including Art Adams, long-time artist for Marvel comics, and Paramount Animation's art director Mingjue Chen, who's worked on everything from Disney animations to comic books to Henson puppetry.
Voice talent, including Winnie the Pooh's voice, Jim Cummings, and Troy Baker from The Last of Us and Batman: Arkham Asylum, showed up to do impressions and greet fans. Even writers turned out for the festivities, with creators like Dean DeBlois, writer and director of the How To Train Your Dragon movies, and Ruth Gage, writer for the recent Daredevil Netflix series.
Exhibitors
Famous talent isn't the only thing worth seeing at a convention. There are plenty of exhibitors from smaller companies who make a presence, offering freebie swag and selling merchandise. One of the most famous fan groups there, the 501st Legion, attended the convention's opening ceremonies in Trooper-clad glory, making an entrance led by Darth Vader and Grand Moff Tarkin. Other groups, like the California Browncoats and the Order of Gallifrey, also made an appearance to hold contests for con-goers and collect for charity. Comic and toy distributors like Ravensdale Publishing and the local Anaheim company Phat Collectibles set up shop for thousands of potential customers, and freelance artists could open booths to offer original art prints and fanart, handmade jewelry, and plush. Even non-comic companies like Chevy and Nestle showed up to advertise and offer giveaways and samples.
Love of comics can be a family affair, and LBCC made sure to offer spaces for the whole family to play together. Kids' entertainment exhibitions included a Lego Fun Zone, where kids and parents could build sculptures with a mountain of bricks, as well as a Storm Trooper-themed laser tag course.
Panels
Panels are an integral part of conventions. Not only are they places where you can sit down and rest your feet, but they're places to learn new skills; hear from actors, writers, and directors; or just enjoy costume contests. LBCC held panels instructing cosplayers on the best tips and tricks for makeup and prop eathering, while actor John Barrowman, animation gurus like Lisa Kettle and Mairghread Scott, and cast members of the special effects show Face Off offered Q&As on their work.
The convention's traditional costume contest was held on Saturday night, and started off with the youth competition, won by a father-and-son duo dressed as Star Lord and Rocket Raccoon. The competition went on to show cosplayers rocking everything from Hiccup's new dragon-riding suit, to an entire Walking Dead cosplay group, to a full costume of Transformer's Bumblebee.
Cosplayers
You can't talk about conventions without talking about cosplayers. LBCC is no exception, and featured plenty of amazing costumes!
Comic conventions are a place for geeks of all types—tabletop players, costumers, artists and writers, and plain fans--to get together and celebrate what they love. Long Beach Comic Con has gotten bigger every year, and its success in drawing crowds doesn't look to slow down anytime soon. Plan ahead for next year, and get on the convention floor yourself!
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