Phoenix Comicon – Johnny’s Take

Last Thursday was the first day of Comicon – more of a half day, really. My drive from Southern California was long and I arrived too late to do much. I got my press pass and had dinner with the FEZ staff. There wasn’t much happening anyway. By Saturday, the place would be hopping, but Thursday and Friday were still relaxed enough that we could get on and off the elevators without having to get uncomfortably close to some random person in a costume or body paint.

I spent most of Friday asking, “Hi, can I take your picture?” No one ever turned me down. Cosplayers would pose and smile (or snarl, as the case may be). I wondered if those hidden behind masks ever stuck their tongues out at me. I worried that I was being a nuisance taking pictures, but everyone was very friendly and eager to pose for us.

Well, everyone but Rob.

There was plenty to see in the Exhibitor Hall. People were even selling comic books. At a Comicon! Who knew?

We attended a panel called “Shooting and Modeling for the Awkward.” During the Q&A, I tried to embarrass the other FEZ staff members by asking Larcy and Kara to pose them on stage (Keith, Kelly and Nick are a bunch of posers, after all). Larcy and Kara rolled with my silly interruption admirably and this opened the door for others in the audience to get posing advice as well. Plus, we got a great picture out of it. Look at how well they extended their necks and straightened their bodies, just like they were taught in the panel.

We saw The Hangover Part 2 (big disappointment), then the hotel organizers gave us a table in the game room to do our Monthly Caucus Podcast. Everyone behind the scenes at Comicon was very gracious and helpful.

As it got late, we peeked into the Anime Rave. This, I understand, is what it looked like to the ravers…

Not sure this guy saw it that way, though…

We also checked out the presentation of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, but eventually had to leave when the emcee kept talking and talking and talking.