We had quite the nerdy year in 2015. I’ve always been into comics, games & other geeky stuff but professionally after attending the Salt Lake City Comic-Con everything changed. Next thing I know, I’m being invited to cover the Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim and indoctrined into the fascinating world of Cosplay that has been around for awhile but really exploded in 2015. Suddenly, my timeline feeds are filled with all these new creative people and a calendar full of wonderful events to meet them all. So we start the year off right with this one:
Dallas ComicCon Fan Days – February 13th-14th – Irving Convention Center – Irving, TX
Held at the brand new & super impressive Irving Convention Center right outside of Dallas, Dallas Comic Con Fan Days is an event they put on twice a year that bookends their largest event of the year that’s held at the much larger Dallas Convention Center. However, this “mini-con” felt anything but that.
I think it’s popularity surprised the producers & even overwhelmed that city as the parking garage was full before the doors opened and most patrons (including us) had to park close to a mile away. So fun seeing all the fans in costumes making the trek – It felt like a total nerd pilgrimage was in full-swing ?
The first thing we see when arrive – This impressive Juraasic Park display.
Though I was hear in a professional capacity, this is also my interest & passion & as a kid there were few things I was more passionate about than the Dukes of Hazzard. It was essentially my life – It aired on Friday nights, so when I came home from school, my weekends began with Bo, Luke & Daisy.
So you can imagine my excitement that all three were gonna be here for a special Q&A panel and signing appearances.
The Dukes of Hazzard
Cast members (from L-R) Tom Wopat, Catherine Bach & John Schneider participated in a wonderful Q&A session where they gleefully talked of chemistry, fellowship and fun. You can see the entire chat in the video below:
Did you think I was gonna resist having my picture taken next to the General Lee? Of course not, I’m surprised I didn’t jump the rail & get in it.
If your wondering, no I do not support the imagery of the Confederate Flag or any symbolism for that matter that’s designed to divide us.
I love the fact that in the above Q&A the cast not only doesn’t shy away from that topic but actually embraced the chance to clarify their feelings.
And I will echo our shared sentiments here – What it meant to the Dukes (kayfabe) was simple pride along with an 8 year old child with no concept of racism or hate a recognizable image of the car of his dreams. Hell you could have painted Ronald McDonald up there and I wouldn’t have noticed.
As an adult, do I wish it was a U.S. Flag or just anything else that could bring the show and it’s joy back to syndication? Absolutely.
After the Q&A the three cast members sat up shop just outside for simultaneous (but individual) signing appearances. I got re-aquainted with John Schneider’s publicity team and had a nice talk. As I was doing so I hear this loud shriek behind me to turn around to see WWE Superstar Cody Rhodes in his Stardust persona in full character on a mission being followed by a film crew.
Now Rhodes wasn’t (publicly) scheduled or announced to be here, this was a fun surprise the producers had set up but I began to wonder what his agenda was and then it hit me. As we made our way up here to see the Dukes earlier, we got caught in this train of people we were trying to cross that stretched for what seemed like the entire expanse of the Convention Center. Finally we slid through but not before asking one of them “What was this line for?” to which they excitedly replied Stephen Amell of Arrow fame. I’d never heard the name or seen the show, but when someone said “He’s Arrow” , as a die-hard wrestling fan I remembered that he was part of a comic book-y crossover story line at Summer Slam last year…..and then I remembered it was against (Cody as) Stardust!
Oh shit! He’s here to crash Amell’s panel unannounced – Follow Cody! I shouted.
The doors to the Amell’s panel open (from behind) and the whole crowd is shocked & turns around to see Stardust make the perfect surprise entrance.
A great, great moment. Joined by his wife Brandi (WWE Ring Announcer Eden Stiles) to officially crash the party.
Watch the entire thing below –
The ENTIRE Stardust-Stephen Confrontation at Dallas Comic Con …
See what happened when Stardust – WWE Universe confronted Stephen Amell at Dallas Comic Con!
Posted by WWE on Saturday, February 13, 2016
Now speaking of surprises, I was completely unaware of Stephen Amell’s popularity, no offense I just had no idea. When I walked into signing area behind where the Dukes where to take photos of the participants ALL LINES were empty except for Amell’s.
Now did this contribute to this next adventure? You decide – Tweet us at @TrickyKid2 if you have something to add to the following:
So overzealous volunteers be damned those that are scheduled to make signing appearances most certainly want the press to take their picture. That’s what they are there for, to get paid, meet their fans, sell merchandise. I of course wanted pics for my coverage and to be clear: NEVER at the cost of a fan’s experience.
So when approaching Star Trek: The Next Generation star Brent Spiner, I first spoke with his on-site publicity team to get permission to take a few quick snaps.
Brent Spiner
His line was completely empty sans for a special needs girl & her mom who Spiner was giving extra special attention to. I was really into how nice he was being to this girl & then when they were done, I smiled, approached, smiled again & snapped off a few pics to which he gave me the stink eye in all of them.
After just a few seconds, I gave him the thumbs up (as if to say thanks, I’m done) smiled again and as I was turning away Spiner just leered at me & I could hear the cadence of his normal speaking voice he sounded like one of those mean gay kids that hand you flyers to their party in the East Village.
Help me out here, is Spiner a dick? My friends & I have referenced that sad girl from Trekkies when her sexual frustrations would reach it’s apex she would take what she referred to as a “Brent Break”.
Ok so now what would the convention be without its fans?
Here are the Cosplayers of Fan Days 2016 –
Jennifer Brantley (left)
& Heather Worth (right)
Ellen Hudgens & Amanda Gish (left)
& Zumi (right)
Chris (as Ghost Rider)
& Karsen Meredith Morris
Denice Reed (left)
& Megan Proska (right)
Denice made the most incredible dress I’ve ever seen & should be commended with some kind of special award.
Her dress is made up ENTIRELY of pull tab can & bottle caps that took her over a year to collect & to make. Not to mention look how freaking cute she looks in it.
Good job Denice!
The Cosplay Contest Red Carpet
Who can resist a red carpet with perfect branded back-drop just sitting there unoccupied when it’s designed for taking pictures?
Later on the first day is the Cosplay Contest and this area becomes a shitshow that I usually avoid but before the storm hit I was able to capture some great cosplay & snap a few of my own ?
Katie Gilroy, Hillary Harber & Megan Pihl (left)
& Jessica Rabbit & I (right)
Jessica Rabbit (above right with me) you might recall made our Top 10 Cosplayers list last year & speaking of which, another entry on that list, Kelsey Topper KILLED both days of the con & really raised her game & in my opinion had some of the most outstanding cosplay of the entire weekend.
Autumn Jacobs (right)
Miranda Allen (left)
Pro-Cosplayers
I typically don’t shoot Pro-Cosplayers (especially if I have shot them before, as I have these two last May) as they have alot of fans lined up & again my motto is: Never At the Expense of the Fan Experience + their getting a fair share of attention and I like to shoot the up & coming.
However these two outdid themselves and were both very generous with their time& super fun to shoot.
Silly Little Missy (left)
& Jennifer Van Damsel (right)
Oddly as I was approaching the Convention Center I kept hearing all this shouting from across the street & then I saw young patrons shouting back.
Not paying much attention, until I was forced to, I initially thought it was just some kids playing a game until I saw their were actual protesters, spending their day shouting at people from across the street. What were they protesting, fun?
So that wraps it up for Fan Days Expo, don’t miss the big one at Dallas Convention Center happening June 3-5th 2016!
Photos –
Roy Turner
Alan Tijerina
Kathy Tran
Kabooooom
