Fan-Da-Monium At Wizard World Comic Con

by Claire McMannes

    Thousands of comic enthusiasts, TV show obsessed fans, cosplayers, and collectors united for a weekend of panels and fan-da-monium at Wizard World's first Comic Con in Madison Wisconsin’s Alliant Energy Center on the 5th-8th of February. Stars such as Ian Somerhalder (Damon, Vampire Diaries , Christian Serratos (Rosita, The walking Dead), Brett Dalton (Grant, Agents of Shield), Michael Rooker (Yondu, Guardians of the Galaxy), William Shatner (Captain Kirk himself) and more.

    Not only were there panels of some of our favorite TV show and movie characters, but there were even comic book artists ranging from Marvel’s Spiderman, DC's New 52, and Image Comics’ The Walking Dead -- you actually receive a copy of their first issue upon walking inside.

    An entire third of the Wizards event layout was dedicated to autographs on prints or comics from the talented artist of the comics. you could even get a quick picture with them. Another part of the layout had all of the TV and movie celebrities just waiting to take a picture with you and/or autograph for a hefty price of $25-$50. But hey, you get a pretty cool photo right and get to interact with your favorite character!

    Another part of the event was dedicated to comic book lovers and amine obsessed fans. From the classic Teen Titans of 1964, before it became a terrible television show for your average four year old, to Duel Masters anime. Boxes and boxes of the classics to the updated versions could be found throughout the jumble of aisles while the vendors, not only sold, but bought and traded over the phone.

    The popular four-sided Funko Pop Figure wall was also present at the event along with collectible toys that got parents reminiscing about their childhood. But don’t be fooled, Comicon is not just for comics; it is also for collectors. Toys from the classic Frankenstein and Dracula movie could also be found, along with merch for SuperWhoLock fandom.

     But this event is not just held to see comic book artists, vendors, and your favorite TV show heroes. It gives you a chance to be one, or the opposite. Cosplayers (people who dress up like fictional characters) including; Captain America, Arrow, Deathstroke, Castiel, Dean Winchester, Harley Quinn, Batman, The Doctor, Joker, Flash, Deadpool, and Mr. Freeze could be found ready to act out their parts as convincingly as possible. Some were even willing to share their experiences with The Voice. .

    When asked why he cosplays ‘Arrow’, as one individual  liked to be called, he answers, “It’s really fun to be someone else for a day instead of your ‘regular self.’ I would do it more often, but it probably wouldn’t look very good if some dude walked into Walmart with a cape and mask on.”

    Another cosplayer, ‘Captain America,’ chips in, “It’s also really cool to see little kids look up to you the way they do. To them we really are the heroes they see, and it’s really exciting for them to see us and talk to us. Plus, it’s cool to have so many people walk up to you and want to take a picture with you because they think your cosplay is that good.”

    Along with cosplayers, metal based celebrities were also there. The original Batmobile from the 1960s series starring Adam West and Burt Ward was also there. You could even sit it the car and get pictures in it for only $25. Another car was the Delorean from the Back to the Future movies, you could also get a picture with it.

    The Wizard World Comic Con is an impressive, fun, and entertaining event for all ages so check out the next closest one in at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago on March 7-8th!