Halloween is coming early this year. For those of you who are dressing up as a vigilante or a villain, then you should pick your costumes early. On Saturday, Oct. 25, Chicago will finally have a Comic-Con within the city limits. What is a Comic-Con? Well, for all of you who do not know, it is a comic book convention with vendors, artists, and amazing events. Now, do not dismiss this. If anyone starts thinking nerds and geeks, they should be thinking doctors, lawyers, and your own self. Comic book conventions are family friendly and a wonderful place to just hang out with your friends, to see and learn about your favorite TV show, movies, or other items that you never have heard or seen before. It is just like going out on Halloween to see all the costumes with the bells and whistles, chat with friends and spend time with the kids, as well as your inner child.
The first annual Windy City Comicon will also be the first within the city limits of Chicago. It is an old-school style comic book convention, held at the Center on Halsted (3656 N. Halsted, Chicago, IL 60613), which is extremely CTA accessible, close to the Addison Red Line. For all of you who know about ACEN (Anime convention) and WizardWorld, then you know that they have been the only big convention for many years that claims to be a Chicago convention, but there are complications of going all the way to Rosemont, IL. You must pay a gross amount to attend a so-called “Chicago” convention and spend money to shop. Yes, Rosemont has the Blue Line, but the important thing will always to be location, location, location. Unlike the convention at the Rosemont Convention Center, the Center on Halsted is cleaner, more modern, and the layout is better organized. Did I also mention that it is only $5? It is $5, by the way, and the first 100 people in the door will get gift bags! The only disappointing thing is that the convention is only one day.
There has been a lot of buzz for the past eight months about this Comic-Con but the realization of it did not come until two months ago. “We have been thinking about it since we’ve held mini-cons in the past.” says Chris from Around Comics (a comic book postcast), “We called up some artists that we know and said ‘Hey, we’re doing this comic-con and was wondering if you would want to do it?'” There are over 30 Chicago artists that work for the well-known DC and Marvel, as well as independent comics Chris Burnham, Jeffrey Brown, Gene Ha and Tim Seeley, to name a few. There are also events throughout the day, including, exclusive signings, HeroClix and Magic tournaments and classes to teach people how to draw comics with Skottie Young, Will Pfiefer and others.
The Windy City Comicon won’t be as big as ACEN or WizardWorld but it is a historic event, being the first within the city limits of Chicago. No one should miss this. “There are about a couple thousand people coming,” said Chris. Besides finding great deals on comics, trade paper backs, statues, toys and more, it is just a good way to explore Chicago culture. Be sure you can “live long and prosper” there.
If you wish to know more, visit http://www.windycitycomicon.com.