Every year, sci-fi conventions such as Comic-Con, Genericon, and HeroesCon draw thousands of fans from around the world. Whether you are a Trekkie or a longtime Superman fan, you can experience the wonderful universe of your favorite comic book or TV show by attending a convention. It also allows you to showcase your artwork, have discussions with other fans, and meet celebrities.
What to Bring
Sci-fi and comic conventions have a generally relaxed atmosphere, but still some preparations are necessary. Make a checklist of everything that you need from pens to water bottles to camera. A knapsack is the most convenient way of carrying your things wherever you go. Don’t forget to bring some comics from your collection just in case the creators are around to give an autograph.
- Planet715’s Comic-Con Survival Guide: A checklist of important things that you must carry such as a cell phone, badge lanyard, and binder.
- Hoboes Comic-Con Survival Guide: Has plenty of tips about what to bring and how to wisely spend your money on merchandise.
To Cosplay or Not to Cosplay
Cosplay or costume play is dressing like your favorite character. It is a fun way of completely immersing yourself in fantasy worlds and faraway galaxies. You might need to sew your own costume if it is not available in any store. Never bring weapons and harmful paraphernalia to avoid getting disbarred from joining this event.
- Dark Elements Cosplay FAQs: A very useful guide on how to sew costumes, where to buy them, and how to use a wig.
- Tips on Costume Making: Additional information on how to plan and make your costumes.
Panels
Different panels represent different elements of pop culture. These panels provide interviews, previews of upcoming movies or TV series, and autograph sessions. Some schedules of your favorite panels might overlap, so you need to plan ahead of time. Sci-fi conventions usually announce the schedule about two weeks before the show.
- Genericon FAQs: Frequently asked questions about Genericon, a popular convention that has been around for over twenty years. Contains information on what panels you can expect at this event.
- Dragon*Con Previous Guest List: Contains a complete list of the guests and panel speakers who had graced Dragon*Con in the past. Gives you a feel of the science fiction subgenres being covered by this event.
Food and Drinks
Bring your own snacks so that you can just sit and eat whenever you are feeling famished. There are likely a number of food vendors between exhibit halls but they are somewhat pricey. If you are looking for a comfortable place to eat, many convention spaces will have a food court nearby. It would be inconvenient to eat your food while holding all those freebies.
- Speed Force Tips for Comic-Con: Tips on where to buy and eat food inside and outside the Comic-Con premises.
- Anaheim Comic Con: Tips on where to find restaurants and food stalls during the Anaheim Comic Con.
- Comic-Con Guide for Families: Useful information about food vendors at the convention center.
Games
Comic conventions are the mecca of different games: RPGs, board games, card games, video games. The committees try to change it up every year to make room for both traditional and modern games. You can check the schedule and room assignment for each game on the official website of the convention that you are going to. There are also panels dedicated to popular video games, giving you an opportunity to meet the developers.
- ConnectiCon Gaming Tournament: A list of games available at the ConnectiCon Tournament. Updated a few weeks before the event.
- Asia Pacific Arts: Report from Comic-Con: A student review of the available games at the 2009 Comic-Con.
Know the Rules
Conventions are crowded and full of people, and so you must be on your best behavior at all times. Taking pictures and videos are okay, as long as you don’t intend to make profits out of them. As much as possible, don’t bring children as they can easily get lost in the crowd. Don’t wear revealing clothes so as not to call attention to yourself.
- Neoengel Rules for Conventions: Practical and amusing rules on how to behave in a Sci-fi convention.
: Provides a sample of rules that you must follow when attending a convention. This one, in particular, is a list rules for the ConCarolinas Convention.
Terminology
Throughout the course of this event, you will be mingling with other fans, and so it pays to brush up on your knowledge about your favorite anime or comics. If you rarely frequent online forums and websites, you might not be familiar with terms such as retcon and manga. Do you know what alternate reality means and how it relates to shows like Lost and Battlestar Galactica? Check out the link below to learn more about the common terms used in science fiction.
- Terminology of Science Fiction Fandom: A comprehensive list of words commonly used in science fiction.
Additional Facts and Resources
There are tons of online resources that can make your first convention experience a resounding success. People have different ways of preparing for conventions, so always take their advice with a grain of salt. Just recently, Comic-Con organizers released a warning against a company that has been booking hotel rooms without being authorized to do so. You can avoid scams like this by getting the right information from reputable websites.
- Keep Comic-Con in San Diego: Reasons why Comic-Con should remain in San Diego, California.
- Wilf’s International Conventions Listings: A long list of local and international sci-fi conventions for the past 10 years.
- Otakon Newbie Guide: The author of the article provides first-hand information on the things to do and see when attending Otakon.
There are many things that you need to remember when attending comic conventions. But don't forget to have fun. After all, going to a sci-fi convention is our way of connecting with other fans and appreciating all the good things about popular art.
Written by Michael S. Atwood