Top 10 Tips for Your First Sci-Fi or Comic Con
How to Get the Most Out of Comic Conventions
Nov 2, 2009
Science fiction and comic book conventions have gone from gatherings of obsessed geeks to multi-media marketing platforms for the biggest money-making industries on the planet. But if you have never attended a "con" as they're called, or if it has been a long time since you attended one, they can be a bit overwhelming.
Conventions: The Final Frontier of Fandom and Frolic
This simple list will help you prepare for a fantastic convention experience.
10) Have fun. If you can't have fun around people with wild imagination and unbridled creativity, then you can't have fun. Also, there are parties. Please note: While you are not taking this stuff too seriously, there are others who do. Don't make fun. Lots of love and a degree of obsession goes into any hobby.
9) Don't be afraid to wear a costume if you're so inclined. The rest of the crowd in attendance won't make fun of you, and many of them secretly wish they had suited up. Those who also are in costume will find you at least vaguely attractive, which, if you didn't like that sort of thing, then you wouldn't have worn a costume in the first place.
8) Keep your hands off the booth babes. These are the scantily clad/Lycra wearing damsels hired by corporations to draw attention to their latest game/movie/comic book/website. This hint falls under the category of "Look, but don't touch." Remember: The prime directive is non-interference.You don't want to know the consequence for breaking it.
7) Bring a digital camera. (See Hints No. 8 and 9).
6) Beware of drinking anything colored blue and called "Romulan ale." Also beware of getting drawn into an argument about the relative strength of the Hulk vs. Superman (Supes wins) or the merits of Trek vs. Galactica or "frell" vs. "frak." The point is, even if you win, you lose.
Where No One Has Gone Before: (The Second Half of Our List)
5) Don't forget personal hygiene. In space, no one can smell you stink, but here and now, a shower and deodorant are appreciated. Grok that, fanboy?
4) Buy stuff. Where else might you find a bootleg of the 1990s Fantastic Four movie, that missing Atlas comic to complete your obscure collection, or original wall art of your favorite space fantasy? Sure, you can get a Farscape Chiana doll off eBay, but here you could get it signed by Gigi Edgley. (Warning: See Hint No. 3.)
3) Some of the best things at cons are not free any more. That is, it used to be that you could stand in a signing line and have some item autographed by a celebrity guest and even get a photo made with the guest - for free. However, dealers started making big money off signed merchandise, and celebrities rightfully figured they should get something for their scribbles if the dealers were going to do so. Now it may cost $20 or so (more at some cons) to get that action figure or DVD box signed, or even to get a celeb to pose for a photo with you. Ask first.
2) Meet the special guests. Be friendly. Respectful. Have your picture taken with them if they allow that. (See Hint No. 3.) But don't be That Weird Guy who hovers and smiles and stares or asks obscure questions about technical aspects of a makebelieve universe (i.e., Justin Long's character in Galaxy Quest).
So Say We All: (And the No. 1 Tip for Enjoying a Con)
1) In the words of Buckaroo Banzai: Don't be mean. We don't have to be mean because, remember, no matter where you go, there you are.
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