C2E2 My Day 1 In Review

Today was the first day of C2E2 (or The Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo so you can understand why everyone calls it C2E2 instead :) )

This year I am tackling C2E2 a bit differently than in the past: I'm just enjoying it and stressing less about what panel's I "should"go to and focusing on just those I want to or feel up too. I don't have to go to a million panels to make C2E2 worthwhile. Here are the highlights from today.

Today my cosplay was Alexandar Hamilton which was fun.

"Are You Iron Man Sir?" (1)

Are you "One Punch Man" Sir (2)

"There is a million things I have not done but just you wait, just you wait"

My first panel was probably the highlight of the day. It was the Will Wheaton Spotlight.

Now I have to admit going in my familiarity with Will was very sketchy:

1. A vague idea he was one of those online people who says wise things
2. A vague connection to TNG (The Next Generation)
3. Knowing he is friends with Felicia Day and remembering they had done some project together

Well, he was amazing. Super friendly and super kind. 

I loved his response to a comment, (and the applause which followed), from a fan who said that his openness about his own mental health challenges encourages them with theirs:

"You hear that clapping, remember that. It (Mental Illness) often can make you feel like you are all alone but this is proof you never are" 

(I find it simply amazing how many of us collectively struggle with mental health issues and when I just now looked up Will's story I found this clip of him which I would recommend: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6ACzT6PCDw.)

I also loved his highlighting of the fact:

"Being a nerd is not about what you love it is about how you love"

And his love of fandom itself was shown by how excited I got as he talked about table top gaming which is not one of my fandoms but I was excited because he was excited and the excitement was contagious. So a) Will Wheaton Great b) I know kinda want to play table top board games

Next Panel I went to was CBLDF (Comic Book League Defence Fund), State of Censorship 2017 which was interesting but also depressing. I also now have a few new comics to read since when a comic is censored I have a gut reaction I must read it. I find often the best graphic novels and comics are those which have been banned somewhere.

• This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki
• Drama by Raina Telgemeier
• Mangaman by Barry Lyga

I know there were more but I lost the notebook I was taking notes in somewhere at the con. Oh well

Next was IDW Entertainment Spotlight On: Wynonna Earp which was a fun panel with cast and crew from the show. It was odd when they talked lovingly about the fans since I have been a fan a week as of yesterday. I binged all 13 epasoid this past weekend. I did like one fan who said they were drawn in by a friend who said it was "A wild west Grown up buffy"

Then it was a panel on contemporary storytelling which was ok but I was hoping there would be more writing suggestions and tips and instead it was more this is what I am working on, and this is why it was dark.

And finally, it was a mini interview/panel with Will Wheaton. Which I enjoyed

Another Highlight is the fact that one of my "Best of Writers, Best of Dreamers" Robbie Thompson is at C2E2.

Also this year there are fewer groups handing out books but I found the ones I got were more interesting than in past years.

Today's Total: 4 Books 

Cover price $73 + the fourth book which was a collection of short stories which I can't find online to find a value for :)

So I have already made back what I paid for my badge for the weekend.

It was funny when I was heading home since I was tired and I was like well that was good and then remembering I still have 2 days to go. :) 

Tomorrow I will review Day 2

(1) "Are you Aron Burr Sir?" is a line from the musical Hamilton. 

(2) I don't know who One Punch Man is but it was a silly photo so I went with it