Release the Kraken! - Los Angeles Comic Con 2019 Recap

Hi All! Happy 2020! I hope the new year has treated everyone well. I am working on mastering more photography and editing skills to provide you all with the best content I can. I do not personally believe in New Year's resolutions, but I do want to try and write more, if possible, regardless of what I end up writing about.

With that said, today's blog is about Los Angeles Comic Con! LA Comic Con is typically the very last convention that I attend in 2019. It also marks the end of the California convention season for most cosplaying con goers. Unfortunately, this year I was rather sick during the con so I only had the pleasure of attending for one day, so I tried to make the most of what I could. The process to check in was rather effective for press. Press, Staff, and Exhibitor entrance was separate from the general attendee check-in as always. They still had the metal detectors and bag checks for all, including multiple stations on the side for general attendee badge pick-up checks. However, once you already picked up your badge, you could enter from the front of the convention center. While many might have groaned about this being a minor inconvenience, safety was definitely Los Angeles Comic Con's first priority, and I commend them for it.

The booth to pick up the press pass was quick and efficient. A convention staff member was waiting with a friendly and excited face willing to help and explain. As I always say (due to being a staff member for other cons), represent the con well and attendees will always return. This particular staff member was a great reflection on Los Angeles Comic Con and made me feel like a welcomed attendee.  Overall, the entire check-in process was top notch. Over the years, Los Angeles Comic Con has exponentially gotten better with the entire process in the years I have attended. Going on year five, this year!

This time around, I was in a cosplay group based off of an art concept by Savannah Alexandra called The Puppettes. This was my first time in a group, so I wasn't sure what to expect. Luckily, it worked out well and we all had fun. For everyone, collectively, this was one of the best LA Comic Con seasons. I also did some video work with my collaborative partners, Beyond Fandom during the con as well involving other cosplayers. They are a great resource in video-driven fan-focused media, while I focus more on written word in the pop culture community and con photography. I ended my day dropping by the dealers hall to grab some fun con swag as always and to see if I could snag a few new comic books to add to my collection. Each year I have attended the con, I do different activities. Sometimes I might focus heavily on fan focused panels, with a few industry panels sprinkled in, and other times, I will focus on the attendee experience holistically.

End review: The overall vibe of LACC was friendly and relaxed, most people eventually got used to the format changes in security, the con felt safer and happier. Everyone I talked to seemed happy, energetic, and overall glad to be there. I think that LA Comic Con is probably the best con to end the season with given the location, the overall atmosphere of the con, and the people it brings. 9.5/10. 

I can't wait for the next year's con and what that might bring! 

 

Till Next Time!

- Hachi

Photography courtesy of Dapper Geek Photography