Started in 2010, C2E2 has become one of the largest comic and pop culture conventions in the midwest, with the last recorded attendance record (2019) estimated at 95,000. C2E2 is known for celebrating comics, cosplay, video games, anime, TV shows, movies, books, and wrestling.
I’ve recently started attending conventions (my first was Indiana Comic Con in 2019), so I have limited knowledge and experience in the conventions that are out there, but I was able to attend C2E2 this past weekend. It is by far one of my favorite conventions I’ve attended! It is easy to see why it’s considered the most popular convention in the midwest.
If you’ve never attended C2E2 and are curious about if you should go, here are five reasons why I think you should add it to your comic convention bucket list.
1. The Convention Venue Is Spacious
The floor plans for 2022 C2E2 held at McCormick Place (South Building)
C2E2 was held at the McCormick Place Convention Center, which comprises of four buildings at 2.6 million square feet, making it the largest convention center in the nation. The convention this year was primarily held at the west building and there was still so much space for the vendors, attendees, panels, etc.
As someone that enjoys having their personal space, I was very happy with the fact that I could roam around the exhibition hall for C2E2 without feeling like I was bumping into people constantly. This space is ideal to host a huge amount of retailers, celebrity signing/photo op areas, panels, and so much more.
2. Very Family Friendly
The Family Headquarters of C2E2
My kid and I have been attending comic conventions for the last few years and we absolutely love everything about them. But kids can handle conventions so much before they need a break or need to be a kid.
I was very happy to see that C2E2 had a focus on being kid and family-friendly. Not only do they communicate to vendors and cosplayers that this is a family event (and should not display anything inappropriate), but they had a large area in the exhibit hall for families to take a break, called Family HQ. In this area, they had a Star Wars area that was run by the 501st Legion, they had an area with tables and chairs where families can sit and rest, and they had activities planned throughout the entire weekend, ranging from origami to bingo to coloring sheets!
3. Great Support For Cosplayers
Deadpool and Spider-Man cosplayers.
Cosplay is a given at most (if not all) conventions. So I expected there to be cosplay at this convention as well. Not only were there so many great cosplayers (and a fantastic cosplay competition), but C2E2 has Cosplay Central, an area dedicated to just cosplay.
In this area, they had some booths for professional cosplay businesses and organizations to promote and display their work, a spacious changing area for cosplayers to be able to change into and out of their cosplay, and a coat/bag check that you can store your bags so you don’t have to carry them around (for a fee), and a group of people with signs that had emergency supplies for cosplay repair (although it was unclear if this was a service provided by C2E2 or by a vendor/attendee).
4. So Many Helpful Guides For New And Returning Attendees
A screenshot of the Show Guides page from the C2E2 app
Have you ever attended a convention, whether it was your first time attending that convention or attending any kind of convention, that you wished there were some useful resources that give you some suggestions or ideas about what to do or think about when you attend?
Well, C2E2 has you covered. Their website and app have Show Guides, which is a list of suggestions and expectations about some of the more common things that people experience and have questions about, which includes what to do if you’re feeling overwhelmed, if you’re meeting celebrities, if you’re cosplaying, and even if this is your first convention.
5. The Guest Lineups
A screenshot of the guests lineup
Just like any convention, C2E2 provides opportunities for attendees to meet and attend panels with celebrity guests. They include anime artists and voice actors, comic creators, tv/streaming shows and movies, wrestling, gaming, and literature.
This year, the biggest name they had was undoubtedly Rosario Dawson, who plays Claire in the Defenders Saga from Netflix and Ahsoka in the Star Wars universe. In addition, this year also had a plethora of news from their guests that made the convention the talk of the weekend (whether it was for better or for worse). So there’s a good chance that when you attend, you’ll be able to see one of your favorite celebrities from whatever fandom you enjoy.
The community I have connected with has been such a blessing. I have met so many creators who have inspired me and continuously encourages me which I will be forever grateful for.
To hear more about my journey and falling in love with Marvel, check out my interview below!
My name is Sean Wingham and I grew up loving superheroes and comics.
I always tell people on my podcast, The Captioned Life, that I have that my uncle was the one that got me into comics because he collected them ever since he was a kid. So, I remember going over to his house one day, he had boxes full of comics that I got to read, some of the original stories that came out back in the 50’s and 60’s.
I was one of those kids where I thought if I wore the Superman costume, that I could just go out, start flying around, you know, just like most of the kids that thought the same thing.
The Captioned Life
Growing up and being a professional and being an adult now, I have a podcast that I’ve been doing for a few years now, and part of the reason why I started it was I had just gotten back into comics. I got away from it when I was in high school. And about five, six years ago, I got Marvel Unlimited, which allows you to read like all the comics that they have, including the older ones in a digital format.
That’s what got me back into reading comics.
And so, the three hosts of the podcast had all talked about how much, we enjoyed comics, but we also talked about how there’s a lot of toxicity and negativity about representation in comics and fandom.
We started talking about how we wanted to be a voice where we encourage representation in comics – as being three white males.
And so the whole idea behind our show is to not only discuss those topics, but also bring people in to talk about the comics industry and talk about what they do and give them a platform and a voice on our show to be able to share that with the world as well.
Convention Life
So I’ve been doing that for a few years and I also recently found out, you know, what a Comic-Con was and found out that my home state actually had one for years, and I had no idea about that.
So I started going to that and, and I think this year is like the year I’ve been going to the most comic cons I’ve ever been to in my life. And so because of that, I learned about cosplay.
And so I’ve been getting into cosplay. I’ve just been immersing myself into this world that I really enjoyed when I was a kid. It’s not work at that point. It’s a passion, it’s a hobby, it’s whatever you wanna call it.
I really hope to be able to be a voice for people who love comics, who love these fandoms, but also wanna encourage, you know, the diverse representation and that the idea that comics is for everyone.
Dan Jurgens has a storied career working as both a writer and artist for DC Comics, Marvel and more.
He not only wrote and created for Justice League and Green Arrow, but he created superhero Booster Gold and is one of the architects of the Death of Superman storyline from 1992.
The special 30th anniversary comic of Superman’s Death was just announced by DC, so we sat down with Jurgens and had a chance to talk about this story’s lasting impact!
Dan – What first got me interested in general was the old live action Batman TV show with Adam West because I was like seven years old, when that came out.
And before that, I hadn’t really even known what comics were. And then one night, I discovered older kids in the neighborhood sitting on the front stoop with comics and I said, “Oh, those guys who are on TV are in these things?”
And so that’s what got me interested in the whole thing. And I think like most kids you cycle through phases of Batman’s the best. No, Superman’s the best. No, it’s Spider-Man, you know, so I think you end up being something of the culmination of everything you were exposed to.
Q – Do you remember like your first experience drawing and creating storylines? Like I’m sure you were probably pretty creative as a kid?
Dan – Even as a kid, I remember I’d start out by drawing single images. So, like here’s Superman flying or Batman jumping off a building or something like that. But then I’d think beyond that, uh, one of the things that also goes along with it is this idea of once Batman is jumping off building, why is Batman jumping off the building?
Well, that means you’ve got a panel that goes before that, where the Joker is knocking him off the building or something? So I was starting to write and draw my own stories.
Q – We just celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Death of Superman. What was it like to be involved in such a huge event in comics history?
Dan – As we were preparing the story, we had no idea it was going to become as big as it did.
And so once it happened, we were constantly on the phone with each other saying, “Can you believe this? Or have you heard about that? Or did you see this thing on TV?”
And I think, um, along with not knowing it would ever get that big, we couldn’t imagine that 30 years later, we’d still be here, still talking about it and the, that it would all stay in print and that we’d still be signing these things.
And you couldn’t imagine that different interpretations of it would be done in live action and animation.
Q – What was it like watching the event come to life in movies like “Dawn of Justice”?
Dan – That’s cool to see. It’s like, my first design of doomsday was like a two-inch high squiggly drawing that I just kept refining and then eventually ends up on the big screen.
When, you know, you do a scene in a comic like Lois holding Superman’s body and they replicate that on screen, it is amazing to see them actually do that and reinterpret what you drew in the first place. And, and that kind of validates your story in a way.
Q – The 30th Anniversary comic for Death of Superman was just announced. What is that like working with the team again on that?
Dan – Well, it’s always fun to get the band back together if you will. And it’s fun to see everyone’s work coming in … and to also be able to put kind of a spin of today on the story, which is, you know, basically, John, he’s at the age of nine and he’s in school one day and someone appears and wearing a black armband with the Superman’s symbol on it.
And he says, “I’m here to talk to you about the most famous day in the history of Metropolis, the day Superman died.” And John can’t just say, “What??!!!” Because he’s never heard the story. So by seeing it through his eyes, it’s a way for us to explain to readers kind of what it was all about.
If you were there 30 years ago, you remember the lines around the stores and everything that was going on at that time. you’re gonna get some warm nostalgia out of this, right? I mean, you’re gonna like it because of that. If you are a new reader who wasn’t there, I think we’ll be able to show you a little bit of what things were sort of like at the time and the craziness of it all.
Q – I remember being at my store and waiting for Superman 75 to come out. I guess this generation misses out on that like comradery and that essence of fandom.
Dan – Well, and you know, at that time there was no internet to speak of. And I think that allowed us to surprise the market in a way that would not be impossible today. And I think that was key to the success of our story, that people didn’t know what was necessarily coming around the corner.
And now that’s virtually impossible to do. I remember I was driving to a store to do a signing and it was a cold, wet November night. And, you know, I approached the store and there was a line outside the store and I thought what’s going on?
Like they couldn’t get in or something and the line went down around the corner and around the next block and down the street. And that’s what we all experienced. And that’s what every reader experienced.
Here we are, all this time later and is still something that’s being talked about … Back then, we did a story and that would be it, because things weren’t necessarily collected so that when we did the Death of Superman and they pulled it together as a collection, right before Christmas, a trade paperback for people to have, that was rare. I mean, usually you got your story printed and then you just went on to the next thing and it would be forgotten.
And now that is much more common and the idea that these stories endure. I think we all are very proud of that fact and take a lot of consolation in the idea that wasn’t a big thing yet it lived on for decades, but that it was also a really good story. What I always tell people is bad stories get forgotten, good stories live on.
Gerry Conway has too many accolades in his legendary comic book career to count. From killing off Spider-Man’s first girlfriend to creating the Punisher, Gerry has left an incredible mark on the fandom world. We sat down with the writer, creator and innovator at Terrificon 2022 to talk about his personal journey and so much more!
Q – What were some characters that inspired you as a kid and a young comics fan?
Gerry – I’m not sure that there were any specific characters, except maybe Spiderman cause I loved the idea of teenage, wise-cracking superhero and that led me to create Firestorm, who is also a teenage wise-cracking superhero.
Q – Do you remember your first time creating when you were young and writing storylines and creating ideas?
Gerry – Shortly after I started reading Fantastic Four, which I think came out when I was just around nine or 10. I started drawing my own versions of the Fantastic Four comics … I think that was the first time I really sat down and tried to create something.
Q – You’ve created so many iconic characters and storylines. Is there any that stick out in your head that you’re especially proud of?
Gerry – I’ve always been proud of the Death of Gwen Stacy storyline for how that came together. And that’s honestly I have no idea how that happened. And I was very proud of the run I did on Justice League.
Q – How did the Punisher come together and why do you think that character has had such an impact over the years?
Gerry – He was originally designed basically as to solve a story problem. I wanted to introduce this character the Jackal, who would be fighting Spiderman and interfering with Spiderman’s life over five or six issues.
And one of the ways you can make a new character seem important is by giving him an interesting henchman that introduces him. So I wanted this interesting henchman and had this idea for an assassin, that develop into a hired killer who had his own moral code … then we had to come up with a name, Stan gave us the name. And as you start writing the story, it takes on a life of its own. I think the character is popular because he’s a, you know, basically a Rorschach of the era that he comes into. He can represent whatever the concerns are of that era and different writers and artists, you know, bring out different aspects of him.
Q – Are there ever any characters you’ve ever wanted to work on that you haven’t yet?
Gerry – I wish I had been able to do a Green Lantern solo series. I’ve always loved the Green Lantern from the time I was a kid. I got to write him in Justice League, but never got to write the solo series with Hal Jordan.
Like any western show, the opening theme song sticks with its audience for the majority if not the entirety of the show. Similarly with its many alternating intro themes, anime captures the essence of the story and its characters. If we’re only dealing with a season, we only get the one theme, or maybe two if we’re lucky. For longer anime, we could get a dozen or so, each reflecting character arcs as they introduce new characters in the shadows of the opener. Each opening gives us something to look forward to, to dance to, or sing along with.
That’s why we pulled together some of the biggest anime nerds here at Nerd Initiative to give you our list of top 25 anime openings. Whether you’re new to anime or need some suggestions on what to put on your growing anime playlist, this is the list for you!
25. Rise by MADKID – The Rising of the Shield Hero
An energetic opener to a widely popular isekai anime, Rise by MADKID is one to get you in the mood to fight enemies, no matter the cost. With lyrics that match the main character, Naofumi’s goals, it makes sense why this opening song is an absolute hit!
24. Ai No Supreme by Thai McGrath – Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid S
Popular at every anime convention this year, Ai No Supreme by Thai McGrath makes the cut with its cute animations and upbeat feel. Whether you’ve heard it or not, it’ll make you want to dance along with all the other dragons!
23. Touch Off by UVERworld – The Promised Neverland
Imagine a song where the opening line is, “Will we ever know of freedom?” and that’s the opener for an anime about young children. Touch Off by UVERworld manages to use JRock as a way to show us the danger that surrounds our main child leads. With no trouble at all, it becomes an anthem for a world of revolution.
22. Asterisk By Orange Range – Bleach
Get ready to be pumped up and in the mood! For what, you ask? Well, that would be to take on a job you didn’t want but was thrust upon you anyway, and that job is to purify all the corrupted spirits in the world. It might sound like a scary task but don’t worry because Asterisk by Orange Range will be playing in the background to help!
21. Bomb A Head by m.c.A.T – Tenjho Tenge
Schools in anime are known to place their focus on one thing and one thing only, whether it’s extracurriculars, gambling, or tabletop gaming. Bomb A Head by m.c.A.T says it all: This high school is all about combat and learning various fight styles, both physical and supernatural. Get ready to dance around in combat to this upbeat song!
20. Zankyou Zanka by Aimer – Demon Slayer
One of the biggest anime of the last three years, Demon Slayer knows how to keep its audience engaged. And with its second season, we’re introduced to the flashy world of the Entertainment District as well as a whole new opening, Zankyou Zanka by Aimer. It’ll get you celebrating and drinking, but be careful as it’s rumored that dangerous demons are always lurking.
19. 19sai by Shikao Suga – xxxHolic
A somewhat slow acoustic opening to a dark fantasy anime, 19sai by Shikao Suga captures the supernatural vibes of the early to mid-2000’s. It’s like if Charmed or Supernatural became an anime and this was the opener, we wouldn’t know the difference! But it sure sets the tone for the remainder for xxxHolic.
18. My Soul, Your Beats! by Lia – Angel Beats
My Soul, Your Beats, a piano-based opening song for Angel Beats, serves as an epitome of 2010’s anime. From the style to the lyrics, it matches the…beat of this fantasy anime as we dive into the world of the afterlife where high school, unfortunately, still exists.
17. Again by Yui – Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Again by Yui starts off on the softer side until it ramps up to a sweeping chorus. With lyrics that sum up the journey on which Edward and Alphonse embark, it feels melancholic just listening to it with each episode. The vocals that Yui carries packs emotion into the song making it memorable for such an iconic anime.
16. Flyers by BRADIO – Death Parade
For a psychological thriller like Death Parade, you wouldn’t expect to have such a catchy opener like Flyers by BRADIO. But anime fans know that even the darkest of anime are known to have opening tracks that are flashy and upbeat so Death Parade is no exception. Even with your soul on the line, it’s hard not to feel inspired to start flying and face your obstacles head-on.
15. CRAZY NOISY BIZARRE TOWN by The Du – Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure has soared in popularity over the years with catchy opening themes. CRAZY NOISY BIZARRE TOWN is one of those electric openers that fits the overall feel of the fourth arc of the JoJo series. While other openers are popular and more recognizable, be sure to not overlook this one as it also contains a lot of the spirit of JoJo!
14. Tank by Seatbelts – Cowboy Bebop
Okay, 3, 2, 1…let’s jam! With its high-paced jazz beats, Tank by Seatbelts is sure to get anyone prepared for this space cowboy anime. With the heavy use of brass and percussion, listening to it on your own just feels like you’re on a mission.
13. 99 by Mob Choir – Mob Psycho 100
We can’t overlook this chaotic opener! 99 is an absolute blast to listen to and sets the stage for Mob Psycho 100 as a whole. The countdown to 100 makes for a quick-paced song and I wouldn’t be surprised if you used it in a workout. It’s just that good!
12. Everlasting Shine by TOMORROW X TOGETHER – Black Clover
Everlasting Shine is the perfect song to open up a new arc with Black Clover as it follows a time skip featuring Asta who is stronger than ever. With its uplifting and inspirational vibe, this opening has to be on your anime playlist!
11. Shinzo wo Sasageyo! by Linked Horizon – Attack on Titan
Everyone knows Attack on Titan but there’s one opening from this anime that took the anime community by storm. Given the anime’s tone, Shinzo wo Sasageyo! matches it exactly and is the proper anthem to portray those we believe to be on the right side of the fight. The more you listen, the more eerie it becomes as you progress through the anime.
10. Chain by Back-On – Air Gear
Before there was Sk8 the Infinity, there was Air Gear with its mid-2000’s pop punk opening song, Chain by Back-On. Nothing says skate music like this opener and just listening to it can take older anime fans back to days of Simple Plan and Yellowcard.
9. Core Pride by UVERworld – Blue Exorcist
UVERworld is known for their hit anime openers and Core Pride is amongst them in this anime about exorcists and higher beings. This opening serves as the perfect anthem for the journey of our main character as it amps us up for yet another adventurous episode.
8. Kaikai Kitan by Eve – Jujutsu Kaisen
This supernatural anime broke out 2 years ago with an opening that’s proven to be aesthetically pleasing to the ears. Kaikai Kitan paints an emotional image while keeping us excited each episode with its catchy and fiery chorus line. If you’ve never seen Jujutsu Kaisen, this opener will convince you to check it out!
7. Inferno by Mrs. Green Apple – Fire Force
Fire Force is explosive but so is its ever-so-catchy opening, Inferno by Mrs. Green Apple. Its head banging chorus and quick beats is perfect for a mini-dance part. But it will also throw you in the dangerous fires of the anime and keep you hooked!
6. Blue Bird by Ikimonogakari – Naruto Shippuden
No list is complete without this beautiful opener! Blue Bird by Ikimonogakari further showcases Naruto’s relationship with Sasuke as a large part of Naruto’s journey revolves around him. It’s beautifully composed and conveys the emotions felt between all the main characters. I wouldn’t blame you if you put this one on repeat.
5. Unravel by TK – Tokyo Ghoul
An emotionally wrecking opening for an equally emotionally wrecking anime! Unravel by TK speaks to the tone of what Tokyo Ghoul is about and feels cathartic in a sense. Not only are we seeing the obstacles facing Ken Kaneki but also that of those around him. Its raw emotion tells you most everything about the anime and leaves the rest for you to see for yourself.
4. Go! by Flow – Naruto
A classic opening from the earlier seasons of Naruto, Go! by Flow remains as iconic as ever. With all the main characters of Naruto’s generation now coming together as a team, Go! helps put an emphasis on that through the opening. Sure, what’s actually going on in the anime is heartbreaking but we’ll be fine with an upbeat opener, right?
3. Silhouette by Kana-Boom – Naruto Shippuden
Any fan of Naruto knows that Kana-Boom’s Silhouette is not just a banger but is also one of the best openings from Shippuden. It’s so iconic that it makes you want to take on the enemy and show the world what your ninja way is all about. The passing images of Naruto growing up to become the person he is this opening will get you emotional!
2. Polaris by Blue Encount – My Hero Academia
My Hero Academia has had its fair share of popular openings but one that’ll get your heart pumping is Blue Encount’s Polaris. Introducing new characters in the backdrop, it preps you for the danger and perseverance reflected throughout the fourth season. Plus, that final shot paired with the final line, “Go!” just feels right!
1. Gurenge by LiSA – Demon Slayer
After Demon Slayer conquered the hearts of so many anime lovers, its first ever opening song managed to do the same. With its rock star beginning, Gurenge by LiSA rose to the top, and remains as popular and iconic as ever, even 3 years later. The moment you hear this song, you won’t be able to resist singing along and rocking out!
Be sure to stick around and keep an out for Anime Onlies, coming soon only on Nerd Initiative!
I have come to understand that phase four has left some of you a little uncomfortable. Even with SDCC behind us, you are still unsure of where things are going and how they connect.
Nothing the MCU does seems familiar with what we know movies ought to be and how we have learned a movie story should be told. I understand that a few surprises here and there is one thing, but these movies, especially phase four, challenge our expectations in a way no film franchise has ever done.
To understand phase four, we must understand what the problem is first. As I see, you feel even if a good story is presented, it feels random in the overarching narrative. We humans do not like randomness. We like order, we like predictability and routine. We have a deep desire and innate talent in recognizing patterns, learning the rules of the game, and then playing the game.
In our case here, the game we are playing is movies and our expectations of what a movie should and ought to be. We expect certain things in a film, and when we get them, we are happy. When we don’t get what we expected, when our expectations are subverted too much, we get uncomfortable and unhappy.
The expectations we have around storytelling in film form the foundation of our experience. For example, if we are going to see a romance, we know one of the rules is that there will be an epic kiss. A comedy will do something deviant to our expectations. Westerns will have cowboy hats and a saloon. An action film will have explosions. These are the rules.
Superhero movies used to comport to these rules and took the form of action films. However, they have grown, whether we wanted them to or not, into something different. They have grown into a sub-genre all their own that is trying to have a place in all the main genres.
Marvel movies since 2008 are an experiment in film the likes of which we have not seen before. This experiment does not fit any of the prior rules that had been established about films. Some are okay with this; others chafe against it.
We only need change some of the words and we have the same spirit behind the words as Martin Scorsese calling superhero films amusement parks.
Therefore, we can stop going to the movies and be irritated or we can try to understand what is happening so we can get back to enjoying these movies for what they are (and what they are not).
What’s Different
Before Kevin Feige came along, movies were told in one segment or three. They followed one character through his or her hero’s journey. Kevin Feige turned that idea on its head. He told multiple stories about multiple heroes on multiple, parallel journeys. No one had done that before.
The MCU in general, and phase four specifically, has forced us to reconfigure the way we understand the hero’s journey in film.
Also, just like comic book characters are written by different writers and a particular story reflects a particular authors voice, the characters, and movies of the MCU should be approached the same way.
For instance, Tony Stark has been written by different writers over the years in the comics, his film version has been written and or directed by: John Favreau, Joss Wheadon, Shane Black, and the Russo brothers. All of them had slightly different takes on the same character. The days of one person (i.e. George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Francis Ford Copella etc.) basically controlling one character or franchise (i.e. Darth Vader, Indiana Jones, Michael Corleon etc.) is not the way it is in the MCU.
In this way it is best to approach the MCU the same way you would a comic book shop. In a comic shop you have lots of different titles by different authors. Some of those comics even feature the same character written and drawn by different writes and artists.
Sometimes you will love their take on a beloved character. Sometimes you will hate it. Overtime, you begin to learn which creators you like and which ones you would rather avoid.
Also, just like the process of comic book publishing is all overseen by an editor in chief who ensures the quality of the individual product while also keeping an eye on the big picture, so to does the MCU have an editor in chief: Kevin Feige.
This can be confusing because that’s not historically what a producer does or how film works. However, if you begin to approach these films by looking at the film as that particular writer or directors take on that character (for example Dr. Strange 1 is Scott Derrickson’s take on Strange and Dr. Strange 2 is Sam Raimi’s interpretation of the character); all overseen by one producer who is acting like an editor in chief more than a traditional film producer.
Then instead of saying that one director ruined the character you might be able to say that their take was not for you and you prefer the other.
“That’s always the intention, is that the Marvel Studios logo doesn’t promise a particular group of characters and a particular exact tone. It promises a spirit and a style and a vibe and an emotion, I hope. And it’s perfect timing to go from Moon Knight to Ms. Marvel, specifically because they’re so unique and so different with Multiverse of Madness and Love and Thunder on either end of that. That is what makes Marvel in publishing and now in the MCU so unique, is being able to see all of those different tones and styles and characters. So I like very much that people say, ‘Look, they’re all different.’ Because that’s how we always feel about them and always want them to feel.”
Kevin Fiege keeps the birds eye view on the projects and edits his creators and gives them some instruction when needed about direction, but it is ultimately about delivering a varied experience to a wide breath of people.
This means, that unlike Hollywood past, the MCU is not going for broad market appeal with their new projects but trying to reach different segments of the population that resonate with and enjoy different genres.
I understand this can be irritating. It is nice to know what to expect when going to the movies. However, rest assured in a few years this will be the new norm.
The MCU is still figuring out how to package this new approach and it will take time. But I hope these observations and insights were helpful and allow you to enjoy the journey more going forward.
This past weekend, I had the good fortune to attend GalaxyCon in Raleigh, NC for an event-filled four days of fun and fandom!
GalaxyCon has everything from A-list celebrities to voice actors to wrestlers! There is literally something for everyone! That is what makes GalaxyCon the best, people from every corner of every fandom, coming together, and sharing our love and passion for the things that bring us joy!
The weekend of “nerdvana” kicks off with a ribbon cutting ceremony, which officially opens up the exhibition floor to visitors seeking all manner of merchandise and access to celebrity guests! Here you will find action figures, Funko Pops, art, clothing, props and replicas…the list goes on for days.
The most important part of any convention for me, is the comic books, and they are never in short supply. Vendors can be found in multiple floor locations with $1 bins, rare graded slabs, and everything in between. If you’re looking for that perfect piece to add to and/or complete your collection, you’ll find it here.
Connect With The Source Of Your Inspiration!
One of my personal favorite parts of any convention is the access to the comic book writers and artists themselves!
I had the great privilege this year of meeting and spending a few moments with one of my personal favorites, Dave Wachter. It’s always a pleasure to see a work in progress and I’m always happy to buy something directly from them.
This year I was able to pick up a couple of amazing prints and a phenomenal variant cover of Army of Darkness vs. The Reanimator: Necronomicon Rising #1 from Wachter directly. The real pleasure is hearing the artist talk about the pride they have in the work and you can always tell that they really appreciate a direct purchase!
The Panels
After filling in your collection and supporting your favorite artist, it’s time to learn a thing or two in a panel! The celebrity Q&A’s are extremely entertaining.
As a voice actor and Star Wars fan, I just had to attend the Star WarsThe Clone Wars Animated Series panel. James Arnold Taylor, Matt Lanter, and Ashley Eckstein took the stage to give us some fun stories and behind the scenes goodies.
I’m always interested in hearing about their processes, influences, and stories from the booth. It’s always a blast to see these casts have so much fun together.
Actual Pro Wrestling…At A Con?
One of the unique experiences of GalaxyCon is pro wrestling, and in this case, cosplay wrestling.
That’s right. You heard me. Cosplay Wrestling. FSCW professional wrestlers donning the costume and persona of some of your favorite TV, movie, and gaming characters and clashing in the squared circle. It’s like a multiversal battle for bragging rights and title belts!
Can you think of anything more entertaining? Well good for you, but I can’t. The cast and crew put on a great show. The wrestlers embrace crowd interaction, perform amazing high flying and technical moves, and sprinkle in some fun special moves based on their characters.
Just imagine Kylo Ren using the force to choke-slam an opponent or Spider-man grabbing an opponent with his web shooters!
Last, but certainly not least, are the game rooms. With a room dedicated to video gaming and one dedicated to board games and ttrpg’s, there’s something to entertain you while waiting for that important panel or just to take a moment and relax away from the crowds.
I’m an avid board game and ttrpg player, so I found myself passing the time either playing D&D Adventurers League or playing Marvel Legendary, a deck building board game. I had just as much fun engaging in these moments with my friends as I did meeting any celebrity.
The only bad thing about the GalaxyCon experience is that it has to end. The whole weekend is almost surreal. It’s like you’re living in a different reality. Everyone is walking around, embracing their weird, wearing it proudly on their sleeves, especially those in cosplay!
Here, you don’t have to hide those things that you geek out about. In this place, you can let your nerd flag fly and no one will judge you, and that’s what the Nerd Initiative is all about. The only thing I can do now is wait for next year!
Are you new to the amazing world of comic books? If so, you may be feeling a little overwhelmed looking into what to read. With so many titles and characters to choose from, I understand that it can seem like a huge barrier to enter into this wonderful hobby. This is the purpose of this weekly article series.
I want to introduce new readers of all ages and interests to this amazing community we call comic books. The community can only grow if we make the fandom accessible to new and old readers alike. So I’ve made it my mission to expand this community with helpful tips and a little bit of positive energy sprinkled on top.
During the late 1950s and early 1960s, DC (then known as National Comics) were outselling all their major competition. This success stemmed, primarily, from the Justice League of America series. In response, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby created their own team of super heroes to compete with the JLA. This new team would be more “relatable to the average joe” according to Lee. So in 1961, the Fantastic Four would make their debut for Marvel Comics.
The Fantastic Four are credited with ushering in a new level of realism and relatability to comics. Instead of the billionaires with unlimited resources or the super powered god-like beings from other planets, these heroes were regular people that had been suddenly thrust into extraordinary circumstances. If you are looking to read Fantastic Four stories for the very first time, then this article is just for you. These are my top 3 recommendations for first time comic book readers to learn about the Fantastic Four.
This one-shot comic book is a retelling of the origin story of Marvel’s “First Family”. With modernized story elements and spectacular, painted artwork from Paolo Rivera, this is a must read for the modern new comic book reader. With all of these updates, Jenkins and Rivera have managed to stay true to the details of how the Fantastic Four became the super powered team we all know today.
While in space testing a new experimental shuttle, the group is hit by intense solar radiation. After a close escape and making it back to Earth, the researchers are taken to the hospital for treatment. It is while at the hospital that their new powers begin to manifest themselves. This is the birth of The Fantastic Four.
The original series that started it all. 1961’s Fantastic Four run lasted all the way up until the late 80s. While the artwork and writing style may feel a bit dated to some, there is no substitute for the original telling of these classic heroes. Spanning well over 400 issues, the original run of the Fantastic Four is a testament to creativity and storytelling at its finest.
If you’re worried about trying to track down the old single issues, have no fear. The entire series of comics is available on the Marvel Unlimited app. This is the origin series of many of the well known heroes and villains of the Marvel Universe. See how Doctor Doom became the mad ruler of Latveria. Discover the origins of the Silver Surfer and Galactus. Enjoy these classic stories all over again, or for the very first time!
This is a short series of 6 comics that have since been collected into one book called Fantastic Four: Life Story. The series was written in honor of the FF 60th anniversary. Each issue covers their major plot points during each decade. If you’re looking for a crash course in Fantastic Four story points, but don’t want to read hundreds of comics to catch up? This is the series for you!
From the early years of the Space Race to the chaotic times of the 2000s, Fantastic Four: Life Story offers an overview, at a glance, of the history of Marvel’s “First Family”. From the moment they gained their powers, though meeting their greatest foes and teaming with other heroes this comic covers it all. For new readers, it lets you get up to speed on what the Fantastic Four has done over the decades since their original creation.
The Future Of This Article Series
Next week we will be looking back at DC Comics for another classic character. The last time this series took a look at DC, we gave you some outstanding Batman recommendations. For the next, we’ll cover another all-time great from the DC Universe. A man….made of steel.
Remember everyone, this series is for the uninitiated. These articles are designed to help brand new comic book readers dive into our amazing hobby without feeling overwhelmed at their local comic book store. Be sure to leave a comment with a request for a character or genre you would like to see us cover next!
Until next time everyone be safe, be kind, and take it easy.
Every community needs it hero. Every child needs to see themselves represented on TV under a positive light. Muslims and South Asians didn’t have that privilege until recently. For decades, theses communities have been starving for good representation in the media. Then out of the effort and hard work of so many people, Ms. Marvel was created.
The conversations created by the comic and later the show are simply incredible. They allowed two marginalized communities to simultaneously have a seat at the table and share their stories. One of these conversation lead to the creation of a safe space for Muslim and South Asian women.
There was an idea to bring together a group of remarkable people to see if they could become something more, and on Friday, July 15, 2022, thanks to the efforts of @Marvelwithrid and @callmebythisnamemaria a group chat was formed.
It was a group of remarkable females creators of various backgrounds and skill sets but connected by one common goal: the love and desire to boost the Ms. Marvel series.
In the process, the group decided to combine all their voices to push forward the good representation for these communities.
The following day @the_amirareview, @she.loves.marvel, @h3yd4v3, @samosasandpopcorn, @thehijabibounder, @basically_an_avenger along with @Marvelwithrid and @callmebythisnamemaria all met for two and a half hours (missing @shiv.alry but still included) to start the South Asian, Muslim Female Initiative.
During that time these creators were both able to celebrate and heal in the experience of fangirling over our new favorite superhero Kamala Khan and connect in our goals and future intentions.
As you can see, I (Amira) had the incredible privilege to be part of that amazing conversation. Inspired by it, I sent a series of questions to all the creators involved in that group to share their thoughts on Ms. Marvel and what it meant for them.
Here are their answers:
Q: What did you feel when you heard that Ms. Marvel was coming to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)?
@She_Loves_Marvel: “The first thing I felt was joy. That was then followed by a bunch of questions like: are they going to do it right? Will Muslims get good representation in media? Although I was excited, I admit my mind was full of doubts because of how Muslims and south Asians have been represented in American media thus far.”
@SamosasandPopcorn: “Given how monumental I knew it’d be, I felt overjoyed knowing that I’d finally be able to see someone who looks like me in the bigger universe of Marvel. As someone who grew up on the Peninsula of the Bay Area, I barely saw anyone who looked remotely like me. I felt so isolated and uncomfortable with my identity that I didn’t want to claim South Asian as a part of who I am[…]But like many others, I had my concerns about the show regarding proper representation and how closely it would follow Kamala’s story from the comics. With the release of trailers and teaser, I felt so nervous but I had hope it would do right by young South Asian and Muslim girls. ”
@Basically_an_avenger: “ I was skeptical. In the past, South Asians have been used as the comedic relief, and I was frightened that even a show showcasing South Asians would happen again. Not only that but with the less than poor Jewish representation in Moon Knight, I was nervous for the Muslim community that Marvel would do them in, the same way they did for our community.”
@MarvelWithRid: “[…]I was curious and excited. She was going to be the first south asian leading a superhero project in the full superhero genre so it was historical. Growing up as a Marvel fan, I didn’t see many people on screen who looked like me or were from the same cultural background. The five minute scene from Avengers set in India or seeing Tony Stark in kurta were the 2 memorable moments that passed in a blink of an eye. Kamala Khan coming into the MCU made me ecstatic because in many ways she was like me, a brown female teenager who is obsessed with the avengers from an immigrant family.”
@h3yd4v3: “ […]I was ecstatic. Kamala had meant a lot to me since she first came out in 2014 since it was so amazing to see not just a hero who looked and acted like me, but my favorite hero’s mantle being passed down to a girl like me. I could relate to her struggles of insecurity because I went through the same thing only having Carol Danvers as Ms Marvel to look up to. So to see her get her own show was like a dream come true […] My excitement did waver a bit after the power change occurred but as long as it still conveyed that journey from insecurity to learning how to love yourself for what you are it wouldn’t matter.”
Q: what are your thoughts now that you have watched the season finale? Did Ms.Marvel display a good representation of the communities it portrailed?
@She_Loves_Marvel: ”I cannot speak from a Muslim point of view as I am not Muslim, but I can speak on South Asian representation as a whole. In my opinion, the show did a wonderful job at making me feel seen and highlighting the beautiful parts of South Asian culture. The show even highlighted the 1947 Partition of India- an event many people hadn’t heard about until this show. Although it was hard to see that on screen, it also meant so much to so many of us South Asians. Our history was recognized. We were recognized.”
@SamosasandPopcorn: “Seeing Ms. Marvel become a bigger phenomenon in the MCU has changed that so much so that I have found a community of other women who have similar experiences and cultures as me. That is something that means the absolute world to me. […] I wanted this show to serve as a learning opportunity for those outside our community. Upon seeing the show to completion, despite the issues it may have had, I’m absolutely overwhelmed by how much I love Ms. Marvel. It has forced me to address my own biases and come to terms with my identity, something I hope to see for other South Asians and Muslims that have the same struggle. Ultimately, I hope to see more growth from Kamala and to see her encounter new obstacles where she’ll absolutely trip and fall, but learn how to bounce back and become stronger than ever.“
@Basically_an_avenger: “Overall I really enjoyed the show! I think some elements could’ve been taken out, like the topic of Djin because it was noted that Ms Marvel is now a mutant rather than a Djin, but overall I enjoyed seeing myself in Nakia, as a mixed brown girl, and I enjoyed seeing South Asian culture represented without being overly saturated with jokes.”
@MarvelWithRid: “After watching Ms Marvel, I can say that I was satisfied with the south asian representation. I could see so much of myself in Kamala. From her relationship with her family to her struggles as a teenager, Kamala was charming and a joy to watch. [The inclusion of her family, friends and community is also a theme that I loved]. It was the perfect way to tell the story as it mirrored the importance of family and loved ones in South Asian culture.[…] There were so many cultural moments that were assimilated flawlessly into the show from the music, food, events, clothes etc. Including the partition and the impact of British colonialism was also emotional as it is not something discussed often in western media but something that impacts somany Indian and Pakistani families alike, including my own. Seeing Kamala’s great grandparents journey made me tear up because it reminded me of the story I used to hear about my great grandparents journey due to the Partition […]. There are so many great elements of south asian representation and that’s all thanks to the creatives behind the screen who wanted to tell a story from their own experiences that they knew would match many others.”
@h3yd4v3: ”Iman Vellani perfectly embodies the character and for almost everyone I could literally not ask for a better casting. It truly feels like the characters I fell in love with in the comics really do exist. At the core her family is the best part that translated so well to screen and I’m just so glad now a new generation of brown girls can see a family that looks like theirs and acts like theirs. I still remember how my eldest niece’s face lit up when she realized that Kamala calls her grandmother “nani” just like she does. […] This show has so much to say and discuss and it makes me wish it had more than six episodes so it can flesh out more aspects of Kamala that weren’t allowed as much of the spotlight [i.e establishing her as the hero of Jersey City]. Overall I’m not disappointed, I just wish we could’ve had more time for such a unique take on the universe.”
With answers like this, do you see why projects like Ms.Marvel are important?
This is what representation does when done correctly. Representation in media can lead to amazing conversations and to the creation of positive spaces. Here we have several creators, from different faiths, walks of life and ethnicities sharing our voices because we finally feel seen.
As a muslim, seeing my identity being celebrated in a popular Disney/Marvel show felt extremely foreign but incredibly welcome. Seeing it shared with everyone, seeing how everybody celebrated it with me, humbled me and made me dream of how far we can still go as a community.
Ms. Marvel is an amazing first step into the right direction. Flawed yes, but a huge win nonetheless.
“Opening up about Ms. Marvel meant [so much] to us, [we are] very different from each other but very many influenced by the identities that have shaped our very own Kamala Khan, that also created us to be the women who chose to create content on the show for an even bigger and greater goal in mind-to be the voice that was needed. The power of Kamala Khan was one that we all felt could exist in us and in turn, the show gave us the ability to stand on it.”
How a South Asian, Muslim. Female Creator Initiative was inspired by Kamala Khan.
