I attended my first Comic Con today in Albany. First off, as a warning to all, there were NO comedians there. Don’t be duped like I was. So after the initial frustration of waiting around for someone to make me laugh, I looked around and noticed three things:

1. These people like to practice for Halloween. I mean a trial run here and there in mid-October is fine, but several months beforehand? Come on. No one likes dressing up that much. Or maybe, this is their regular clothes and everyday outfits are their costumes….Nah, these people couldn’t be that deep. They are at a convention on Sunday and not at church. Or maybe…THIS is their church. Oh God, my brain is hurting.
2. I couldn’t believe they would let children into this not-funny convention and then put all the toys on the top shelf, completely out of the reaches of children’s chubby sticky hands. So I think I did a good deed and moved all the toys down to the floor where the kids could play with them. Some of the toys were really old, so I took them out of their packages so the kids wouldn’t have a hard time opening the boxes. Karma for me, please and thank you.
3. Lots of people were drawing cartoons. But they weren’t even drawing them. They were tracing them. And then, these customers wanted the tracer to sign it. There’s a sucker born every minute. **

However, I did notice there were some positives to this gathering. Or should I say there was some Pros to this Con.

1. Childhood wonderment. It was very cool to see adults and children get the same kind of excited about seeing something. Just like a Harry Potter movie release or a baseball game. Except 96% less alcohol involved.
2. The sense of community among people was astonishing, since I’m so used to a New York attitude laced with cynicism, surrounded by sarcasm and paranoia. But here, there was sharing and talking and letting people bump into you without wanting to shank them. This is what the West Coast is like, I bet. But 96% less pale.
3. The beards. So many beards, of all shapes, colors, and sizes. If it wasn’t creepy, I would have taken a picture of all of them. And even if it was allowed, my camera would’ve ran out of battery and space within minutes. I’m surprised some of these little babies weren’t sporting beards. Or even a little mustache. Obviously they are not true fans yet.

 Lastly, I would like to go to another one of these Comic Book Conventions. It would be interesting to meet the creator of a brand new story. Then in 5 years, you get to read the bloggers complain about how he sold out and doesn’t even care about his fans anymore and doesn’t stay true to the characters. You bearded bloggers are never satisfied!

Success! Another diversity day to add to the utility belt! (That’s a comic reference, right?)

**I’m kidding about the artists, of course. Their work is breathtaking and should not be ridiculed, even if one is unfamiliar with the genre. Please don’t shank me, artists.

Also, small shout-out to my buddy Buddy who is part of a film project in the Capital Region called “Dead Burger” and was at the Albany Comic Con promoting it. Here is a video and link to his Kickstarter project board. If I had money, I would give it to them because I love moviefilms and things that come out of the Capital Region.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/abominationfilms/dead-burger-by-abomination-films