As The Signal’s resident geek, I always fangirl out when I go to comic conventions, but this time, I hit the jackpot. Comicpalooza 2016 was held at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston June 17-19. This convention had it all: local artists, vendors, gaming, panels, comics, obscure merchandise, Quidditch and celebrities listed from A to D.
Once I got to the event, the schedule was overwhelming because there were so many events to go to. I had three must-do items on my checklist: visit the “Aliens” reunion panel, check out the local vendors and attempt to meet Norman Reedus.
The first stop on my list was to visit the “Aliens” cast reunion to see my heroes Sigourney Weaver and Bill Paxton. When a fan asked about the upcoming “Alien: Covenant” movie, Weaver said that she and Micahel Biehn are set to act in the movie after she finishes filming James Cameron’s “Avatar.”
Weaver thinks Neill Blomkamp will please fans with the new installment of the Alien franchise.
“He’s the first real fan of the movie that got to write a script and direct it, and I think it’s going to be really satisfying to fans,” Weaver said.
After the panel, I visited nearly every artist’s both and collected his or her business card because I am the most indecisive person in the world when buying artwork. Luckily, everyone either has an Etsy account or a personal website where I can soon purchase artwork to accompany my picture of Jon Snow that hangs in my living room.
While I didn’t purchase anything for my living room, I did buy these nifty “Game of Thrones” election pins. Since it’s an election year and all, in America and Westeros, I thought it was a practical purchase.
Once I was satisfied with my purchase, I found my way to the photo ops. While my friend went to his autograph session with THE Lou Ferrigno, I pondered the pitiful amount of dollars I had left in my Star Wars wallet. As I stood in line with a horde of fans at Norman Reedus’ booth, I admired him from afar while coming to the conclusion that I could not afford the $80 autograph or the $100+ photo op, (I am a college student after all). As I spoke with a fellow fan, I noticed Reedus taking a selfie with a fan that had a Reedus inspired tattoo, where a sign specifically said “No photos.” I thought to myself, “Nope, not enough time for me to get a tattoo for a free photo.” So instead I decided to take pictures on my phone, just to annoy security.
Since Reedus’ entourage was packing up his booth, I walked away in defeat and ambled over to wait for my friend to finish his autograph session with The Hulk. Immediately, a volunteer started yelling at me to “move to one side! Get out of the way!” I was clearly out of the way, but he kept yelling at the crowd. After about 15 seconds, my college-educated mind used those critical thinking skills teachers implant in your brain and I put two and two together – a celebrity was about to walk through. I got my camera out to take a video and, without hesitation, geeked out. Reedus walked through the crowd and high-fived the fans, including me, and I got it on video…err somewhat.
That high five should have come with a shot of bourbon. I immediately let the world know by posting the video to my social media accounts. My phone was instantly spammed with friends asking me, “What does his skin texture felt like” and saying how jealous they were.
Don’t worry; I washed my hand after, as I’m not that much of a fan-girl. He was sweaty, and I’m a germaphobe.
For an avid geek who is loyal to her fandoms, I think it’s outrageous that they charge so much for photo ops and autographs. It’s times like these that I respect when the celebrities actually take a minute to connect with fans instead of exploiting them for their money.
But, I digress. The experience is the best part of going to comic conventions. Whether you cosplay as your favorite character or not, you are around the most accepting group of people in the world. They will accept you just the way you are, free of all judgments because at the convention we are not the outsiders. There, we are all the in-crowd.