The smell of worn and old comic book pages, filled with dust, the sound of fan boys debating whether or not Han Solo really did shoot first, the sight of an entire convention devoted to everything geek: this is Planet Comi-con. Planet Comi-con is Kansas’s largest yearly comic book convention, held in the Overland Park International Tradecenter. The yearly gathering brings together fans of Star Wars, Star Trek, DC, Marvel, and basically anything that has a fan base. The convention center is packed with dealers selling comics, vintage toys, t-shirts, collectibles, movies, and much much more.
One of the most eye-popping things about the convention is the droves of fans “cosplaying”, or costume playing. These aren’t your average Halloween costumes though; many of the cosplayers custom-make their costumes, and often pay a hefty price to do so.
“My Star Wars Imperial Scout costume cost just under a thousand to make,” Professional cosplayer Susan Easter said. “The helmet alone was $300.”
Cosplaying seems to be a way for a lot of fans of comics and movies to connect with like-minded people. Easter says in her short years of cosplaying she has made countless friends.
“I have friends everywhere now thanks to cosplaying,” Easter said. “I’ve got friends in Brazil, the UK, all through costuming.”
At the convention this year, Star Wars costumes were abundant, as well as some lesser-known characters like Lara Croft from the popular Tomb Raider video game.
While many come for the costuming, the real draw is the comics. At the convention many people who work in the industry come together and do signings as well as custom sketches.
“It’s a chance to connect with fans and with others in the business,” comic book artist Tony Moore said.
Moore, who has worked on series like The Walking Dead and Ghost Rider, is best known for his signature artwork style. The convention also provides the opportunity for aspiring artists or writers to connect with people like Moore, who can give them advice on how to get work in the industry.
“My best advice to any aspiring artist or writer who wants to break into the industry is to prove to a publisher that you love comics by creating one,” Moore said.
Super powers are not required to have fun at this gathering of fans, just a love of comics.
One of the most eye-popping things about the convention is the droves of fans “cosplaying”, or costume playing. These aren’t your average Halloween costumes though; many of the cosplayers custom-make their costumes, and often pay a hefty price to do so.
“My Star Wars Imperial Scout costume cost just under a thousand to make,” Professional cosplayer Susan Easter said. “The helmet alone was $300.”
Cosplaying seems to be a way for a lot of fans of comics and movies to connect with like-minded people. Easter says in her short years of cosplaying she has made countless friends.
“I have friends everywhere now thanks to cosplaying,” Easter said. “I’ve got friends in Brazil, the UK, all through costuming.”
At the convention this year, Star Wars costumes were abundant, as well as some lesser-known characters like Lara Croft from the popular Tomb Raider video game.
While many come for the costuming, the real draw is the comics. At the convention many people who work in the industry come together and do signings as well as custom sketches.
“It’s a chance to connect with fans and with others in the business,” comic book artist Tony Moore said.
Moore, who has worked on series like The Walking Dead and Ghost Rider, is best known for his signature artwork style. The convention also provides the opportunity for aspiring artists or writers to connect with people like Moore, who can give them advice on how to get work in the industry.
“My best advice to any aspiring artist or writer who wants to break into the industry is to prove to a publisher that you love comics by creating one,” Moore said.
Super powers are not required to have fun at this gathering of fans, just a love of comics.