C2E2 – A Weekend Review of Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo 2013

This is my second year coming to C2E2.  Last year was such a great experience that I couldn’t wait to get back.  This year was no different.  The creators were all a real treat to talk to, and it didn’t feel like they just wanted to sign your books and move you along.  

I get a lot of enjoyment out of getting to talk to the creators about their ideas for their books or inspirations.  It’s an amazing thing to see a creator’s eyes light up when they start talking about a certain aspect of a book they wrote or drew. I had one such interaction with writer Mark Waid.  Mark is responsible for writing some of my all time favorite stories (Kingdom Come, Marvels, and Daredevil).  I was standing in line to have a couple things signed, and I became engaged in a debate with a few “Con-Buddies” (people you become friends with while standing in lines) about which Flash was featured in Kingdom Come.  With none of us ever having a real answer, I decided: “Why not ask the man himself?”  As Mark was signing my books, I asked him the question and before I knew it, he and I became entangled in a conversation about which Flash was our favorite (Wally West of course) and why.  We talked back and forth for what seemed like minutes, but apparently he and I had been talking for about 10 minutes and the fanboys were getting restless.  We exchanged our goodbyes, and I went about my way.  As I was walking away, I thought to myself, “What a truly incredible interaction.  I just had a ten minute discussion with a comic legend about which Flash was better.”

Another interaction I had was with comedian Brian Posehn who is currently co-writing Marvel’s Deadpool.  If you don’t know who Brian is, I recommend finding his stand-up albums on iTunes.  He is a giant nerd, and when I say giant, I mean it.  The guy is a monster of man.  As he was signing my copies of Deadpool, “Call Me Maybe” began playing over the speakers in the center.  Since Brian and myself are both metal heads, we commiserated with each other about how much we hate the song and how neither one of us are her target demographic.  Then I noticed he was wearing a Halloween III: Season of the Witch t-shirt.  I made a comment about how it’s an underrated movie and doesn’t get the respect it deserves.  We then began talking about horror movies and what it was like working with Rob Zombie (Posehn had a small role in The Devil’s Rejects).  Again, our conversation was getting a little too lengthy for the other folks in line, so we said our goodbyes, and I went about my merry way.

It’s interactions like that with creators that make this a better convention. You aren’t rushed when it comes to talking with them, and an actual conversation is possible.  It’s a great view into a writer or artist’s creative process when you can pick their brain a little bit and glimpse where their inspiration comes from.  For me, it adds a special something to my reading when I have insight into the inner workings of creators’ minds and their thought processes as they pace their books.

The other thing I really dig about the show is the massive amount of retailers.  These guys come from all over the place and bring tons of great stuff.  If you are looking for some random back issues or high priced books, they have it all.  I was able to find all kinds of issues I was missing in my collection and for really cheap.  I love being able to dig through boxes upon boxes of back issues.  The feel of the hunt and the sense accomplishment when you find that perfect run is something you can feel over and over again at C2E2.  Not only do these guys bring massive amounts of back issues, they also bring copious amounts of trade paperbacks and hardcovers.  It’s a great way to catch up on some stories you’ve been meaning to read or maybe some iconic runs on certain books by specific creators (Walt Simonson’s Thor, for example).