The Phoenix Comicon is huge…not quite Comic-Con International huge but huge in the same sense that it's hard to get around because of crowds and you won't get to see half of what's there to see. Everyone's telling me tomorrow (Saturday) will be wall-to-wall people and in some parts of the hall, that's how it felt today.
It has a higher density of "cosplayers" (folks who come in costume) than any convention I've ever attended save for Pittsburgh's Anthrocon, which is a "furry" gathering — meaning people in animal suits. I'm not sure I fully understand the motive of cosplayers, especially when it involves making an elaborate and perhaps expensive costume and/or painting one's self an odd color. I'm not knocking them in any way and I often admire the handiwork and effort. I'm just not sure I get why they do it or how wide a variety of reasons there might be.
Well, I will knock the cosplayers in one way. Look, I know your outfit is great and you spent a lot of time on it…but it is possible, you know, to pose for photos without blocking aisles.
At every entrance to the con today, there were security folks inspecting bags and tagging prop weapons. Many folks bring swords and fake guns and spears…and some were barred but others were "okayed" with a little plastic tag. Isn't Arizona an "open carry" state? One of these days, there's going to be a con where it's be permissible to bring in a real, loaded rifle but you're forbidden to carry around a light-sabre.
I really like the trend at conventions to sell "home-made" items — stuffed toys, posters, prints, props, etc. There were some great funny stuffed toys in the hall today and some beautiful figurines. In earlier convention days, 95% of sellers were hawking old comic books, old movie posters, old fantasy novels, etc. There's still that but there are now so many people selling wonderful things that they, themselves, made.
My biggest complaint about the con so far? No cell phone coverage in the hall. I had to keep traipsing outside to stay in touch with the world…and it was a long walk to get there, plus it was 108° outside. Next time I come back here in this weather, I'm having one of those mist-sprayers installed in my pants. Otherwise, having a good time.