This past weekend I had the good fortune of traveling up to Chicago to attend C2E2 for the second straight year. Not only was the show bigger and better than last year (which was still great), I was able to spend the weekend in the McCormick Plaza Convention Center.
My Journey Begins:
I was late to the game booking my room for Saturday night, but had the good fortune of finding a bed in the Chicago Parthenon Hostel. I hadn't stayed in a hostel for over 10 years, but I was stoked to find a bed 3 blocks from the C2E2 shuttle for under $30. On a side note, if you are ever looking for a great place to stay in Chicago I have nothing but great things to say about the Parthenon. After checking in and storing my items in the locker in my room, I walked over to the shuttle pick-up. Nothing gets you more excited about attending a comic book convention than riding a charter bus packed with all types of nerds. There is also something incredibly satisfying about seeing people decked out in elaborate costumes waiting for a bus on a city street. After an incredible pleasant bus ride filled with loud conversations debating sci-fi, comic book characters, and other fun topics, we arrived.
The Floor:
This year the kind folk at C2E2 moved the convention floor across the hall from where it was last year and it worked out quite well. After a quick bag inspection, I was in! The Marvel booth dominated the floor and fans were clamoring for the Watcher eyes that they were handing out. The other swag they had at the booth was great, but that eye was the hot ticket item. Other smaller publishers were well represented and most of them boasted impressive autograph line-ups that are accessible to the fans (except Gail Simone. Her line was
crazy! That is a good problem to have) nobody ever seems stressed out at C2E2. At San Diego, creators are stretched so thin that it is tough to engage them in a simple conversation. C2E2 is very accessible for the fans the creators appear to be having a grand time as well. I browsed the Dark Horse, Valiant, Top Shelf, and Quirk Books booths, before venturing into the vendors. There was a noticeable lack of DC at C2E2.
Artist Alley:
Artist alley is normally a crammed space on the floor that is difficult to navigate, but the artist alley at C2E2 was spaced nicely and I enjoyed cruising from row to row. One of my goals is to eventually pay for a commission from one of my favorite artists, but at C2E2 I was able to pick up a print trade of one of my favorite digital comics. I stopped by the Artful Daggers table and was able to chat with the ever pleasant Sean E. Williams who we have interviewed before here at Nerds of a Feather. He was kind enough to sign my book and give me an amazing C2E2 Artful Daggers art card.
The Panels:
Marvel Unlimited Plus Panel:
Until Next Year:
C2E2 was once again a huge success. Marvel stole the show this year, but I think that fans of comic books are the big winners. I haven't been to a convention that allows fans and creators to connect in such a meaningful way as C2E2. If you are a fan of comics, there is a great chance that you will get to meet multiple creators that have had a positive experience on your life. Not only will you meet them, but you will likely converse with them and walk away with an autographed book or two. C2E2 is a major comic book convention that is solely focused on the fans. SDCC is overwhelming and daunting, but awesome nonetheless, while C2E2 is a nice gathering of friends that doesn't feel like the cash grab that is a Wizard World Convention.
POSTED BY MIKE N. -- comic guy, proudly raising nerdy kids, and Nerds of a Feather contributor since 2012.