This weekend was an experience I will never forget, and I thank the fine people at Wizard World for allowing me to cover this event.  The convention started on Thursday August 19th 2010 with what is called a preview day. This allows everyone who is attending over the next couple of days the location of booths and also gave some exhibitors an easier chance to mingle longer with people.  People saw where the people they came to see would be, and also give everyone a general feel for how the weekend was going to be when it officially started on Friday.

Thursday was the time for me to see where things were and also do my best to communicate with those I would be seeing quite a bit of over the weekend and getting a good feel for the convention itself. The festivities ended and I walked back to my hotel for the evening when I had the chance to communicate with several people that were attending the convention, and get their feel for what everyone might expect over the weekend.

That night was the first time I met several people who I quickly became friends with over the course of the weekend, I only mention this due to the fact in a crowd of THOUSANDS I kept meeting up with these same people. I found out when talking to Bekah, Brian, Bryan, Glynis, and Jamie that they were attending mainly for the Final Five Q & A taking place on Saturday.  (Note the Final Five were a MAJOR Part of the final season of Battlestar Galactica. They were the Final Five Cylons left attempting to end the human race.) We talked about movies, my work, and such that led into discussions that had to do with the weekend.

Friday was a day of looking around, talking to people, and allowed the people to attend Q & A Sessions with Directors of upcoming movies such as Centurion, and DEVIL. I attended the DEVIL Q& A myself and was fortunate to have the opportunity to see an EXCLUSIVE five minute clip of the movie as well. I attended the session to garner a better idea of the movie and see what to expect when the movie came out.

Later in the afternoon I had an opportunity to conduct an interview w/ the Dowdle Brothers who were the force behind the movie DEVIL. (You can check out the interview at this link http://bit.ly/cIsUe6) I went back in the vendor area after the interview and actually talked to the reps from Universal and the Dowdle Brothers again and thanked them for their time. Everyone enjoyed their time, and unfortunately they had to get to the airport to catch a flight out that afternoon as well. I continued to walk around seeing where all the celebrities were signing autographs and taking pictures with fans when I came across Brandon DiCamillo from CKY, Jackass, and Viva la Bam.

We talked for a bit, took a few pictures and he asked me to screen his new DVD “Cattle Bag” for him. The day was long, and I was tired and yet after the thousands of people I saw all day long I ran into Johnny Fairplay of Survivor. We sat down at the bar inside our hotel and had a nice little chat about stuff. He told me a few stories and I intently listened in as well. He asked me to go w/ him to a party, but I was too tired to go and went back to my room instead. I went outside to catch from fresh air when I ran into my friends from the night before once again. I quickly learned that Comic Con is more than I thought it was; it was an opportunity to make friends that you’ve never met before. I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning talking with my new friends and having a different experience outside the Con than I was inside.

Saturday rolled around early and this was the BIG day of the convention. This was the day where you could see the most people in costume who were MORE than willing to have their picture taken with you to share memories for a lifetime. Saturday was also the day that people came for to see the panels and take place in Q & A sessions with people that most may have not gotten the chance to ask a question to before. Such people as William Shatner, Patrick Stewart, John DeLancie, and Walter Koenig packed the room with people just HOPING to have the opportunity to ask their favorite Star Trek actors a question. Saturday was also the day of the Final Five panel, a big deal for fans, considering this was their first appearance together at a Convention (Although Aaron Douglas, Battlestar’s Chef Tyrol was unable to attend that day due to a conflicting work schedule) Battlestar Galactica fans had their chance to shine and also listen to answers that they have been wondering about themselves.

Saturday was also the day where the families were out in NUMBER. I really enjoyed the fact that this Convention had so many families walking around, taking everything in, and for the little ones it was like Halloween had come early. Sure, the kids didn’t get any candy, but they got to have their picture taken dressed up w/ others that they might believe is their hero in the flesh! I love the fact that people took pictures with little kids because it gave the kids something to believe in. Childhood goes by so fast, and I know the chance to meet your heroes is something that nobody ever takes for granted. I thank those people who dressed up for taking the time to put smiles on the faces of all of those kids; more than you know you really are heroes. The events of Saturday struck me w/ a line from a David Bowie song “We could be heroes, for just one day.” I would have to say the BEST costume of the day was just because of one person’s HELMET, yes I said helmet, but it turned out to be former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich! After everything was said and done people had the opportunity to go meet and talk up close and personal with quite a few of the celebrities at the Convention at the “After Party” at the adjacent Hyatt Hotel Bar.

The admission was free and gave people a once in a lifetime opportunity to rub elbows with those they have only seen through their television or movie screens. Stories were told, and pictures were taken within reason and everyone seemed to have a great time. This party was so much fun, it was BEYOND my expectations! I left the party early to deal with some prior commitments and had a good time doing that as well. Not so late in the evening I was heading outside for some more fresh air when I happened to run into my friends yet again. We once again talked and shared stories of our experiences of the day. We stayed up late playing games and just having a good time together. I can honestly say that they made my weekend an experience more than I thought it would be; they made it very special.

Sunday rolled around and I had to checkout early and hit the road back home, but not without running into my friends one last time. I guess I learned something about Comic Con that I never thought I would have, Wizard World Comic Con brings more people together and allows people to make new friends that they never thought they would have met before. Comic Con is more than just an event to look forward to; it truly is an EXPERIENCE for the AGES! Everyone at Comic Con this year, I hope I’m just fortunate enough to see you there again next year, and for those of you who couldn’t make it this year I hope to see you there next year as well.

Once again I just have to say that Wizard World Comic Con is MORE than just a Comic Convention, it is an EXPERIENCE!!! I wanted to take a moment and REALLY thank Brian, Bryan, Jamie, Matt, Bekah, and Glynis for helping me create memories I will CHERISH FOREVER. Thank you to everyone I met this weekend, and everyone who reads this article.