The Exciting Northwest Summer ComiCons are Here
ComiCon season is officially here, though you may wonder, "Dan, when isn't it ComiCon season?" That's a fair point, as the number of ComiCons has blown up in recent years, and if you like to travel, you could attend a 'Con nearly every weekend of the year in the U.S. alone.
Here are some notable ComicCons happening in Washington and Oregon this summer.
Lilac City ComiCon (June 4th and June 5th)
Lilac City ComiCon has been "your friendly, neighborhood pop-culture show since 2007." And it's been fun to watch it grow each year. LCCC still places the focus on comic-books and their creators. And they've also done a good job of having some fun photo-ops on the floor, be it posing with a Tauntaun in the snow...
Or Batman climbing to your window, 1966 style.
Of all the ComiCons I've been too (and there's been a few), I'd have to say that Lilac City is the most family-friendly.
This year's guests include WCW Tag Team Champion Booker T, actor Daniel Cudmore, who plays Colossus in the X-Men movies, and they've had a Power Ranger just about every year (I think they're trying to collect them all). This year it's Yellow Power Ranger, Alyson Kiperman Sullivan, from Power Rangers Wild Force.
You can even find me at this year's event, hosting a panel with screenwriter Tab Murphy, who has an impressive list of credits in animation, including Atlantis The Lost Empire, Tarzan, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Batman: Year One, and Brother Bear.
Washington State SummerCon (June 17th through June 19th)
Washington State SummerCon, in Puyallup, boasts a staggering number of famous faces, from a broad variety of entertainment fields, ready to take a picture with you. Guests include the evil Emperor himself, Ian McDiarmid, who will be seated in a recreation of the Emperor's throne room - how cool is that? Wrestlers Trish Stratus and Christian Cage will be flexing for the camera, and Oscar and Stanley (Leslie David-Baker and Oscar Nunez) can answer all your questions about The Office. Voice actors Bill Farmer (Disney's Goofy), and Jim Cummings (Winnie the Pooh) will also be on-hand to delight fans. Check out the full list here.
Emerald City ComiCon (August 18th, through August 21st)
Emerald City ComiCon, in Seattle, is in the Top-5 of the biggest 'Cons in the USA. The mothership of Northwest shows, and a fan-favorite for it's combo of comic-book writers and artists, sci-fi and fantasy authors, indie artists, and A-list celebs from Star Wars, the Marvel Universe, etc.
Cosplay is big here, too, as it is at most ComiCons. In fact, Cosplay is now so big that people stand in line for photos/autographs of costumed influencers.
This year's guests include actor David Tennant (Dr. Who, Jessica Jones, Harry Potter & the Goblet of fire), legendary comics' scribe Chris Claremont (X-Men, New Mutants), and independent, self-described "queer comic artist and writer" Keezy Young. As always, more guests will be announced as the show gets closer.
Rose City ComiCon (September 9th, through September 11th)
Rose City ComiCon is Portland's annual pop-culture fest, and it's always a good time. This year's guests include Sean Astin from the Lord of the Rings, Amber Benson from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, plus Khary Payton and Ross Marquand from the Walking Dead. More guests are likely to be announced as September gets closer.
Pro Tip
Whichever 'Con you choose, bring your wallet, because all the photo-ops, merch and original art adds up. I mean, look at this t-shirt! Who doesn't want a Fremont Troll tee?