LOS ANGELES - 91,000 attendees came to Los Angeles Comic Con (formerly known as Comikaze Con) October 28 thru October 30th. What I loved about this, is that it didn't feel crowded despite all the people. Downtown Los Angeles is in the middle of a development boom that is offering a larger selection of restaurants and other venues to enjoy while you are at LA Comic Con. Comikaze Con was created by Stan Lee and Elvira Mistress of the Dark and one of the rare comic conventions created by Pop icons of the industry. Stan Lee changed the name because he wanted it the convention to identify with it's location...Los Angeles. I attended the Grand Opening of this convention 6 years ago when it was first opened it's doors. Each year the crowd grows larger and larger and it is one of the largest pop culture events in the country. The cosplay crowd here has plenty of room to show off their looks. I took some photos because you can't resist after realizing all the work involved in accomplishing these looks.
A few of the insane cool guests of Los Angeles Comic Con this year included Cary Elwes (Princess Bride, Saw, Family Guy), Mike Colter (Luke Cage, Jessica Jones), Dominic Purcell (Legends of Tomorrow, Prison Break, The Flash, Blade), and Director/Writer Kevin Smith. Adam West, Burt Ward, Lee Meriweather, and the icon Julie Newmar were on the Batman 66 Reunion panel. Can you imagine that these actors are not only comic icons but don't mind poking fun at themselves. Richard Speight, Jr. (Gabriel) and Rob Benedict (God) known for their regular appearances on the show "Supernatural" talked about their new show "Kings of Con". A show about their multiple appearances at Conventions and their fans. True to their comic nature as they brilliantly played off each other while showing off footage to their new show. Cast members from the TV show "The Flash" did a panel featuring actors Candice Patton (Iris West), Shantel Vansanten (Patty Spivot), Danielle Panabaker (Caitlin Snow), Teddy Sears (Jay Garrick/Zoom) and Liam McIntyre (Mark Mardon/Weather Wizard). Liam McIntyre leaped into the audience giving access to people to ask questions directly to the actors about the show. Spotlight: Star Trek 50th Anniversary Panel featured actors Walter Koenig (Pavel Chekov), Nichelle Nichols (Lt. Uhura), Denise Crosby (Lt. Tasha Yar), and Robert Picardo (The Doctor). The panel discussed the actors careers influenced by the icon Star Trek Universe. Oh yes, and Mike Colter was on the Hot Topic Main Stage. He is the actor who is one of the newest additions to the Marvel Universe as Luke Cage. He spoke about his new role and his experience on set giving his take on the character. He was very passionate about playing Luke Cage. Stan Lee surprised him on stage with a loud applause from the audience, while posing for photo ops on stage for the fans. Cary Elwes who has had a career spanning three decades spoke about a few film projects that have made him an icon including Princess Bride, Saw, and Robin Hood Men in Tights. Dominic Purcell gave us a peek into the new Prison Break episode, and spoke about his role in the CW DC Universe as Mike Rory aka Heatwave. Comic Book Legends with Stan Lee Panel featured all the comic artists you have always wanted to see in one room. It gave the fans a chance to know the artists they love a little bit better. The panel included Marc Silverstri (artist, X-Men, Wolverine, The Incredible Hulk, founder of Top Cow comics), Garry Duggan (writer, Hulk, Nova, Hawkeye vs. Deadpool, and Uncanny Avengers) David Finch (artist, Batman, The New Avengers, Moon Knight, Justice League of America) Joe Jusko (artist, Hulk, The Punisher, Heavy Metal, Vampirella) .
I met Jim Beaver on the show floor at a booth featuring "Baby", the car from the CW TV show "Supernatural". It is the only car on the show that comes from the U.S. It is featured in the episode "Bloodlines". If you look in the back in the trunk you can see all the tools of the trade displayed for quick access. Jim Beaver is a really nice, down to earth guy who totally fits the role of Bobby Singer, you can see him mentoring Sam and Dean Winchester with a sarcastic sense of humor. Of course I had to get a photo of Bobby next to "Baby". SuperWhoLock eat your hearts out... Neal Adams, the iconic comic artist known for creating definitive imagery of the DC Universe including such characters as "Superman", "Batman", and "Green Arrow" was on the show floor signing his work. He was inducted to the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 1998. A real treat for me. The show floor was really crowded with booths for comic artists new and established. Booths for toy collectors and comic collectors lined aisle after aisle. Autograph areas featured many celebrities and famous cosplay players with long lines of fans waiting to get that treasured signature.
I think one of my favorite reasons for coming to the show is collecting the Hot Topic Limited Edition "Comikaze" stamped Funko Pop Collectibles. This year the silver painted Bobble Head "Colossus" and the glow in the dark "She Hulk" had collectors lining up about the length of the convention center. Only a limited number of these Limited Edition collectibles are available each day. I find that these collectibles are worth the line as they increase in value quickly and easy to trade or sell. Of course Los Angeles Comic Con has a huge comic book, toys, and other collectibles selection that gives you the ability to go on a binge. It is nice to see what you are buying which is no available online.
Los Angeles Comic Con 2016 was a huge success at the Los Angeles Convention Center and if you are smart, you will register early next year as I can see this becoming a convention to rival San Diego Comic Con in numbers due to all the expandable space available at this convention center...don't wait. I will see you there next year...and look for the girl with the long hair and camera near the front of the main stage, that will be me.