In June 2016, the George R. Brown Convention Center was filled to the brim with cosplayers, booths, and special guests at my very first Comicpalooza. The convention hall was hot and a little muggy, smelling of sweat and overpriced pizza. The combined noise of thousands of visitors became a droning buzz in the air. The combined excitement made everything seem even more impressive than it was.
Among the crowd was my best friend, my brother, and me. My dad was somewhere in there, too, but he’d gone to a panel about X-Men. We'd been left alone to wander the convention floor with the promise to meet upstairs in two hours.
I had been saving up all year for this day, and I was nearly overwhelmed by the choices before me. I don't know how many booths we visited, how many times I pulled my debit card out of my wallet, or how many posters were getting bent corners in my bag.
After an hour, my card stopped working.
I had spent so much, the bank froze my account for fraud. Calling the bank, proving I was me, and getting the card unblocked took the better part of an hour. By the time I got off the phone, my dad had rejoined us, my brother was whining about being tired, and my best friend was getting hungry.
It was too late to buy anything else. And I wasn't sure I should, even after the bank unfroze my account. I walked out regretting that I didn't get to visit every booth, but looking forward to next year's convention.
Looking back, my very first Comicpalooza was more chaotic than it needed to be. Even as a casual attendee (I wasn’t there to add to my collection of anything or to cosplay), I didn’t understand convention basics.
By now, I’m a pro. I know what to expect, how to prepare for the worst, and when I’m reaching my limits. And I’m here to offer you, dear reader, some of the most important tips for first-time convention-goers.
Whether you’re visiting for fun, looking for collectors’ items, or cosplaying your favorite character, you’ll find helpful tips here to make your first Comicpalooza an undeniable success.
Tips for everyone
These are tips and tricks that everyone should know, whether you're collecting, cosplaying, or casually visiting. This section won't be too long, but it's vital.
Bring a mask
I'm not saying this because Comicpalooza is a hotbed of germs (though it is). I'm saying this because a mask will help shield you from the smell of thousands of people crammed together and sweating. It's not fun. The humidity outside will feel refreshing in comparison.
Have deodorant
In the same vein as the mask suggestion, have a travel-size deodorant with you.
There's no telling if you might sweat through what you put on before showing up. It may also help you feel a little less gross after getting squished and jostled in the convention hall.
First-time visitor
Comicpalooza can be overwhelming, especially if you’re visiting without any real “goals” in mind. You aren’t there to find coveted figurines or trade tips with other cosplayers. You’re just there to have fun and explore, all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed the moment the doors open.
Maybe you're also there to check out some of the After Dark events. If you're planning to spend the whole day at the convention, you need to be ready.
Here’s a few things you should bring with you:
Bag
This should be like a tote bag or a backpack. You want something you can keep close and that can easily store whatever you purchase at the convention. Something with inside pockets can be ideal for safely holding onto your wallet and keys.
Any bag you bring will be searched outside the convention hall, so make sure to review the Comicpalooza Code of Conduct so nothing is confiscated.
Cash
Most vendors will have card readers on their phones, but it’s still a good idea to bring cash anyway. Cash is king, and you never know when you might run into a vendor that doesn’t accept cards.
About a quarter of your budget (see below) should be cash. You may also want to tip any artists who do on-site commissions (requests for art).
Water and snacks
While the George R. Brown Convention Center does have snack/drink stands and independent food vendors within the convention hall itself. They are going to be pricey.
Unfortunately, outside food and beverages aren't allowed within the Convention Center, so there's no point bringing your nice Stanley Cup unless you want it confiscated.
You need to stay hydrated, though, especially since you’ll be getting sweaty in such a packed convention center. Factor the water and snacks you'll need into your budget, and it won't hurt quite as much when you buy them.
Budget
Look, it’s really easy to go overboard at Comicpalooza. You’re surrounded by incredible art and merchandise made by incredibly talented people. You see something from your favorite show or movie, or you spot one of your favorite characters, and you’ve just got to have it.
I get it, trust me. But you need to decide on a budget before you go. Give yourself a soft limit (the amount you’d like to cut spending off at) and a hard limit (the absolute most amount of money you’re willing to spend at the convention). Keep these amounts in mind as you buy merch to keep from going over them.
Your wallet will thank you after, I promise.
Tips for navigating the convention
Review panels
You can see what panels are happening when and where on the Comicpalooza schedule.
Check out any that interest you, and I’d recommend any of the roundtables if you’re an avid reader.
Be prepared to wait
Lines at Comicpalooza can get long, especially when you’re first entering the building and getting your passes. You might also need to wait when approaching popular booths, since most are usually manned by one person.
And you'll definitely need to wait if you registered for photo ops with special guests.
Just be patient and remember you’ve got a whole day ahead of you.
Artist Alley
The convention hall will likely be split into two parts: the artist alley and the collection booths. Collection booths are the ones hosted by comic book shops and hobby stores with huge booths manned by at least two or three people.
Artist Alley houses independent artists and merchandise that you won’t find in any comics/hobby shop.
You'll usually be able to tell on sight which is which.
Look before you buy
Wander the convention hall before purchasing anything. With your budget, you want to make sure you’re spending every dollar wisely.
Getting an idea of what’s around and how much it costs will help with that.
Take breaks
The convention hall can get hot and overwhelming. If you need a break (and you will if you want to last the whole day), I’d recommend heading upstairs for a breather. It’s usually less crowded and has more room to sit down.
(Also, not to shamelessly plug HCPL, but we’ll have a booth at Comicpalooza specifically designed for taking breaks. Get off your feet, chat with friends, or read some of the books we’ll have on site! More info below.)
Cosplay isn’t consent
You’re going to see a lot of really cool, intricate costumes that will blow your mind. You’re going to want pictures of those costumes. That’s totally fine!
Just make sure you ask the cosplayer before taking any photos. It’s rude to take a picture of someone without their knowledge. And remember to respect their answer if they say no.
Most cosplayers will be happy to comply and even have a special pose ready for photo ops. Don’t forget to thank them and compliment their work when you’re done!
First-time collector
As a collector, you’re probably entering that convention hall with a mission. You know what you’re looking for, and you don’t want to walk away empty-handed.
Here’s are a few items you should have to ensure success:
Bag
Specifically, you want a bag that will safely hold the collectible items you purchase. If you’re going to get comic books or posters, you might want to invest in protective sleeves or a portfolio to keep corners from getting bent.
If you’re there for figurines, consider a bag with a flat bottom. It should easily hold the boxes without squishing the corners and creasing them. Something with pockets might also be useful if you’re buying smaller items like magnets or keychains.
Budget
Collecting can be expensive, especially if you’re after rare or high-quality items.
Know how much you can actually afford to spend and stick to that number.
Cash
About half of your budget should be in cash. This will be especially helpful for any potential negotiating you do with vendors (see below).
How to make the most of your time (and money)
Check the schedule
You want to make sure you’re attending when your desired vendors are present. Review the Comicpalooza vendor list.
If you aren't sure which vendors you're interested in, research them. Most official shops and stores will have a website you can review to look at their products and what they might have at Comicpalooza.
Look before you buy
Check out all the vendor booths before purchasing anything. You want to make sure you’re spending every dollar wisely. Getting an idea of what’s around and how much it costs will help with that.
This also gives you a chance to compare prices between booths for similar items, which can help if you decide to bargain at any of the booths.
Know what you want
Don’t walk into the convention hall blind. Do you want to beef up your comics collection? Are you hoping to fill your shelves with manga or figurines? Know before you go so you don’t waste time or money at booths that don’t have anything for you.
Be ready to negotiate
While not all booths will entertain bargaining, a good few will. This is another reason to bring cash with you. Some booths will offer lower prices for items if you pay in cash, since this allows them to avoid card processing fees.
Bargaining is an art form, though, so it does take some practice. You might not always get what you want for the price you want, and that’s okay. It’s all just part of the experience.
First-time cosplayer
Conventions are especially exciting for beginner cosplayers. They’re a chance to really show off all the hard work you’ve put into making your costume.
Embrace the excitement, but make sure you don’t forget anything important.
Here are a few things to bring along to make the most of your cosplay experience:
A friend
Preferably, they won’t be in costume with you. This is more someone to help you carry things that can’t fit in your pockets (if your costume has any). If your costume includes a bag, you can keep everything in there.
Otherwise, a trusted friend is indispensable...and easily bribed with the promise of an art print or two.
Change of clothes
Your goal might be to spend the entire convention in costume, but you should plan for the worst just in case. You might sweat through your costume, have something spill on it, or realize your shoes just aren’t built for this much walking.
Either way, have a set of comfortable clothes (and shoes) ready in your bag (that your trusted friend is carrying for you).
Sewing kit
You never know what’s going to happen, but you can at least prepare for semi-predictable costume malfunctions. Bring along a sewing kit, extra makeup, and some bobby or safety pins just in case.
Sports drink
You’ll be sweating more than anyone else because of your cosplay, so you need to make sure you replenish those electrolytes. You should be able to find Powerade or Gatorade at any of the Convention Center's vendors on the second and third floors.
Plain water is also fine, but it might not make you feel as refreshed.
Cash
This won’t affect your actual cosplay much, but it’s still good to have some cash on hand just in case.
You might find it easier to pass over a few dollar bills than go digging for your credit card.
Things to do as a cosplayer
Review the rules
Comicpalooza has strict rules about cosplays that involve any sort of weaponry. You’ll have to check your cosplay at the door and get your props approved. This must be done every time you enter the convention hall.
For a full understanding of what is and isn’t allowed as cosplay props, you can check out the cosplay section of the Comicpalooza Code of Conduct.
Prepare for photo ops
Depending on how popular the character you go as is or how detailed your cosplay is, you might get stopped a lot. Have a special pose in mind if your character is known for one.
On the other hand, don’t be afraid to say no to any photos. Your cosplay is not automatic consent to having your picture taken, and the Comicpalooza staff will be on your side if someone doesn’t respect your answer.
Scope out cosplay contests
Review the cosplay events for any contests that spark your interest.
The official cosplay contest (which also has cash prizes) requires registration, but plenty of other events and panels about cosplay won’t.
HCPL Relax and Recharge Station
The most important thing about attending Comicpalooza is pacing yourself. If you burn all your energy within the first hour, you won’t be able to enjoy everything the convention has to offer.
So, when you need a break, head up to the third floor. There you’ll find HCPL’s Relax and Recharge Station. We’ve got books, casual games, a table for making buttons, and coloring sheets. Whatever you need to relax and recharge, you can find it here.
Plus, we love seeing all the cool cosplays people show up in and the amazing art/merch they manage to find. So, come show off to us, too!
Finally, you didn’t think I’d sign off without recommending a few reads, did you?
As you wait for Comicpalooza, here are a few books by authors who will be attending! Maybe you’ll find your new favorite among them.
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