Comic Con 2015 - Thursday

Okay, guys!  I had such a crazy fun time at Comic Con this weekend.  It started this Thursday, and went through Saturday.  I've been wearing a FitBit around lately, and over the last three days I walked a grand total of 18 miles.  Oh yeah!  So Basically I've been spending my Sunday napping, and just recovering.  So I'll just go ahead and warn in advance that I'll be rambling lots!

Now that Salt Lake Comic Con is a thing that I do, I look forward to the next one almost as soon as the last one is over.  When they announced the guest line-up clear back in March, I totally bought a VIP pass.  It didn't hurt that buying early meant I got to take advantage of the cheapest price, but the VIP passes actually sold out.  That also meant I had nearly six months to mess around with my outfits.  First of all, I'm the type of person who likes to have some sort of project to work on when I'm not at work.  And by all means, compared to some of the costumes I saw, I didn't spend nearly the amount of time that several did.

In the weeks leading up to it, they make all their big guest announcements on who is coming.  This year the big announcement was Chris Evans was coming, and he would be bringing along four of his Captain America costars.  It was a pretty big deal that a con only in its third year in little ol' Utah could attract such big names!  I was pretty psyched since I'm such a Marvel fan myself, and I really made an effort this year to try a little bit of everything at the Con.  I'm pleased to announce that despite going by myself, I wasn't bored for a minute.  I had an absolute blast, and even though I was exhausted and footsore by the end of each day, I'd totally be up for more!

Thursday
Thursday is usually my favorite day of the con simply because it starts a little later, and because it tends to be less crowded.  The big crowds generally show up on Saturday, and by then it's absolutely insane.  It's no secret that one of my favorite parts includes the costuming aspect.  Honestly, it doesn't take much to get me to dress up for anything!  I also love getting see all the amazing outfits others craft.  Not only that, I just love all the obscure pop culture people decide to represent with their costumes.  People are extremely clever!  I even got involved in a photo scavenger hunt taking pictures of specific things, and posting them to Instagram.  Anyway, Thursday I recycled a costume from last year which I had upgraded during the interim.

About ready to head out.  Don't mind the rando items in the background!

I have equipped the Master Sword!

It's dangerous to go alone.  Take this shield.

That's right, I went as Link!  If you're unfamiliar, this is the main character from the Legend of Zelda Nintendo game series.

I upgraded from last year's outfit by crafting a leather sheath for the foam sword I purchased at FanX, building a Hylian shield, and obtaining leather bracers and belt pouch for storing my deku nuts and bombs.  Also, I was protected by the power of the golden Triforce.   Haha.  But seriously, this was an extremely popular costume.  Despite being a male character, I saw men and women in a variety of colors and interpretations as Link.  I also saw an entire myriad of secondary characters represented at the con.

Oh yeah, those are Gorans, and what I can only assume is a Gerudo thief.

Zelda and Midna.

I have to say, I was quite impressed.  Prior to this time, I'd never seen most of these characters represented.  I actually saw two variations of Midna, lots of Zeldas, and a couple Sheiks.  Anyway, let's do a quick run-down of my day.  Parking and getting in was pretty quick.  I did spend a good amount of time waiting in line to get some stuff switched around.  I then wandered around and scoped out the vendor floor.  I was pretty blown away by some of the awesome vendors, especially the Ultrasabers vendor.

Look at all the pretty colors!

Don't judge, but I really love Star Wars.  In fact, I've been looking into joining the Rebel Legion, which is a costuming club that does charity events.  I went over and chatted up the local group, and had them give me some advice on joining.  They also hosted a panel where they answered questions about building movie-accurate costumes from the films.  We're talking Wookies, Tusken raiders, and multiple Jedi.  The Rebel Legion includes only characters opposing the Empire, or the "good guys."  If the dark side is more your style, head on over to the 501st, and become a Stormtrooper.

Got to love a man in armor.  He also complimented my outfit, but lamented the fact that the water temple (the level which requires the blue tunic) is the worst!

I just found this guy wandering around.  He's dressed as a character from the new Star Wars movie that hasn't even been released yet!  He suggested we trade weaponry.

My first celebrity encounter of the Con was with Dean O'Gorman, a charming New Zealander who plays Kili in The Hobbit.  In case you were wondering, the Tolkien universe is also one that I support!  Check out my Hobbit marathon.

He was a lot of fun to meet.  He was also very friendly.  He complimented my pointed Hylian ears - a prop I'm certain he became familiar with in his role as Kili.  Later that weekend I went to Dean's panel, which is basically where the celebrity sits in the front of a large auditorium/conference room, and answers questions put to them by the audience.  Some of the questions put to him were a bit ridiculous, but it was a lot of fun to see him answer questions as a real person.  He told some funny stories about filming, and I thought it was funny that because of Peter Jackson's directing style, Dean had trouble remembering what scenes were in the original cut, the extended cut, the special features, or done by a stunt double.  Also, I now want to go through the films and look at all the dwarves in the background, and see if I can catch any shenanigans.  He reported that a favorite prank of theirs was to hide props from their fellow actors, and see how they reacted, and some of that might have made it onto the movie.  Haha.

Sometime during that afternoon I broke down and purchased an Ultrasaber!  I'd been scoping them out all day, and it was a lot of fun to pick out my hilt and blade color.  Check it out!

I put in my order, then came back later that evening to pick up my completed lightsaber.  I then headed off to catch a panel featuring the Weasley twins from Harry Potter.  This was a lot of fun to sit and listen to them play off each other because James and Oliver are twin brothers in real life.  It was entertaining because Oliver (George) was the more dominant speaker, and James seemed more comfortable allowing his brother to answer most of the questions.  They also did a charming bit where they answered questions in unison.  Seriously, the twins saying things in unison were some of my favorite lines from the movies.

My first surprise was that they actually weren't gingers!  They are brunettes, and required regular color jobs to keep up the Weasley look during filming.  One funny story they told involved an intern accidentally bleaching Oliver's eyebrows white, and having to get them drawn on for the next couple weeks till they grew back!  Also, there is this internet rumor circulating that James and Oliver would switch roles on set.  They did admit to switching one time during rehearsal, but they said they never did that for actual filming.  Also, there was a running joke through the panel about Fred dying.  It was a bit sad, but at least they could joke about it!  I think my favorite story they told was their most awkward fan encounter.  They said they were somewhere in France, and were recognized on the street by some fans who started to run towards them.  Anyway, they decided they ought to run away, and the fans gave chase.  Oliver said after running so long they suddenly had the thought, "why are we running?" so they stopped.  The fans stopped, then got a little nervous, then they started to run away!  Haha.

They are really tall!

After seeing them in panel I actually got a photo with them both.  I don't really remember saying much to them, but they were friendly enough.  Honestly, it has got to be so weird as a celebrity to have all these strangers wanting a picture with them...  Whatever, we love it!

Another man in some awesome armor!  Seriously, Iron Man is my favorite Avenger.

 I was pretty much done for the day after seeing the Weasleys.  I took a few more pictures with awesome cosplayers, and attempted to slay a Dalek!  I then excitedly picked up my new Jedi weapon!

Batman is my favorite DC character.  Check out my saber!  Imagine how awesome Link would have been with a Lightsaber... and could jump.

I was walking along, and I randomly ran into a guy I knew from Omaha whom I probably haven't seen (or really talked to) in at least three years.  How fun!  All-in-all, a very successful first day of ComicCon!