ECCC remains the best, largest "small con" in the area for a variety of reasons, and I think #2 is one of the big ones. It seems there's a wider range of women comfortable to indulge in their geekiness because the atmosphere is a lot more casual, good-natured, and less goony. Plus, you know, all of the gay nerds and whatnot.

Phil and Kaja are awesome people. I used to hang out and chat with them almost every weekend back in the mid 90s at some magic the gathering gaming shop on Broadway. All the Wizards of The Coast artists were there all the freakin time. Almost every single one of my Alpha/Beta/Antiquities/unlimited magic cards are signed by the artists.

I haven't played with or even looked at those cards in well over 10 years, but I do have a lot of fond memories of those times.

part of the reason I even go to conventions is to look at people in costumes. having less of them is not a selling point for me.

@3 I know you're kidding, but I hate when people bitch about autograph fees. Can you not imagine the chaos that would ensue if Shatner did NOT charge for autographs and pictures?! The poor man would be mobbed! And if you wanted to get a autograph you'd have to wait while some dick head shows up with 2 rolling suitcases full of shit for him to sign.

@4 That's part of the reason I enjoy going too and I was not disappointed this year.

Man, I'd just gotten over being stuck on the other side of the country when you go and post this. And ECCC next year is probably going to be the next con I get to go to, too (Boston is very comic-book-comics-focused instead of general nerdfest, & I'll be out of town for PAX East next weekend). Dang.

Agreed -- this was my first con & I felt that the vibe was really good. Wil Wheaton telling guy gamers not to be dicks and getting huge cheers, along with a lot of different types of people and even little kids, really made it feel much more everyone-friendly.

I *loved* Friday and don't think I would have enjoyed the con nearly as much if I hadn't gone yesterday. By the time I hit the hall today, it was packed and really difficult to get anywhere. I actually got a chance to talk to some of my favorite comic writers and cartoonists yesterday, whereas that wasn't in the cards today.

Good fun & lots of Bobas Fett.

For the record, those are Mandalorians.

I saw a unicorn!

When is the costume contest tonight, 7:30? It wouldn't surprise me if there were less costume people at 12:30pm simply because they're waiting until later to roam about. You don't want to break your costume or have people bored with it at 1pm.

I was shocked that Derrick Robertson was all alone, drawing a beautiful Spider Jeruselem - yet the lines for Fringe actors was huge. Priorities, people. (Robertson was both lovely and gracious when he signed my book.)

Dragoncon in Atlanta is one of my favorites because of the famously high costume density. Your ambivalence toward the subject is a little upsetting! No harm done, though.

Do Mandalorians use FettLife? *ba doom chssss*

This is the general lay out of the weekend for any good ECCC goer:

Friday-do your purchasing here. It's not that crowded so you can actually maneuvor the exhibit hall and actually talk with the artists without feeling rushed. They're also more laid back Friday

Saturday-get in on the special events that happen this day because there is the largest amount of people just kind of check the spectacle out and take good pictures. There are fun celebrity events but if you want to see any of them get reading to stand in lines for a loooong time.

Sunday-By far has the best panels (but they should also be scoped out on the other days), and last minute shopping is good on Sunday incase you needed more cash or realized you really needed to scare the shit out of yourself by buying the trade paperback of 'Crossed'

This weekend=a blast.

I think this is the best year of ECCC yet, since they opened up a huge room to accommodate the popular panels. It was relatively chill on Friday (I managed to snag seats pretty close up for Wil Wheaton and James Marsters), but packed on Saturday, even for the noontime panel with The Guild.

Phoenix Jones visited the Rainn Wilson and James Gunn panel promoting their movie about a dude who becomes a costumed hero. Like, he just burst in and strolled up to their table. They were so excited to meet him. He got in a dig about the John T. Williams shooting. "The police don't like it if you do their job and don't shoot innocent woodcarvers."

OH I AM SO JEALOUS of all you folks who got to go to ECCC! It's one of the very best shows in the area. I've been a guest in the past & hope to return next year. Go get your geek on..!

D'oh, that should have said best comic shows in the COUNTRY, not just the area. I've done easily over a hundred comic book conventions & signings over the past many years. ECCC is that rare gem: well-promoted, organized, great staff. If ya missed it this year, go next year, if you like comics at all. Great cross-section of talent.

As for lack of costumes, the Masquerade was bigger than ever, and that was without squeezing everyone in. I don't think the costume ratio changed significantly.