WE HAVE OUR WINNERS!

Stay tuned for audited results in the next few minutes! Thanks.

STAR WARS: EPISODE IV IN 60 SECONDS

If you’ve not already seen this, it’s definitely worth a look. One can only hope the upcoming Star Wars sequels will be half as entertaining.

PLANET COMICON 2013 PHOTO RECAP

While many of us pride ourselves on our memories, sometimes it’s nice to have something a little more concrete. This would seem like one of those times, especially given the sheer amount of spectacle at this year’s show.

Many thanks to the individuals and groups below who were kind enough to share their personal visions from Planet Comicon 2013. Be aware that many of the following links will take you directly into Facebook.

KATT HURST

Set 1

JULIE MARSCHALL

Set 1

JEREMY WEST

Set 1

CARLOS GOMEZ

Set 1

Set 2

PROJECT-NERD

Set 1

Set 2

Set 3

Set 4

NICK SPACEK

Set 1

J.D. DEMOTTE

Set 1

MEGAN ANDERSON

Set 1

BILLY BROWN

Set 1

SKIDMARK STEVE

Set 1

Set 2

CAPTAIN JACK’S COMICS – BJORN BROSDAHL

Set 1

MIKE ROBISON

Set 1

Set 2

Set 3

Set 4

OLEG LATYSHEV

Set 1

JADE KIMMEL

Set 1

HAMPTON’S CUSTOM-CRAFTED LIGHTSABERS

Set 1

BRANDI MILLER ART

Set 1

AMY GILCHRIST

Set 1

COREY DEE WILLIAMS

Set 1

CASEY GAUL

Set 1

DIANE GERADS

Set 1

PAVEL VOVK

Set 1

SAM GRINTER

Set 1

WIL WHEATON SCHEDULE

For those of you who are wanting to know exactly where Wil Wheaton can be found at any given time this weekend, here is the official schedule (subject to change).

SATURDAY
10 – 1 Signing
1 – 1:50 Panel – Hall E
3:10 – 3:40 Froggy’s Photos
3:40 – 6 Signing
6 – 7 Gaming

SUNDAY
10 – 2 Signing
2:55 – 3:25 Froggy’s Photos

PLANET COMICON 2013 SUPPLY CHECKLIST

The following list includes a few items you may want to bring to the show in order to improve your overall experience.

TICKETS/WRISTBANDS. Don’t be the guy who shows up for the event only to remember your admission is still sitting back home on the kitchen table.

BAG/BACKPACK. We recommend something with a zipper that allows easy access for you and you alone.

CASH. ‘Nuff said.

CAMERA AND/OR PHONE. Come Monday, you’ll want proof of your adventures.

PENS. If you’re in search of an autograph, you’re going to want the perfect pen for the job.

WATER BOTTLE. Stay hydrated.

COMFORTABLE SHOES. Even if you’re strolling the room at a leisurely pace, you’re going to be spending what most would consider an abnormal amount of time on your feet.

A FRIEND. Someone has to help carry all the stuff you plan on buying. (Friends can also make great placeholders in a particularly long autograph line.)

DONATION MATERIAL. Don’t forget that we’re collecting donations (coloring books, crayons, action figures) on behalf of Children’s Mercy Hospital. These can be dropped off at the costume contest registration booth located near Elite Comics.

CHANGE OF UNDERGARMENTS*. You’re not going to believe the size of this show. We guarantee it.

*Planet Comicon cannot be held responsible for lost or damaged merchandise. Including undergarments.

Have another suggestion? Post it below.

CANCELLATION NOTICE – JETT LUCAS

Due to Jett Lucas’s production schedule on Chicago Fire, he will be unable to attend Planet Comicon this weekend.  He is sorry to have to cancel at the last minute and hopes to attend Planet Comicon next year.

CONVENTIONAL WISDOM

It doesn’t matter if this is your first Planet Comicon or your thirteenth, there are always things you can do to improve your experience.

Here are few tips, in no particular order:

BRING CASH. You will find things you want to purchase at the event, things you didn’t even know existed. Very few dealers will take personal checks or credit cards. Everyone accepts cash. This is your once-a-year chance to find that one item that will complete your collection. Don’t blow it.

BRING YOUR CAMERA AND/OR PHONE. You will see things at Planet Comicon you’ll most likely never see again, things your co-workers will not believe without photographic proof. When taking photos, please remember to be respectful and always ask permission first.

BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY. Planet Comicon prides itself on being a welcoming environment for kids of all ages. Children under 10 receive free admission, and there are a number of activities for them, including but not limited to the costume contest, face painting, temporary tattoos, celebrity guests, and gaming.

BRING YOUR OWN PEN(S). If you want your autograph signed with a particular pen, bring it with you. Once the guest has signed your item and returned your pen, you have yet another keepsake. For free.

BE CONSIDERATE OF THE LINE. If you bring an artist’s entire catalog for signatures, be prepared to make multiple trips through the line.

DRESS UP. You’ve still got time to let out that old Star Trek uniform. Plus, this year there are not only cash prizes for the costume contest but CHAMPIONSHIP BELTS!

WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES. Though there will be places to sit, the majority of your time will be on your feet.

SILENCE YOUR PHONE. Panel discussions should be treated with the same respect as a movie. Or more, since it’s live.

USE YOUR MAP AND MAKE A PLAN. We’ll be providing a map of all guests as well as a schedule of events. Use them to your benefit.

HAGGLE. Planet Comicon is not a department store. Wheeling and dealing with the exhibitors is not only permitted, it’s encouraged.

MAKE A DAY OF IT. This shouldn’t be a problem, given the size of this year’s guest list and activities. On-site food vendors, gaming, the costume contest, and panel discussions will provide plenty to do.

MAKE NEW FRIENDS. These are your people.

TELL YOUR EXISTING FRIENDS. You know you always have fun at Planet Comicon. This year will be no exception. Why not share the experience?

Have your own contribution to conventional wisdom? Share it below, and if we like it, we’ll add it.

IT’S OFFICIAL!

As some of you may have noticed, all roads Planet Comicon now lead here!  The original PC website has been forwarded to our current location.  Many thanks to all the folks who have helped along the way in order to make our new site an unqualified success, including Darren Neely, who is not only responsible for our logo but the banner at the top of our page as well.  Whether you’re following us on Facebook, Twitter, or through e-mail alerts, we appreciate your enthusiasm and look forward to a great show in April.

For those of you who have had issues contacting showrunner Chris Jackson with questions or applications, please contact him at cdj1@mindspring.com until his @planetcomicon.com address can be fixed.  Thanks!

FOR THE COMPLETISTS

If you’re truly a fan of a particular artist or writer, you may well want to own their complete works.  To that end, we need to thank Kevin Shekleton, who has taken the time to put together a complete list of works for many of the guests attending Planet Comicon 2013.  You can find said list here at Con Harvester.

And be sure to follow Kevin on Twitter: @kpshek.  Thanks, Kevin.

STATUS REPORT

First of all, we’d like to thank all the people who’ve taken time out of their busy schedules to share their favorite Planet Comicon memories with us.  It’s been a great pleasure to read through the different experiences and to discover that so many of them involved bringing children to the show.  We consistently try our best to put on a family-friendly convention–with something for everyone’s tastes–, and judging by your comments we’ve been successful thus far.  2013 will be no exception.

In an effort to keep our readers in the loop, we’ve recently added a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) tab to the top of our page.  As questions arise, we’ll post the answers there, and you should feel free to point out things we may have missed.  Hotel and parking information has been added, so you can start making your plans now.

Exhibitor spaces will go on sale this week.  If you’ve set up at a previous show, you will be receiving an e-mail.  For newcomers, we will be posting the application information, much like we did for Artist Alley.

We are also hoping that ticket info will be posted by end of week.  We apologize for the delay, but a new venue also means all new logistics.

Finally, showrunner Chris Jackson and I visited the Kansas City Boat & Sportshow this week, in order to witness the facility in full-swing.  I have to tell you, you’re going to be impressed.  We’ve never done anything on this scale before–nearly twice as much space as in previous years–, and it is going to blow you away.

Stay tuned for further guest announcements as they confirm and keep sending us your favorite memories of Planet Comicons past!

ADDENDUM:  Congratulations to the guys from Bad Karma for not only meeting their Kickstarter goal, but annihilating it.  Looking forward to seeing the finished product.