Last year’s Philly Comic Con was so awesome and star-studded, I didn’t know where to look. In fact, with so many hot up and coming stars attending – Chris Hemsworth, The Vampire Diaries’ Paul Wesley, Stan Lee, The Five Captains, Torchwood, etc. I couldn’t cover them all. I considered expanding my Philly Comic Con coverage from Saturday-Sunday to Friday-Sunday. Because of last year’s astounding number of talent, I briefly wondered if Wizard World made any money and looked forward to seeing them top themselves this year. What are my final thoughts? Well … read on!

2011’s theme surrounded old school nostalgia with Burt Ward\Adam West and Billy Dee Williams. 2012 focused on hot, Hollywood glamour with the aforementioned talent. 2013 spotlighted local talent by featuring Philadelphia geek groups and nationally recognized cosplayers. Favoring restraint, it didn’t outdo last year. However, in terms of scheduling, the balance worked. Although I missed seeing multiple celebrities in the autograph booths and casually walking through the arena, this time I managed to catch all the celebrity AND comic panels that interested me AND had time to tour the celebrity booths that intrigued me. This year almost all the celebrities appeared occupied when I walked past. Even if you’re not press,  $85-95 price tag for 4 days to see, hear and question your favorite celeb, isn’t bad.

For my outline of the good (page 1), the bad (page 2) and the cosplay (page 3), read on. Let me know if you agree.

The Good

The Lines: 2013 featured even MORE patrons. But, rather than force them to stand in the heat, this year’s lines snaked through the air conditioned building. It reduced the feeling of waiting, added more crowd control and kept the lines moving. Also, it saved people from fainting from heat exhaustion. While I missed the impressive lines surrounding the block, people never felt bunched in.

Jason David Frank: I learned a new respect for the Green Power Ranger. As someone in college the time the Power Rangers aired, I looked down upon anyone vaguely affiliated with the show. But, Jason’s enthusiasm as a cosplay judge and panelist, changed my mind. Seriously, he was so giving in the cosplay and self-defense panels, I would love to see him return again. He even told people on his autograph line that after 5pm there was no charge to talk to him. Nobody moved. That’s how much people loved him.

The Moderators: Mark Lee and Jarrett “the Defuser” Crippen both rocked. Mark Lee, as a new moderator, stood out. Although he looks like an accountant when he steps to the mike, his wry humor reminded me of Jarrett’s amazing charm. I appreciated his ability to interact with large crowds, while keeping them entertained and surprisingly enthralled. As always, “the Defuser” captivated. I loved watching him direct traffic in the early Saturday morning influx. I keep forgetting he’s a cop. He’s done this for so long, but he continues to give energy. Even when telling old stories they still sound brand new and he smartly acknowledges their re-telling. When you’re in panels with moderators that lack Jarrett and Mark’s confident, self-deferential charm, it shows. Jarrett and Mark didn’t wait until :01 seconds before a panel’s start time to engage the crowd and they aren’t shrinking violets so the crowd didn’t ignore them until the star arrived. I saw two larger panels with slightly less talented moderators and you can tell the difference. So keep these two jewels in the Wizard World crown.

The Cosplay: I loved the organization for this year’s cosplay. It was truly excellent. The runway prior to the stage show and the multiple categories rocked.

John Barrowman, John Barrowman, John Barrowman: Seriously, he’s the new Bruce Campbell. Keep it up, John. Keep it up.

More Geek Culture: Including local groups, Marvel/Zenescope portfolio reviews, a webcomic bootcamp, a Philly geek culture review, cosplay lessons, as well as a strong female artists/writers panel made the con feel more regional. I visited almost all of the panels that interested me.

The Main Floor’s Lounge Area – A nice comfy addition

A Direct, 4 Page Program - Hey, it saves paper. In that respect, while I loved wearing a ‘Press’ placard, a wristband is cheaper and just as effective.

(This post contains 3 pages. Please visit the website to continue reading. Thank you.)

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Attention all units: the lights are flashing, the bikes are roaring and after 15 years, there’a a lot more freeway to patrol! But there’s not so much interstate that California Highway Patrolmen Ponch and Jon can’t cover it when they again go wherever the rubber meets the road in CHiPs ’99. Larry Wilcox returns as straight-arrow officer Jon Baker and Erik Estrada reprises his role as free-spirited Frank “Ponch” Poncherello in this 15-year reunion that adds a ‘90s sensibility to the can’t-miss elements that made the 1977-83 CHiPs TV series a fan-pleasing success: cool motorcycles, freewheeling fun and widespread disregard for the California traffic code. This time, that disregard turns dangerous. Ponch and Jon confront an automobile hijacking ring that may be the ultimate in road rage!

And fans of this TV movie reunion are in luck because CliqueClack has one copy of the DVD, now available for the first time from the Warner Archive Collection, for a lucky reader. How do you enter? Simple: all you need to do is leave a comment below telling us why you need to have this DVD (and please keep this fair — one comment per email address). The contest runs from 9:00 AM, Saturday, November 3rd through 11:59 PM, Friday, November 9th. One winner will be selected at random, and we’ll contact the winner for shipping information*. So what are you waiting for? Get those motors revving and tell us why you want CHiPs ’99 for your DVD collection.

*Please note: This title will only ship to a US address.

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I had an absolutely great time covering New York Comic Con this weekend, although my fellow Clacker Jeremy couldn’t make it, I’m hoping other Clackers can attend next year. I had an awesome time covering the press rooms. I am officially in love with Kevin Bacon of Kevin Williamson’s new FOX show The Folllowing, coming out in January. And James Purefoy, who plays the villain, scares the hell out of me (in the show and reality). Both Doc Hammer and Jackson Publick kicked my ass for talking about Venture Brothers in the past tense (it returns in October). Voltron Force writer/producer Jeremy Corray is a charmer. I went in hating the show and left a total fan. I had a surprisingly small and cozy geekcenteric roundtable with Robot Chicken’s Seth Green. I wound up 5 minutes late to my Haven press room because my Person of Interest table ran over talking to Amy Acker. Even cooler, I passed the redoubtable Carrie Fisher smoking a blue cigarette while walking a tiny black dog. So, basically, good times.

This year’s New York Comic Con was EVEN larger than last year. I literally avoided using the restroom (or drinking) all day Saturday because I COULDN’T find a restroom without twenty people in line before me. Don’t worry, I paid for it later. The Manga/Anime software people at Micro Smith kept pushing water bottles on me, so, clearly, I looked tore up from the floor up. NYCC this year felt disorganized in places compared to last year and could’ve used more volunteers for the larger panels. But, I still went away with a warm fuzzy feeling despite the daily commute. I know I am slow when it comes to transcribing interviews (Shut up, Michael); however, I hope to post my interviews once a day (or every other day). So keep checking here or the main site for the ensuing weeks. But, for cosplay pictures (which I know you want), keep reading!

The Costumes
You can always tell what’s hot in pop culture based on the costumes each year. This year, there were a ton of Banes, a ton of invisible men, the usual anime girls/Neko cat boys, a ton of Dr. Whos, and the usual Deadpool families. However, I noticed more Teen Titan Raven costumes this year and even more kid costumes. I passed an adorable little girl who looked like Scooby Doo’s Velma dressed like Supergirl and another woman who dressed like nerdy Velma meets va-va-voom Daphne. This year, I cared less about the awesome costumes and more about the creativity. I loved the steam punk female Robin and the Captain America prom Queen. Kudos to the man dressed as the Fourth Doctor, who offered me a Jelly Baby, and anyone dressed as X. Of course, I couldn’t stop smiling at the men and women limping around at 5:00pm after an entire day wearing heels or too tight boots.

For the people whose photos I clicked, my gallery includes a Batman (and his reluctant niece), who felt cheated out of SDCC photos; a gamer incredibly proud of his mohawk; a Spiderman by the way of Brooklyn; a Red Robin (with naked children); and the Justice League’s Samurai. I thought I’d see more Green Arrows, but whenever I caught any archers, I snapped their photos. Other photo subjects included a Michelle Pfeiffer catwoman; the Dr. Who Angel from “Blink;” two adorable Where’s Waldos; an Abe Lincoln Vampire Hunter; two of my favorite Dr. Whos – Four and Ten; the X-Ladies; Princess Tiana; A Wonder Woman mother to a tiny ninja (but all mothers are Wonder Women); Starburns; a little kid all too anxious to show of his Iron Man and more!

Go to page two if you’re interested!

The People
Grizz of 30 Rock (check out my interview!) stated that he loved New York Comic Con’s openness which I experienced whenever I sat down. I met a Danish woman who LOVED Terry Pratchett and detailed her love for 15 minutes. Another man walked to my Food Court table, put a comic down, and then walked away. I noticed more families this year where the elderly, normally dressed parents cared more about events than their kids. Everything’s bigger in New York Comic Con. I didn’t think Bruce Campbell could be any more egregious or deliberately obnoxious (which I say lovingly); but, I caught a bit of his NYCC panel which changed my mind entirely. And, yes, everyone treated the NYCC hallways like their homes. I caught two babies tossing their complicated costumes off in a hallway while a woman tossed her shirt in another.

I noticed most of the women thanked me when I asked if I could post their photos while most of the guys said “of course! That’s why I come!” So, guys, don’t just shoot and run the lady cosplayers. Ask their permission first (and apply that to life, as well)!

For picture gallery, click to the next page!

Check out the latest NYCC posts, here!

(This post contains 2 pages. Please visit the website to continue reading. Thank you.)