Wizard World

This Saturday I reached a personal plateau in geek-ness. I attended my first Wizard World convention. The convention run by Wizard Magazine, a mag entirely devoted to previewing, reviewing, and pricing comics, action figures, and comic related collectibles. My personal interest in the convention is tied to the "Magic: The Gathering" TCG, but I won't bore you with the details of the game. I'll just let you explore that one on your own.

I went with Jeremy, a very dear friend of mine who used to be my roommate back in grad-school, Roger, one of my current students and avid Star Wars and comic book fan, and met up with Paul, one of my former students who is now almost done with college.

We spent the day looking at comics, toys and costumes and eating at Reading Terminal Market (a must on any trip to Old City).

I got some Star Wars toys for the kids, a Wonder Woman limited edition collectible figurine (not a doll) for Jess and a couple t-shirts for myself.

One of the best things about the day, though, was the annual costume contest. Always prepared ever vigilant, I of course left my camera at home. But fear not! Thanks to modern day technology I was, with the help of my cell phone, able to take some really bad pictures to share with all of you. So without further ado, my cell phone photo essay.

Security was really tight that day. This poor kid tried to take an extra post card when the Halo guy just ran in and nabbed him.

I don't know about the rubber rain boot Cyclops back there, but that Sean Connery/Dr. Jones guy has it going on!

Okay, this isn't a costume, but it's a major geek related item. A flail with 2d20 on the end instead of spiked heads! Wow, I'll bet those lvl.4 Dark Elves won't know what hit them!

Oh Kong...those eyes...those lips...kiss me you fool!

Found him!

Wow buddy. I don't know what your secret is, but you want to let us in on it?

Who ya gonna call? This guy!

Yes, it's really him, Lou Ferrigno. And for just $30 you can get a Polaroid of him. Or, if you stand a little to the right you can use your cell phone and get one for free. I hope I didn't get him angry.

I'm not even sure this character even had a name but that didn't stop this lady from making it a costume.

If you want to leave you gotta get past this guy first...

...then this guy.

I really wish I had brought my camera. Then I could have shown you even more of these costumes. I could have shown you a bald, 275 lb Robin in a speedo, the Flash in his pajamas, Iron Man reduced to "Cardboard and Tempera Paint Man", the Stay-Puft Storm Trooper, a 5'2" Batman, a half dozen Jokers, two dozen Storm Troopers, and, of course, the obligatory Princess Leia in the slave costume. I'll just have to leave it to your imagination.

But it really was a lot of fun to go and enjoy yourself and not worry about what people around you are thinking, because clearly they're not thinking anything.

The best part is, Jeremy and I plan to go as the Hulk and Captain America next year. Just gotta find myself some red speedos and bright blue spandex first...

P.S. Check out the new polls in honor of this geek-centric weekend.