Expect The Unexpected: 3 Things You Didn't Know Were At Comic Con

If you’ve never been to a comic-con, it’s likely that you would picture the event being filled with comic books and cosplayers as far as the eye can see.

Well, you’re not wrong.

Despite this, there’s actually much more to comic-con than a lot of people realize. There’s art, shopping, and the chance to meet your favorite celebrities. But even that is becoming common knowledge and we’ve talked about it a bunch here. Yet, there are still some aspects of comic-con that you might not know about.

Every comic-con is different but that’s a good thing because it means you’re constantly getting new experiences. When I went to my first comic-con, ACE Comic Con in Arizona, I really just assumed I would be meeting Tom Hiddleston and maybe buying a few Funko! Pops. Beyond that, I just assumed the convention would involve a lot of comic books.

What I actually was met with astounded me!

There were so many parts of comic-con that I didn’t know about. In today’s post, I’m going to touch on three elements of comic-con that I never knew existed and maybe you didn’t either.

1. Tattoos

Did you know that at many comic-cons you can actually get tattooed? I sure didn’t. When I was walking through ACE Comic Con Arizona, I literally paused in shock from what I saw. There had to be at least five tattoo artists set up in little booths giving people tattoos.

You might be hesitant about getting tattooed at a comic-con but it’s probably one of the best places to get some sick art work done on your body. Each tattoo artist goes through a big background check, having their art and history with health practices and clients examined. If the artist is approved, then they can set up shop at comic-con.

Most comic-cons will have you reserve a spot ahead of time and send in your artwork to the artist. This way they have plenty of time to prepare for your work, judge how long your slot will be, and make sure you get the best tattoo possible. However, if the booth is available and you want something small, the tattoo artist might be able to squeeze you in, but that all depends on the comic-con and the artists' policies.

Not all art will be approved because some pieces will simply take too long to make. A lot of people want to get tattooed so pick out a piece that is reasonably done. Prices will vary based on the size of your tattoo but when you’re surrounded by what you’re most passionate about, it’s hard to turn down getting inked up.

2. Gaming

Gaming appearing at comic-cons is something fun and exciting for everyone at the convention. It’s a nice break in your day to sit down, relax, and play with your friends or even total strangers. I knew games were part of comic-con but I never realized how huge of a role they played.

Popular comic-cons often have two gaming sections: video games and board games. The video game section of the comic-con can consist of testing out new games from Nintendo, which appears more frequently at comic-cons like New York Comic Con (NYCC), or just consoles set up for your enjoyment. You can easily whittle down the wait times between meeting your favorite celebrities or hitting up your next panel by testing out some games. This is a great way to interact with people and take a seat – trust me, comic-con needs more of those.

But honestly, having board games at comic-cons shocked me a bit more than the video games. One of my favorite memories from ACE Comic Con Chicago was sitting with my boyfriend Joe and my friend Sofia. It was a quieter space in the main hall and there were a bunch of tables and chairs set up with board games. It was a relaxing time to sit, talk, and think about what else we wanted to do for the day. Around that area, I saw a bunch of strangers coming together to verse each other at Battle Ship and Sorry. It’s a small way to bring people together and that’s why I enjoy the gaming portion of comic-cons so much.

3. Escape Rooms

Escape rooms seem to be this new craze that everyone is getting into – and then trying to get out of (haha!). They’re simple enough to make. All you need is a small room made of curtains or fake walls, some clues and shifty props, and a door to get out. That’s why a lot of comic-cons are beginning to design small escape rooms for guests to enjoy.

These rooms have a timer of only 15 minutes on average, allowing many guests to be able to utilize them during the event. The rooms tend to be themed around comics or popular movies. For example, I’ve seen Avengers, Star Wars, and Mario themed escape rooms that people have created or tested out at their local comic-cons.

Depending on the convention, these rooms can be free or paid for with a small fee. Honestly, no matter what it costs, it’s a really fun way to challenge you and your friends to figure out a tricky situation. Whether Thanos is coming for you because you stole the infinity stones or you need to get out of the room before zombies invade, escape rooms are a great way to pass some time and make your comic-con experience unforgettable.

Not every comic-con will offer these experiences. Be sure to check with your comic-con and see what they have available! Information should be on their website or social media accounts. I highly recommend looking into these options because they will really enhance your day and give you some great memories to look back on with your crew.