Fab 5! My Top 5 Personal Favorite Comic-Con Memories

When I started this blog, I wanted to educate people. I wanted to share with them my experiences in order to help spread information about what comic-con is like, how to approach going, and what experiences would work best for you. But as I look back on what I’ve written, I realize two things: I talk about Tom Hiddleston a lot (sorry, folks) and I’ve never truly shared with you my personal experiences.

I’ve only been to three comic-cons, and while some may consider me still fresh into the world of comic-con, I’ve learned a lot of things. I’ve been able to form amazing memories and immerse myself in this unique and quirky culture. I find that my paychecks aren’t going towards clothes and make-up, but towards my next photo op or autograph. It’s funny how things change like that.

So to commemorate the growth I’ve had from “what even is a comic-con?” to “when’s my next comic-con?”, I want to talk about my top five favorite personal memories from comic-con. I made another blog post a while back where I discussed my top five favorite moments in comic-con history, but this post is meant to talk about my personal experiences, ones that I’ve actually participated in first-hand. Time to take a sweet walk down memory lane!

5. A chat with Lady Loki

The first ever comic-con I attended was ACE Comic Con in Glendale, Arizona. My boyfriend, Joe, who is my ultimate convention companion, and I were standing outside of the convention center. We were waiting in line to get in about 20 minutes before the venue opened. In front of me was a woman, maybe in her mid-20’s, cosplaying as Lady Loki. She had on this beautiful emerald gown complete with deep green and black make-up, a large golden horned helmet, and Loki’s classic scepter.

I tapped her on the shoulder and complimented her on her cosplay. She told me that she had been perfecting this cosplay for over three years and that it takes her about four suitcases to transport the entire ensemble. She began talking to me about how she makes her cosplays, where she gets her materials from, and how much she loves doing what she does (despite it costing her a lot of money).

As I talked to Lady Loki, I realized that this was what comic-con was about. I wasn’t even inside the convention yet and I was already learning so much. Comic-con gave this girl a form of self-expression and positivity that can only be found within those walls. This culture was her home and for that reason, I immediately understood that there was truly no place like comic-con.

4. Deadpool loves photography

This memory of mine comes from ACE Comic Con in Chicago. Joe and I were strolling around comic-con waiting for our photo ops to start. Suddenly, we see a crowd start forming. Hint to everyone out there, if you see a crowd at comic-con, go towards it. Chances are, it’s something good.

We walk over towards the crowd and a Deadpool cosplayer is taking photographs with a bunch of guests. This seems pretty normal except for the fact that the cosplayer acted and sounded exactly like Ryan Reynolds. This man was on fire! He was telling amazing jokes, posing without any shame, and was bringing out life and laughter from everyone.

The reason why I love this memory so much is simply because it’s funny. This guy had Joe and I in tears from how funny he was. Was it really Ryan Reynolds under there? Nope, it’s unlikely. But if Ryan Reynolds ever needed a break from Deadpool, he should definitely give this guy a call.

3. Thank you, Brie Larson

A few days before ACE Comic Con in Chicago, I was sitting in my room. It was about 1 a.m. and I was staring at my laptop. Growtix was pulled up on my screen and I watched as photo ops for Brie Larson were slowly selling out. I didn’t have a ticket for her at the time and I was debating on getting one. 5 tickets left…maybe I shouldn’t…4 tickets left…well, but I really like her…3 tickets left…when am I going to have this chance again?...2 tickets left…should I?...1 ticket left…okay, we’re doing it.

I bought the ticket and when the schedule rolled out for comic-con, she would be the last person I was meeting. Fast forward to the day of the photo op, it’s my turn but there’s a young kid in front of me still meeting Brie. The kid is dressed up as Captain Marvel and when their photo is done, Brie reminds the kid that they can do anything and be anyone they want. It was very touching.

My turn comes and I walk in, ask her to do the Captain Marvel pose, and after our photo, I thank her for being an inspiration to women. Brie stares at me and says with a smile, “I never intended to be an inspiration but thank you so much for believing in me to be one”. I know I’m an emotional person, but I walked out of that booth in tears because of that moment. To connect with another woman in that way and thank her for what she’s done for women everywhere is something so powerful that I know this memory and the emotions that came with it will stay with me forever.

2. Whoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor

This memory spans two comic-cons: ACE Comic Con in Glendale and Chicago. As I mentioned, ACE Comic Con in Glendale was mine and Joe’s first comic-con. Here, there was a booth where if you paid $1, you could try to lift Thor’s hammer. The only rule was you could only use one hand to lift it. There was a kid attempting to lift it and Joe assumed the hammer was meant for children. The kid finished and Joe went up, paid $1, and proceeded to fail at lifting it.

Turns out, that hammer weighed, like, 80 lb.

In Chicago, that same group was there with Thor’s hammer. Joe was determined to lift it this time. Apparently, another group of five guys were trying it too. For about ten minutes, Joe and these guys were tossing money at the booth owner to try and lift this hammer. As each one of them made their attempt, the rest of them were hyping each other up! Cheering, clapping, encouraging – it was pretty amazing. I sat back and watched as they figured out the physics of it and the best way to grip it. While I wasn’t the one with my hand on the hammer, I could definitely feel their frustration, making it quite the funny moment for me to witness.

1. Tom Hiddleston signs my Loki poem

This will always be the top moment that I come back to. Not only did I meet my favorite actor but all my hard work and passion was validated. I walked into the autograph booth, handed Tom Hiddleston a poem I wrote about Loki, and instead of simply signing it, he sat back and began reading the poem. I watched his eyes scan the page and his face contort with different emotions. When he was finished, he placed the poem down, looked me in the eyes and said, “this is one of the best things I have ever read”.

Was he just being nice? Maybe. But he signed it, told me to never stop writing, and that I should chase my passion because I had a gift. Then, he asked me if I had an extra copy of the poem so he could keep it. Thank goodness for being prepared (I had an extra six copies) and I was able to give him one.

There’s something so surreal about your favorite actor reading a work you created and being so moved by it that they ask for their own copy of it to bring home with them. This is a man I’ve looked up to for so long and he just told me that I had a gift and that I should continue writing. Sometimes when I’m feeling down or insecure about my writing skills, I just remember what Tom told me and it makes doing my work a bit easier, a bit more fun, and a bit more memorable.