But, Hey...We're Family

 This year's edition of FanX, the Salt Lake City Comic Con has ended. Thousands of people attended and possibly millions of dollars exchanged hands during the three-day event. If you've gone to this, or other comics conventions you know what you're going to get.

People having a great time.

One of those people is my niece...one of the most talented cosplayers I know.

Maddie has been cosplaying for more than a decade. She's diminutive, but don't let her size fool you...she has a marshal arts black belt and works in security. She also is dedicated to making excellent representations of some awesome characters.

I admire people who have the talent, and patience to pull off a good cosplay. When we met up yesterday, Maddie was Abigail, a show I have not seen. The photo doesn't give you the full story of her costume, unfortunately.

Doing FanX for more than a decade, I've seen many cosplayers, some terrific, some not as much, but every time I see someone who put effort into their character, who stepped outside their comfort zone and expressed themselves in a new way. I admire anyone who can do it.

This year's con is over. People are heading home, either by car, bus, train, scooter, bike, or on foot, all the while dressed as someone else, someone new. I'm already wondering what Maddie will be next time.

Should I Cosplay As One-Punch Man...Or Not?

Cosplay...it's all the rage. At least, it is with the thousands of people coming to the Salt Palace next weekend. It's amazing the creativity and ingenuity people come up with. I find the subject fascinating. In the past I've tried taking pictures of cosplayers at these conventions, and I have posted a few, but it's hard to keep up--you see something amazing and you turn around and there's twenty more just as amazing--or even more so--standing right behind them.

Maybe it's because some of the cosplay costumes are so incredible, I get intimidated. And even though I know you can do some great cosplay on the cheap, I think I'll need to spend a lot of money to get it right. Plus, what would I cosplay as?

How about "One-Punch Man?"

The first time I ever heard of One-Punch Man was while performing A Christmas Carol two years ago. A fellow cast member said I reminded her of him. Her kids watched the show. I checked it out, and expect for the carnage and rage contained in the character, I agree--there is a resemblance.

Of course, if I wanted to cosplay One-Punch Man, I'd want to do it right. I do have some similarities with the superhero. Neither of us appears to be able to grow any hair on our heads--including eyebrows. So, I'm halfway there. I would need a yellow jumpsuit, a black belts (with accompanying cool-looking belt buckle...), red calf-high boots, red gloves and a white cape. If I had all that, I might consider cosplaying as One-Punch Man.

Then, you've got to be the kind of person who likes to dress up and pretend to be someone else. I do this all the time on stage. Maybe it's because I have an entire cast surrounding me that I don't mind cosplaying there. I don't know. I've never been a "cosplay guy." And I don't have enough time to gather all the necessary items to make a cosplay I'd be proud of for the show next week.

Who knows...I might do it next time. Those who do seem to be having a blast. I guess we'll see.

Lenny Robinson...A Real Superhero

You may have never heard of Lenny Robinson before. I didn't know his name, but I had heard of what he used to do (you can learn more about him from his website: HERE).

Simply put, he was a hero, a real hero.

And, unfortunately, his story doesn't end with him beating the bad guy and getting the girl. I guess that's one difference between fiction and real life.

Lenny lived in Baltimore and since 2001 he dressed up as Batman and visited sick kids. He was a successful businessman and spent, according to a story from 2012, about $25,000 a year of his own money for others.

On Sunday, August 16 of this year Lenny was driving his Batmobile (a black Lamborghini) when it broke down. As he stood next to his car he was stuck and killed by another driver. He was 51-years old.

Next week tens of thousands of people will gather in Salt Lake City for the 3rd Annual Salt Lake Comic Con, and thousands of others will attend similar cons all over the world. Many of those people will dress up. They dress up for different reasons, for attention, to express themselves, and mostly--hopefully--to have fun. 

But there are some out there who dress up for a better reason, some who take what they've been given and make life a little better for those around them. I'll be at the Salt Lake's Comic Con and I'm sure I'll see many Batmen.

I wish Lenny was one of them.

Where Do You Feel Safe?

Tonight the the latest convention I attended came to a close and as I drove home a thought came to my mind. I thought about all the people that attend these events and why they go.

I'm pretty new to the whole "convention" thing. I attended my first one back in 2012 and I loved it--LTUE in Provo. Everyone seemed to have a good time. There were a few costumed attendees, but it's not really a cosplay convention, even though some choose to express themselves that way.

Fast forward a year and the big boys came to town. Comic Con fever hit Utah and I was fortunate to have attended all three, plus Salt City Steamfest twice and LTUE another time. This last event, the Utah Winter Faire had people from all over come to sell their wares and enjoy themselves.

So, as I drove home, I wondered why all the people who attend these things seem to have a blast. I know why I'm there--I'm there to get my name out, make contacts and find out how to be a better writer. But others who come, who pay the entry fees and for parking and for food, they come for different reasons.

But one thing I believe binds them all together is that they come to a place where they feel safe. They feel at home. They feel normal. And even though they know that people who do not enjoy dressing up in Victorian dresses or corsets or in armor or as any one of the many Dr. Whos still make fun of them. They do it either behind their backs or to their faces, but when attendees come and gather with others who do enjoy all those things, they feel safe, and they're willing to pay the price of tickets, travel, food, and costumes to feel that way.

I know some who look at the people who attend these conventions and think less of them. I hope I never do because when it's all said and done, they're the ones enjoying themselves and having a great time--something I like to do, too.

A Winter Faire with tales of lore

Assembled knights and ladies fare

We gather all in fields of grey

To cheer and dance and merry make

We sing a ballad for all to hear

Of thanks we give this winter day

For magic, charms and spells anon

To you who labored for us all