Last month, TGM was thrilled to announce its official coverage of Fan Expo Chicago. With this news, we outlined our approach to covering our first convention – providing a slice-of-life perspective from a fan’s point of view!

In this inaugural issue, you’ll discover how to navigate the Con successfully and, most importantly, how to avoid living with regrets. Believe me – what you’re about to read might leave you fuming.

A TALE OF REGRET

Imagine encountering the Godfather of comic books himself, Stan Lee, on a trip to the restroom at your local comic con, only to let the moment pass by. Now, picture this happening not just once, but TWO more times as you traverse the same Con, ignoring him because, at that point in your life, you had distanced yourself from comic books, deeming them beneath you because you thought you were better than them.

Fast forward a few years, and the man responsible for the characters you adore, the flesh and blood friendships and familia bonds that would never fade, and the memories from childhood you thought you lost but never did because what he gave you is more than pen and ink and page but, instead, it is one of the foundations that helped you become a good man, a good friend, a creative  individual, a unique person just like his characters, has passed away.

And regret consumes you like a tsunami. And nothing can ever elevate it because you crowned your ego-drama King.

Ain’t that something? Running into the guy that single handily gave life to the characters we love, wear, read, and emulate in a million different ways? How foolish was I? The answer is painfully obvious. That’s precisely why I’ve penned this article – to ensure I share my experience so that you, dear reader, do not fall into the evil hands of monstrous regret.

Now – let’s dive in.

EARLY BIRD GETS DA’ WORM!

Let’s kick things off with an obvious first recommendation: Snag your tickets ahead of time, if not well in advance. Usually, you will get a few bucks off if you do this. It’s worth it in the long run because those extra schekels can be funneled directly in your merch budget. Also, it’s a great idea to scour the internet for coupons. And don’t forget the actual Fan Expo website. They presently are running a kids FREE coupon! So, bottom line is that you should always get your tickets early. This will elimate any stress and, ( gasp ), any potential sold-out scenerios!

CREATE A CON DAY PLAN

The key to many successful sucesses lies in detailed planning. I mean just look at any great plan and you’ll know exactly what I mean. From blowing up Cyberdyne Systems to taking the infinity gauntlet from Thanos all these had detailed planning efforts. So, if you want to glide through the event like Norman Osborn you must plan, plan, and plan. Also, you will be able to make sure you don’t, you guest it, live with regret by forgetting about or simply not knowing about a certain panel, event or guest.

As you ponder the day or days you want to go ask yourself what you want to see, do and experience. For me, it’s all about the comics. Don’t get me wrong I do love a good movie or TV show guest but comics is my jam. This means I’ll be planning my weekend around all things comic book related.

So figure out what your interest is and check the guest list and main events page so that you see the full schedule. I was a fool to never to hit a Stan Lee panel. I’ll make sure NOT to miss Frank Miller’s panel. How? By putting together my Con Day Plan, of course!

Fan Expo brilliance shines with it’s totally user-friendly website and app. They literally have a page called PLAN YOUR VISIT. The site/app covers everything from accomodations and sschedules to detailed floor plan schematics. It’s like they WANT you to have a great time! As a consumer who values transparency, this type of exposure will only maximize my weekend.

FINALLY, RELAX

As you prepare to take my suggestions to heart, I want you to remember that each convention day will be a beautifully unique journey, colored by your interests, penciled by your passions, and inked by the excitement of the convention. Hold onto every moment, make friends and acquaintances, allow yourself to be swept up in the pure, vivid escapism that is fandom. Who knows what experiences you might have! The possibilities are limitless. But please, for the love of all things good, plan your days so that you don’t end up, I don’t know, run into one of your idols and do nothing about it.