Know Your Convention: a Batman Fan’s Guide to Con Season!
By Skip Harvey
Hey there, Batman fans! In this new (hopefully) regular segment I will give you the rundown on comic conventions all around the country. Conventions and festivals have never been bigger than they are today, but they’re about more than just celebrating subculture or rubbing elbows with celebrities from Pop culture. They’re a place where those of us who were marginalized in our lives for simply having passion for the things that define us can be proud of who we are. If you’ve never been to a comic-con or you’re thinking about attending new ones, this guide will give you a peek as to where and what to expect throughout Con Season!
Since I am originally from the Kansas City area, I’m going to start with KC’s biggest convention!
Planet ComicCon – as it’s been known since 1999 – spent the last several years in the Overland Park International Trade Center. Due to its exploding popularity, Planet has moved back downtown to the Kansas City Convention Center-Bartle Hall. Notably, last year’s edition was featured in the SyFy Channel reality show Heroes of Cosplay. The event seems to be growing by leaps and bounds every year and this time around boasts some impressive attractions.
This year they’ve assembled the Star Trek: The Next Generation bridge crew, excluding only Patrick Stewart. Instead, William Shatner takes the helm of guest stars, which also includes Darryl McDaniels of RUN DMC, former Lois Lane, Margot Kidder and an impressive slew of comic writers and artists!
Batman fans will have plenty to celebrate with the announced attendance of current Bat-scribe Scott Snyder, former writer Greg Rucka and all-time great Bat-artist Neal Adams!
The skinny:
Kansas City Convention Center – Bartle Hall, 301 W. 13th St. Kansas City, MO. It will run from Friday, March 14th, Noon – 7:00 p.m. Saturday, March 15th, 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. to Sunday, March 16th, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
More info is available and tickets can be bought in advance from their website planetcomicon.wordpress.com.
Take care, Bat-fans! Don’t forget to support your local comic shops and conventions!