Next week is the return of Emerald City Comic Con, located within the new(ish) Seattle Convention Center Summit building AND also expanding a bit back into the Arch building this year. That means a little bit of a walk with no covered bridge between the two (bummer), but they’re just a few blocks apart (0.4 miles). Let’s hope for some weather that’s at least in the 50s! It still might be a bit tricky depending on what you’re looking to attend, as the Main Stage is in Summit with exhibitors, artist’s alley, and some panels – with ticketing will call, celebrity autographs/photos, and some more panels & vendors over in the Arch. ECCC happens from Thursday, February 29 – Sunday, March 3. I’ll be there this year, as well as imaginary morgen backing me up to take some killer pics of all the cosplay (MY FAVORITE THING).
Here’s what I’m psyched about this year:
CELEBS FROM MOVIES & SHOWS
The 2024 guest lineup is a good mix of heavy-hitters and beloved icons. I’m still SO UPSET James Hong had to cancel, because a Big Trouble in Little China photo-op would have ruled so hard – but I get it. The guy’s gotta work.
The BIG BIGS are of course, Captain America himself … Chris Evans, The Lord of the Rings Trio: Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, and John Rhys-Davies (OF COURSE I like Gimli, but this mean will always be Sallah to me), the Twilight group: Peter Facinelli, Ashley Greene, Kellan Lutz and Jackson Rathbone, and The Addams Family Duo: Christopher Lloyd and Christina Ricci. And I know all y’all are Supernatural fans, so you’re not gonna want to miss Misha Collins, Jim Beaver, and Timothy Omundson. I also believe Jodie Whittaker, le 13th Doctor Who, commands some RESPECT. And let us not forget Star Wars ICON Billy Dee Williams! I have never met anyone who didn’t wholly love Lando Calrissian.
I am personally most excited about horror gurus Mike Flanagan and Kate Siegel (eeeeee!!!), Mae Whitman (I’m BI-FURIOUS), plus I’m a huge Deadwood fan so I might have to swing by Beaver’s table for an autograph. It’s honestly for the best that my star wish list is small this year … last year was a WALLET EMPTIER that resulted in 6+ hours of standing on the autograph floor. (BUT SO WORTH IT)
See the whole list of guests here.
Also check out these celeb panels on the Main stage (Level 5) & Summit (Level 3):
Friday, March 1- 12:30-1:30pm: What Have We Here? Spotlight on Billy Dee Williams
Saturday, March 2 – 10:45 AM – 11:15 AM: A Spotlight on Chris Evans
Saturday, March 2 – 11:45am-12:45pm: Walking to Mordor With The Cast of Lord of the Rings
Saturday, March 2 – 2pm-3pm: Across the Flanaverse with Mike Flanagan and Kate Siegel
Sunday, March 3 – 12:30pm-1:30pm: The Addams Family Reunion
Sunday, March 3- 2pm-3pm: The Cast of Twilight
LEMME SEE THEM COSPLAYS
I love the thrill of seeing a GREAT cosplay! Last year I spotted the most amazing SPACEBALLS couple, a killer Doc Oc, and the tallest, scariest Pumpkin thing I’ve ever seen + tons more I ooh’ed and awww’d at (check out the photos above). Cosplay spotting is one of my favorite activities. I also saw the MOST INCREDIBLE homemade Wall-E robot. I mean! The talent on display at con is always so goddamn impressive.
Once more, with feeling: COSPLAY IS NOT CONSENT. Please always, always ask people before you snap photos of them, and don’t touch them. I mean it. For real. DO NOT.
PICK UP SOME NEW THINGS TO READ – AND OTHER NERD STUFF
Last year the pain point for a lot of vendors – and shoppers – was the fact that the show floor was in the basement of Summit, and in a brand new building without clear, HUGE directional signs, it was too hidden for many people to discover. This year the vendors are more spread out; the majority are still on basement floor 0 of Summit, but also on level 2 – plus it looks like there are also some vendors located in the Arch building on the same level as the Celebs (4).
I usually pick out a few booths and recommend them – but man oh man. There is so much good stuff, I’m not sure where to point you this year, so I’ll just dump the exhibitor’s list here and let you sort it out according to what you like. 🙂
- CON SURVIVAL TIPS: THINGS TO BRING WITH YOU
- N95 MASKS. Yes, I’m still a mask wearer in large crowds. They do protect you from a variety of illnesses, especially the dreaded CON CRUD.
- Refillable water bottles are your friend; it needs to be empty when you enter, but the WSCC has fountains you can fill it up with.
- Snacks – there are food options, but lines are always, always, always very long. Wear comfy shoes. Trust me on this one.
- Have plenty of cash in case a vendor’s WiFi isn’t working.
Make sure you follow TIG and myself on both Twitter”: @3imaginarygirls & @ReAmimator (YES I AM STILL CALLING IT TWITTER) and Instagram: also @3imaginarygirls & @reamimator for cosplay pics and other shenanigans all weekend!