Comic Con Comes to Town
At Hudson Valley Comic Con 2018, not one person will do a double take when Superwoman and Jack Sparrow walk through the doors, hand in hand. On the 21st and 22nd of April, the third year of Hudson Valley’s Comic Con will commence at Gold’s Gym & Exhibition Center in Poughkeepsie. The two day event will bring in people from all over the state, cosplaying their favorite characters as they visit over 100 booths and enjoy performances, photo ops and more with some of the industry’s finest.
Much planning has been done for two days in April. Both participants and attendees alike have been counting down until the days. One of the many excited for the convention is C.L. Schneider, an award winning independent author who will be found at booth 112 on both days of Comic Con.
“I will have copies of both my epic fantasy trilogy and my urban fantasy series for sale; signed and personalized with matching bookmarks. All my books can be purchased separately, but the sets are specially priced for the event. Signed and wrapped in a nice ribbon, they make a great Mother’s Day gift,” said Schneider. Her enthusiasm for the convention was apparent, as she expressed how truly wonderful it is to meet and speak with fans, both old and new, along with fellow writers in the industry. For those interested in viewing her work, it can be found at www.CLSchneiderauthor.com.
Overall, the significance of Comic Con cannot be ignored. It has come a long way since its small beginnings, which weren’t too long ago.
The original Comic-Con started back in 1970 when a group of friends created the first ever convention in San Diego. The first event in San Diego drew in about 100 people, but has grown to attract over 130,000 in recent years. The convention was first focused mostly on comic books and the culture produced by the world of science fiction and fantasy. It now welcomes a wider range of entertainment interests, from video games and anime, to television and toys.
The San Diego Comic-Con convention has since become a model and inspiration for communities all over the world to create similar comic cons of their own. The structure for each convention is quite similar, as they offer panels, vendors, photo opportunities and invite a lineup of well known guests in the industry. It is also encouraged for attendees to come in costume, so long as they abide by a number of rules and safety measures.
The two days of comic con in Poughkeepsie are seemingly not much different. They days are packed to fit in a multitude of activities, including a costume contest and a number of panels. It is much more accessible to families who bring little ones around for the day as crowds are much less crazy and ticket prices are much less costly. Attendees get more time to speak with the headliners of the convention, from vendors to artists and special guests. The relaxed environment makes for an enjoyable time for a person of any age.
It also includes attractions and live shows, an example being Mark Pinkstein, who is renowned for his comedy magic show in which he intertwines pop culture references with magic and entertainment. Although he will be bringing in his classic, original show, “All Fandom,” Mark has something new to offer the Comic Con attendees.
“I am also bringing my new show: The Fantastic Magic of Potter. This show is inspired by the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts movies/books. The show is the first years orientation at the castle and the headmaster has brought speakers from the Past, Present and Future to talk to the students. But a rogue death eater from the past crashes the show and tries to change wizard history,” said Pinkstein. The performance definitely something to look forward to by the crowds of the convention.
The two days of Hudson Valley Comic Con approach and end quickly, but it’s the memories that will stick around.
