On June 30th, 2017 I attended my first ever Comic Con. Walking into the Colorado Convention Center, I had no idea what to expect. Sure, I'd heard about the San Diego Comic Con filled with actor panels, photo ops, book signings, and exciting news about the latest casting announcement for the next superhero blockbuster. I'd seen pictures of the intricate and lovingly-crafted costumes; Comic Con is the SuperBowl of cosplay, after all—a chance to see and be seen. But now I can say from experience that these events are so much more than what the stereotypes would lead you to believe. The seasoned Comic Con goer might find my ignorance laughable, but I'm writing this recap in an attempt to demystify the Comic Con scene for other enthusiastic late-comers/converts like myself.
kelly j. drumright, ph.d. 