If you consider yourself a geek to any extent, you don’t want to miss Indiana Comic Con this year. Cons (short for conventions) are not just for comic book devotees anymore. The events cover a wide range of pop culture interests, including TV shows, movies, games, books and art. If you are a fan of something, Comic Con will offer you a place to unapologetically show your love for it. If you haven’t purchased your ticket yet, here are four reasons to consider going to Indiana Comic Con this year:
Notable celebrity guests
I do not consider myself a Trekkie. (My preferred space drama happens to be a bit more British.) I still have immense respect for Nichelle Nichols, who opened so many doors for Black women in Hollywood and beyond. Nichols’ “Star Trek” character, Lieutenant Uhura, was one of the first Black women on American television not portrayed as a servant. Her impact was so vast that when she considered leaving the show, Martin Luther King Jr. asked her to remain because of the inspiration she was to little brown girls across America. NASA astronaut Mae Jemison said Nichols’ role inspired her to pursue her dreams. The opportunity to meet a woman who taught so many women of color that they are smart, capable and beautiful is not to be missed. In addition, Khary Payton, who plays King Ezekiel in “The Walking Dead,” will be in attendance. Fans of Netflix’s hit show “Stranger Things” can look forward to meeting Millie Bobby Brown, who plays the haunting Eleven. “Deadpool” fans can meet Brianna Hildebrand, who played sassy superhero Negasonic Teenage Warhead in the film. Stars from “Daredevil,” “Batman Forever” and more will be in attendance, as well. A complete list of celebrity guests can be found at indianacomiccon.com.
Fun and games
At Comic Con, you will find talent shows, karaoke, an escape room, a game room, belly dancing workshops and an Easter egg hunt for children. When I previously attended Comic Com, I spent an outlandish amount of time playing card games with strangers. By the end of the day, I ended up in an intense Cards Against Humanity match. It is a great way to meet people with the same interests as you.
Cosplay
As a child, my favorite holiday was Halloween, because it gave me a chance to be creative and dress up as anything I wanted. As a slightly larger child, I am looking forward to seeing all of the imaginative ways everyday people pay tribute to their favorite characters, from cute kids dressed as their favorite superheroes to professionals who dedicate serious amounts of time and money to perfect their craft. Cosplayers of color often face discrimination inside and outside the world of costume play, so I think it is especially important to support them.
Vendors
Exhibitor Hall is an open market where artist, writers, designers, poets, local business owners and more share their work with the world. You can purchase products that can be hard to find elsewhere. Here, you can browse the work of local creators and take home a few trinkets.
Indiana Comic Con
Indianapolis Convention Center
100 S. Capitol Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46225
April 14-16
Three-day admission: $60
Single-day admission: $30
Admission is free for children 12 and under
For more information, visit indianacomiccon.com.
Need more blerdy fun? Check out these Black comic conventions:
Black Speculative Arts Movement
When: Multiple places
Where: Varies
More: blackspeculativeartsmovement.wordpress.com
When: June 30-July 2
Where: Washington, D.C.
More: blerdcon.com
Midwest Ethnic Convention for Comics and Arts (MEccaCon)
When: Sept. 16
Where: Detroit
More: meccacon.wordpress.com
