Detroit Fanfare Comic Con 2013
Hey there Towelites! This past weekend (October 16th to be exact) I was able to attend my first, but certainly not last, Detroit Fanfare Comic Con! Not only was I able to attend, but I was able to take my 5 year old to his first ever convention. Let me tell you, it was the perfect introduction for him. This convention is intimate, but huge in what it has to offer the fans in Detroit.
I honestly had never heard of it until about a week before the convention when a friend texted asking if we were going. I quickly looked it up online and said, “Of course we are!” After seeing everything it had to offer there was no possible way we were going to miss it. From local artists, merchandise, the 501st Legion, celebrities and events, this convention has everything you could ever hope for and more. It originally started in 1965 as the Detroit Triple Fan Fair (or DTFF) but eventually stopped in the late 1970’s. It was brought back in 2010 and seems to be growing every year.
The set up was exceptional. It was easy to get from one end to the other seeing as they had rented out a hotel and used conference and banquet rooms to house all the different rooms. One was for local artists, one was for merchandise, one was merchandise and celebrities. I never felt claustrophobic or overwhelmed at any time, we were able to just walk around and enjoy ourselves, unlike at the bigger conventions where you just feel trapped and at a complete loss as to what to do and where to go next. We would go through one room, look at pretty much everything they had to offer and then move on to the next. Of course, having my husband and 5 year old there, a lot of time was spent looking at toys, but isn’t that what conventions are for really?
They also had a plethora of events. From a live production of Little Shop of Horrors, a Midnight showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show, Trick or Treating for the kids to Sci-Fi Speed Dating for all the single fans out there looking to find someone with the same interests. There was a costume contest and raffles, panels and a million other things for everyone to enjoy.
Walking up to the building the first thing we saw were cars, Ecto 1, Kit from Night Rider, The Monkees car and the A-Team Van! Once I saw those I knew I was in for a great time. I was able to meet and get my picture with Brian O’Halloran from Clerks! He was extremely nice and seemed so happy to be there. We did have to give him a little bit of grief because he was wearing a Rangers jersey in Detroit, but it was all in good fun. I briefly met Dan Fogler, and though I couldn’t buy his graphic novel (which looks awesome by the way) he did sign a Fan Boys card for me. I spoke with Esme Bianco from Game of Thrones for a few minutes, she was beautiful and ridiculously sweet, I wasn’t able to get a picture though. Derek Mears was there, but I couldn’t even get up to his booth, he was surrounded by people at all times.
But what I would say was the most exciting thing for me was my 10 minute conversation with John DiMaggio! I walked up to say hi because there was no one there, not a single person (which I found unbelievable) and after talking for a while about him being on Doug Loves Movies (fun podcast for those who haven’t heard it, check it out!) and a bunch of other random things, right smack dab in the middle of the conversation he actually talked in Bender’s voice! I couldn’t contain myself, I actually giggled like a little fan girl, but honestly, who wouldn’t have? Unfortunately at that moment my camera was with my husband and I was not able to get a picture with him. By the time I caught back up with him it had seemed like too much time had passed and then I got nervous, so hence, no pics with him either. I know, I’m lame. I completely regret not asking him for one.
There were a lot of awesome local and national artists there too. One local artist, Jersey Droid, was doing custom sketches for kids. Mine wanted a clone trooper, and stood there talking Star Wars with this awesome guy for a good 5 minutes while he sketched him an original clone trooper.
We also had a chance to talk to some of the guys from Scare Bears. They are awesome gory stuffed animals and I need one! I did enter a raffle, but didn’t get picked. Booo!
I have to say, Detroit Fanfare Comic Con was an absolute blast and I will be returning next year for sure! I would like to personally thank Larry Poupard for approving our passes and helping to make this such a memorable weekend for me and my family. Thank you Larry!
~The CheriMonster
Awesome! Glad you had a great time!