Chicago’s C2E2 just passed and it was another great year. Unlike many regional conventions, C2E2 creates a great atmosphere that fosters great cosplay, indie producers (toys, games, comics), and fun family adventures. You have most of the major comic book companies having a major presence. Many of the big gaming companies were there (including a huge showing from Cards Against Humanity). The panels and presentations are getting bigger and better each year. And there is always my favorite section, The Block, which features indie toy creators, screen print poster artists, Revolution Brewing, and more.
However, I know what we are all here for, so let’s dig down into that. Although we have the Solo movie coming out soon, C2E2 is not really heavily Star Wars-focused. But not every convention is San Diego Comic Con or Celebration, so let’s walk through some of the cool Star Wars-related sites from the weekend.
There were many many artists in artist alley known for their Star Wars work, including Dave Dorman, Katie Cook, and Karen Hallion. I picked up a few prints that I have no idea where I’ll put because my house only has so much wall space (I’m sure many of you feel my pain).
Then there was a vendor set up in The Block called the Thirteenth Floor. I wasn’t familiar with them previously, but they were selling these super awesome posters that couple Star Wars with WWI and WWII newspapers and propaghanda photos. I had never seen these before and I was blown away with how cool they looked in person. Check out some of the photos in the gallery below.
The convention also had a section of the building set up exclusively for Star Wars table top games. They had tables where you could jump into a game and tables where somebody from the manufacturer was there to teach you how to play. The games they had set up were Star Wars: Legion and Star Wars: X-Wing. I’ve never been a table top gamer before, but these looked so fun. If any of you are in Chicago and have standing games…let a fellow nerd know. I’d love to join in some time.
Another super cool thing that C2E2 does is they have a family section of the event. It is set slightly away from a lot of the hustle and bustle of the main floor so you can let your kids play a bit without worrying about them running amok with dealer tables, artists, and other con goers. The family section was where there was a really nice presence for Star Wars. The local 501st garrisons were there talking about the amazing work they do, taking photos, and setting up background displays for people to take photos. Of course there was the obligatory jedis and storm troopers, but it’s not that often you also get a tauntan and a wampa…
Also in the family section was my daughters favorite thing of the entire con: Chi-2 D-2 R2 builders group. This group of dedicated super fans build their own working star wars droids. Honestly, who doesn’t light up like a kid on christmas when a working R2 droid rolls past you (I’m looking at you, Vader!).
Check out the photos below (and yes, I had to throw in pics of my daughter. Although she wanted to dress up like Wonder Woman, she’s a big Star Wars fan like her daddy).
Finally, there were quite a few fans cosplaying in their best Star Wars getups. I go to a lot of conventions during the year and C2E2 had far and away the most Star Wars cosplayers I’ve seen in any of the annual conventions. Check out some of my favorites.
All in all, C2E2 is a wonderful weekend every year. It is run in the similar style to SDCC, NYCC, and Emerald City comic con, but it’s a slightly bit smaller than those cons, making it much more manageable and family friendly. If you plan to attend next year, drop me a line. I’m always down to meet fellow Yodasnews fans!
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