I went to Los Angeles Comic Con this weekend at the Los Angeles Convention Center. It’s the show’s 15th year, and it ran Friday, October 30 through Sunday, November 1. I went Saturday and Sunday I’ll walk you through it the way I experienced it.
Saturday started at badge pickup, where a security guard took my pepper spray. I explained that I travel alone on the train and don’t drive, but it didn’t change anything. I’m not going to get into all of it here. As a Black woman, I don’t put my trust in security the way I’m told to, and in my experience they’ve done more harm than good. It didn’t ruin my day, but I wanted to be honest that it happened.
What Was Different This Year
If you’ve been before, the first thing you’ll notice is that the main stage moved. It’s now all the way to the right of the exhibit hall if you entered at the main entrance. Where it used to sit is a kids zone built around bricks and minifigs. Kids can play and build, and parents can buy sets on the spot for the kids. I like it. Kids get a place they are solely interested in and that’s actually theirs, and parents get to see all the new toys for their little ones rather than the overwhelming bigger exhibits.
The exhibit hall is laid out a little differently too. Booths are grouped into sections instead of scattered across the floor. I felt it most on the last day, when I wanted to go back and check something out a second time. I knew which section to head to, and it took a fraction of the time it would have in past years.
The concourse hall has a horror section, and it’s where Halloween weekend really showed up. Exhibitors had horror and spooky merchandise, both new and old. There was indoor trick-or-treating too, and booths were handing out candy to kids (and adults too).
Akiba Station is back in the West Hall for its second year. It’s an anime and Japanese pop culture experience modeled after Akihabara in Japan.
Saturday
Saturday as the bustiest day in my opinion was still easy to navigate and there was space to move around.
I stopped by Art Supply Warehouse and picked up the new multiliner pens. The nibs interchange, so I bought extra nibs too.
I also visited Be Quiet!, which makes custom computer cases, cooling, and fan supplies designed and optimized for silent performance.
Then there’s the one thing I look forward to: Cookie Monster ice cream from Swirl & Chill Ice Cream, which is also a small business. Cookie Monster is my favorite flavor, and good ice cream always leaves me feeling content.
The biggest conversation on the floor wasn’t about a panel. It was about the price of meeting Nicolas Cage. A 6×10 was about $299, and people were talking about what it costs just to get a moment with a guest.
Honestly, it was too high for a convention. But I also get it. You’re paying for a rare chance to meet someone like Nicolas Cage who doesn’t really do appearances to begin with.
Sunday
Sunday are always my walk-around day at conventions. I didn’t plan anything. I wandered the floor at my own pace and took a lot of cosplay photos.
However, two reunion panels took place on the Main Stage. At 11:00 AM, Stephen Kramer Glickman and Tanya Chisholm from Big Time Rush took the stage, aimed at Nickelodeon fans. The Futurama cast, John DiMaggio, Billy West, Phil LaMarr and Maurice LaMarche, also had a panel.
That was my weekend at L.A. Comic Con’s 15th year. I’ll be back for the next one, and I’ll update this post once the 2027 dates are announced. In the meantime, if you went, tell me what you saw and what I missed?
Leave a Reply