Geeks unite at XCon World Comic Convention in Myrtle Beach
Nerd isn’t much of an insult anymore – especially at XCon.
“Nerds have been ostracized for so long,”said Alexis Montclaire, who was dressed as the superhero Black Canary. “This is our safe space.”
More than 100 people – some in elaborate costumes – converged at XCon World Comic Convention in Myrtle Beach on Friday afternoon to browse dozens of vendors peddling comics, art, and services. Montclaire runs Shattered Stitch Cosplay and shared a booth with Christina Jones, owner of BewitchedRaven Cosplay.
Both women were dressed in elaborate costumes as dozens of people stopped by for pictures or to browse their booth. Jones said some costumes can take weeks to make and cost hundreds of dollars.
“It’s an expensive hobby, but it’s a great way to stay creative,” Jones said.
“But sharing something you love with other people who love it is great,” Montclaire added. “It’s worth it.”
The convention boasts several celebrity guests and performances through the weekend, including a combat show from The Knightly Order of the Fiat Lux, a group that promotes the code of chivalry and community service. The group dresses in traditional medieval garb and practices historical European martial arts.
The combat performances are always crowd pleasers, especially at comic conventions, said Karl Strohminger, founding member of the organization.
“Everybody likes to see themselves in these characters,” Strohminger said. “Everybody likes ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘Lord of the Rings.’”
Some people attend “cons” – comic book conventions – every weekend or semi-professionally, including Jimmy Woody. Woody and friends attend each convention as Ghostbusters, complete with proton packs and khaki jumpsuits. The crew even drives a Cadillac Miller-Meteor pimped out as the Ecto-1, with Ghostbusters logo, sirens and proton cannon.
The Ghostbusters travel around the nation, which allows them to meet all kinds of people, Woody said. Every trip is something new.
“You only live once,” Woody said. “Why not work an adult job during the week and be a kid on the weekends?”
Even celebrities get in on the fun. XCon was one of the first conventions Ciara Hanna had ever been to, but she was no stranger to the number of fans. The actress is best known for her role as the Yellow Ranger on Power Rangers Megaforce.
“I like being able to talk to people and interact with them, and I like traveling someplace new,” Hanna said.
Meeting her young – and sometimes adult – fans is just a bonus.
“It’s fun being someone’s superhero,” she said.
Contact CLAIRE BYUN at 626-0381 and follow her on Twitter @Claire_TSN.
FRIDAY
▪ Main panel room:
2:15 p.m. – Amber Dawn Fox and Walkers – Making “The Walking Dead.”
3:15 – Rochelle Aycoth and “The Reaper.”
4:15 – Cosplay Today, with Cosplay guests.
5:15 – Renee Marie, with Japanese fashion.
6:15 – Paty Cockrum and Richard O’Hara, with Dave Cockrum’s “Futurians.”
▪ Center Stage: Nerd Trivia Game 2 p.m., Sleeping Samurai 3 p.m., Fiat Lux Demo 4 p.m., photo ops with The Character Company 5 p.m. and Geek Dating Game 6 p.m.
▪ Kill U Ride Theater: 1:20 p.m. Kill U Ride Film Fest at 1:20, 2:20, 3:20 and 6:20 p.m.; Nerd Bar Live open Casting Call 4:20 p.m.; and Improve sketch contest 5:20 p.m.
SATURDAY
▪ In main panel room:
11:15 a.m. – Power Rangers panel.
12:15 p.m. – Rob Dyke in YouTube Q&A.
1:15 p.m. – “Clerks.”
2:15 – Bob Boan, with “Extra Terrestrial Life – Truth & Probability.”
3:15 – Richard Harmon – Bates Motel, Continuum and “The 100.”
4:15 – Tim Russ, with “Star Trek” panel, “Voyager” and fan films.
5:15 – Michael Copon, with “Power Ranger” to “One Tree Hill” and beyond.
6:15 – Josh McDermitt, with “What Is It Like to ‘Know Stuff?’”
7:15 – Nicholas Brendan, with “Xander” Q&A.
▪ Center Stage: Medieval Times demo 11 a.m., Nerd trivia game noon, “Sleeping Samurai” demo 1 p.m., “Big Kids” costume contest 2 p.m., adult costume contest 3 p.m., Fiat Lux demo 4 p.m. and “Geek Dating Game” 5 p.m.
▪ Kill U Ride Theater: 11:20am Kill U Ride Film Fest 11:20 a.m. and 12:20, 5:20, 6:20 and 7:20 p.m.; “Abraham Lincoln vs. Zombies” 1:40 p.m.; Bill Oberst Jr. Q&A 3:20 p.m.; and “Valley of the Sasquatch” 3:40 p.m.
SUNDAY
▪ Main panel room:
11:15 a.m. – “Geek Church.”
12:15 p.m. – Xavion Shelton and Robert Midgett, with “Getting Started Young.”
1:15 – Bob Camp and C. Martin Croker, with “How Has Animation Changed?”
2:15 – Shane Moore, with “Hang Overs for Indie Writers.”
3:15 – Brockton McKinney, with “Breaking Into Comics”
4:15 – Cosplay panel, with contest wrap-up and tips.
▪ Center stage: Nerd trivia game at noon, “Sleeping Samurai” demo 1 p.m., Geek Dating Game 2 p.m., judged costume contest 3 p.m., Fiat Lux demo 4 p.m. and raffles 5 p.m.
▪ Kill U Ride Theater: Adult judged costume contest 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Kill U Ride finalists 3:20 p.m. and “Star Trek” fan film “Mind Sifter” 4:20 p.m.
Read more here: http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/entertainment/article20813730.html#storylink=cpy
This story was originally published May 15, 2015 at 8:45 PM with the headline "Geeks unite at XCon World Comic Convention in Myrtle Beach."