Whether your interest lies in setting up your perfect Instagrammable celebrity photo opp with an action hero, attending a female-centric robotics showcase or shopping collector merchandise, Houston’s Comicpalooza will deliver. The eleventh annual event takes place May 10-12 this year at the George R. Brown Convention Center.
If you’re into comics and gaming and know what cosplay is, Comicpalooza is for you. Otherwise, you may want to steer clear of downtown Houston that weekend, because gamers will rule the streets of downtown Houston.
Gaming at Comicpalooza
From the low-tech charm of Dungeons & Dragons to high-tech games involving myriad HDMI cables, all gamers are welcome at Comicpalooza. People of all ages (with parental permission for the youngsters, of course) can play table and electronic games. Top-level gamers compete in tournaments. Non-competitors enjoy playing for fun. Comicpalooza depends on volunteer gamemasters to keep everything rolling. If you’re an expert with a favorite game, consider volunteering.
Film Festival
Comicpalooza’s film fest is a big deal. Filmmakers from around the world submit their work, hoping to be chosen to participate in the festival. Audience members may find themselves sitting next to an international filmmaker in town for Comicpalooza. Judges give awards for best feature, animated feature, director, actor, screenplay, high school film project, and other categories. Expect genres like horror, sci-fi, fantasy, action and fan films.
Maker’s Space
Comicpalooza is about more than passive entertainment. Attendees have the chance to interact with and take workshops from leading makers groups. Meet well-respected engineers, artists, scientists, and mathematicians. This is the place to get your hands on a 3D printer and other cutting-edge tools.
Celebrity Appearances
The celebrity list includes actors, voice actors, comic artists, comic writers, authors, and even a few wrestlers. Here are just a few of this year’s guests:
Wesley Chu, author of The Lives of Tao and other award-winning science fiction books
Wrestler Trish Stratus, three-time “WWE Babe of the Year”
Artist Janet K. Lee, whose graphic novel Sea Sirens recounts the adventures of a girl named Trot and her surfing cat who visit the mermaid kingdom
Mira Furlan who starred as Ambassador Delenn in Babylon 5
Getting There
Did we mention that about 40,000 people will be attending Comicpalooza? So don’t even think about parking in downtown Houston. Instead, your group can book comfortable, hassle-free transportation with AFC. Imagine how good it will feel when your driver drops you off and you walk right in, rather than spending hours looking for a place to leave your car. You can count on AFC for the easiest Comicpalooza transportation possible. Call us today.
