ComicPalooza 2023 is over and I’ve recovered enough to post again.
Highlights: Two cosplaying princesses came and hung out at the booth. Thank you @shannonflaherty and @christyfitzgerald. You made a lot of fans very happy! Book sales were okay and CP had everything set up and move in/out was seamless. The celebrities mostly showed up.
Lots of cosplay, particularly on Saturday (the day of the cosplay contest). My favorite was a person dressed as a Mandalorian in Texas A&M colors and logos. Yes, he was the 12th Man-dalorian. I smiled and groaned simultaneously. Last year Mandalorians were pervasive. Less so this year.
My anime knowledge expanded when I asked author E.A. Williams (@eawilliams) what was with the numerous women dressed as Playboy bunnies. At one time there were three in our short aisle, and they were not together. I learned that there is a series titled Rascal Does Not Dream. One of the characters is Bunny Girl Senpai. Now I know.
Lowlights: Food and beverage were sparse this year, particularly on Friday and Sunday. I was happy to have Chik-fil-A on site, but they don’t work Sundays, so that option disappeared.
NASA had a large display and was pushing STEM – that’s all great and I liked it. However, one of their robotic displays caught fire as I watched. Sometimes lithium-ion batteries have problems. I watched a brave engineer stick his hands through the flames to yank wires. A fire extinguisher might have been a better option. They did put out the fire, but that end of the exhibit hall stank of burned insulation and electronics for a while.
Attendance was off a bit from last year. The City of Houston runs CP these days, and they seem to be struggling with returning it to its former glory.
Overall, a great time and great event. We’ll be back next year!