Comic conventions have always maintained opportunities for people to congregate and share their beloved interest in the world of fantasy in the form of dressing up as comic book characters and buying more comic books. But the convention in Chicago revealed quite a bit more to me over the period of 4 days.
Family members secure an amazing bond with each other as they navigate the convention center
as an identifiable unit. Their need for exhibition has been met in full. A celebration of family unit becomes practice above the din of the individual exhibitionists.
A sword isn't just any sword, a miter or a key grants the bearer a legitimate space in time to defend one's clan, one's honour and one's terra firma. The practice of costume identity becomes a wonderful therapeutic form of re-affirming the strength of one's sense of self.
Armour and the inter-galactic space Samurai. Star Troopers have different status among the history of protection yet reveal something important about the human need for security and defense. A part of our culture and every nation around the world, we all require our protectors in a projected fantasy as in real life.
Mega boy is Mega Man. Complete transformations empower youth and in this instance, the savior hero becomes a huge part of this boy's psyche.
Husband and wife, boyfriend - girlfriend, all celebrate what is to be a part of a Superhero Utopia that extends the joy of bonding.
Individuals make definable costumed statements about their own sense of self that reveal a confidence in themselves that rarely arrives but a few times a year, at Halloween and during
'Comic-Con'.
I am a bit afraid. I do not know what she is. She is bug like and glowing a bit, maybe too exposed to some kind of radiation. I have more homework to do in the vast array of characters in the encyclopedia of superheroes and monsters.
Alien abduction. This crew got a huge belly laugh from everyone at the convention. I really, really want one of those inflatable outfits. It would make me so happy to walk around in that. A stunning visual gag that is extremely effective. So well designed. I want one!
The 'common man' hero.
Silent Bob
An hilarious jab at gaming and the female form can be construed as a critical statement or simple another out of body experience as a woman in pix-elated form. Tomb Raider and Wonder Woman team up.
To pose is to salute the creator of a creature, a particular purpose is recognized and admonished.
I'm not worried about this young lady. I think she can take care of herself.
New Youth self empowered, carries an 'I'm going to get what I want no matter what' attitude.
Somehow the hideousness of personal distortion is celebrated in the poise with which one carries oneself. To feel free to express this part of one's nature is truly arresting and mesmerizing.
The 'It child' is one to worry about. I'm thinking that 'Super Hero Horror' is a new classification of positive role modelling that should be monitored, supervised and constantly accessed as regards to normal childhood behaviour on the rocks. When is too far, too far? Any voluntary supervisors out there?
A family that jokes around together can laugh at one another no matter what. The LOVE shared by this family reinforces the purpose and pure nature of the comic convention. A great way to let loose now and then and laugh at the exotic, the unusual, human aberrations and comedic get up. A kid raised in this family will indeed have a higher emotional intelligence by the time they're 20.
OOPS, another child, might be misled by his elders,... where is the mother?
Classy in a devilish, vampy kind of way. Death princesses do have a rather unusual beauty about them. A strange attraction that beckons "Seek me now,... pay later" disposition.
The glorious secrets of Satana, daughter of Satan are never revealed by convention goer 'Ruby'.
She appears so charming on the outside. A simple monocle would turn her into Mrs. Peanut!
Often seen,... the fantastic light sabre swiftness is an eye catching
accoutrement here in Rosemont.
Hey! don't laser someone's eye out with that!, ... lol, ... 'Laser' get it?
Yes, proud to be The Tick !
Yes, there is something about a 6'-1" Wonder Woman that has me awe struck.
I am a 6'-1" old dude and always overwhelmed by the staunch beauty of a member of the Amazons! Such power, dazzle and zeal, I should just curl up in a ball somewhere. She could kill me.
Meghan looks exactly like the classic ideal Wonder Woman that I remember as a kid.
He-Man and Skeletor battle it out for the balance of power in the universe. Good thing Marvel's Vein steps in to settle things and exchange tips on protein shakes.
Hellboy,... lots of plastic here.
I was thrilled to meet José Delbo, best known for his work on Wonder Woman Re: DC Comics and The Transformers Re: Marvel Comics. Artists like him fueled my fascination with comic book characters at a very early age.
My friend Kurt Lehner from Marvel on the left and Bob Camp of "Ren & Stimpy"
fame in the center.
Yes, they are bullets in Luke Cage's shirt.
Doctor Strange, an all knowing curious Benedict Cumberbatch, did indeed carry the mystique well. It appears that costume alone doen't cut it without donning a bit of the 'Hamming it up' in full discourse.
Mark and Kurt celebrate each other every year in Chicago at this convention. Brothers (almost).
I was thrilled to meet Arvel Jones... another Marvel / DC comic artist, well known for so many great characters like Thor, Batman and Nightmask New Universe etc.
What a fab guy. Cory Smith is one incredible pencil (graphite) artist. His drawing technique is amazing. Representing his home town in a huge way this summer. What an artist! I have seen his work online and now live, at the convention, I am totally blown away!
Carlton Hoyle as 'The Black Panther'. Sports the costume well and imposes a fierce physique!
Yes, he could do harm. Fantastic energy abounds whenever he is in the room.
Tom Cook was an animator for Filmation, working on such classics as He-Man, She-Ra, the Smurfs, the Flintstones, Roger Rabbit and a ton more. It was a thrill to meet this Emmy award winning director and animator'
The Kids are alright actually. A free will to embrace fashion on the cartoon plane is a positive thing.
I think extending one's imagination once in a while in the form of convention going could add a lot of confidence to one's sense of self and shape one's ability to explore your own limits.
Phil Ortiz, again, an award winning animator was an awesome surprise to most convention goers who waited patiently in line for him to draw their portrait in the famous "Simpsons" style.
What a thrill to meet him, I only wished I had of gotten a drawing from him. They are highly crafted and deadly hilarious.
Kurt has two Lithographs that pay tribute to the American military. These two gentlemen are holding the American - Canadian version.
Myself, Steve, Watson and Kurt, goofing it up at the show. Fantastic bunch of amazing illustrators.
Kurt's super fans. They see him every year!
Carlton as 'The Falcon', a very realistic commanding figure at the convention, fulfilling the role well.
Here I am with Kevlan, at his table, an artist who continued to work on his art for the entire time he was there at the convention. He was often interrupted by his fans who were delighted to buy his original work.
Myself, Steve, Watson and Kurt, goofing it up at the show. Fantastic bunch of amazing illustrators. 
