Not just comic fest but costume party
Chicago’s vast expo wants to become known as the epicenter of cosplay.
CHICAGO — Matt Dillon arrived about 15 minutes late for his interviews with media at Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo at McCormick Place, but the “There’s Something About Mary” actor — who was promoting Fox’s upcoming supernatural drama “Wayward Pines” along with executive producer M. Night Shyamalan — had a plausible excuse when a publicist questioned his tardiness.
“It’s a pretty big complex,” a smiling Dillon said of the convention center.
He was right. Just walking the massive space in McCormick Place dedicated to the comic book and entertainment gathering felt like a workout. The rows of tables went on and on, with some featuring comic-related goods and experiences for sale and others featuring celebrities and artists signing autographs.
Thousands of fans soaked it all in, stopping to take photos with the attendee dressed as Michelangelo from “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” or the ones wearing Stormtrooper outfits and holding signs that said “Dude, she’s your sister” and “Clone some chicks.”
The sixth annual C2E2 — which prides itself on its costumes and wants to become known as the epicenter of cosplay — ran from Friday to Sunday and was on pace to break its previous three-day attendance record, according to a spokesperson for event organizer Reed Pop. A good Groot
The winner of Saturday’s C2E2 Crown Championships of Cosplay was Jim Schmid, who dressed up as “Guardians of the Galaxy” tree and fan favorite Groot.
Travis Halsey’s towering Xibalba costume — a nod to the villainous deity who rules the Land of the Forgotten in the 2014 animated film “The Book of Life” — didn’t make the final four. But Halsey’s winged costume did include a light-up mouth, eyes and fake candles, at a cost of about $500.
“I wanted to do something that nobody else has done,” said Halsey. “I probably spent 100 hours on it. I could barely get through the crowd today, there were so many pictures.” She’s everywhere
It felt as if you couldn’t walk five minutes at C2E2 without seeing someone dressed as the Joker’s sidekick, Harley Quinn. Just imagine how popular the costume will be at comic book conventions after Margot Robbie brings Quinn to the big screen in “Suicide Squad” in 2016.
“I grew up watching her character on ‘Batman the Animated Series’ and read her [in DC Comics’] New 52,” said C2E2 attendee and burlesque dancer Ramona Mourir, dressed Sunday as the version of Quinn featured in the DC series. “I’m drawn to 1940s pinups.”
Other popular costumes at C2E2: Deadpool, the Joker, Captain America and “Guardians of the Galaxy” heroine Gamora. Momoa’s moment
Jason Momoa couldn’t reveal many details about his role as Aquaman in a planned series of “Justice League” movies during his question-answer session Saturday. The “Game of Thrones” actor did, however, discuss what the role meant to him.
“It’s absolutely a dream come true,” Momoa said. “I never thought in a million years I would be playing Aquaman. I don’t have too many things my children can see. They’re both 6. My son is obsessed with Batman, and my daughter is obsessed with Wonder Woman.
“It’s really lucky for my wife [Lisa Bonet] I’m going to be basically a superhero the next seven or eight years. I’m going to be living healthy and fit. It’s going to be chicken breasts for, like, the next 10 years.” Sign of times
Selfies seemed to be encouraged at C2E2. The sign at the Finn Jones (“Game of Thrones”) autograph signing Saturday said: “Autographs $30, selfies with Finn $20.”