Editor’s note: This post was originally scheduled to post last week but got stuck in a WP database during a software upgrade.
The 2012 edition of Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con marked the sixth consecutive year I have been in attendance. In terms of organization and presentation, I truly feel that this was the best post “Big 2″ show that Wizard has put out in Philadelphia. Gone are the years with temporary staff shuffling you from line to line, even if you purchased advanced tickets.
Registration was quick and easy, aided by a good number of staffers that I found to be rather accommodating. I sauntered down for only one day this year, commitments elsewhere prevented a whole weekend of autograph seeking anarchy. I have accepted that the show itself has transitioned from a comics-based show to one of celebrity panels and exclusive VIP packages. I’m totally okay with that, because at its core there are still things to do for fans of all types.
Held in Hall C of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, the show floor was spacious enough to accommodate the herds of neck beards in search of their own little piece of Valhalla; whether it was to dive into long boxes of dollar comics or to simply wait in line for five hours for a Stan Lee signing.
Stan Lee is back there, I swear
"Now this is really pissing me off" - Lo Pan
Despite having all five of the Star Trek captains under one roof for the first time, the big get for me this year at Wizard World was James Hong. I’m a Big Trouble in Little China fanatic, and for me to be able to get a chance to meet David Lo Pan and get my poster signed was as pretty big deal for me.
I’ll freely admit that I avoided the show on Saturday. I had no desire to get caught up in the mayhem that would end up ensuing due to the maelstrom caused by the collective appearances of Chris Hemsworth, Bruce Campbell, Stan Lee, and all five Star Trek captains. But overall, I have to say that the 2012 incarnation of Wizard World was by far the most enjoyable iteration in the last three years.
