Denver Comic Con keeps getting bigger and (mostly) better every year. The new layout for 2017 was a bit frustrating for those of us that had become accustomed to how it was laid out the first five year, but it was manageable. (Hey DCC, let’s just rent the whole convention center?) There were lots of activities, tons of fans dressed up adding to the magic, and a great vibe from just about every corner of the convention.
One of my favorite happenings is the Cosplay Classic, and while every year I always enjoy it, I usually walk out with a list of about ten things that could have been done better. This year however, they got it right. The cosplay contest, from a viewers standpoint, was spectacular. The hosts were entertaining, funny and charismatic. The cosplayers were awe inspiring and had routines and dances that made watching more akin to going to a show than any contest I have previously attended. The catwalk was a great addition to the usually awkward “judging” time and provided a low risk way to show off costumes and celebrate the hard work that people did. It was also on the same vein whereas many cons try to do filler that doesn’t have to do with cosplay and half the audience ends up walking out before the results are given, myself included. The cosplay talent I saw at the contest, and really throughout the con, was truly fantastic. In fact, I would say this was hands-down the best overall year for cosplay at DCC. I have no experience what it was like backstage, and I’ve heard there some issues from a few contestants, but from an audience standpoint…well played DCC.
While the cosplay contest was entertaining, the rules surrounding the con were not. My biggest gripe for the con this year was the lack of consistency. Sure I understand re-evaluating things that don’t work, but they made a huge deal about weapons and entrances before the con even started. On Friday, they followed those guidelines, but on Saturday, someone waited in line and got turned away for a gun that had been tagged and approved on Friday. Safety is important, and I totally understand the heart behind the one entrance and the increased rules, but on Friday, I had to ask to get one of my bags checked and they didn’t even look deeper than the very top of what was visible. Truly, I saw hundreds of people get their wooden swords, cartoony guns made of foam, and prop weapons turned away, but I could have waltzed in with a Matrix-like cache of real weapons in my bags and pockets and not even been stopped by “security”. That actually made me feel far less safe. If security is a concern, why not just do some pat downs like they do at concerts and stick to a weapons check that allows props.
Friday, entrance to the con was tedious but it worked, however Saturday reminded me of mistakes that were made in year two of DCC. Getting people inside the con was tough that year, so in year three, things were fixed. This year, they repeated history by trying to funnel 115,000 people through one entrance. Fortunately, they fixed this process on Sunday by letting people into the con early, but this created even more inconsistency. Throughout the con some people were told one thing while others were told another. Changing the rules mid-con just makes for angry people.
Music. The con needed more of it. I know copyrights and public music play rules are difficult, but, specifically, the cosplay staging area needed something. Throw in a beat or something to combat the dead silence and awkward posing. Maybe a live band? (Maybe some better lighting too, it made for some tough photography for anything less than a professional-grade lens and camera.)
Outstanding programming was available this year. More than any of the six years of the con, and yes, I have been there since its inauguration, this year had fantastic programming. The main events had huge draws, the educational programming was intriguing and the kids lab was outstanding. I loved the diversity of events and the amount of options for entertainment. Allowing teachers Friday admission was also a seriously solid touch.
Overall, I would give this year four stars out of five. Things to fix for sure, but once I got in the con, I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
