I’ve been going to C2E2 since its first convention three years ago, but this year was my first time attending as more than a mere fangirl. Working at the convention (as an intern for the charity Reading with Pictures), is completely different than attending as a normal fan. My weekend was full of working the RwP booth and talking to other industry people, mainly comic creators, about work-related things. That’s how I learned that for the most part, all comic creators are, at their core, comic fanboys and fangirls.
Conventions are, without a doubt, exhausting for the people working there. People running their booths are either trying to get people to stop by or they’re swamped with customers. Artists in Artists’ Alley are bogged down by endless commissions, and the independents among them are simultaneously trying to sell their self-published work. Plus, people are constantly running to and from panels and signings.
But as tiring as conventions are, they’re also one of the only places were devoted fans can talk to each other about their passions and where fans can meet their heroes. I spoke with one DC Comics artist about our shared dislike of Superman Returns (he mentioned being unable to voice his opinion on the internet because he’s employed by Warner Brothers, so he’ll remain nameless) as he drew me an amazing Superman sketch. I discussed Chris Evans’ and Ryan Reynolds’ acting abilities with artist Jeffrey Edwards and comic book death with Hamster Rage creator Brian Crowley.
But as members of the “industry,” these creator/fans have an interesting perspective. Working in the same industry, they are able to see the humanity behind their heroes while being able to better appreciate their talents. As I was getting a sketch from the current artist of the Young Justice comic, Christopher Jones, he paused to say hello to a passing George Perez, a comic legend famous for his work on Teen Titans and Wonder Woman. Jones told Perez about how he was a long-time fan, but that since drawing a team book he was only now realizing how hard Perez’ job had been. As these fans are given the chance to work with their idols, or at least understand them better, their fan experience is on a completely different level.
Perhaps the best example of the surreal nature of being a fan in the business occurred on Saturday night. After the main show floor closed, there were still panels being held in other parts of the building, including one by YouTube theatre troupe Team Starkid.
Starkid is a Chicago-based Internet sensation famous for their parody musicals such as A Very Potter Musical and their original works such as Starship. Made up of mainly University of Michigan graduates (including founding member and current Glee star Darren Criss), Starkid is foremost a group of geeky friends who have struck a chord with high school and college aged kids across the world with their musicals. They were at the convention promoting the Internet release of their latest show Holy Musical B@man when their panel became a lot more interesting.
They were all on the stage in costume and one of their cast members was not in attendance. Suddenly, someone entered the room and walked onstage in the missing performer’s costume, but it was not a Starkid member: It was Sean Astin of Lord of the Rings fame, who had been a spotlight guest at the convention. Team Starkid tried to stay professional and did a great job off staying focused on the panel, but at one point while answering a question, Starkid and professed LOTR fangirl Meredith Stepien nearly broke down: “I’m sorry but… Samwise Gamgee is sitting right there!” Suddenly these fans, who began their musical careers at U of M with their parody musicals The Hobbit and The Hobbit 2: Lord of the Rings, were sharing a stage with someone they adored. In cases like this, the line between fan and fame barely exists.