I was worried about how ComiKaze would be handled this year. Last year it was run by a different company and this year Stan Lee’s company bought out the con. Last year’s ComiKaze had flaws and having new management did not seem like a good solution. However, I must admit that they did a great job building upon the foundation of last year. The convention had a small sci-fi/comic convention feel, but it had enough space for all the different interactive events and a very impressive guest list.

One thing that really makes ComiKaze stand out is the sheer amount of interactive events. The zombie apocalypse area was well done and I heard running with the zombies was exciting. Watching the Quidditch matches was fun too and knowing that you could play along makes the experience even more enjoyable. The inclusion of the museum areas was also great. I really enjoyed looking at all the props and memorabilia. Finally, the inclusion of the main stage in the dealer hall was a great idea. It felt like stage zero from Fanime and it encouraged audience participation in the Q & A panels. While this stage does encourage unsafe crowding there is enough space that everyone can at least hear the panel.

The convention also featured areas for video and table top gaming. The Warhammer and Magic: The Gathering sections had some popularity, but were the least crowded sections of the dealer hall. Granted there is so much to see and do that the only people playing are those who came to play. I really like the inclusion of smaller video game company booths because it adds to the independent spirit and energy of this convention. However, the Activision gaming area was very weak. It did not have that many games to play, the area was prone to crowding, and the announcements about the area got annoying real quick.

The dealer hall was a mixed bag. It had parts that seemed well organized and other parts that felt misplaced. It was nice to have the majority of the autograph booths clustered together, but several booths were put in other locations that were not as easy to find. All autograph booths should be together and the only booths to be separated are those that will draw an absurd amount of people (i.e. Stan Lee, Mark Hamill, Elvira, Todd McFarlane). Secondly, it would be nice if all the comic book publishers were clustered together. It took me far too long to find the Top Cow booth and I am still not even sure if there was an Image Comics booth. On that note it might be nice if video game booths were all clustered together and the same can be said for the indie comics and other convention booths as well. Clustering the booths by theme would probably help business as people could go to the section of their interest rather than roaming around trying to find the correct booth.

The panels were held in the area above the dealer hall. There were plenty of rooms for all the different panels. There was a good variety of panels that appealed to different demographics. I did not go to as many panels as I would have liked, but the sheer amount of things to do made it difficult to focus on panels. Every panel room I was in and those I looked into without attending were packed. Panels were handled very well and everything was running on time.

I entered ComiKaze with low expectation, but the convention proved me wrong. I am really glad to see this convention take off. There were only a few flaws that come to mind such as the organization of the dealer hall, the registration line going out into the hot sun, and the delay of the masquerade. Other than that there is one little thing that bothered me. ComiKaze is clearly a family event and there were many children present at the event because of that I feel the Deepcut Productions/Stripperella booth could have been toned down a little as it felt a bit too sexy for a family event. However, it was tucked away near the back so it is clear that this issue was considered. These few flaws aside ComiKaze is a fun event that will hopefully keep getting better.

Before I conclude my report I would like to give thanks where thanks are due. Thank you to the ComiKaze staff, Stan Lee, Miguel, Kevin J. Anderson, Craig Miller, the Pinball Arcade team, Jurassic Con science team, Tom Kolega, the nerdy waitress, Bert Ward, the WE comics guys, Anthony Winn, Vince Hernandez, Team Blob, Alex Ahad, the Deepcut booth babe, the Pro Quidditch team, the winning 49ers, and Fon Davis. If you need to contact me feel free to not e-mail me (jared-at-scarlet-rhapsody.com). Until next time I leave you with my list and I humbly request that you give my love (and my ones) to Stripperella.

The List
1. I am a writer
2. RE: 2 – In case you forgot
3. The All Rush Mix Tape
4, What if this was held at the ACC?
5. Review Copies!
6. B Gata H K - Miguel’s first time
7. Next Cosplay: Hammond from Jurassic Park
8. Sometimes I am like a ghost
9. Adam West walked away from me
10. Zombies!!!
11. Superman shirt you say…
12. Where are my brownies?
13. Where are my cookies?
14. Do I look good or do I look GOOD
15. Ugh, LA traffic
16. How is Stan Lee so spry at his age?
17. Take a card
18. Brought a bottle of water, good call
19. Note to self: Get a watch
20. I didn’t buy anything… sigh…
21. I met Burt Ward again
22. Off to read more Dune
23. Missed out on Football
24. Jurassic Con… where are you?
25. The con note book has reached it’s limit
26. Write, write, write…
27. Lades love the hat
28. Everyone else loves the coat
29. Let’s go get some food
30. I just met you and this is crazy…
31.…here’s my card, call me maybe
32. The heat wave ends after the con
33. I need more pockets
34. So many interviews, so little time
35. I need a new squadron
36. Go Niners!!!
37. This is the rise of the Scarlet Empire!

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