Our team at Long Beach Comic Expo had different reasons attending the Expo. A few wanted to check our professional development themed presentations, some wanted insight and advice from artists in the exhibit hall, others wanted to cosplay and mingle, and some were looking for certain Funko Pops. Whatever the reason was, Long Beach Comic Expo was full of big surprises. Getting through security was much smoother than Long Beach Comic Con in the fall; the security personnel was much more efficient at checking people in.

Star Cars Lot by Eri Kagami
One of the staples of any Long Beach Comic show is the car show outside the con. At previous Expo's, the car show was in a tiny cul-de-sac outside of the performing arts center. This year, the cars were outide the front of the convention center making it easier for all of the cars to be seen. This year, we had more cars from the Jurassic Park series - a replica of the toy jeep, the giant trailer from the Lost World, etc. We also had two Deloreans from Back to the Future. Familiar cars made a comeback such as the defaced Gotham PD police car and a few other classics made the lot. Even if you didn't have a ticket to get into the show, this was a taste of Long Beach Comic Expo.

Star Wars Cosplayers Meet Up by Eri Kagami
This was our first time attending a Star Wars cosplay meet up. The meet up was organized by Chief Geek Productions. This was also our first time dressing up in something Star Wars related for a pop culture themed con. We were welcomed to be a part of the starter group shoot. I was in my Sailor Princess Leia cosplay, Jared was in his Imperial cook (with delicious porg on a platter). The next groups that followed were 501st, Rebel Legion, and Mandolorian Mercs. Since our costumes weren't approved for these factions, we were only able to do the main group photo. However, it was nice seeing various factions of Star Wars cosplayers all in one place.

Andrea Romano: Director of a Thousand Voices by Jared the Greek
This was one of the rare events where famed animation voice director Andrea Romano has her own panel to talk about her career. The panel began with Andrea discussing her education and early career as she went from different aspects of the entertainment industry until she landed into the role of a director. Stories from behind the scenes of Batman: The Animated Series and Tiny Toon Adventures were big crowd pleasers. She is an amazing woman and if you have any interest in animation then you need to attend one of her panels because you will learn so much about the medium you love.

Shelfing Yourself: Adventures in Self-Publishing by Jared the Greek
There weren’t that many publishing related panels this year, but this panel tried to explore some of the benefits of being a self published creator. The panelists talked about their own experiences both as self-publishers and having their work published by a publisher. It was an interesting panel that provides a few resources and food for thought. More importantly the panelists were available for questions after the panel as well. If you are an aspiring comic book creator or author this is a must go to panel.

Fanbase Press Presents: Swords, Sandals, Sorcery, and Other Worlds in Comics by Jared the Greek
This was one of the very few fantasy panels that explored more than just the usual elves and dwarves. The darker fantasy worlds such as those of Conan and Red Sonja as well as Greek myth were discussed as a genre of film and comic. It was interesting to hear the panel talk about their influences like Dungeons and Dragons, He-Man, and of course Lord of the Rings. It was a nice discussion panel with several suggestions for lesser known books and comics. It would be great to see this panel come back with more discussion and more suggestions.

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