Another Long Beach Comic Expo came and went. I have been attending comic expo since it was a set piece for The Guild. Back then, it was a simple dealers hall and had maybe one or two cosplayers present. While the event has grown, it still has a very humble feeling. Programming can be hit or miss, but it's still well worth it to check out a panel or two. Prior to the show, Long Beach Comic Expo was doing flash sales to sell tickets, even a Buy One Get One free sale on GoldStar. It's a pretty neat bargain if you're looking for the chill comic con - just spend a day here, check out a panel or two and maybe do some shopping.

The programming that I did attend was pretty interesting. I really liked sitting in on Andrea Romano's panel about her career in voice acting. The name has always been familiar since her name has been associated with voice direction in Batman: The Animated Series, Animaniacs, and Tiny Toon Adventures. Hearing her stories working and directing with Mark Hamil, Carol Channing, Kevin Conroy, and other big names in the entertaiment industry was pleasant. The Over 30 Cosplayers panel was nice to sit in on and to get a perspective from people within my age group. Though it was a refresher, it is nice to see that this con doesn't discriminate against cosplayers who continue their hobby well into adulthood.

The most appealing part about Long Beach Comic Expo is the vibe. The fall show felt pretty busy and stressful when it was crowded. While the event is smaller and within the same space, people were generally friendly and wanted to keep in touch. I didn't run into any people who seemed creepy. I really enjoyed talking to everyone I met. I was very humbled by all of the compliments I got on my Sailor Princess Leia cosplay. It was really nice meeting other fangirls who love Sailor Moon and Star Wars as much as I do! Also, a shoutout to my Disney villains group - you are all amazing and fabulous - thank you for letting me cosplay with you all!

Another hidden gem of Long Beach Comic Expo is the photo zone on the second floor. This is unofficially sanctioned, but this is where you can meet photographers and they can snap some cosplay portraits of your outfits for free. I was able to work with Robert Torres and Dawn Carroll. Normally, I don't really seek out prviate photoshoots at cons, but since I had a ton of time, I was able to get some nice photos of my cosplays for the weekend. The group here is very laid back and super friendly. If you want photos, all you have to do is flag one of the photographers and they'll hook you up!

Overall, I don't have many complaints about Long Beach Comic Expo. The security line really improved from last year. There were no long lines. The live bands in the dealers hall can be loud at times making it hard to interact with artists and vendors. However, I had plenty of time to peruse the dealers and artists. I'm always happy to support indie artists and businesses. The best one I found this year was Gear Oils for aromatherapy. If you have time in mid-February and have no real plans to hit up Katsucon or Gallifrey One, Long Beach Comic Expo is worth checking out. Family friendly without the hassle and stress of a large comic expo, you really will get your money's worth for this show.

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