Every year, we show up right as the show opens to wander about and see all the cool things that abound and sometimes astound. One surprise on July 4, the first day of the festival, that wasn't so nice actually had nothing to do with FAN EXPO proper: The current closure of the light rail extends up to the stop right by the Convention Center, so if you had plans to use public transportation, as many have in years past, better brush up on those bus schedules.
But however you get there, make sure you get there. This was only day one of the four-day convention, which wraps up Sunday, July 7, and there's only more goodness to come. Here's a list of our favorite discoveries on July 4 at the Colorado Convention Center:
This Is Not the Biden Replacement You're Looking For...
The online retailer Novatees offers up yet another terrible option for November. Here's the thing: I might have voted for Heath Ledger, were he still alive. But the Joker? We've already had too many painted clowns in the Oval Office. This does raise the question, though: Where does the Joker stand on the abortion issue? Of course, his position on executive immunity is exactly what you'd expect from a cartoonish super-villain: all for it.
Jonthan Garnett forgot his boat, his fellow soldiers, and the Potomac River. But everything else is perfect.
Teague Bohlen
For the second year in a row, Jonthan Garnett's Hall of Justice Comics (10136 Parkglenn Way, #109, Parker) is the only local brick-and-mortar store putting up a booth. There are other stores from other states, and the comics retailer presence looks stronger this year than in years past — but they're places from Ohio, New Jersey and so on. The other local shops have given up on the con, at least for now. No Time Warp Comics, and not even Mile High makes the trip. So if you want to buy comics and you want to buy local (as you should), Jon's your man, with his tiny flag and giant smile.
Meanwhile, there's plenty of time to be first in line for Rosario Dawson, who is, no joke, one of the nicest celebrities this side of Henry Winkler.
Teague Bohlen
All the other celebs had their personalized booths all set up and waiting for their appearance, as well as the massive lines of fans waiting to meet them. But headliner Brie Larson wasn't among them. With all the cancellations, we overheard a couple of different groups of fans wondering if that was a bad sign for Brie...but one of the volunteers reassured them that the Captain Marvel star probably had her own room that wasn't ready yet, since her appearance isn't until Saturday, July 6.
Little known fact: All History Colorado employees are encouraged to dress like the X-Men while in the office.
Teague Bohlen
To honor both the love of the comic book form as well as History Colorado's upcoming fall exhibit focused on the history of the 1990s, the museum's school programs manager, Josie Chang-Order, dressed up like the irreverent gum-chewing mutant Wolverine intern Jubilee. Pretty cool, but Chang-Order says her costume on Friday, July 5, is really the one that'll blow everyone away. So if you're attending Friday, head over to the Kids' Zone and see what's what.
Why is State Farm more expensive than other insurance companies? Personal service, a higher product quality, and bobbleheads.
Teague Bohlen
When you think comic books, cosplay, pop-culture, gaming and more, you, like the rest of America, think of insurance. Right? Well, no...but these lovely people all dressed in red (though one wonders why they aren't wearing khakis) will give you a custom bobblehead. Why? Because "Bobblehead YOU!" is State Farm's new slogan. And even if that's not true, it makes this booth make a little more sense, so we're going with it.
Buy Some Snacks. It's Not Wise to Upset a Wookiee.
Chewbacca strongly suggests that you indulge yourself in some treats, salty or sweet, your choice. Doughnuts? Churros? Popcorn? Dippin' Dots? All delicacies originally developed on the far-off planet of Kashyyyk, where the motto is, "Yeah, we have three y's in our name, now buy this $12 funnel cake."
Speaking of Wookiees...
Breckenridge Brewery has been doing custom beer with fan-suggested nerdalicious names for several years now. And the brew for 2024 is a Yuzu Wheat called Brewbacca. It's a refreshing fruity beer with a sweet finish that tastes absolutely nothing like a walking carpet. Though if you drink too much of it, you might feel as though your arms have been torn off in the morning.
Zhenghua Yang, who not only can run a successful video game company, but can also pull off a pink pocket square with a red belt.
Teague Bohlen
The dapper gentleman posing for this photo is Zhenghua Yang, who's the founder and CEO of Serenity Forge, a Boulder-Tech Corridor video game development and publishing studio that says it creates "meaningful and impactful games that challenge the way you think." Given the popularity of his booth, that mission statement looks to be doing very well indeed. Homegrown video games that are fun and also thoughtful? Yes, yes and yes, please.
Does it bother anyone else that Kermit clearly just finished nearly half of a pepperoni pizza? That's made of pork? No? Just me? Okay.
Teague Bohlen
This painting is only one of many by the artist who goes by Bucket and the local Edgewater company Disparody that produces and promotes them at events nationwide. While the above piece combines two fan favorites with a very Colorado pro-weed message, it's only one of many works that joyfully skewer some of nerd-dom's most beloved characters. The best part of this piece of art is that Luke is still training in the background, and it looks like Kermit and Yoda saved him at least one slice and a crust.
Local Star Wars fans Josh, Teresa and Raina Crites are doing the cosplay up right at FAN EXPO Denver 2024.
Teague Bohlen
The so-called "slave Leia" costume is always popular — just not always like this. But hell, good for this family for keeping it fun, keeping it real and keeping that tongue firmly in cheek. Raina (that's the daughter with the mini-lightsaber that may or may not be partially made of candy) is going to grow up with parents who love their fun and refuse to take themselves too seriously — and that's what FAN EXPO and nerd pursuits are all about. All heart, no shame, can't lose.
FAN EXPO continues through Sunday, July 7, at the Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th Street. For tickets and more information, see the FAN EXPO Denver website.
