A geek girl’s guide to Fan Expo Dallas presented by Dallas Comic Con

Comic con fun!
Comic con fun!

May is one of my favorite months in Dallas – it’s got warm weather, a three-day weekend, my anniversary and my favorite event of the year: Fan Expo Dallas presented by Dallas Comic Con! I’m a regular at the Dallas Comic Con events each year, and they are always a ton of fun.

Curious about the event but not sure what to expect from a comic con? I’ve got a few tips for you.

Let your geek flag fly. Don’t let the word “comic” fool you – Fan Expo Dallas isn’t only about comics. It’s a pop culture convention, so there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re into science fiction, fantasy, gaming, horror, anime or superheroes, you’ll find your people at the con. And the Dallas Comic Con community is a pretty welcoming one for all kinds of fans.

Get your cosplay on. Do you go all out with costumes at Halloween? Have you always wanted to dress up as your favorite character from that movie/book/TV show? Fan Expo Dallas is the place to do it! I speak from experience, as a veteran cosplayer – a comic con is ten times as fun when you’re dressed up. And even if you’re dressed as something niche or obscure, someone will recognize it and ask for your picture.

My favorite part about comic con: dressing up!
My favorite part about comic con: dressing up!

Bring your camera. Speaking of pictures – you’ll want to have your camera on you, because you are going to see some fun things. Incredible costumes. Celebrity sightings. Random flash mobs. There’s always something picture- or video-worthy.

Fulfill your childhood (or adult) dreams of meeting your favorite stars. Celebrity headliners get a chance to speak on panels and answer fan questions, plus there are autograph and photo opportunities. This year, you have the chance to meet comics legend Stan Lee, Princess Leia herself, Carrie Fisher, Doctor Who’s Matt Smith, Karen Gillan, and Billie Piper, both Nathan Fillian and Alan Tudyk from Firefly and many more. I’m not usually a photo op kind of fan, but I think I might have to make an exception for Gillian Anderson, aka Scully from The X-Files.

Don’t forget your wallet: The con floor is full of vendor booths with some pretty cool stuff, from T-shirts and comics to steampunk gear and jewelry. And if you’re looking for some custom artwork, look no further than Artist Alley, where you can get art prints or commission your own sketch from amazing comic book artists.

Whether you’re a fan convention newbie or a frequent con-goer, Fan Expo Dallas is a great event to check out. It’s the biggest Dallas Comic Con event of the year! Tickets are still available for the con weekend May 29-31 at fanexpodallas.com.