Observation:
Media franchises attract fandoms, and many get their fair share of character ‘shipping (especially of the attractive characters).
Soccer also attracts huge fandoms… but I don’t think I’ve ever seen or heard of “soccer slash” (even of the attractive players).
As previously indicated, I’m not anticipating cosplaying anybody. But I think I could do Greg Universe.
Not young Greg Universe, the Star Child of ‘Story for Steven’… which seems to be the only variety anybody’s ever cosplayed as before if an image search is to be believed. No, I mean: overweight old balding Greg Universe. I could totally pull that look off.
Fake tan lines, white t-shirt (I’d probably make a ‘guitar dad’ one!), sweatpants, carrying a guitar. Easy.
Again, not that I’m planning to. Just saying that I could…
Still at MegaConLive. I’ve not done this kind of con before (and still wouldn’t, were it not for my tweenager and her various obsessions). Not my jam, and that’s fine.
But if there’s one thing for which I can sing it’s praises: everybody we’ve met is super friendly and nice. Sure, you can loudly telegraph your fandoms and identities via cosplay, accessories, masks, badges, bracelets or whatever… but it’s also just a friendly community of folks to just talk to.
The fashion choices are, more than anything, just an excuse to engage: a way to say “hey, here’s a conversation starter if you’d like to talk to me!”
Overheard a conversation between my kid and another of a similar age, and there was a heartwarming moment where the other kid said, “oh wow, I thought I was the only one!” Adorbs.
I may have been dragged to MegaConLive London by my multi-fandom loving 12-year-old, but I at least managed to find somebody worth getting a selfie with.
My 12-year-old’s persuaded me to take her to MegaConLive London this weekend.
As somebody who doesn’t pay much attention to the pop culture circles represented by such an event (and hasn’t for 15+ years, or whenever it was that Asdfbook came out?)… have you got any advice for me, Internet?