Planet Comicon and Planet Anime 2023

The weekend of October 20th through the 23rd, they tried something new this year called Planet Anime KC. It was strictly an Anime convention, but Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 for the PS5 came out that weekend and four of the voice actors were there too. I did start watching Naruto before I went so that I would have some Anime knowledge, but that just made me reminisce about Planet Comicon.

My first experience at Planet Comicon was actually an Orientation and Mobility trip my senior year of High School. I invited a few of my other visually impaired friends, and we had three sighted people with us. I started off trying to use my cane to follow the group, but it started to get confusing knowing which footsteps were actually my group, so I’ve gone sighted guide ever since. Because of that I don’t really like to bring my cane because I don’t use it, but I keep it because when exhibitors see it, they’ll let me touch things people normally wouldn’t be allowed to like art and custom-made Star Wars droids. If you’re lucky, they’ll also let you cut the line to follow the ADA.

My very first time going to Comicon in 2018 I met Michael Rooker, the actor who plays Yondu in Guardians of the Galaxy. I didn’t want to worry about autographs or pictures yet because I was already super nervous. He did give me a hug and showed me how Yondu whistles to control his flying arrow and pretended my finger was the arrow zipping through the air. During my time at Planet Anime, I got quite a few autographs and selfies with my phone, as well as a professional photo opportunity with the Spider-Man cast, since they were at Planet Anime for the release of Spider-Man 2 on PS5. I loved telling them how I play the games being completely blind, and each time I met a celebrity they always read what they’re writing for my autograph.

Most of the time the celebrities I’ve met have had pretty short lines, but there has been a fair few who’s lines lasted over an hour. I personally don’t mind it though because I’m so excited, and I like to listen to other people in the line talking about their favorite things that actor has been in. I’ve even tried talking to other people in line if they’re talking about the same thing I like. They always seem to go by fast when you have someone to talk to.

On Sunday October 23rd, I was waiting in line to get a poster signed by the actress who voices Naruto. As soon as my brother and I got in line, one of the attendants came up to us and asked if we’d like to cut the line to follow the ADA. It was a pretty long line, so I said sure. I was busy talking to the actress and my brother was going to pay for my autograph, but afterwords he told me they didn’t make him pay! She did the same thing with one of my other blind friends, and I think that’s cool. She did not have to give me my autograph for free! In March I also got a free selfie with the voice actor for Sonic the Hedgehog because I waited in his hour-long line just to get a signed poster for a friend. I think it’s safe to say I’ve had some pretty great experiences meeting celebrities at Planet Comicon and Planet Anime so far.

Comicon is unfortunately something I don’t think I’ll be able to go to completely by myself. Nobody is available to walk someone around for hours, but I don’t think I’d like going by myself anyway. It’s fun to be with family and friends, enjoying the things we love.

If I’m not in celebrity lines, I’m walking around the exhibit floor looking for people in costumes to take pictures with. The first few years I just wore Marvel or Star Wars T-shirts, but in 2021 I started cosplaying. I started off as Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones, but I’ve settled on Marvel or Star Wars characters. In March of this year I was Green Goblin one day and Darth Vader the next. This past weekend I was Spider-Man for two days and Green Goblin the last day.

They also have posters of everything they’ve been in at their tables and when I ask for example, “What Spider-Man posters do you have?” they’ll name them off and describe them. I met an actor from The Mandalorian in March at Planet Comicon, and I was dressed as Darth Vader. He said he loved my outfit and light saber, referring to my cane and that made my day! I only started getting autographs and selfies in March, and this past weekend was my first professional photo opportunity.

My favorite experience taking a picture with someone else on the floor was in March. My friend was helping me look for people in Spider-Man costumes and when one of them saw that I was Green Goblin he yelled, “I gotta get out of here!” and squatted down like he was going to shoot a web and swing away. Naturally, I held my right arm out to the side with my hand in a fist so in the picture it looks like Green Goblin punched Spider-Man to the ground. I’ve learned that being in a costume makes it easier for people to notice you and ask to take a picture with you. Sometimes if my brother sees people he knows I’ll want a picture with, he’ll just go ahead and ask if we can have a picture with them.

There is a group who comes to Planet Comicon every year and this time, they made an appearance at Planet Anime as well. They’re called Walking and Rolling Costumes, and they specialize in making costumes for people in wheelchairs. I saw one costume in March of a wheelchair with a ship from Star Wars made out of cardboard around it. It was really cool, and I love that there are people out there making costumes accessible for everyone.

I always look forward to Planet Comicon every year because I love being around other people who love the same things as me. Nobody judges anybody for their interests, and that’s the big thing that’s helped me start dressing up for it. I love Halloween too, and I like to tell people Comicon is just another excuse to wear a costume. If anyone who’s blind or visually impaired wants to go, I would highly recommend asking someone to go with you who’ll be willing to describe everything to you from the art to the costumes. My friend who took me in March is terrible with names, so if she doesn’t remember someone’s name she’ll look it up real quick and I’ve told her how much that means to me. I’m glad I have such wonderful family and friends who are not only willing to take me, but to also describe everything and wait in lines with me. Planet Comicon’s 25th anniversary is in March 2024, and you best believe I’ll be going back!

For more information about our Blind and Low Vision Experience, click HERE

To learn more about Planet Anime, click HERE

To learn more about Planet Comicon, click HERE