Choose Your Convention

Attending an anime or comic convention can be an exciting experience, but it can also be overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time. With so many events, guests, and merchandise to explore, it’s easy to get lost. Before you start preparing for an anime or comic convention, you need to choose which event to attend. There are many conventions held throughout the year, so you’ll need to do some research to find one that suits your interests and budget. Look up the event website to learn about the schedule, guests, and vendors. Cons are wonderful events where fans of all demographics can come together and celebrate the movies, shows, books, and comics they love. Conventions come in all shapes and sizes – from small local or show-specific conventions to San Diego Comic-Con with over 150,000 attendees in 2018.

New York Comic Con, is the largest comic convention on the east coast. While the weekend-long events are a blast, it takes a lot of prep work to have a successful and stress-free time, especially when going 3 days in a row.

Plan Your Cosplay

One of the most exciting aspects of attending an anime or comic convention is dressing up in cosplay. Cosplay, short for costume play, is the practice of dressing up as a character from a movie, TV show, video game, or book. Plan your cosplay well in advance so that you have time to create or purchase your costume. Make sure your cosplay is appropriate for the convention, follows the event’s dress code, and is comfortable enough to wear for several hours.

Pack Your Bag

Make sure to pack everything you need for the convention in a backpack or tote bag. Bring a water bottle, snacks, and any medications you might need. Don’t forget your wallet or purse, as well as your phone and charger. If you plan to purchase merchandise or artwork, bring some extra cash or a credit card.

Don’t bring home a sunburn. Snacks: considering how often you’ll be waiting in line to get into exclusive panels and screening, you do not want to waste time waiting in line to buy disappointing, unhealthy, and overpriced food in the convention center. Pack some healthy snacks to munch on during the wait times instead. An extra bag within your bag: between the merch that you can buy and the freebies given out, you’ll probably walk away from Comic-Con with more than your backpack can carry. Don’t pick up every freebie you see. Tempting though it may be, consider that you’ll have to lug all of that around with you for the rest of the day

Bring hand sanitizer. There will be lots of people and you’ll be touching many booths and eating so we suggest keeping your hands clean!

Most conventions have a first aid station, but if you’re in need of a bandaid or a pain reliever, it’s handy to have one with you. For myself, I always keep extra bandaids, Tylenol, alcohol wipes, and antacids in a small compartment in my backpack.

Respect Other Cosplayers

Ask before you touch a cosplayer. Sure, most people cosplay because they enjoy the attention, but you should always respect personal boundaries. As it can get loud in the convention center, put your phone on silent so you can notice it going off better.

Plan Where to Stay

Keep an eye on when the convention hotel block opens. SDCC hotels sell out in a matter of minutes. The con has an “early bird” hotel sale for those who already have tickets. Options are limited and non-refundable, but you actually get to choose. Find roommates to share the cost of the hotel room (or suite). If you need to get online but can’t connect on the convention floor, hit a nearby hotel lobby. Hotel internet access is often faster early in the morning than late at night because fewer people are using it. That’s the time to upload your photos. Cell reception can vary a lot by carrier in some convention centers, especially those with basement exhibit halls 

Dress Comfortably

While you want to look your best in your cosplay, it’s also important to dress comfortably. Wear comfortable shoes, as you’ll be on your feet for several hours. Dress in layers, as convention halls can be chilly, but crowded areas can be warm. Consider bringing a small bag to hold your layers if you need to remove them. Please take good care of your feet when you’re cruising the Convention Center and wear shoes that will keep your feet happy. 

Plan Your Schedule

Before you arrive at the convention, take some time to review the schedule and plan which events and panels you want to attend. Make a list of the guests you want to see, the merchandise you want to buy, and the panels you want to attend. Prioritize your must-see events, but also leave some time for wandering and discovering new things. Pick ONE major event that you want to do each day, and plan your whole day around it. If it’s a really popular panel, chances are you’ll be waiting in line for a good chunk of the day. You’ll only be disappointed if you try to do too much and spread yourself too thin. 

Stay Hydrated and Fed

Make sure to take breaks and stay hydrated and fed throughout the day. Convention halls can be crowded and overwhelming, so it’s important to take care of your body. Bring snacks and a water bottle, and take breaks to sit and rest when you need to.

Have Fun!

Finally, remember to have fun! Anime and comic conventions are exciting events filled with like-minded individuals who share your interests. Take photos, meet new people, and enjoy the experience. With the right preparation and attitude, you’ll have an unforgettable time at your next anime or comic convention.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Preparing for an Anime or Comic Convention appeared first on Culture of Gaming.

How in the world do you write a comic around a simple arena shooter like Quake Champions? You have to be very clever and very imaginative to make the most of that scenario. You have to be writer Ram V.

The Quake Champions graphics novel by Titan Comics collects the three-issue series of the same name. The series is not told from one point of view but instead a multitude of combatants who are trapped in a kill-or-be-killed landscape. Each has their own story and each has their own reasons for battling for survival in the nightmare world.

There is Ranger, a human Slipgate marine with a big gun who just wants to get back to his family waiting for him on the other side.

There is Anarki (Get it?) a hoverboard-riding cybernetic assassin and his girlfriend Slash, a roller queen with a mean streak.

There is Galactic Warlord Scalebearer who is armored and armed to the teeth, Nyx, the female assassin, Clutch a self-aware mining automaton turned killing machine and Visor a sightless cyborg who is impervious to pain.

The twist to the killing ground is anyone who is slain respawns making their lives truly a never-ending nightmare.

The story begins with Ranger and Sorlag in a life or death duel in the arena. Through a black and white photograph Ranger carries with him, we learn of his time as a soldier and his life as a proud father, & family man. This, of course, increases the emotional investment we have in Ranger as he runs into the maniacal Anarki and the lethal Slash. As they enter the fray we are introduced to their backstory of how the couple became this comic’s Sid and Nancy.

As more and more characters join the fracas, the story progresses and we discover more and more about the battleground and its true purpose.

Along with Ram V’s compelling characters, the artwork by Alan Quah and Dave Ross is dramatic and spectacular. Quah and Ross’s gorgeously disturbed visions bring beauty to even the most dreadful and outlandish scenes. In that way, it is reminiscent of HR Giger’s work in some respects. Quake Champions is worth buying just for the grotesquely gorgeous work of Quah and Ross alone.

The only real flaw of the collection is that it concludes with a cliffhanger ending just as some of the mysteries surrounding the battleground were about to be revealed.

Ram V has made the very most of the simplistic concept he was given, making a shrewd choice of basing much of the story outside the arena, breaking free of the setting’s constraints. Whether you are a gamer, a comic book reader or both, Quake Champions could be one of the crown jewels of any collection.

The post Quake Champions Graphic Novel Review appeared first on Culture of Gaming.

Strange Deaths

Thomas finds out about the passing of an old friend of his and decides to leave for the evening; to pay his respects. Peter in this role takes a back seat at the beginning of the issue as he is merely our narrator for the events that transpired between his mentor, Thomas, and Thomas’ old friend, Angus Strallen. Peter pulls out the case file from the Folly Archives and starts reading on behalf of Mr. Nightingale’s request.

The post Rivers of London: Action At A Distance #1 Review appeared first on Culture of Gaming.

The blue speedster is investigating a curious conspiracy in which Doctor Eggman’s evil empire has been taken over by someone who has not only stolen his identity but may be more of a threat to Sonic than Eggman ever was.

THE GOOD Lively art by Adam Bryce Thomas. A cool reveal. Surprisingly gripping story by Ian Flynn.

THE BAD
There is never enough action in a Sonic book.

The post Sonic the Hedgehog #7 Review appeared first on Culture of Gaming.

Enter Maxim Maresh, the adopted father of Kell in the Shades of Magic series, who is seen as a villain. This is a tale told by the original author who wanted to give readers a look at Maxim in his early years, to give us a glimpse of who he was and who he would become.

The Steel Prince

The Steel Prince #1’s pacing is exceptional and moves at a brisk pace by establishing Prince Maresh and his current standing as a royal figure. The issue doesn’t waste time and quickly lets the reader know that Prince Maresh has not one but two goals he wants to accomplish. He wants to prove himself to his father, the king, while also asserting the impending danger of the seals holding the corruption at bay. Prince Maresh fights for the right to explore the magic behind the seals. This  plea falls on deaf ears as both his father and several others have complete faith that such an occurrence is impossible.

The Prince raises enough of a stink that his father sends him out into the world. We follow The Steel Prince on his journey to the port city known as Verose. A city filled with crime and a hideous underbelly, Verose is possibly the worst city in the world compared to the palace’s white and red halls. This first chapter also ends on a high note that will have fans of the series excited. The Steel Prince #1 ends with a tease that promises a greater threat on the horizon for Prince Maresh. The artwork in this issue also emphasizes the nature of magic in the prince’s world. Most of the action takes place in the crime-filled port city and the artwork is stunning when conveying magical combat.

Shape of Beauty

The pacing moves at a great pace and the artwork is stellar albeit a bit dull when introducing the port of Verose. Several panels are portrayed and framed in a way that makes the performance of magic exciting in the heat of battle. In turn this helps readers follow the action closely while also establishing grand set pieces and fights. The artist uses lines of magic across several pages and helps tie some panels together in clever ways. Red is heavily used as the best means to convey magical powers, and he dull background of Verose makes those color choices pop. The use of red as magic also creates a neat contrasting effect against blue color schemes. At one point an enemy combatant is struck by magic and the use of blue for human bodies creates a dynamic look. My only complaint would be that Verose itself looks lifeless and dull but we’re only given a small glimpse of it towards the end of the issue.

Will The Steel Prince be able to forge and test his mettle? Only time will tell in this series but issue #1 starts off strong. The only caveat is that it is a story that is further enhanced by knowing the Shades of Magic series. But it still stands strongly on its own.

THE GOOD
Prince Maresh

Great Artwork and Color Perfect Pacing

THE BAD
Verose Could Be Better

by Kevin Alvarez

The post Shades of Magic: The Steel Prince #1 Review appeared first on Culture of Gaming.

Who is Arthur Curry?

While his origin has changed throughout the years, there are a few consistent facts throughout his history. Arthur Curry is the hero known as Aquaman, and he becomes the King of Atlantis. Arthur Curry is half human and half Atlantean. This gives him a unique perspective as a ruler of Atlantis. However, it also is a cause of many troubles. Due to the rough relationship between the surface and the sea, many of those Arthur rules over, neither trusts him or plans to follow him.

New 52 Aquaman

For starting the journey into Aquaman comics, start with New 52 Aquaman (vol. 7). The series began towards the end of 2011, and lasted for five years. The majority of the storyline was written by Geoff Johns. The series works to break down the idea that Aquaman is a weakling who can only talk to fish. Johns does a great job of showcasing Aquaman’s abilities, while simultaneously fleshing out his mythos. It also doesn’t require any previous reading to understand, as it’s the first series for him after DC’s Flashpoint,  it rewrote a lot of DC’s history. Look into getting a copy of the first volume here.

Rebirth Aquaman

After the end of the New 52, an event called Convergence took place. After this event, a new line of DC titles were slowly rolled out under the banner Rebirth. Rebirth was a sort of soft reboot. Dan Abnett, who wrote the last few issues of the New 52 run, continued to control this run. So, this run focused heavily on Arthur’s role as a leader. The origin is behind him, and Abnett is focusing on developing the character into new ways. Rebirth Aquaman is a good place to follow up his great New 52 run, even if it doesn’t quite hold up.

Mera: Queen of Atlantis

Now, this is a mini-series that takes place during Abnett’s Rebirth run. The main series will prompt you when to read this, as they tie together. This mini is focused on the struggle of a powerless Mera, and the potential return of Ocean Master to his villainous ways. Mera: Queen of Atlantis, is a short, yet decent read, that will add some diversity to your binge reading.

Moving Back

Aquaman (v6)

The 2003 run is considered to be one of the best runs in Aquaman history. So, once you’re caught up with the current continuity, it makes sense to go back and revisit some of his greatest moments. And this run showcases a new power set for Arthur, as he goes on a journey of healing.

Aquaman (v5)

Now, Peter David’s Aquaman run is often considered to be the Aquaman run to beat. While it is held down by a lot of the issues that plagued the 90’s comic era. If you’ve read everything else up to now, and still want more, then definitely read this. But, it gets really edgy sometimes and is pretty dated.

Aquaman (v3)

Aquaman v3 is a limited series from 1989. It involves an invasion of Atlantis and a rough patch in Arthur and Mera’s marriage.

Extra Reads

Craving more Aquaman? Check out any of these runs for more.

• Aquaman (v1)
• New 52 Justice League
• Aquaman (v2)
• Aquaman (v4)
• JLA (v1)
• Aquaman and the Others
• Aquaman: Time and Tide
• Brave and the Bold (v1)
• Crisis on Infinite Earths
• JLA Incarnations 
• Blackest Night
• Brightest Day
• JLA Classified 
• JLA: Year One
• Justice League of America (v1)
• Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis

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Growing up and living in Toronto, I have been fortunate in the sense that if one store closes you can just take your fandom and business to another even if it means travelling a bit out of your way. Those living in smaller cities or towns here in Ontario aren’t so lucky though.

What’s even more troubling for the comic book industry as a whole is that more and more comic book stores are closing after being in business and serving their communities, sometimes for decades. To make matters worse, many of the surviving stores are struggling to get by every month.

“As I often joke, nightmares are also dreams. The trick with turning your hobby into a business is that you can lose your passion for the hobby very quickly. Unless you have a business degree or a hankering for looking at numbers all day, running a business and working retail is not all it’s cracked up to be. That said, spending every day with people who love the same thing you love is a pretty good gig regardless of where you are on the ladder in the biz,” he told Culture of Gaming.

Bardyla and his partner Shawna decided to sell the store after discussing the possibility of leaving the business more and more over the last two years as their lease came up for renewal. They expected to be open for another five years but the pressures kept mounting and mounting.

“Last November, I took my first trip abroad. I’d never travelled before and I realized that there’s a lot to see in the world and at 47, time was not my friend. It was just time for a change and we were both ready,” said Bardyla who admitted he was “burning out” running the business.

Bardyla opened the store after starting his own subscription-only comic business in 1999. That business grew to a brick and mortar store just a year later. In its time, Happy Harbor won numerous local awards and industry awards including a Joe Shuster – Harry Kremer Award in 2007 for being the outstanding Canadian comic book retailer and multiple Eisner nominations for Retailer of the Year.

Although at times it has been a hardship managing the store, for Bardyla the good times far outweighed the bad. Winning the awards were proud moments but it was connecting with fans that meant so much more to him.

“Probably the best moments are when we meet someone who says…You came to my high school and now I’m in art school! We’ve done hundreds of school visits and it’s amazing to think of those we’ve inspired. Actually, every person who has told us that they are grateful for Happy Harbor being around because it introduced them to comics, brought them back into comics, got their kid reading, got their kid storytelling, met their best friend, partner, spouse here, those are the best moments. They make the whole effort worthwhile,” he said proudly.

One of the nagging issues for Bardyla was the deteriorating relationship between comic book store owners and the publishers themselves.

“The real problems have been in the past two years or so with publishers listening less and less to retailers and more to studio executives. It creates more work for the same money, which was frustrating,” he stated.

According to Bardyla, when it comes to promoting the onus largely falls on store owners to carry the load, which they often can’t due to staff, time and financial restraints.

“The industry is run by individually owned and operated stores, nearly all of which lack the resources to promote the comics medium outside of their own small, immediate community. The fact that publishers, big and small, do so little to promote the medium to a broader audience is the greatest setback,” said Bardyla reflecting on the hardships.

Another factor handcuffing Bardyla was the lack of a rating system in the industry. Since some companies use their own system and others don’t use one at all, there is no industry standard as there is with video games, movies and television shows. That can prevent retailers from expanding their market base.

“If you want to branch out into the wider audience that includes schools, libraries and families, you need that support tool as no shop can read or vet every book. It makes our job substantially harder than it needs to be,” said Bardyla.

One of the reasons that has been cited for ailing health of the industry is the inability of comic book store owners to send back unsold copies for refunds or credits as many regular bookstores are able to do with some of their products like magazines. In that regard, Bardyla thinks the basic structure of the comic book business has to change.

“That “inability” was something retailers fought to get. No returns meant bigger discounts. More risk equalled higher reward. However, that was decades ago and after the major collapse of comics in the late nineties, something should have changed. Publishing and creator rights changed with more profits, rights and freedoms but everything stayed the same for retailers. It became an increasingly imbalanced marketplace. I doubt returns would have helped, as an overall solution, because we would make less profit, the margins would have been much smaller. After a couple of years in business, you know what to order. The trick is getting your products out to an audience and getting them engaged and returning. That part we had been fairly successful at. It was just a lot of work,” he said.

Even though he is leaving the business Bardyla will still be keeping an eye on the industry. With 20 years of experience, he offers this advice to store owners.

“Building communities is key for any independent business and any business that does that, coupled with some decent business sense, will have a good run and be sustainable. That’s why Happy Harbor ended up getting purchased so quickly. The new owners could have opened a shop for far less than what they paid for the shop but they knew the value of the store to the community and that sort of reputation takes years to build. Starting strong with a committed, built-in audience is a good investment and as long as creators keep making interesting, beautiful stories that appeal to a variety of different audiences, there’s no reason to think comics would go anywhere,” he said.

The post Ex-comic store owner shares his advice, take on a fragile industry | Culture of Gaming appeared first on Culture of Gaming.

Good Old Arky

The story continues to follow Arkon, a Silver Knight, who is still on his journey to uncover the mystery of why demons are attacking Izalith. Arkon and his fellow knights battle a bevy of small demons but are quickly overwhelmed by what happens after the skirmish. This leads the Silver Knight into a different world that is unfamiliar to him but well known to Dark Souls players. It is clear that Arkon is being challenged to conquer not only physical threats but his own insecurities through a “trial by fire.” His story takes an interesting turn in this issue that is set up for something big later down the line. While Arkon is fighting a horde of demons, Dark Souls: The Age of Fire #2 starts world building and creating new story threads via characters we met in the first issue.

Bloodborne mini-series infuses game mechanics and other tidbits from the game in clever ways into its story but I feel that this cameo just doesn’t work because it feels forced.

Dark Souls: The Age of Fire #2 continues the story with some great artwork and new character developments. The issue ends with a great set up for our characters to deal with as they try to find out what’s causing the undead, demons, and dark magic to suddenly appear.

Did you like this issue? What did you think of the ending? Let us know in the comments below or on our various social media platforms!

CultureOfGaming.com is your source for great articles, reviews, and podcasts!

THE GOOD
The Ending
New Characters
Seath The Scaleless

THE BAD
Seath The Scaleless

7.5
Good

Review Summary

Dark Souls: The Age of Fire #2 continues the journey of Arkon and his quests to redeem himself after the battle with The Everlasting Dragons. This issue includes a great cameo from the world of Dark Souls but lacks depth as the scene is poorly used.

The post Dark Souls: The Age of Fire #2 Review | Culture of Gaming appeared first on Culture of Gaming.

Dick Tracy was way before my time. My only connection to the 1931 comic strip was that migraine-inducing 1990 film produced by, directed by and starring that one-man show himself: Mr. Warren Beatty. Beatty’s girlfriend at the time, Madonna, also starred as night club entertainer Breathless Mahoney.

And after sitting through the cinematic equivalent of having my head dunked in a toilet over and over again, I didn’t care to know any more about Detective Dick Tracy and his goofball rogue’s gallery of villains with such ridiculous names such as Mumbles, Flattop, Itchy, Pruneface and Ribs Mocca.

I grew up with really cool characters like Daredevil, Batman and Wolverine. Dick Tracy was a clown by comparison.

In Dick Tracy – Dead or Alive #1, the venerable Boy Scout with a badge has been canned by various corrupt cities and various various corrupt police departments.

“If all I cared about was a career and a pension, I would work at the DMV,” snaps Tracy after he is terminated for arresting someone who should be but is considered above the law.

As Tracy says himself, he is a cop because he believes in law and order and the rule of the law.

Down but not out, Tracy lands a job in The City by The Lake where the mayors, the city attorney, the police commissioner, police chief are all in bed with an organized crime boss: Big Boy. And, yes, that is his real name. He is named after an American restaurant chain whose mascot resembles Ronald Reagan.

They might as well have called him Little Caesar, Chuck-e Cheese or Gidget, The Taco Bell Chihuahua.

Unbeknownst to Tracy the crooks are only hiring him to be a patsy and his dutiful investigation leads to an even bigger conspiracy.

So far, so good, right?

Wrong.

Although Lee and Michael Allred’s hard-boiled adventure story is a decent one, it doesn’t really modernize the character and that is desperately needed as Dick Tracy is as dated as the popularity of gramophones. Nobody these days is going to connect on a personal level with an idealized law enforcement officer who stepped right out of The Andy Griffith Show. That was another place and another time.

Dick Tracy needs to be more Nick Fury and less Andy Taylor.

Rich Tommaso’s exaggerated, pop-art style, which I have never been a fan of, just makes matters worse. I realize the intention was for the art to reflect the original comic strips but in my mind, that was the wrong way to go.

The only way Dick Tracy is going to sell to a generation born and bred on HD video games with art that rivals that of any blockbuster movie is to evolve Tracy and his world into something that resembles Sin City, not Popeye.

By not updating Dick Tracy, Tommaso and the Allreds are squandering what could have been the revival of a character whose true potential has never been reached because the creators have been so focused on the past they don’t see the present or the future.

Dick Tracy – Dead or Alive #1 is like an 8-track tape player at your local flea market. Nobody wants it, nobody needs it.

Review Summary

This could have been something really cool, something different and eye-catching. Instead, it is just more of the stale Dick Tracy for a world that moved on a long time ago.

The post Dick Tracy – Dead or Alive #1 Review | Culture of Gaming appeared first on Culture of Gaming.

Death From Above

First, let me start by saying that the opening sequence of panels for this issue sets the tone and it’s magnificent. The story starts with an Assassin performing a parachute jump into a secret facility that doubles as a hydroelectric damn. Jean-Baptiste Hostache’s artwork is slick and clean but also filled with a certain coldness that helps amplify the stealth action that any fan of Assassin’s Creed or espionage fan would love. The action is impressive and the stealth sequences perfectly convey the stakes of this story. It is almost reminiscent of the first scene in Captain America: The Winter Soldier in its execution and portrayal.

Uprising and Origins. It’s amazing how quickly Dorison establishes Mr. Gorm’s character and motivations within a couple of pages. Eddie Gorm is layered and the events that unfold in front of him not only tests his resolve but the lengths in which he’s willing to sacrifice.

The Mission

Eddie Gorm is a likable Assassin who comes from humble beginnings and is supported by an amazing crew of characters. Both the Nazis and Assassins offer Mr. Gorm a choice on who he will align himself with. His reluctance gives way to tragedy and that choice is ultimately taken from him. In many ways, Eddie Gorm is a victim of circumstance but his story is parallels that of young men taking arms during a time in which the world needed them most. However, it is also an endearing story of endurance and honor. Gorm is a great character and the pace of the story makes the best moments shine brighter as each key scene feels poignant.

Assassin’s Creed: Conspiracies starts off strong with an amazing pace, great artwork, perfect lettering by Amoona Saohin. This issue leaves the reader wanting more both to explore the world of Assassins and Templars during WW2 and to follow Eddie Gorm’s journey. I highly recommend you pick up this issue and hopefully, Guillaume Dorison and Jean-Baptiste Hostache can deliver a great mini-series; time will tell!

Review Summary

Assassin’s Creed: Conspiracies #1 is an amazing issue with a stellar story set in the world of Assassin’s Creed. You follow Eddie Gorm as he becomes an assassin during one of the most amazing but terrible wars known to mankind, WW2. How much will he have to sacrifice and endure to keep the world safe from the Templars with the support of The Third Reich? Follow along with this epic tale of love, loss, and duty with amazing artwork and action.

The post Assassin’s Creed: Conspiracies #1 Review appeared first on Culture of Gaming.