I went to Motor City Comic-Con and I can't stop talking about it, a memoir by Hannah Ruby

I think the word "comic-con" should by synonymous with "freaking inspiring" because every time I got to a comic-con, I spend the next week daydreaming about the characters and stories that cosplayers brought to life, and how inspired those people are to put so much effort into a costume. 

That was probably the longest lead I've ever written, but it goes well with the topic of Motor City Comic-Con and geek culture in general.

My definition of "geek" has to do with how people express their admiration and love for something. Being a "geek" is all about passion, understanding, imagination, and enthusiasm, which is what this past weekend was all about. 

I saw Harley Quinns hanging with Links, Captain Americas posing with an Ezio, tiny Thors with tiny Elsas, and so many cross-genre moments I was completely geeking out. Also, kid cosplayers are the cutest thing. 

I took pictures of many cosplayers and even got some pictures with a few. I got this one with Batman (left) to compare to the one I got of Batman and me at Grand Rapids Comic-Con this past October(right).

I asked him how hot the costume was and he said "it's so freaking hot" and I said "Must be all that kevlar" and he was like "yes it is" and that was our exchange after the picture.

Taken October, 16, 2014 at Grand Rapid Comic-Con

Batmans are surprisingly nice. You know who's not nice? Actually, no one. Everyone I talked to at comic-con was incredibly generous and sweet, besides some vendors being a little snippy. I attribute that to geeks sharing their excitement over common interests and actually looking like our favorite characters. 

That passion is what made this weekend so amazing for me. Seeing people excited enough about something to make an amazing costume inspires me to make costumes and to create characters people want to cosplay.

I got a picture with Deadpool, naturally. 

And R2-D2...

#Imshort

I got great video of R2-D2 wheeling around, and a Dalek posing with people. 

There was also a Groot.

Actually, two Groots entered the cosplay competition, but this guy, (above) Alex Wescot in the Groot suit won in the solo category. I talked to him afterword and he said it was his second Groot costume. He was nice enough to pose with me even though the costume looked so difficult to walk in. He has a company called Get Geeked where he makes costumes for people. 

I also got a picture with Grey Worm (kind of)...

"Game of Thrones" fan need free hugs, honestly. 
I also posed with Ned Stark's longsword "Ice."

I promise I didn't kill anyone.

Did I mention I met Chad Coleman who played Tyreese on "The Walking Dead?" Because I totally met and interviewed him for my blog and Tri-County Times. 

Interviewing Chad Coleman. Photo/Nichelle "Ballin" Curtis

Proof

That's my attentive journalist pose. We talked about his new project "Treadwater" and how cool it is that he plays a character with a briefcase-hand that can turn into any weapon. I told him I'd give up an arm for that and he laughed and I was so happy. I interviewed him after his panel with the rest of his deceased coworkers on "The Walking Dead." (The characters are deceased, not the actors) He took us backstage and we talked. Chad was marvelously nice and sweet. When I got an autograph later that day at his booth, a mug was sitting on his table. On it was a print of his character's outline and fake flowers and a little Tyreese figure was inside. I told him it was a really cool mug, and he gave it to me. HE FREAKING GAVE IT TO ME.  I asked if he was sure and he said that he can't keep everything fans give him. I had the biggest smile on my face for the rest of the day. I'm giving the autograph and mug to my mother for her birthday (she loves the show), but it's a surprise. She doesn't read my blog so I'm not worried about her finding out. (Thanks for the support, Mom). 

As Chad was leaving the con, he told me I was a sweetheart and gave me a hug. I think you're a sweetheart, too, Chad. 

I took video of "The Walking Dead" panel which I will post very soon. It'll probably be up tomorrow because I have to edit them together and videos take forever to upload. 

Besides the zombie panel, I watched Chloe Bennet's (Skye on "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) and Camren Bicondova's (Seline Kyle on "Gotham"). 

Chloe was amazing. I feel like we would be fantastic friends. Read Chloe's panel here.

You could tell Camren was nervous (It was her first con), but she was absolutely delightful. I want her to teach me how to dance. Read her panel here. 

---

Chloe Bennet at 2015 Motor City Comic-Con. The Picture is awkward because we weren't allowed to take pictures during the panel, so I took one right after.

She really has a shiny personality. You know what else is shiny? The jewelry I got! (How's that for a transition? (It's actually very bad))

Poor transitions aside, I bought these necklaces.

Ignore my awkward face and focus on Wonder Woman, yay!!

*Cue Game of Thrones music*

I bought these shirts. 

I'm 80 percent sure it says "Time to die."

*cue more Game of Thrones music*

I bought these amazing prints. 

*play all the Game of Thrones music*

Originally, I was only going to buy Daenerys and Jon Snow for $20, but Damon Bowie (illustrator) is a gem and gave me all four for $20 because the con was ending and Jon Snow had tape on his back. I begged to buy the display one and he said yes. Damon Bowie joined the ranks of Hannah's favorite people in that moment.

Seriously, these photos do not do these prints justice. They're absolutely amazing and I will post better pictures when I frame and hang them up.  I encourage everyone to buy prints from local artists at cons. Hardly anyone else will have the same prints as you, and if they do, you were at the same con and have something to bond over. 

Question: Is it obvious enough that I like "Game of Thrones" or could I be more obvious? I swear I'm going to cosplay as Daenerys sometime soon. The only problem is that it's a bit difficult to cover these events and cosplay as the same time. Maybe I'll cosplay as Clark Kent. 

Who else should I cosplay as? 

Anyways, the entire weekend was spectacular. I'm determined to make a vlog out of it. I took 78 videos and a small amount of that will actually be vlogging material, but I will do my best. 

If you've never been to a comic-con before, please go. They're entirely worth it. Go have fun, keep an open mind, bring your imagination and be willing to suspend your belief for a few hours. It's always fun reading about superheroes and watching them on TV and in movies, but it's way more magical being that superhero for a day. 

I will leave you with waving Groot. 

Cosplayers are Groot.