Planet Comicon Kansas City Ends on a High Note
The city of Kansas soared in vibrant colours and costume-clad crowds over the weekend as the highly anticipated Planet Comicon Kansas City rounded up. The three-day event, which took place at Bartle Hall, was a joyous celebration of comic culture, attracting a diverse mix of individuals from across the country.
Attracting A Record Crowd
Renowned for being one of the largest Comicons in the Midwest, Planet Comicon Kansas City marked its 25th year with unprecedented visitor numbers. Thousands of people swarmed into Bartle Hall for this grand basket of quirky and fun-filled experiences.
With performer Alecia Stultz stating, “This weekend has been absolutely phenomenal…I think we’ve seen the biggest crowds that we’ve seen at Planet Comicon,” it was clear that the event had struck all the right chords.
Beyond the Venue’s Grip
As attendees strolled amidst stalls adorned with comic books, artwork, and merchandise, some questioned whether the convention was outgrowing its venue. Michael Haze, who built and designed real-life replica sized Iron Man suits, remarked, “This con is outgrowing this venue dramatically. I hope Kansas City can offer a bigger venue for it.”
Boost for the Local Economy
Given its vast popularity, this year’s comicon had a significant economic impact on the city, projected by Visit KC to generate more than $12 million. As it expands, Planet Comicon continues to give local businesses a substantial push, hence marking its significance beyond just cultural contribution.
Cosplay Magnificence
The event wasn’t just about economic figures, but a celebration of art, culture, and creativity. Cosplayers, parading in intricate costumes modeled after cherished characters, were the main highlight. From stormtroopers to superheroes, the venue brimmed with familiar figures of popular culture.
Most fans and visitors were delighted with the spectacle on offer. A cosplayer dressed as the famous Star Wars character, C3PO, said, “It has been absolutely wonderful…Unfortunately, I can’t walk very far without being asked for a photo.”
Emanating Vibrant Energy
Reflecting the infectious energy of the assembly, performer Folxy Cosplay exclaimed, “It has been slammed, there’s been thousands and thousands of people.” Whether they were fans, artists, or performers, the huge turnout underlined the event’s success and its growing popularity.
A True Melting Pot
In its essence, the event represented a large melting pot of different ideas, percolating numerous opportunities for interactions and connections. As the immediate curtain call for the comicon sounds, Haze’s parting words sums up the spirit perfectly: “This whole thing is about creativity. You will find your people here.”
Inviting the Next Chapter
With another successful chapter now closed, Planet Comicon Kansas City is naturally inspiring speculation and eagerness for the next year. After all, great stories never end, they only inspire more to come.
