Hospital decision good for Jindal, less for others
January 15, 2015
Angel Manuel Merlos
January 15, 2015
Amid passing costumed princes and princesses from galaxies far, far away, the occasional zombie and people offering delicacies like fried grasshoppers for the taking, fans of sci-fi, comics and super-heroes from the bayou country marveled at the offerings from this year’s Comic Con New Orleans gathering this past weekend, praising the event as a family-friendly venue that bears repeat visits.
“It’s great being among like-minded people,” said 18-year-old Richard Brunies of Grand Isle, now a student at the University of New Orleans and devoted Comic Con fan.
He traveled to the Morial Convention Center on the New Orleans waterfront with schoolmates Joeb Toup and Kevin Bradberry, seeking videos, toys and mementoes of their favorite movies and television shows. They browsed through comic books as well, a big draw for the event, which is held at similar places throughout the U.S. and in nations all over the world.
Wizard World, the company that hosts the conventions, held in Chicago, Philadelphia, Anaheim, Austin, New Orleans, New York, Toronto and Texas, among other locales, started out as a publishing company in the early 1990s but grew into a purveyor of pop culture.
Company spokesman Jerry Milani hailed the sold-out New Orleans event as a success.
“We’re very pleased with the growth of the event in its fifth year,” Milani said. “Feedback from fans has been excellent, and we’re excited to see so many on the show floor and the many well-attended panels.”
Panel discussions centered around actors well-known to the fans; Other ways to come close to VIPs came on the convention floor, where Lou Ferrigno and cast members from the hit series “Walking Dead” offered autographs and photographs for a fee.
“I like the idea that this is someplace teens can go that they enjoy,” said Dana Parfait of Houma, who accompanied her sons Tytan, 14, and Dayton, 16, on Saturday.
For Tytan the day was extra special – he was celebrating his birthday.
He patiently stood in line for a multi-player video game experience, MechWarrior. Each contestant plays in a small capsule-like enclosure, blasting away at virtual robots. There are no prizes, but there are bragging rights enabled by a detailed scoresheet upon completion.
“There are lots of things for little kids to do in places and for adults, but for someone his age there’s not a lot around,” said Parfait.
After Tytan got done playing the game, he and his mother found themselves at a booth sponsored by promoters for the movie The Boxtrolls, featuring free samples of chocolate covered grasshoppers – real ones.
After a little urging from his mom, Tytan crunched on one.
“Don’t like it,” he said, shaking his head.
Some attendees say it’s the original draw – comic books – that keeps them coming back.
“I loved getting new comics here because at home we have no place to get comics,” said Aury Arnold of Houma. Asked what comics she was looking for in particular Arnold said “Catwoman comics of course.”
Dana Parfait and her 14-year-old son Tytan, of Houma, sample chocolate covered grasshoppers Saturday at a booth promoting the home video release of the animated movie “The Boxtrolls,” at New Orleans Comic Con.
