“Remember when we first rebelled against the Empire?” Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Fans take photos of the horror clown at the Nightmare on 13th display. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Artist Kolo Unga had a beautiful impressionist style he applied to superheroes. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
This family– Rick, Ms. Frizzle, and the Avengers– has me grinning for days. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Absolute #1 Champion Winner of Batman Day 2015. Look at that form. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Unlike Spider-man, Ant-Man is always ready for a photo. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Artist Jean-Michel Arrigona of nātür, which specializes in using preserved insects, reptiles, and bones to make jewelry and art. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
There were hundreds of vendors selling all sorts of fan gear. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Resistance is futile. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
A couple of hardcore Winchester fans. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Plot twist: the tattoo option on the prize board is an actual tattoo. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Author R.A. Salvatore greeted a huge line of adoring fans, signing books and taking photos. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Fans could take a photo with the adorable Beymax from Big Hero 6. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
The author booths were crazy popular this year. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Badass Karl Kroenen from Hellboy. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Totally love the Nuka Cola shield on this Wasteland Wanderer. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Sharks with frickin’ laser beams attached to their heads. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Is this cosplay? It looks heavy. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Perfect little orc family. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Check out the detail on these beautiful gowns! Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Comic Con volunteers worked hard to keep order among the chaos. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Professional cosplayer Leeanna Vamp meets with fans. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Space Marines. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
The Nightmare on 13th booth had awesome characters and sets to pose with. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
What do you call a group of Assassins? A coven? A gaggle? Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Artist Heather Theurer was popular for her gorgeous series of Disney characters done in realism style. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
The stars of the Hilly Wood Youtube show meet with fans. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Stars of the Hilly Wood Youtube show meet with fans. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Fans checked out the complex, massive Lego display. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Fans who attended the Aquabats panel got to see a surprise secret video– check out Alex Springer’s coverage to read about it! Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Ricky Fitness of The Aquabats! Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Whatever’s being talked about right now, I’m sure it’s ridiculous. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
The Aquabats did a signing at their merch table during the Con. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Who the hell is choosing Baratheon over Stark to wear on the Iron Throne? Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Comic artist Daniel Presedo paints a badass Batman mural on a donated car. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Comic artist Daniel Presedo paints a badass Batman mural on a donated car. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Is this kid buying a doll of himself? Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Bryan Brandenburg and the award. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Bryan Brandenburg, Manu Bennett, and Dan Farr celebrate the world record victory. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
The official from the Guinness World Records office presented the award at the end of the 5 minute wait. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
The official from the Guinness World Records office explains that the numbers have been reached– they only need to wait 5 full minutes for the win. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Singing “Don’t Stop Believing” while they wait for the win. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
One of many Spidermen wait for the results. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Superhero dance party as they count down the last 5 minutes until the record is won. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Manu invited all the Deadpools and Deathstrokes to the stage for a photo, and thought foolishly for a moment about picking a fight. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Manu Bennett (Deathstroke) and Alexpool talk shop as they wait for the record to be announced. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Dancepool! One of the many entertaining moments as fans waited eagerly for everyone to be counted. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Fans line up and patiently wait as attendees are counted for the official Guinness World Record attempt: most comic costumed people in one place. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Now that’s a crossover I’d watch. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
The lightsaber dealer was packed with long lines every day of the con. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
The one and only Hannibal cosplay I came across. Luckily it’s awesome. I expect better next year, jerks. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
A couple of padawans getting suckered into the Dark Side. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Cheese it, I pulled one of his threads, RUN. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Supergirl joins legions of her superhero comrades for a theme shoot. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
This little guy greeted those waiting in line for the Zombie Laser Tag. Look at his cute little Chucks!! Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Artist Steve Argyle showed off his enormous, detailed canvas work. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Fans lined up hours in advance to meet Chris Evans. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Little known fact: the entire SLCC media team is kept in these air-tight boxes in between Cons to preserve their freshness. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
A gentlemen sells Black Widow her very own pearl necklace, harvested from a clam she chose herself. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
The badasses of Bikers Against Child Abuse raffled off a bike during the Con. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Chun-Li fights a mortal at the Utah Game Wars booth. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
The lines for authors like Jim Butcher got pretty insane, easily rivaling many of the other celebrities. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Mad Max and Furiosa, finally. Been waiting all damn weekend. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Ursula ruling the high hallways. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Spider-twins! Spider-twins! I’m sure they never get up to shenanigans. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
The awesome gentlemen of the Idaho Virtualization Lab. They scan real museum bones by day and make 3D art out of them by night, like Batman does to criminal bones, sort of. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Get your helmets! The future is now! Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Attendees could try out the “hoverboards” of Zyrodrone. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Hard-working Starfleet members stop for a photo. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Cap, like many, could not stop staring at this intricate Mr. Freeze cosplay. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Artist Jenny Parks turns superheroes into supurrrrheroes (nailed it). Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Roger (right) and Charles (center) Prows of The Nerd Store attend to comic-hungry fans. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Marina Sirtis welcomes fans to see her narrating at the Utah Symphony this weekend. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Celebs thank and cheer for the first responders. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Attorney General Sean Reyes talks to the crowd about the benefits the Con has for Salt Lake and Utah. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Co-founder Dan Farr highlights some of the Con’s successes and exciting features for 2015. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Co-founders Dan Farr and Bryan Brandenburg welcome Ms. America to the stage. Look at that goddamn crown. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
We are the Animaniacs! Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Members of the armed forces, law enforcement, and first responders (with their families) pose for a photo. Copyright Megan Kennedy // abuseofreason.com
Cosplayers gather at the official press conference. Copyright Megan Kennedy//abuseofreason.com
Best! Copyright Megan Kennedy//abuseofreason.com
A few of the crazy cool zombie actors in the Zombie Laser Tag adventure. Copyright Megan Kennedy//abuseofreason.com
Kids had a blast on the huge pirate ship. Copyright Megan Kennedy//abuseofreason.com
I dig the neon sign. Copyright Megan Kennedy//abuseofreason.com
Fans waited in long lines to get into the Funko booth. Copyright Megan Kennedy//abuseofreason.com
Salt Lake Comic Con is in its third year, and it’s only getting better and better. Thousands of fans descended on the Salt Palace this weekend to meet their favorite celebrities, show off their A+ cosplay, play in gaming tournaments, attend industry panels, check out loads of fan art and paraphernalia, and generally geek the hell out. The convention center went full-throttle this year, with display booths and vendors from end to end. Also improved are the systems for getting fans in the door—no more hours-long wait on the streets. As the largest Con per capita in the US, you’d be a nerdherder to miss it.
Throughout the three-day event, fans enjoyed an array of celebrity and industry panels, live demonstrations of artists, robotics, and video games, fun photo ops with some of their favorite geek sets and props, face painting, craft-making, and more. Lucky fans in attendance on Friday in their comic book character cosplay had the chance to participate in setting the Guinness World Record for most comic book cosplay characters in one place, smashing the record previously set by China by several hundred participants. Vendors sold everything from bags, shirts, and toys to one-of-a-kind pieces of fan art and intricately-created working props. In the KidCon area, parents could take their little ones away from the craziness of the main floor to enjoy activities like superhero training, crafts, balloon animals, and get a family portrait taken by official Comic Con staff. Tabletop gamers had their own refuge, too, high above on the second floor where they could enjoy tournaments and learning about new games from local vendors. Regardless of your nerd level or what you were into, there was something for everyone at Salt Lake Comic Con.