It’s that time of the year once again… it’s convention kick-off season! GeekDad is returning to Planet Comicon in Kansas City, Missouri, on Friday, February 16 through Sunday, February 18. Join us in celebrating Planet Comicon’s 20th anniversary at the GeekDad: Raising Generation 2.0 panel at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 17 in room 2505A.
Join GeekDad.com’s Joey Mills and Dave Banks as they take a look at parenting tips for raising the next generation of geeks. The two will take a look at how growing up geek has changed from “when we were kids,” focusing on the role that technology and pop culture can play in strengthening family bonds. Included in the panel are tips on how to set up your own family games night, including recommendations of games by age that will engage and entertain the whole family.
Who Else Will Be at Planet Comicon 2018?
What, meeting Dave and me isn’t enough? I suppose, while you’re waiting for our panel or hanging out after the panel, you could walk the convention floor, check out the other panels, and meet the variety of media, creator, and cosplay guests. Everyone has his or her favorites among the lineup, and I know I’m leaving out a lot of folks with a number of fans, but guests of specific interest to GeekDad and GeekMom readers include:
Media Guests
- Jason Momoa (Aquaman, Khal Drogo from HBO’s Game of Thrones)
- John Cusack (from the movies you’ve watched over the past three decades)
- Alan Tudyk (Firefly, Serenity, Star Wars: Rogue One, and the voices of many Disney and Pixar characters)
- Michael Rooker (Mary Poppins, y’all!)
- Jerome Flynn (Bronn from HBO’s Game of Thrones, among others)
- Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom, from the Harry Potter films)
- Sonequa Martin-Green (Michael Burnham on Star Trek: Discovery)
- Zach Callison (the voice of Steven on Steven Universe, among others)
- Kevin Conroy (the only Batman I hear when I read comics, from Batman: The Animated Series, among others)
- Jim Cummings (the official voice of Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, and Darkwing Duck)
- Will Friedle (Eric from Boy Meets World, voice of Terry McGinnis in Batman Beyond, among others)
- Jess Harnell (voice of Wakko Warner on Animaniacs, among others)
- Rob Paulsen (voice of Yakko Warner and Pinky in Animaniacs, among others)
- Maurice LaMarche (voice of The Brain on Animaniacs, among others)
- Tom Kane (voice of Professor Utonium in The Powerpuff Girls, among others)
- Khary Payton (voice of Cyborg for Teen Titans Go! and Ezekiel on The Walking Dead, among others)
- Charles Martinet (voice of Mario, Luigi, and many others for Nintendo)
Creator Guests
- Jason Aaron (The Mighty Thor)
- Neal Adams (comic legend, including Batman and Green Lantern/Green Arrow)
- Bill Amend (Foxtrot)
- Brian Azzarello (The Dark Knight III)
- Marguerite Bennett (Batwoman and DC Bombshells)
- Greg Capullo (Dark Knights: Metal)
- Frank Cho (Wonder Woman and Harley Quinn)
- Jonathan Glapion (Dark Knights: Metal)
- Brian Gordon (Fowl Language)
- Phil Hester (Future Quest Presents: Birdman)
- Dan Jurgens (Action Comics)
- Tom King (Batman)
- Jason Latour (Spider-Gwen)
- Jae Lee (Stephen King’s Dark Tower comics and novels)
- Tony Moore (The Walking Dead)
- Ande Parks (Batman Beyond)
- Christopher Priest (Deathstroke)
- Scott Snyder (Dark Knights: Metal)
Cosplay Guests
- Charles Xavier Conley (winner of SyFy’s Cosplay Melee)
- SKS Props (winner of Twitchcon & SyFy’s Cosplay Melee)
What Is There to Do at Planet Comicon 2018?
I’ve affectionately referred to Planet Comicon, at times, as an arts and crafts fair for geeks. There is always a ton of merchandise to check out and purchase. Sure, there will be people peddling mass-produced stuff (you won’t be able to swing a Lucille prop without hitting someone selling Funko Pops), but the fun–for me, at least–is visiting booths where small, independent craftsmen and women are selling their handmade items celebrating their geek interests.
There will be panels to attend, either because you’re really interested in the speaker(s) or the subject, or because your feet are tired and you need a place to sit for a while. The full panel schedule is available on the Planet Comicon website.
(In addition to the GeekDad panel, I will be hosting and moderating an assortment of panels throughout the weekend, so be sure to stop me and say “Hi” after the panel if you attend one or more.)
You’ll be able to meet all the guests listed above and more. If you’re looking for autographs and/or photos, there will be opportunities to grab those. Each guest has different availabilities over the weekend. Some will be in attendance all three days, others only one day. Some will allow for selfies with the guest at their respective table, others will only do professional photos. If there is a particular guest you are interested in meeting, you would be wise to check the Planet Comicon website for prices and availability.
In addition to the cosplay guests on the floor, expect to see attendees dressed in all manner of cosplay. If the shopping experience is near the top of my list of favorite things to do at Planet Comicon, then people watching has to be right up there with it. Saturday night, the best will strut their stuff during the Cosplay Competition, which is free to watch for all Planet Comicon attendees.
After we’ve piqued your interest regarding tabletop gaming during the GeekDad: Raising Generation 2.0 panel, head on down to the gaming room at Planet Comicon, where you’ll be able to borrow and play a number of tabletop games yourself. It’s a great way to try a game before you buy it and can be an escape for families who need to step away from the hustle and bustle on the convention floor and chill out for a while.
Come on out and join us Friday, February 16 though Sunday, February 18 at Planet Comicon 2018 in Kansas City.
