C2E2

Greetings from Chicago. While The Beat has been faithfully ensconced in the Diamond Retailer Summit all day, C2e2 has been setting up shop across the hall. And what does the future hold for the...

If social media is any indication, the amount of excitement over this year's C2E2—the big ReedPOP comics/entertainment expo in Chicago—is quite high. After a bumpy start, I think this con may have actually gotten...

C2E2 -- the Chicago Comics and Entertainment Expo—kicks off on Friday although we'll be there from tomorrow on to cover the preceding Diamond Retailer summit. As they've done in the past. ReedPOP has provided us with a text only list of panels which is easier to scan than the database driven on eon the site. Sadly, it still doesn't include panel participants, but maybe next time. On the plus side -- very plus -- this is easily the best programming for C2E2 yet, a nice diverse blend of comics, SF, gaming and social based events with a strong local component. Some people last year questioned whether C2E2 would even make it to a fourth year, but it looks like its found its footing at last.

Diamond will once again be holding its annual retailer summit at C2E2 this year, from Wednesday, April 24 to Friday, April 26. The event is only open to retailers and a few industry professionalss but the schedule includes breakfast, dinners and, of course, a hearty lunch. The full schedule can be viewed here.

It's not too early to think about 2013, is it? Egads. To wit, panel submissions are now open for C2E2 which will be held April 26-28, 2013. Do you have something important to tell...

The Hero's journey concludes, in unexpected ways. Will he return a changed man, for better, or for worse? Read on, for the thrilling conclusion!

A 27-year-old comic con virgin describes his second day of pleasure!

Remember your first time? Wish you had taken pictures? Well, special correspondent J. Parker Adair certainly remembers his first time, and he took lots of pictures!

This was, everyone agreed, the make or break year for the third year show. Champ or chump? Read on.

Via Omg Dj Judy and Agent M. Did she say yes? Unknown.

After several years of "e for effort" turnout at for C2E2, today's show seems to have actually broken the floodgates and sent a ton of cosplayers, media fans, comics readers, and general nerd army participants into the cavernous McCormick Place. It was easily the busiest day we've seen here.

We present the first-time experience of a long-time comics fan, as he experiences C2E2 in Chicago. (Be Gentle.)