Comic conventions are no longer simply the cottage industry they were for the burgeoning geek fandom. They're a business that rake in billions of dollars a year, and provide a colourful sanctuary of nerdiness for countless fans across the world by filling hotels and conference centres alike with the best and the brightest in comic books, films, TV shows and videogames. From the mighty San Diego to the quaint local gathering in a church basement, comic conventions are a great place to pick up some crucial back issues, fraternise with your fellow fans and perhaps even catch a glimpse - in the flesh! - of the very people who spend their days creating the things that you so adore. The lucky swine. Not that cons aren't without their own unique foibles and issues. Sticking that many people and things into an enclosed space will create problems that you can't possibly hope to plan for, and certainly won't experience anywhere else. From the poor hygiene of your fellow con-goers to the sorry state of the bathrooms to the terrifying prospect of actually meeting your comic heroes, here are twenty of the big issues that only people who brave conventions have to face.
20. Eating
You have three choices when it comes to sustenance on the con floor: eat whatever terrible food the convention centre itself offers, leave the venue and try out whatever fast food establishment is nearest so that you'll be back in time for the panel on how digital comics are alternately saving and destroying the industry, or bring snacks with you. Now we're not going to go as far as to call this is a Sophie's Choice, because Sophie's children weren't unhealthy food items and she didn't have to eat one of them. But as far as being an impossible choice where you'll lose out whatever you go for, sure, it's just like Sophie's Choice.
Tom Baker is the Comics Editor at WhatCulture! He's heard all the Doctor Who jokes, but not many about Randall and Hopkirk. He also blogs at http://communibearsilostate.wordpress.com/
