We like to thing that Stan "The Man" Lee hasn't been reduced to this level yet, but at some point during your convention-going existence you'll have had to deal with the mixed emotions of stumbling across your favourite bit-part actor from a treasured childhood film or cult TV show, whose presence wasn't advertised on the guest list, sat on a little table surrounded with large black-and-white photos of their best-known (but still obscure) roles. When else are you going to get the opportunity to meet this hero of yours, let alone to get their autograph? Then you notice the sign detailing the prices they're charging for various sizes of head shots with accompanying signature. You don't want a photo, though. Can't they just sign the notebook you've been collecting people's scrawls in all weekend? No. This is how they make a living now. Smarting with the realisation that this paragon has stumbled off the pedestal you'd stuck them on, you stump up the cash and come away feeling a strange combination of elated and disappointed that nobody else can understand. Still, at least you got to meet one of the Tracy brothers from Thunderbirds!
8. Dealing With Cosplay Creepers
For many, a comic convention is there way to celebrate their fandom and their creativity at the same time in the form of their painstakingly constructed costumes. The halls are always bustling with people cosplaying as their favourite comics, film and game characters, and a lot of them look awesome! Unfortunately, there are others who agree that show their appreciation in entirely inappropriate manners. Sadly harassment isn't a thing that's known only to conventions, but cosplayers suffer it in new and bizarre ways. Dudes following them around the con floor who won't be dissuaded even when they've got a giant replica sword warding them off, over-zealous amatuer photographers who take surreptitious snaps. It sucks, but if you cosplay as a Final Fantasy character at least you can fight back.
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/
