A Festival That Continues to Exceed Expectations: AwesomeCon X - Friday Edition
Joseph Watkins Da Watcher
The air is charged with excitement as fans gathered to the 10th annual fan festival, AwesomeCon, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC . A decade in and Leftfield Media continues to amaze guests by providing us with amazing panels, awesome merch, and exquisite cosplay.
With AwesomeCon, it’s like stepping into an alternate universe where imagination knows no bounds. A celebration of pop culture, fans of all backgrounds have the opportunity to create and embrace stories that transcend reality. The imagination takes hold of you, and for three days, AwesomeCon takes you on a journey into multiple worlds and universes. Jedi’s, Spider-Men, Shinobis, Angels, Demons, Gods and families have all touched down to pay homage to the characters and creators that made them fans to begin with.
The energy and enthusiasm pulsating through the halls are infectious as fans come together to honor the characters and worlds that have inspired them. A fascinating collection of artwork, pop culture, and community, Leftfield Media has ensured that a fan can enjoy being a fan and revel in navigating the lines between fantasy and reality with ease. While I was unable to attend the panels due to traffic in coming here, I decided to focus on the exquisite cosplay and merchandise on the show floor.
For the cosplayers, they truly immerse themselves in dressing up as their favorite characters, demonstrating unwavering dedication as they strike poses for photographs, and in some cases, say the dialogues of their beloved personas. In my opinion, cosplayers bring to life the very essence of what it means to love a comic, manga, movie, video game, or other pop culture media. The way they show their love to their beloved characters by stepping into the shoes of them, it is a sight to behold as many pull off their months of planning and preparation. Washington, DC did not disappoint as many showed out and off their favorite characters.
AwesomeCon X
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AwesomeCon X 〰️
AwesomeCon X
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AwesomeCon X 〰️
Aside from the cosplay, I also managed to get to see the famous and talented Fantastic Frankey and Black Gay Comic Geek. True fans of the culture, they spoke with fans and artists about the latest and greatest in pop culture. Shoutout to them as they, too are hosting panels and are parting with DJ Taylor Senpai on Saturday.
Walking through the exhibition hall, Shelves and tables are lined with an assortment of comic books, retro merch, posters, artwork and exclusive merch for sale. Along the corridors were also Eisner Award winning artists and indie creators. Handcrafted accessories were also for sale as one of a kind merchandise lined tables with crowds of individuals. Jewelry, clothing and home décor also lined some tables with one of a kind and NSFW content.
Friday provided just a tantalizing taste of the excitement and anticipation that will unfold over the course of this weekend's AwesomeCon. As fans eagerly navigated through the exhibition halls, the air buzzed with an electrifying energy, setting the stage for an unforgettable experience in the coming days ahead. From the incredible cosplay to the countless merchandise waiting to be purchased, Friday's glimpse into the world of Washington, DC’s famous festival, have attendees eagerly waiting for more.
Overall, AwesomeCon ’23’s, thrilling convention promises to leave fans eagerly awaiting grand adventures, unforgettable memories, and an experience that will make this convention one of the best cons on the East Coast.
And this was only Friday.
