Denver Comic Con 2017 - Day One Recap

Written by John Edward Betancourt

It's been five glorious years since the Colorado Convention Center opened its doors to host the first ever Denver Comic Con, and it's been quite the ride ever since. The crowds continue to get larger, the guests continue to get bigger and really, when all is said and done, this convention truly is the crown jewel of the Mile High City.

Yet yesterday, I couldn't help but notice that there was a different 'feel' in the hours leading up to the convention. For me...there was a sense of routine that accompanied everything. The sheer anticipation wasn't quite building in my heart or my stomach and hopping on the train to head down to the Convention Center was no different than hopping in the car to go to work and well...this worried me for a moment. Was the excitement finally gone? Has Denver Comic Con truly become just another daily event for me to deal with in the summer time? 

As it turns out, the answer to those questions, thankfully, is a resounding no. Because once I made it through my line and stepped out on to the floor to explore this year's new layout...that little flutter in my stomach started to build. I was here, this was it, the fun was about to begin and minute by minute, as I reunited with old friends that I haven't seen for a while, be it from the last DCC or the last time we hung out in general, that sense of community started to grow and when the doors finally opened and the first big wave of fans rushed through...that's when the magic returned.

Because everywhere I looked, I saw nothing but smiles and wide eyed wonder. Denver Comic Con was underway, the time to geek out and not feel an ounce of shame for it was here, and I even recall hearing a pair of young women declare just how exciting and how awesome it was to be here before stopping to snap a picture and well...they're right. This convention is and will forever be about the things that we love and it doesn't matter if you're here to add to your autograph or art collection or if you're just here for a good time, it's all about celebrating your favorite fandom with family or friends and spending a weekend immersing yourself in geeky goodness.  

However, regardless of seeing all that joy, and finding the rush that comes with Denver Comic Con a little later than usual, I was still left wondering...why then was there a sense of routine in my mind before the wonder took over? The answer to that is simple...because Denver Comic Con is truly an institution in Denver now, and there's a comfort that comes with that. We know it's here, we know it's coming so there's not always a need to build it up in our minds, because the wonder and the awe that comes with this con is waiting for us when we arrive, and I for one, cannot wait to let the bliss that Denver Comic Con provides us with, fill my heart with it once again. 

---