Comic Cons are a big part of my life. I love the culture, people and especially exclusives only offered at the convention. Find some on Bryan’s Finds
Cosplay and all the Fun it Brings – Wondercon is the Best
It felt so good to be back and reconnect with both familiar faces and new friends. One of my favorite parts of any convention is hunting for Star Wars art and checking out all the incredible cosplay, and I’m excited to share some of the highlights with you today! WonderCon really is a celebration of fandom in every form — from Disney and Marvel to DC, anime, and so much more. No matter what you’re into, there’s something there that’ll make you smile.
If you couldn’t make it this time, mark your calendar for next year, March 24th–26th. Fridays tend to be less crowded, which makes it easier to browse the booths and explore the show floor at a relaxed pace. Saturday is the busiest (and most energetic) day — perfect for people-watching and snapping photos of all the amazing cosplayers. If you can swing it, going for at least two days gives you time to really take it all in without rushing. And don’t forget — there are fantastic panels happening all weekend long, too!
If you want, I can also make a version that’s shorter, more blog-style, or more promotional depending on where you’re using it.
Star Wars Celebration Worth Every Penny no Matter Where in the Galaxy it is!
A long time ago, in a city not so far away, I checked off one of the biggest items on my Star Wars bucket list.
Back in 2019, I traveled to Galaxy’s Edge in Anaheim and completely lost myself exploring Black Spire Outpost. It was everything I’d hoped for and more. But even that magical trip wasn’t the top of my list. For years, there was one experience I’d dreamed about most: Star Wars Celebration — the ultimate gathering for fans of the greatest sci-fi saga of all time.
And this year, I finally made it happen.
Hi, I’m Bryan Whitman — lifelong Star Wars fan, convention wanderer, and professional memory collector — and attending Celebration turned out to be one of the most unforgettable weekends of my life.
Anyone who knows me knows how much Star Wars means to me. It’s not just movies — it’s childhood, imagination, friendships, and that spark of adventure that never really goes away. So when I secured my tickets, my excitement level went straight to hyperspace. After years of hoping “maybe someday,” someday had finally arrived.
And honestly? It didn’t just meet my expectations.
It blew them away.
From the moment I walked into the convention center, it felt like stepping into another galaxy. Everywhere I looked there were Jedi, Sith, Mandalorians, droids, bounty hunters, and fans proudly repping every era of the saga. Celebration isn’t just an event — it’s a community. Thousands of people, all speaking the same nerdy language, all there because this universe means something to them.
One of the first things that surprised me was how smoothly everything ran. For an event this massive, the organization was impressive. Lines looked long, but they moved quickly. Photo ops were efficient. Even the store queues — which could’ve been a nightmare — flowed steadily. Huge shout-out to the staff keeping everything on track, especially the endlessly energetic crew directing photo sessions like Rebel commanders running a battle plan.
Speaking of the store… let’s just say my wallet took a hit, and I regret absolutely nothing.
Exclusive shirts, artwork, collectibles — it was paradise for a merch-loving fan like me. And the action figure selection? Dangerous. Vintage Collection, Black Series — all reasonably priced and impossible to resist. My collection definitely grew over the weekend.
But the real magic wasn’t the merch.
It was the people.
I met actors I’ve admired for years, grabbed photos, shared quick chats, and had those surreal “I can’t believe this is happening” moments that stick with you forever. Every single interaction felt warm and genuine. No rush, no ego — just gratitude and shared fandom.
Still, what stuck with me most wasn’t any single celebrity moment.
It was the atmosphere.
Random conversations in line. Laughing with strangers about favorite scenes. Cosplayers posing for photos like it was totally normal to bump into a full squad of stormtroopers near the snack stand. At one point I asked a Han Solo cosplayer for a photo near the bathrooms and he joked, “Where else can you go to the restroom and run into Han Solo?” That pretty much sums up Celebration perfectly.
It’s joyful. It’s ridiculous. It’s pure fun.
Even when I didn’t make it into certain panels, there was always something incredible happening — exhibits, artists, meetups, surprise moments. You’re never bored because everywhere you turn there’s another piece of the galaxy waiting for you.
By the end of the weekend, I realized something:
I went in thinking this might be a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
I left already planning the next one.
Because Celebration isn’t just something you attend — it’s something you feel. It reminds you why you fell in love with Star Wars in the first place.
So if you’re even remotely a fan and you ever get the chance to go?
Do it.
Trust me.
This is the way.
Thanks for reading,
Bryan Whitman
May the Force be with you.
San Diego Comic Con
My First San Diego Comic-Con Experience
By Bryan Whitman
For years, San Diego Comic-Con sat at the very top of my bucket list.
I’d watched panels online, followed announcements from afar, and told myself, “Someday I’ll make it there.” When that “someday” finally arrived, I honestly wasn’t sure anything could live up to the hype.
Turns out… it didn’t just live up to it.
It blew it away.
This trip had been years in the making, and when I finally got my badges, it felt surreal. My dad and I planned to attend two days — Thursday and Sunday — and instead of over-scheduling every second, we chose a few “can’t miss” panels and decided to let the rest of the experience unfold naturally.
That ended up being one of the best decisions we made.
Arriving at the Convention Center
I arrived in San Diego late Wednesday night and looked over the Comic-Con schedule before heading to bed. The next morning, I grabbed breakfast and tried to find the shuttle to the convention center… but couldn’t.
So I just walked.
And honestly? I’m glad we did.
As we made our way toward the Gaslamp Quarter, the whole city slowly transformed. Banners for upcoming movies hung overhead. Cosplayers started popping up everywhere. More and more badge holders filled the sidewalks. The closer we got, the more electric the atmosphere felt.
Then I saw it — the San Diego Convention Center — massive and buzzing with thousands of fans already lining up.
A giant gathering of nerds, artists, gamers, movie lovers, and pop culture fans all in one place.
I remember smiling and thinking, Yep… these are my people.
Panels and Unexpected Favorites
When the doors opened, we headed upstairs to escape the crowds and ended up walking straight into Ballroom 20 without much of a plan.
That turned into one of my favorite Comic-Con lessons: sometimes the best experiences are the ones you don’t plan.
We caught an animation showcase filled with short films we’d never even heard of, and it was surprisingly awesome.
Later, we lined up for panels I really didn’t want to miss, including Legion and Inhumans. Even waiting in line didn’t feel like a chore. The weather was perfect, and everyone around us was chatting about their favorite shows, movies, and theories. It felt less like standing in line and more like hanging out with friends.
The Legion panel was fantastic — exclusive footage, cast stories, and that shared excitement you only get in a packed room full of fans. It’s one of those “you had to be there” moments.
Inhumans, if I’m being honest, didn’t quite hit for me. But that’s Comic-Con — not everything will be a home run. You just move on to the next adventure.
There’s always something happening.
Sunday: Slower and Just as Fun
Sunday had a totally different vibe — calmer, more family-oriented, and a little less chaotic.
Instead of rushing, I slowed down and just explored.
Some of my favorite moments came from smaller, unexpected panels and random discoveries. That’s the cool thing about Comic-Con — you can walk into something you didn’t plan for and walk out with a great memory.
Those little surprises ended up being just as meaningful as the big headliners.
Exploring the Exhibit Hall
Then there’s the Exhibit Hall… which is basically nerd paradise.
It’s enormous — booths everywhere, giant displays, collectibles, artwork, exclusives, and more merchandise than any fan’s wallet can handle.
The first time I walked in, it was total sensory overload. Noise, lights, crowds — everything happening at once. But once I got my bearings, it was incredible.
I checked out the Marvel booth with screen-used costumes, saw LEGO’s life-size builds, admired insanely detailed Sideshow collectibles, and wandered past displays that felt more like mini museums than vendor booths.
At one point, I even saw a Tyrannosaurus Rex dressed as Batman.
Only at Comic-Con.
Lines, Cosplay, and the Vibe
Yes, there are lines. Lots of them.
But honestly, they weren’t as bad as I expected. Most moved quickly, and they gave me time to talk with other fans and take in the cosplay walking by.
And the cosplay? Unreal.
Some people put months into their costumes, and it shows. Every direction I looked, someone had recreated a character perfectly. It felt like stepping into a live-action version of every fandom at once.
I probably took more photos of cosplayers than anything else.
Fueling the Day
Food wasn’t exactly fancy — pretzels, snacks, pizza, whatever kept me going. Comic-Con isn’t where I go for gourmet meals. It’s survival mode so I don’t miss the next panel or booth.
Totally worth it.
Final Thoughts
With only two days, I barely scratched the surface of everything SDCC has to offer.
And still… it was one of the most fun, memorable experiences I’ve ever had.
San Diego Comic-Con isn’t just an event — it’s a celebration. It’s a place where you can fully embrace what you love and be surrounded by thousands of people who get it.
For me, it checked off a lifelong bucket list goal.
And the second it ended, I already wanted to go back.
If you’ve ever thought about attending, do it. At least once.
You’ll be exhausted, probably broke, and ridiculously happy.
Trust me — it’s worth it.
— Bryan Whitman
note* A must do See MOSH EISLEY at the Music Box Comic-Con Saturday! Bring you Light Saber.
