As the escalator rose, my stoic facade began to crack. I tried to steel myself against the coming distractions, knowing it to be futile.
My attempt at journalistic seriousness gave way to the giddy schoolboy who loves Ninja Turtles and stares in awe at fabulous costumes. I grabbed my camera to try to capture this moment as I began cresting the top of the escalator and the whole floor of the convention hall at Planet Comic-Con Kansas City came into view; my jaw dropped. The giddiness gave way to awe and wonder. The cosplay showcase was at the top of the escalator for all attendees to see, open to anyone, and one of my personal favorites. The costumes were incredible, the excitement of attendees waiting to take a picture with their favorite characters was palpable, and there were smiles as far as the eye could see.
I attended Planet Comic-Con Kansas City on March 22 with my wife, our daughter, and my daughter’s friend, both of whom are 11. At first, the trip was focused on the girls and their excitement. After all, the trip was their idea, and my wife and I were merely going along to chaperone and glean some fun from the whole experience. While the girls enjoyed themselves, my wife and I began to realize that we were the target audience for the convention.
I couldn’t help but smile as every time I turned my head, there was either a familiar character from a long-lost TV show or a hot new pop culture flavor of the month, or the next potential obsession. The convention floor was bustling with activity. Booths showcased the latest merchandise, artists displayed their craft, and cosplayers posed for photos. Panels and presentations offered insights into the creative process of artists and actors, while games and contests provided entertainment and brought camaraderie. Christopher Lloyd from Back to the Future, David Wenham and Andy Serkis of The Lord of the Rings, and Christina Ricci from The Addams Family were a few of the more prominent guests and panelists. I met an author from NWA who has found success and was excitedly interacting with attendees and fans. Beyond the simple commerce of the convention, the inundation of support and affirmation uplifts artists in new ways.
Between the displays of costumes, commerce, and celebrity queues for photo opportunities, I could see families like mine, wide-eyed with wonder. At the same time, groups of friends shyly weaved through the crowds, passionately debating the merits of costumes and plot lines among themselves. The diverse crowd spanned various ethnicities, genders, and fandoms, including families, collectors, cosplayers, and casual fans, all united by their shared passions. Rather than the rivalry found between some fandoms, such as Star Wars and Star Trek, everyone was celebrating as one, sharing their love for their particular fandom with others. Interacting with both local and world-famous artists, celebrities and creators known for iconic pop culture portrayals, and official cosplaying communities bring out the unabashed excitement and passion that the rest of the world doesn’t uniformly embrace.
A diverse community of people who might not have otherwise met was drawn to this very convention hall on March 21- 23, 2025, to celebrate not only their shared fandoms but each other. Sharing their differences and celebrating their uniqueness, whether it’s their skin color or the fabric chosen for their cosplay of a Jedi Master, there were no “wrong” costumes or “right” characters. At Planet Comic-Con KC, everyone is welcome who shares a passion for the creative arts and expressions of individuality, assuming, of course, you also agree that Star Trek is better than Star Wars (wink).
Braxton Kehr is a reporter and writer for the NWACC Eagle View. He was part of the student newspaper and media lab class during the spring 2025 semester.
