By Dale T. Phillips

Pictures by Dale T. Phillips and Stacey Longo

Once more, I got to travel to another world or a lot of them, by attending Granite State ComiCon, organized by Double Midnight Comics. I was one of two authors at the Books & Boos table. The other author at the table being Stacey Longo. We were signing books for fans, new and old.

Author Stacey Longo at the Books & Boos table.

It was an amazing time at a well-run con, with thousands of fun people enjoying themselves and sharing their special likes of comics, TV shows, books, films, graphic novels, games, and cultural icons of all sorts.

You get to see people like The New England Brethren of Pirates.

The Ghostbusters of New Hampshire 

The New England garrison of the 501st Legion.
All three groups make appearances to help raise money for charities. These people put a lot of time and effort into their outfits and shows, and they deserve a big hand for what they do.

Sam Jones

You get to see celebrities, like Sam Jones (of Flash Gordon and Ted fame) and tough-guy actor William Forsythe, both of whom were

Author Stacey Longo with William Forsythe.

extremely gracious and kind to the fans. You also see the people behind the voices of your favorite animated characters such as Richard Horvitz, who voices Zim in Invader Zim, .

Richard Horvitz.

You get to meet writers such as Gordon Bean, Rob Watts, Katherine Silva, and Scott Goudsward, who are all members of the New England Horror Writers.

From left to right: Gordon Bean, Rob Watts, Katherine Silva, and Scott Goudsward.

Author Matthew Bartlett, another NEHW member, was also signing books at the organization’s table.

Author Matthew Bartlett.

Besides the NEHW and Longo, Chris Philbrook, another author, had his own table at the convention.

Author Chris Philbrook.

During my time at the convention, I also met author John Murphy, who was recently heard on the Sci-fi Saturday Night podcast. I can’t wait to hear their interviews with the cast members of Game of Thrones.

Me (left) and John Murphy (right).

The Game of Thrones celebrities.

Speaking of which, lots of folks were Game of Thrones cosplaying to honor the cast members who were there.

Arya of Game of Thrones.

Arya of Game of Thrones.

Miltos Yeramelou (Syrio on GoT) hosted a Water Dancing class to teach beginning fencers. I watched some of it, and thought it superb– and I’ve been a fencer for over 35 years.

Miltos Yeramelou.

Groot.

You get to see about every superhero and supervillain you can think of.

Catwoman.

Robin and Batgirl.

Harley Quinn, the Joker and the Riddler.

And many other costumes. A guy who plays Mr T. emceed the huge costume contest. I sure wouldn’t want to judge that one, because there are so many cool costumes, it would be too hard to choose a winner!

Two days of fun, and we just saw a small part of it. It’s a total experience, with panels, parties, and participation.

Freddy Krueger and Jason Vorhees.

A Borg from Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Loki

Harley Quinn and the Joker.

Haunted Acres is New England’s most exciting haunted attraction, with Maniac’s Midway, live bands, a beer garden, and lots of food and ride vendors.

Frozen’s Elsa taking a trip in the Tardis.

Deadpool and Wonder Woman.

Judge Dredd.

Groot.

Artist Karen Gosselin.

Mr. T with author Stacey Longo, holding her book Secret Things.

Ralphie from A Christmas Story.

Robbie the Robot.

A Medieval Deadpool.

Me with author Rob Watts.

A ruined Stormtrooper.

Batwoman.

Star Trek’s Starfleet officer

Wreck-It Ralph.

The Dome and Kriana of Sci-fi Saturday Night.

Disney Princesses.

A Droogie.

Wonder Woman and Batman.

Guardians of the Galaxy.

Killer Queen.

A Droogie.

Brave’s Princess Merida and Silk.

Performers from Fright Kingdom.

Convention attendees.

Rikki Simons, the voice of Gir on Invader Zim.

Thor and Voltron