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Fun at WonderCon 2023

I attended WonderCon 2023 in Anaheim, CA. Was on a couple of panels and saw tons of fantastic cosplay. Enjoy!

Some of the doomed Space Marines from Aliens

My Speculative Fiction in Alternate History panel. From L to R: Lissa Price, me, Stacia Deutsch, Scott Sigler

The panel audience

Scott Sigler reads a snippet from his story.

Aquaman and Wonder Woman

Ahsoka Tano and Darth Maul: Theirs was a forbidden love.

Aang, Katara, and Aapa the flying bison from Avatar: The Last Airbender. “Yip, yip!”

Avengers: Hawkeye, Iron Man, Thor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Futrama’s Bender (on a bender)

The brest, I mean best Catwoman cosplay there.

Chainsaw Man. The convention staff actually bothered to safety tag his chainsaw blades.

Chewbacca

Cinderella

A reliable and helpful cosplay repair man.

Cousin It from The Addams Family

“In his house at R’lyeh dead Cthulhu waits dreaming.”

Dancing Stormtrooper with real boombox music

With David Gerrold, the man who wrote the tribbles episode of Star Trek, among many other things.

Doc Oc from Spiderman

Edna Mode from The Incredibles was VERY busy telling all the superheroes, “No capes!”

Elves from a video game.

Final Fantasy cosplay. Speak softly and carry a big sword.

A huge Master Sergeant from Halo.

Poison Ivy and four Harley Quinns.

My KidLit author panel with, L to R: Tara Gilboy, Reggie Brown, me, Dee Leone.

You might think this is just a cute kid in costume. But it is also the most horrific costume at WonderCon. Why? This junior canine astronaut’s spacesuit has red stars, making her a cosmonaut. The Soviets launched a mutt Laika on a one-way journey into space at the early stages of their space program. That’s cold.

Mandlorians

Middle grade author panel with, L to R: Greg Van Eekhout, Dan Santat, Cecil Castelucci, and Chris Baron.

Amazingly well rendered Poison Ivy from Batman.

Remote-controlled robot from WALL-E.

The villain Ronan from The Avengers

Star Wars cosplay

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Michelangelo

Tony Stark and Pepper Potts

At The Rings of Power panel, the signer for the hearing impaired wore elf ears.

Galactus

Wise Uncle Iroh from Avatar – The Last Airbender

Walter White from Breaking Bad

Wednesday from The Addams Family

A second version of Wednesday from The Addams Family

Zelda and Link from The Legend of Zelda


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San Diego Comic-Con 2022

As always, had a great time attending panels, meeting fellow creators, and wandering the exhibit hall.

Gundam

Elden Ring

I have no idea…

Dragonball Z

Cthulhu (I think that’s H.P. Lovecraft’s head at the base)

Dark Souls

Someone with mother issues, perhaps.

Krapopolis: Rick & Morty meets Greek mythology

A powerful movement…

Dragonball Z

Cabbage cart for fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender

Large Funko

Final Fantasy woman on a dragon

Beavis and Butthead

LEGO Mario and Luigi

Huge Naruto bowl of noodles

Huge LEGO Darth Vader

Predator

Cool wall-mounted resin models

Conan the Barbarian

WWE’s The Undertaker

Masters of the Universe

Minecraft

LEGO

Human-sized Porg from Star Wars

Huge Target dog. I have no idea why

Cool mermaid-like character

Mariachi Mandalorians!

The Black Knight from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. “None shall pass.”

Syndrome from The Incredibles. I got him monologuing!

Captain America in an Iron Man suit

Thanos from Avengers End Game. Speak softly and carry a big…

Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings (and his plus one)

Demon

Hawkman and Hawkwoman from Flash Gordon

Metal Rick from Rick & Morty

House of the Dragon (Game of Thrones sequel series)

Alien character from Star Wars

Saga Press panel with Rebecca Roanhorse and Joe Monti

Golden Girls Bobbleheads – proving you can find anything at Comic-Con

Marvin the Martian. “You Earthlings make me very angry.” Me too, Marvin. Me too.

Aang from Avatar – The Last Airbender

Giant mechanical Cookie Monster

Totoro

My fantasy author panel with (l to r): Wesley Chu, B.B. Alston, Maggie Stiefvater, and Tomi Adeyemi


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Inexpensive cosplay ideas

Some cosplayers go to great lengths and expense to recreate iconic characters from movies, books, news, and comics. Not this guy… Thanks to Alexander Kravets and the mad geniuses at Bored Panda.

“Remember the Lowcostplay guy from Thailand who creates crappy cosplays using stuff he finds at home? Turns out, he has a serious competitor in Russia. Alexander Kravets from Moscow explores deeper levels of ridiculousness by recreating popular movies, TV scenes, games, or pictures of celebrities using only the things that he can find around him.

Alexander discovered his passion for cosplay in 2015 and since then he’s been brightening the days of almost 55k followers on Instagram. He calls his work zero-budget, “suitable” cosplay which he creates using stuff any person would be able to find at home: frying pans, hair dryers, various food products, towels, toys, household items or even his dog. Who says eye-catching costumes have to cost a fortune?”

Low Budget Cosplay

Low Budget Cosplay

Low Budget Cosplay

Low Budget Cosplay

Low Budget Cosplay

Low Budget Cosplay

Low Budget Cosplay

Low Budget Cosplay

Low Budget Cosplay

 


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Camping with a Hedgehog

Everyone loves hedgehogs. Check out this spiky dude, thanks to the mad geniuses at Bored Panda.

“We know you remember Azuki, the tiny Japanese hedgehog who goes on big adventures. His perky ears, button nose, and delightful roundness is just impossible to forget. Well, Azuki recently traded his cozy dream house in for a set of miniature Coleman camping gear and took a trip to the great outdoors. Equipped with his own tent, kayak, and barbecue, he was all set for success, and pretty much had the time of his life. Just looking at his photos makes us want to get our camp on. It also really, really makes us want a hedgehog. Like, right this second.

Take a ride on the wild side and see the best moments from Azuki’s camping days below, and don’t even try to tell us you’ve ever been as happy as this magnificent little guy.”


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Good Times at San Diego Comic-Con 2019

Had a fantastic time at San Diego Comic-Con. I participated in three panels and got to hang out with some amazing authors. Took a ton of pictures for my friends who couldn’t be there. Enjoy!

My little Predator? One of my favorite pictures from the convention.

My sons and I outside the San Diego Convention Center

In the San Diego Convention Center, no one can hear you scream!

The Dark Crystal, Planet of the Apes, and Lord of the Rings sculptures

A giant Mr. Krabs from Spongebob Squarepants!

“Not with 10,000 men could you do this.”

Ah, Dungeons & Dragons humor…

Samurai Batman!

Puppets from the upcoming TV show Crank Yankers

Tiki Yoda and Moana !?

Godzilla doesn’t like waiting in lines either.

Gundam figures

Batman: Family

A sketch of me by the creator of Mr. Toast

The importance of good dental hygiene…

I’ve got my eye on you!

 

He-Man!

 

Domino from X-Men

Stephen King’s IT

Final Fantasy characters

3A figures from Ashley Woods

Magic Wheelchairs ❤

Met the kind and talented author of THE NIGHT CIRCUS, Erin Morgenstern

The wonderful author of SHADOW AND BONE, Leigh Bardugo, wins the Inkpot award

Leigh Bardugo and Erin Morgenstern: talented and funny

Are You There, Gods? It’s Us, the Protagonists panel with authors Rebecca Roanhorse, Scott Westerfeld, Margaret Rogerson, Ann Leckie, and Joan He

Ruby Rod cosplay from The Fifth Element. Supergreen!

Joffrey cosplay from Game of Thrones

The Future as I See It panel with authors Gini Koch, Tim Zahn, Steven Sears, Jonathan Maberry, Javier Grillo-Marxuach, and Seanan McGuire

The Fantastic Flavors of Fantasy panel with authors Renee Ahdieh, Lauren Shippen, Katy Pool, Nicole Conway, Sherrilyn Kenyon, and Marissa Meyer

Those Toy Story green army “men” are real people!

Jonathan Maberry gives Nancy Holder the Scribe Award

Star Wars samurai cosplay!

Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild cosplay

Wherefore Dystopia and Darkness panel with bestselling authors Jess Rothenberg, Richard Kadrey, S.L. Huang, Ally Condie, Rachel Caine, and Marie Lu

Admiral Ackbar cosplay from Star Wars. “It’s a trap!”

Fembot cosplay from Austin Powers

Shego and Kim Possible cosplay

Tank Girl cosplay

The Writers Coffeehouse author panel with (l to r) me, Jonathan Maberry, Delilah Dawson, Peter Clines and Scott Sigler.

I can’t wait to see this urban fantasy series!

Carnival Row stars Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevingne. Is it hot in here, or is it just me?

Cara Delevingne’s fairy character takes flight off the edge of a cliff.

Six-foot tall LEGO Batman minifigure

Monty Python and the Holy Grail cosplay. “There are some who call me… Tim.”

Wakanda (Black Panther) / Spiderman basketball team cosplay. SDCC is known for such creative mashups.

Chun-Li cosplay from Street Fighter video game

Green Arrow cosplay

Peter Pan Lost Boy Rufio cosplay from the movie Hook

Beetlejuice cosplay. Don’t say his name three times

ALF cosplay

Stellar Stories and Awesome Adventures panel with authors Maura Milan, Mark Siegel, Tochi Onyebuchi, Ashley Poston, and Maryelizabeth Yturralde

Disney Hyperion Publishing panel with authors/editors Emily Meehan, Brittany Rubiana, Serena Valentino, and Jocelyn Davies

 

Theseus and the Minotaur cosplay

Three interpretations of Judge Dredd cosplay

Lord Voldemort: He Who Shall Not Be Named. Oops.

Skeleton warrior cosplay

Wonder Woman cosplay

Game of Thrones cosplay: Cersei, The Mountain, The Night King, Arya wondering why SHE isn’t killing the Night King

Rick and Morty cosplay

Global debut of the cover of my upcoming picture book, 2 Pirates + 1 Robot, from Kane Miller Books.

My fantasy/sci-fi author panel with (l to r) Tomi Adeyemi, Lev Grossman, A.G. Howard, Aditi Khorana, and Jonathan Maberry.

They packed the room!

Fans of The Magicians may recall Umber asking for little cakes. I brought Lev Grossman some little cakes.

After the panel, the authors signed their books. Many added graffiti to the tablecloth. Someone drew salmon. Author Chuck Wendig apparently has no respect for sustainable salmon farming. And the feeling is mutual.

Lev Grossman (The Magicians) left his own graffiti.

Mostly, we signed books. Here author Lev Grossman signs a fan’s chest.

My favorite cosplay of the convention: Warhammer 40K Sisters of Battle! Adepta Sororitas

My KidLit literary agent panel with (l to r) Hannah Mann, Thao Le, Kelly Sonnack and Stefanie Von Borstel.

Writing Craft panel with authors Sarah Gailey, Annalee Newitz, Charlie Jane Anders, Seanan McGuire, and Cory Doctorow

Godzilla, Ghidorah, and Rodan resin miniatures

Sci-fi author greats Larry Niven, Greg Bear, and David Brin

Fandom Meets YA panel with authors Livia Blackburne, Mary Pearson, Tricia Levenseller, A.G. Howard, and C.B. Lee

Lord of the Rings cosplay. A Minas Tirith dress! “For Gondor!!”

Reinventing the Modern Girl panel with authors Seanan McGuire, Danielle Paige, Sarah Kuhn, Nila Macgruder, Cecil Castellucci, and Jenn Fujikawa.


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Giant Straw Animals from Japan

When someone says giant animal from Japan, my first thought is Godzilla. However, these giant straw animals, courtesy of the mad geniuses at Bored Panda, are just as cool. And they don’t trample Tokyo.

“Fall is a season of harvesting, and festivals to celebrate it are currently taking place all over the world. In Northern Japan, the Wara Art Festival recently rang in the September-October rice season, and it’s a wildly inventive and fun way to repurpose rice straw left over from the harvest.

Wara Art Festival has been taking place in Niigata City since 2008, where it began as a creative collaboration between the city’s tourism division and the Musashino Art University. Rice straw was once widely used in Japan to produce various goods, such as tatami mats, but has now been replaced by wood and plastic in most instances. The students of Musashino worked together to fill the fields of Niigata with giant animal sculptures made of bound rice straw, and they’ve been doing it every year since then.

Check out the best displays from the 2017 festival below, and definitely put a trip to Japan on your fall to-do list for next year.”

Image credits: Wara Art Matsuri

Image credits: Wara Art Matsuri

Image credits: Wara Art Matsuri

Image credits: Wara Art Matsuri

Image credits: Wara Art Matsuri

Image credits: Wara Art Matsuri

Image credits: Wara Art Matsuri

Image credits: Wara Art Matsuri

Image credits: Wara Art Matsuri

Image credits: Wara Art Matsuri

Image credits: Wara Art Matsuri

Image credits: Wara Art Matsuri

Image credits: Wara Art Matsuri


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Intentionally Bad Designs

I love good design. And it takes a good designer to create intentionally bad designs. Thanks to Katerina Kamprani and the mad geniuses at Bored Panda, you can see what I mean.

“The Uncomfortable” is a collection of deliberately inconvenient everyday objects by Athens-based architect .

While most of product designers are often trying to make objects as useful as possible, Kamprani here does the exact opposite trying to discover the best way to annoy everyone with her creations.

#1 Engagement Mugs

Engagement Mugs

#2 The Uncomfortable Mug

The Uncomfortable Mug

#3 Hourglass Salt & Pepper Shakers

Hourglass Salt & Pepper Shakers

#4 Long Mug

Long Mug

#5 Thick Fork

Thick Fork

#6 The Uncomfortable Teapot

The Uncomfortable Teapot

#7 Concrete Umbrella

Concrete Umbrella

#8 Triple Door

Triple Door

#9 The Uncomfortable Fork

The Uncomfortable Fork

#10 The Uncomfortable Champagne Glasses

The Uncomfortable Champagne Glasses


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Good Times at San Diego Comic-Con 2018

  1. Arriving at the Convention Center
  2. Horrific tooth creature from Channel Zero: Candle Cove
  3. Amazing Lord of the Rings models from Weta
  4. A stylized Gandalf
  5. The Moose from Chappie resin kit by Weta
  6. Alita Battle Angel
  7. One man’s interpretation of Edna Mode
  8. Cuphead figures
  9. Star Wars trooper
  10. Scary creatures from Sideshow Collectibles
  11. Warhammer Space Marine Blood Raven
  12. Terrifying evil Batman and Robins
  13. Alien vs. Predator
  14. With NY Times bestselling fantasy author Todd McCaffrey
  15. Bioware power armor suits
  16. With children’s authors M.T. Anderson and Eugene Yelchin
  17. With children’s editor/author Ed Masessa
  18. Author collaboration panel with Jenni Holm, Matt Holm, M.T. Anderson, Eugene Yelchin
  19. Mars panel with astronaut Leland Melvin and The Martian author Andy Weir
  20. Stargate cosplay
  21. Cosplay knights
  22. Comics panel with Stan Sakai, Cecil Castelucci, and Sergio Aragones
  23. YA/MG Fantasy panel with authors Tomi Adeyemi, Daniel Jose Older, Victoria Schwab, Kiersten White, and Maggie Steifvater
  24. Apocalypse panel with authors Cory Doctorow, Scott Westerfeld, and Andrew Smith
  25. Flame Princess cosplay
  26. With NY Times bestselling authors Peter Clines and Jonathan Maberry
  27. Fearless women author panel with NY Times bestselling fantasy authors Rachel Caine, Seanan McGuire, Susan Dennard, Victoria Schwab, and Laini Taylor
  28. With NY Times bestselling author Nancy Holder
  29. Star Wars cosplay
  30. Giant Boba Fett display
  31. Animatronic Deadpool’s Super Duper Dance Party
  32. South Park characters. Kenny lives!
  33. Pacific Rim
  34. Dragonball Z
  35. Dragon cosplay
  36. Self-deprecating Deadpool advertising on toilet seat covers
  37. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein panel with Jonathan Maberry, Kiersten White, and Merrie DeStefano
  38. Frankenstein takes the cake
  39. Academy Award winner Sir Richard Taylor (The Lord of the Rings) sculpting in clay.
  40. With co-panelist and NY Times bestselling fantasy author Laini Taylor
  41. With co-panelist and NY Times bestselling fantasy author Livia Blackburne
  42. With co-panelist and NY Times bestselling fantasy author Maggie Stiefvater
  43. With co-panelist and NY Times bestselling fantasy author Kevin Hearne
  44. Our fantasy literature panel packed the room
  45. Huge Hot Wheels cars
  46. Life-sized LEGO Aquaman
  47. Life-sized LEGO Thanos
  48. Mantis photobombing the Power Rangers
  49. Personalized Magic the Gathering cards
  50. Dungeons & Dragons panel with Naomi Novik, Delilah Dawson, Kevin Hearne, Ray Feist and R.A. Salvatore
  51. Trump’s Titanz standee
  52. Game of Thrones cosplay Iron Throne wheelchair

53. Children’s Literary Agent panel with Taylor Martindale Kean, Tim Travaglini, Jen Baxter, Kari Sutherland, Thao Le

54. Fantasy Literature panel with Victoria Schwab, Livia Blackburne, Maggie Stiefvater, and Kevin Hearne (Laini Taylor not shown)


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Modern Disney Princesses

There seems to be endless fascination with the Disney princesses. Thanks to Fernanda Suarez ad the mad geniuses at Bored Panda, you can see a modern take on them.

“In recent years, we’ve seen quite a few reimagined ‘modern’ versions of the Disney princesses we grew up loving and admiring. This latest interpretation by Chilean digital artist Fernanda Suarez, however, might be the fairest of them all.

Starting with Snow White back in July, Suarez has gone on to illustrate 7 classic princesses in hip, present-day fashion. These sketched-up smoke shows look like they follow Luxy Hair tutorials on YouTube and shop for clothes at Forever 21. They probably post selfies with their ‘princes’ on Instagram and all agree that NAKED2 is the best eyeshadow palette. Oh yeah, they probably also campaign non-stop on social media for the equal rights of dwarfs, marine wildlife, and big cat conservation.”

#1 Mulan

Mulan

#2 Belle

Belle

#3 Jasmine

Jasmine

#4 Ariel

Ariel

#5 Pocahontas

Pocahontas

#6 Snow White

Snow White

#7 Cinderella

Cinderella


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Graffiti is Art

Sometimes graffiti is vandalism. Other times it beautifies and amuses. Thanks to Tom Bob, Monika, and the mad geniuses at Bored Panda.

“American artist Tom Bob is running loose in the streets of New York, and let’s hope nobody catches him.

Using street “furniture” like poles or electrical terminals, Tom creates colorful and whimsical pieces that interact with their surroundings. From turning a sewer into a frying pan, to transforming gas meters into quirky lobsters, Tom Bob is making the city a much happier place for everybody.”

Tom Bob Art

Tom Bob Art

Tom Bob Art

Tom Bob Art

Tom Bob Art

Street-art-tom-bob-new-york

Tom Bob Art

Tom Bob Art

Tom Bob Art

Tom Bob Art

Street-art-tom-bob-new-york

Tom Bob Art

Street-art-tom-bob-new-york

Street-art-tom-bob-new-york

Tom Bob Art

Tom Bob Art

Street-art-tom-bob-new-york

Tom Bob Art

Street-art-tom-bob-new-york

Tom Bob Art

Tom Bob Art

Street-art-tom-bob-new-york

Tom Bob Art

Street-art-tom-bob-new-york

Street-art-tom-bob-new-york