Comic book and science fiction aficionados descended on Cal State L.A. for Eagle-Con 2015, a two-day event that is expected to attract 1,000 visitors.
Eagle-Con, which was launched last year at the University, is Los Angeles’ mini comic con focused on exploring the best in comic books, science fiction, and fantasy. This year’s theme is “Engineering Science Fiction.” The event began Thursday and continues through Friday at the University-Student Union.
Building on last year’s success, the event is focusing on science fiction, fantasy, comic books, literature, and film and television while addressing issues of identity and representation from a cultural and academic perspective. Other topics to be addressed include the art of space travel, slash fiction and much more.
This year, Eagle-Con will also feature its first video game tournament and inaugural Cosplay Masquerade.
Eagle-Con 2015’s Special Guest of Honor is actor Kevin Grevioux, who is best known for his role as “Raze” in the Underworld film series that he co-produced. Grevioux will receive the 2015 Prism Award, which recognizes artists who create futuristic worlds that are culturally and ethnically diverse. The award presentation will take place at 3:30 p.m. on Friday at the University-Student Union Theatre on campus.
On Thursday afternoon, Eagle-Con kicked off with opening remarks from Salvador Perez, costume designer for “The Mindy Project” and president of the Costume Designers Guild; Mimi Gramatky, president of the Art Directors Guild; and Peter McAllister, dean of the University’s College of Arts and Letters.
The introduction was followed by a panel featuring artists who design cars in the film industry. They included Patrick Von Janicke (“After Earth”), and Karl Stahlendorf (“Star Trek Into Darkness”).
"I love cars and like to draw as a hobby," said Jorge Hernandez, a kinesiology major. "So it is inspiring to see the car designs by these talented artists.”
Ashley Tavitian, a psychology major who attended the “Women in Comics” panel, said she appreciated seeing women represented as super heroes.
“I was encouraged by my liberal studies professor to come to Eagle-Con, and I am finding the event to be really interesting," she said. "It’s cool that the University put together such an event for us students.”
Eagle-Con 2015 is a collaboration between Cal State L.A.'s University-Student Union and the College of Arts and Letters. The event is supported by the Art Directors Guild and the Costume Designers Guild.
On Friday, Eagle-Con fans will be decked out in costumes of their favorite anime, sci-fi and comic characters.
For more information, check out the Eagle-Con website.
Photos: At the top, Comic book aficionados dressed in their finest costumes at Eagle-Con 2015. Bottom right, Professor Patrick B. Sharp, the event's faculty director, is dressed in red as he mixes with the crowd. (Credit: J. Emilio Flores/Cal State L.A.)
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Cal State L.A. is a university dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good. Founded in 1947, the University serves more than 24,000 students, and 235,000 distinguished alumni, who are as diverse as the city we serve. Located in the heart of Los Angeles, Cal State L.A. has long been recognized as an engine of economic and social mobility. Led by an award-winning faculty, the University offers nationally recognized programs in science, the arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education and the humanities.
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05/14/15