Vancouver Fan Expo Gender Benders

OK, so this post is a little late. But with the recent historic moment in queer geekdom, I thought it appropriate to make a gallery of gender bending cosplays from this year's Vancouver Fan Expo.

Nope, drag queens weren't the only ones challenging the gender norms at FanExpo this year. There were tons of fabulous girls dressed out as their favourite characters in varying degrees of femininity and masculinity.

Drag at conventions is hit-or-miss, even in liberal Vancouver. The yearly anime convention, Anime Revolution (formerly A. Evolution) has had a bad track record with its queer programming, especially with their yearly "trap cosplay contests". Seriously, am I the only one who finds major offense with that term? What's wrong with drag or even crossplay contest?

Luckily, Fan Expo was more about the fans and boy did they come out in hoards! More galleries [here] and [here]. Plus the full gallery on [Flickr].

Marvel Makes Queer Comic Geek History

Northstar and Kyle celebrate their marriage
[Cover for Astonishing X-Men #51]

Today in Astonishing XMen's New York, a Canadian mutant superhero named Northstar is getting married to his same-sex civilian partner Kyle.

Wait... WHAAAAAAT?!?

Marvel comics undoubtedly makes queer comic book history today by not only playing host to the first wedding of its kind, but by unapologetically placing the happy event on the cover of Astonishing X-Men #51.

Swordigo - 90s throwback platformer a worthwhile, addictive app

Remember that action adventure platformer you used to play in the mid-90s? You were good enough to get through most of the game. But every now and then, the game would throw you a challenge that was unrelenting and unforgiving. That challenge would have you, and possibly your brother or your best friend, cursing repeatedly until the sweet, sweet satisfaction of finally reaching that legendary weapon or secret area.

Swordigo (Touch Foo) for the iPhone/iPad is pretty much that game. Except now, instead of waiting all day to run home and play the game, you can now take it everywhere with you! I've played Swordigo on a long ferry ride, during quiet moments while camping, in the lunchroom at work, and pretty much every time I manage to get a seat on the bus.

Vancouver Fan Expo 2/2 - Star Wars Extravaganza

Running into your ex is always so awkward...

There were so many Star Wars themed cosplays at Fan Expo Vancouver 2012 that I just had to dedicate an entire post for all of them! (The fact that I was dressed as Queen Amidala in her Theed Throne Room Gown totally didn't make me biased either. *cough* *cough*)

The large number of Galactic outfits may have been inspired by the presence of both the 501st Legion and the Rebel Legion, two amazing Star Wars costume fan clubs that are very, very serious about their costuming.

Vancouver Fan Expo 1/2 - Cosplay galore!

Tali [Mass Effect]

Fan Expo Vancouver sprang up from almost nowhere and quickly gained momentum as the lower mainland's must-attend nerd convention. Hundreds upon hundreds of fans flocked to the Vancouver Convention Centre to participate in the massive celebration of fan culture.

There was literally something for everyone. The convention covered pretty much every subculture of geek-dom, including comic books, sci fi, gaming, and anime/manga. This was certainly reflected in the variety of fans that showed up. And it most certainly was reflected in the amazing cosplays that were on display all weekend! (up next - a whole gallery dedicated to Star Wars cosplay!)

Check out our full Flickr gallery from the weekend [here]