Utah Stories

Salt Lake Comic Con – The Sequel

Salt Lake’s FanXperience Goes Big

|


Successful movies and books breed sequels. If something makes money and creates fans the first time around then why not duplicate it? But sequels are risky. Can they live up to the hype? Can lightning strike twice? Will they delight or disappoint?

 

Dan Farr and his marketing group, Dan Farr Productions, responsible for the first Salt Lake Comic Con, took that risk by scheduling a Salt Lake Comic Con FanXperience event just six months after organizing the first con last September. His gamble paid off as April’s FanX exceeded the first in number and excitement, and made it, per capita, the third largest Comic Con in North America. AND the largest convention in the state of Utah. By the end of the weekend 100,000 attendees had visited FanX compared to 80,000 in September.

 

IMG_7362
Portrait of Governor Gary Herbert by Rob Prior Photo by Crystal Nageli

Governor Gary Herbert kicked off the event on April 17 from a replicated set of the Starship Enterprise. He issued an official declaration declaring Salt Lake Comic Con Hero’s Day, and showing off his own action figure – a Gary Herbert bobblehead doll. He urged all Utahns, “to be a hero from this day forward, with our families, communities and state. Today is the day to become the hero for those that matter most in our life.”  He also honored the real superheroes of the military, police forces and fire departments.

 

Dan Farr seemed as excited as the fans surrounding him. “It is not an original idea. I’ve just been able to bring everything together.” Downplaying his own role in the success, he credits the “best fans in the world right here in the Western United States.”

 

IMG_7400
Smug Labs Booth with Brett Blaisdell and Eli Scarbeary Photo by Crystal Nageli

Everyone was there for different reasons. Some attended to show off elaborate costumes, everything from a bevy of Deadpools to giant Wookies. Zombies and creatures of the night patrolled the aisles. Some were there for the celebrities such as Sir Patrick Stewart, Karl Urban, Chandler Riggs and Nathan Fillion. Waiting in line for hours for autographs and photos, fans were happy to be up close and personal with a favorite star. Still others were there for the many artists and vendors. Local and national artists set up booths to display and sell their wares–everything from jewelry to handcrafted skateboards. A frequent Utah Stories illustrator, Chris Bodily’s booth was popular, with long lines of people viewing his art.

 

Kid Con focused on family entertainment and activities, including the setting of a new world record for the largest balloon sculpture by one man. Role playing activities were held and kids of all ages could stop by to see the Batmobile the the Back to the Future car.

 

Finally, some people were there just to take it all in, see the costumes, visit the booths, meet friends and celebrities and buy something to remember it all by.

 

When all was said and done it was a success. It succeeded as an event designed to let people of all ages play and leave the world behind for a time.
Now we just have to stick around for Salt Lake Comic Con, the Threequel.



Join our newsletter.
Stay informed.

Related Articles


  • The “Monster” of Bear Lake

    Have you ever heard of Utah’s hidden lake monsters? Beyond the tourist buzz of Bear Lake, whispers of a mysterious creature have persisted for generations. Dive into the untold stories, rare sightings, and eerie folklore surrounding Utah’s most elusive aquatic legend. Are the rumors real, or just a product of overactive imaginations?

    To access this post, you must purchase Full Access Membership.


  • Frisco, Utah: The Untold Story of the West’s Most Notorious Ghost Town

    Once a wild silver mining town, Frisco, Utah, was infamous for its nightly violence and lawless streets. Known as the “toughest mining town in the West,” its fortunes changed after a catastrophic mine collapse. Today, the deserted remains of Frisco, with its decaying kilns and empty streets, tell the story of a town that lived fast and died young. The mysteries of its vanished lawman and the outlaws who once ruled the streets still linger in its desolate landscape.

    To access this post, you must purchase Full Access Membership.


  • From Felon to Founder: How Rocky Rebuilt His Life After 12 Felony Convictions

    By the age of eight, Rocky was already using drugs, and by his twenties, he had 12 felony convictions and had spent years behind bars. His future seemed sealed. But then, something unexpected happened. Learn how Rocky defied the odds, escaped the cycle of addiction and crime, and turned his shattered life into a story of redemption and success.


  • Utah Book Bans Ignite Cultural Clash: Educator John Arthur on Local Control

    A battle over book bans is sweeping Utah’s schools, pitting state laws against local communities’ rights to shape education. Utah Teacher of the Year John Arthur steps into the fray, challenging restrictions that he believes rob students of vital perspectives and the freedom to explore. Are blanket bans the answer, or are we sacrificing young minds in a cultural clash?