#j1-con

In the well known South Philly wrestling venue 2300 Arena, anime and manga enthusiasts, artists and cosplayers gathered for this year’s J1-Con. Although, scheduled to be in Center City Philadelphia, the show had to switch venues last minute. The show’s producer, local Philly artist and renisance man Jason Richardson, still made it work.

The show featured a prominent Artist Alley, a video game tournament room, a cosplay contest, a bar and an official after party featuring rappers and burlesque performances. There were also other festivities happening during J1-Con’s after hours on Philly’s most famous street, South Street, which included events such as Inksterinc’s Pokémon barbecue and Dre’s weekend highlight G33kamania’s Cosplay Drink and Draw at Tattooed Mom’s, a few doors down from Atomic City Comics. Many con goers had lunch at Ikea like the familiar voices of this episode -- Dre and Cameron Jones.

Event helper Katie K. Milo cosplayed as H from FLCL, reflected on her experience, by saying, “I've been really lucky to get to work with Jason making comic books for J1 Studios.  J1-Con is like this amazing party he throws for all of us who love anime, comics, cartoons, and video games.  It gets more fun each year and it's been really amazing to see people come and have a great time at something I've had a hand in building.”

Mother Daughter team Angie & Mommy Cosplay were there cosplaying as Black Butler characters. Meg, Ang’s mom summed up her overall experience at J1-Con, “It was our first J1-Con. It was fun. I know the guy running it, Jason, really worked his ass off to make it happen, especially with the first venue flaking out on him like that. He did a great job pulling it off.  I thought it was cool that it was at the ECW arena. I'm very curious to see how it will be in AC next year.”

That’s right. J1-Con is moving to Atlantic City in 2018. Sadly, the show will be leaving the Philly lands and will be happening at the Showboat in Atlantic City in 2018. We want more festivals in the Philadelphia area, but we guess Atlantic City isn’t too far away. J1-Con 2018 will be a three day event at a hotel so if you’d like to go you can start making travel plans now and take advantage of J1-Con’s early bird specials for tickets and tables.

Here is a photo parade from J1-Con 2017. Take a look at our photos from the event and listen to our podcast.

Listen to the podcast here.

(Don’t See the Podcast? Click here.) Featured music February (Vs.) by Sloopygoop

 Parade!

Cosplayers in South Philly. Photo by Dre.

Cosplayers entering the 2300 Arena.  Photo by Dre

Cosplay Photo by Dre.

Tables of Gundams and anime scrolls.  Photo by Dre

Art Supply shop Blick was there.  Photo by Dre

Scene report from parking lot.  Photo by Dre

Mortal Combat Cosplay photo by Dre

Illustrators Anthony Marie Levy and Jess Clark at their table. Photo By Dre.

Where’s Waldo Cosplay photo by Joseph Bogetti

Mortal Combat Cosplay photo by Joseph Bogetti

Cosplay photo by Joseph Bogetti

Photo by Joseph Bogetti

Cosplay photo by Joseph Bogetti

Photo by Joseph Bogetti

Cosplay photo by Joseph Brogetti

Anime charms. Photo by Dre.

Cosplay. Photo by Dre.

Cosplay photo by Joseph Bogetti.

Harley Quinn Cosplay photo by Joseph Bogetti.

Ronald McDonald cosplay. Photo by Dre.

Comix Gab team member Joesph Brogetti at the Pokemon Go BBQ after party at Inksterinc by South Street. Photo by Dre.

The audience at the offficial J1-Con part at the 2300 Arena, 

“Thor” themed performance.

Boba Fet themed performance by Junebug.

MasoKiss’s Finn Balor style entrance.

Finn Balor themed performance by Masokiss.

Comix Gab team member Cameron Jones at Ikea. Photo by Dre.

Comix Gab founder and host Dre at Ikea. Dre is already sporting her bow from Hikari wo Sagasu accessory shop. Photo by Cameron.

Cosplayers. Photo by Dre.

Cosplayers. Photo by Dre.

Mortal Combat cosplay. Photo by Dre.

Harley Quinn and Bleach? Cosplay Photo by Dre

Bishop of X-Men Cosplay. Photo by Dre.

Steven Universe cosplay.  Photo by Dre.

Cosplay contest.  Photo by Dre.

Cameron’s favorite cosplay on the con, Link from Zelda.

Bleach cosplay squad.  Photo by Dre.

Teen Titans gals cosplay, Photo by Dre.

Meg and Ang of Angie & Mommy Cosplay.

Con helper Katie K. Milo’s FLCL’s Haruko Haruhara cosplay.  (Dre’s favorite cosplay).  Photo by Dre.

Cosplay Photo by Cameron

Cosplay Photo by Cameron

Cosplay Photo by Cameron

Harley Quinn Cosplay (Erik?) Photo by Cameron 

Artist Photo by Cameron

Fans having fun Photo by Cameron.

Dre’s favorite table Hikari wo Sagasu accessory shop. Photo by Dre.

Young cosplayer Kay Kizzle as new and old Harley Quinn, Photo by Dre.

The model  at Wicked Lady Cosplay G33kamania’s Cosplay Drink and Draw. Photo By Dre. 

The Comix Gab crew Dre, James/Jay Imbrie and Cameron ready to draw at G33kamania’s Cosplay Drink and Draw at Tattooed Mom’s on South Street.

Drawing by Jay Imbrie

Drawing by Jay Imbrie

Drawing by Dre Grigoropol

A post shared by Dre Grigoropol (@dretime) on Aug 27, 2017 at 5:56pm PDT

Drawing by Dre Grigoropol