Once upon a time, comic conventions were small, casual gatherings of likeminded nerds and geeks. With loosely scheduled days and local vendor stalls, it was more a way to socialize than anything else. Now, comic cons are full blown productions. With celebrities and industry guests attending, they have drawn national and international vendor presence and corporate sponsorships.
Nonetheless, the lifeblood of these events remains the many panel discussions that fill each day. There are always the standards like celebrity interviews and industry professional Q&A sessions. However, a new crop of speakers have begun garnering attention on the convention circuit. They are just as comfortable being exhibit hall visitors as they are addressing crowds of attendees. They are businessmen, scientists, lawyers, doctors, and fanboys and fangirls.
The most striking thing about these speakers is how passionate they are about encouraging others to think beyond the stories and characters we all love so much. One such group is the Houston-based Little Blue Box.
Image Courtesy of Little Blue Box
Little Blue Box is not your mama’s Doctor Who fan group
Little Blue Box was founded in 2014 by Doctor Who superfans Jared Jennings, Ira Domnitz, and Nick Foreman. Their first appearance matched up with Doctor Who celebrity guests at Houston’s Comicpalooza, including four (yes, FOUR) Doctors. The members were given the chance to interview the likes of Peter Davidson, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy and Paul McCann (if you’re curious, here’s the link). Combined with panels on the writing, characterization, and props of Doctor Who, they soon found themselves with a following.
What sets Little Blue Box apart from other speaker groups, however, is not their interviewing skills. These speakers want to pioneer the way panels are presented. The group has added topics of psychology, feminism, and diversity in the context of Doctor Who. Their membership has also grown, with women and individuals with disabilities offering their perspectives. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, and each year, Little Blue Box’s panels are better attended than the year before.
Image Courtesy of Little Blue Box
The future is bright for this fantastic group of dedicated speakers. Allonsy!
The efforts of the group known as Little Blue Box have not gone unnoticed. This year, conventions such as Arisia, Alamo City Con, and Comicpalooza have already extended invitations to have this group present. Their reach is not just within the continental United States, however. A convention in Puerto Rico has also expressed interest in bringing Little Blue Box to its sunny shores. With their message of entertainment and education, it’ll be interesting to see what the future holds for Little Blue Box. Geronimo!
Want to know more? Check out their Facebook page at Little Blue Box!
