Author Archives: Shawn Hopman

A Life Taken Too Soon…

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UPDATE 5/2/2021: Thank you everyone for your support, the GoFundMe is over $80,000, Brandon is now home looking at a long recovery and making arrangements for his tremendous loss. He will take all the time he needs and then return. This was the first time we went “dark” in 17 years, but felt the need to for Nancy and to support Brandon and his family. It is with a heavy heart that we return to posting what you come here for, Star Wars News.  Nancy, you will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace.

The Yodasnews team is absolutely heart-broken to share this devastating news.

Our beloved staffer, Brandon Jackson (@chiefgeekphotography) and his wife were involved in a serious car accident over the weekend. Brandon sustained very serious injuries and is in the hospital. His wife did not survive. Thankfully, their young son was not in the vehicle at the time.

If you’ve been to Star Wars Celebration or San Diego Comic Con or viewed our video coverage on the site, you know what a larger than life personality Brandon is. For those that know him more personally, you know that his wife Nancy was an equally wonderful person. She will be greatly missed.

At this time, the family wishes for privacy while they grieve. We strongly debated the decision to post this news, however, we felt it was important to spread the information about his gofundme. With funeral costs, Brandon’s hospital bills, being out of work until he is healed, etc, one of our own needs our help.

Please pray or send positive thoughts into the universe for the Jackson family and hug your loved ones. Life is preciously short. Click below if you can help Brandon at this very difficult time, We will be taking a break from news for a short time in memory of Nancy.

Yodasnews Invades C2E2!

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Convention season 2020 is officially kicked off for the season with Chicago’s C2E2. In an already odd year, the con lucked out a bit and just flew under the Coronavirus radar and went off without a hitch. Handshakes and high fives were replaced with hand sanitizer and fist bumps, but a good time was had by all.

C2E2, put on by the great folks at ReedPop (who also do Star Wars Celebration), is one of my favorite cons of the year. As a Chicagoan, it’s a local convention, so I don’t need to travel and can sleep in my own bed. After a brutal winter, it is one of the signs of spring finally being upon us. It’s a really big con, but not overwhelming big like NYCC or SDCC, but plenty of panels and exciting vendors and arguably one of the best artist alleys in any con I’ve been to. Well worth the price of admission.

Chicago’s Revolution Brewing had a huge presence at the con with a giant beer garden featuring bands playing your favorite music from video games and TV (THEY PLAYED THE THEME SONG TO THE OFFICE!), cornhole tournaments, kegs of their beer, trivia, swag, etc. There was a great mix of big and small comic publishers. The guest list was beyond solid. However, the big knock of the con (and I know you readers will feel me on this) is the typical lack of Star Wars content. I know that nothing will top Celebration or SDCC for Star Wars cons, but this is one of the very few blind spots for the convention.
The saving grace every year is the wonderful folks of the 501st and some other fan groups are given a large space at the Con to put on some really cool stuff for the kids. This is wonderful. I have a 5 year old daughter who is really starting to fall in love with Star Wars and she has an absolute blast getting to meet the 501st troops, seeing the droid builds, taking photos with the props and backdrops, and doing Star Wars crafts with the other kids.

I know for Star Wars diehards I’m not selling C2E2 well, but I promise that if you live near Chicago or are a fairly short drive away, do yourself a huge favor and make it out. Friday is the best day to get a lay of the land, get sketches by artists, and pickup swag/purchases because it’s not that crowded. This leaves Saturday and Sunday open to grab a delicious brew from Revolution and hang out with the wonderful folks from the 501st Midwest garrison. Plus you can meet up with me, your favorite Yodasnews convention specialist! Until next year, check out some of the C2E2 weekend photos.

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