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Photos by Nate "Igor" Smith and Keith Plocek
By Jennifer Swann, Abby Maddigan and Zachary Pincus-Roth
The last weekend of July saw both Comic-Con and Gathering of the Juggalos, a coincidence that not only ate up Internet bandwidth but also made clear that the two events are more similar than they may seem. Sure, one took place in the air conditioning of the San Diego Convention Center, and is so broad that it now encompasses everything from comic books to sci-fi to to sitcoms like The Big Bang Theory. The other, in an outdoor concert venue in Thornville, Ohio, was specifically for fans of the hip hop group Insane Clown posse, and the only vaguely Hollywood person there was Gilbert Gottfried.
But both are pilgrimages that give devotees a chance to feel a part of something greater than themselves. Both are "a place where I can find freaks just like me." Both feature costumes aplenty. The mentions of both awaken in your mom the same level of vague awareness.
From our multitude of photos -- and yes, both involve way too much photo-taking -- we found that each festival has the same kinds of people, visual proof that these two may be, if not brothers from another mother, at least estranged cousins from another grandmother.
Below are 11 people you see at both Gathering of the Juggalos (first photo) and Comic-Con (second photo). --Zachary Pincus-Roth
The Party Girl
Photo: Nate "Igor" Smith
Wave your hands in the air like you just don't care. Or, you know, put on a bikini and flip off the world -- whichever makes you most comfortable.
Photo: Shannon Cotrell
The Terrifying Clown
Photo: Nate "Igor" Smith
There ain't no party like a clown party -- whether you're part of the Insane Clown Posse or just flying solo.
Photo: Keith Plocek
The Dude In Way Too Much Face Make-Up
Photo: Nate "Igor" Smith
These guys put their best face forward, and then proceeded to melt it off over the course of a sweaty festival.
Photo: Keith Plocek
The Girl Who Wigged Out
Photo: Nate "Igor" Smith
Do blondes have more fun? Not at these conventions.
Photo: Keith Plocek
The Bat Man Wannabe
Photo: Nate "Igor" Smith
Will the real Bat Man please stand up?
Photo: Keith Plocek
The BFFs in Matching Costumes
Photo: Nate "Igor" Smith
Because two costumes are better than one -- and you don't want to go it alone.
Photo: Keith Plocek
The People of the Vine
Photo: Nate "Igor" Smith
The best things in life are green.
Photo: Keith Plocek
The Babies in Embarrassing Headwear
Photo: Nate "Igor" Smith
They were born this way.
Photo: Keith Plocek
The "Normcore" Attendee Whose Friends Dragged Them Along
Photo: Nate "Igor" Smith
They had no idea what they were getting into.
Photo: Keith Plocek
The Bartender
Photo: Nate "Igor" Smith
Do these guys know how to party, or what?
Photo: Shannon Cotrell
The Puppet Master
Photo: Nate "Igor" Smith
Friends come and friends go, but dolls will always stick by your side.
Photo: Keith Plocek
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