What do you think of SDCC 2024 so far?

 25 JULY 2024

Well, we've done it; we've completed our first full day of Comic-Con. Before everything even began, the media agreed that "Comic-Con is back!" in terms of panels, guests, offsites, general pageantry, etc. But now that we're here and assessing it all with our judgmental eyes - is it?

I would say, yes. Mostly. A mix of my and others' opinions holds that:

~ The Exhibit Hall shopping is good. I spent much more than anticipated. 

~ The offsites are on par. So often they sound better in their press release than the reality and that was the case today. But some people were thrilled.

~ The cosplay I've seen in the Gaslamp has been of limited quantity - it's Thursday - but some of it is really good.

~ The panels are decent so far, the few that people have seen. I attended one that seemed a blatant advertisement for the panelist's business and a great one from NASA.

~ The line and flow management has been typical. Some people are saying it's worse than ever but I find it on par.

~ The Deadpool Wolverine event was magic for those who got in and an outrage for everyone who didn't.

First-Timers

Just as I observed what felt like an unusual number of first-timers leading up to the Con, I seem to be running into them everywhere. They are, by turns, impressed, curious, and confounded by some of our practices, including the SDCC "move this way, go down that hall, no, the other hall, swipe out, go outside, come back in and swipe again" directives. It's hard to get them to accept the unavoidable amount of WTF that is baked into, and then sprinkled on top of, every Con. 

And hard for me, sometimes. I whined childishly about Mattel selling out of the Batmobile Hot Wheels set at 11:30 this morning. What's the point of winning the exclusives lottery and then waiting in line when so many items are already gone less than 2 hours into the Con? Other people contacted me to tell me it got much worse throughout the day. My take: the people who work there probably haven't much control over the stock, but they could at least let people in line know what is sold out so they don't waste (more of) their time.

The first-timers I've talked to say that:

1) They were not adequately briefed on where things were. One group repeated an observation from different first-timers last year - they wandered around the Exhibit Hall without understanding where the panels and events were. They didn't know to go pick up their bag and guide. They just showed up and expected a clear map and directive that frankly, would never be possible with an event of this size. 

2) They are stunned at the ignorance and conflicting advice from "staff." To them, all volunteers, security guards, and staffers are one homogenous mass and they expect them to know everything when in fact, they barely know anything. They also complain of rudeness. 

3) They feel that buying a badge entitles them to entrance to every booth, offsite, party, and panel and any barriers therein are unjust. Tantamount to robbery, even. "I'm going to ask for a partial refund."

My suggestion: a lot of this is unavoidable - but I do think CCI could do a better job prepping newcomers to our shores. They could trigger something on Member ID accounts to indicate a first-time badge and send out a nurture campaign that walks first-timers through the basics in the months going up to the Con. They could create a series of video tutorials. They do this for badge sales and other processes, but I think they need to address the culture and experience of SDCC as well. 

Offsites

The Lodge was a pretty cool offsite and we were lucky enough to get pizza, drinks, a trip through the Ghosts apothecary, and a photo op, but the Star Treks t-shirts, tattoo parlor, and money pit were capped. What struck me was that the worker cheerfully told us to just go get in the standby line or come back Friday or Saturday and maybe they'd have shirts then. He seemed genuinely unaware of how obscenely long the standby line was and that it was impossible to just go get tickets. This is a good lesson in why people should stop worshiping at the feet of these offsites - they can be fun but they're hardly guaranteed to deliver. Are they really worth waiting in the sun for 4+ hours? 

I'm hearing mixed reports on Exploding Kittens and the Chariot Races, good reports on Hulu Animayhem, and okay reports on Abbott Elementary. The FX offsite seemed to please people, but not if they waited a long time. I didn't do any of these so I can't report directly. On the whole, Thursday lines were the shortest we'll see, so be really sure you're ready to invest hours for these experiences.

Deadpool Wolverine and lines in general

This is something else I did not experience directly. My friends got in. The line was horrific. I thought there the matter lay until I heard that people without tickets were getting in by flashing scans of winner emails from social media and then that they were just processing people through without checking anything at all as the time got short.

In the end, some people who legitimately were picked for this did not make it in. Given the enormous emotional importance this event held for attendees, this really was an epic shitshow on a par with the fake wristband scandal of ... 2017? Somewhere around there. And this was worse because it could have been avoided in several ways:

~ They could have moved some Thursday Hall H events to Sunday (or moved the schedule around in general) and left more time to clear and then fill the room.

~ They could have passed out wristbands throughout the day.

~ They could have randomly assigned seats and boarding groups on the winning emails.

~ They could have assigned more people to manage the line. I've heard that some volunteers didn't show up for their shift and I've also heard Disney blamed. Who knows the real story.

I know I am not a logistics or line management expert and I'm sure I'm wildly simplifying the whole thing - but I also know that much bigger events manage to handle this stuff without this level of disaster. 

Lines in general have been messy so far, but what I hear people complaining the most about are security and staff. I actually noticed this at the first post-pandemic Con - it seemed like a lot of inexperienced people had taken the reins. My friend had to get his prop weapon checked; he asked at E and they sent him to H, who sent him back to E, who confirmed on radio that he needed to go to H, and he bounced back and forth about 4 times before getting it sorted. Other staff seemed to have zero training at all on basic questions like where to pick up bags and badges or where the ADA line. 

How is this so difficult? We live in a golden age of communication. Every person should have a physical cheat sheet or a device where they can quickly get answers to attendee questions. It's like 1993 out there.

And some staff seemed to have no idea what they were in for. A guy at a Mattel booth showed his exclusives email to some staffer and politely asked where he could go to pick up an exclusive. I listened in because I was in the same boat. The staffer said, "How would I know? You signed up for it, don't you know?" There's no call for that kind of pissy attitude (and this was on Thursday - I would love to see that staffer by Saturday afternoon).

I hate to pull this card but ultimately attendees make this show happen. We pay the money to go, we pour the money into bars and restaurants and vendor booths, and without us, nothing happens. We deserve basic respect and courtesy.

Attendees

On that note... it's time for the annual lament of the changing face of Comic-Con. Preview Night, I was fortunate enough to meet a comic book writer who's been coming here since the 1980s. He let loose with all of his complaints about how the show is run and the failure of TPTB to implement his suggestions and he also criticized the attendee demographics as well. (Yes, Twilight was mentioned.) I agreed with every single thing he said and it was a lovely moment of two kindred souls remembering days gone by. But also a confirmation of how little comic talent there is at SDCC these days. The Daniel Clowes event on Saturday really stood out this year in that regard. I remember those years when the schedule was peppered with that kind of panel. Okay, I'm done. 

I'm off to a luscious Friday of good things; I hope you are too. I'll check in later and see where we are. Right now - where are you? How is your Con going? 

Happy Comic-Con Eve

 23 JULY 2024

The Exhibit Hall is taking shape. Big thanks to volunteer Ace for these tantalizing photos!

See you tomorrow!

Don't forget to visit the Comic-Con Museum

 23 JULY 2024

It's the easiest thing in the world to stick to the convention center and Gaslamp during Comic-Con. No cars, no cabs - it gives you a defined territory to work within. But if there's one place you'll want to visit - call it the ultimate offsite - it's the Comic-Con Museum.

I will say upfront that it's not for everyone, but if you appreciate nerd culture, you should hop on over to Balboa Park. The mix of exhibits is good, blending the super-famous with the more quietly lauded, and the tonal shifts between sections keeps your experience from feeling monotonous. So far, my favorite exhibits have featured my beloved Charles Addams, Gene Roddenberry (surprisingly deep dive and it even had his original computer!), and Gumby - reruns of which were the only English-voiced kid's show I could find living in Holland when I was little.

In other words, it's a great mix of nostalgia and comic books and high art and video games. They even have a little movie theatre.

If you live in San Diego, you've probably attended their other events. But if you don't, the museum may not be on your radar. Somehow, I just don't hear attendees talking much about it, which is a shame. Here's why you should go.

The Auction

I'll admit to being puzzled by this combination of players, but the museum, Turner Classic Movies, and Julien's Auction House have come together on an exhibit of "iconic props, production material, and memorabilia" from DC Comics, Marvel, and Harry Potter. I don't quite understand how TCM, which I associate with my favorite Vincent Price movies, is involved in this - but you can bid on items now, with the live and online auction happening this Sunday.

The Other Exhibits

Betty Boop has one, so does John Jennings and artists from Tijuana, and there's something called Popnology, an interactive exhibit "that demonstrates the connection between pop culture and real-world technology." I've never seen a bad exhibit here so I safely say without having seen these that they're probably pretty great.

If you didn't get a Saturday badge or you simply need a quiet break from SDCC, consider visiting the museum. You can find out all the details here.

Knowing when a line is worth it

23 JULY 2024

If there's one question that has dominated our Comic-Con season, it's this: "will there by a standby line?"

With so many offsites and exclusives becoming ticketed or lotteried, people are loathe to give up hope on their SDCC dreams. I think there can be a misguided but plucky belief that persistence always pays off in the end and some kind-hearted staffer will see your line time and sneak you in. 

But this doesn't always (or often) happen. Ask veterans about the Game of Thrones experience from years ago, when people waited 12+ hours in line for naught. One True Blood panel - now I'm really reaching back - had people waiting in the hot sun for an entire day, even though it was clear from the volume that most weren't getting in. Don't count on someone official managing lines and making calls on where the cut-off should be based on room capacity. Often, you're on your own. 

I am a big believer in enjoying the Con you're at - and it's hard to do that if you spend all of it in a line. So try to be realistic about when a line is worth it. There is always something else to do. And so many attendees (including yours truly) have spent hours in line for an offsite that turned out to be 10 minutes of mediocrity.

Your decision will, of course, hinge somewhat on your fandom level. But you also need to ask yourself if:

• You'll be disappointed if the offsite experience is over with in 3 minutes and doesn't offer significant swag
• You would prefer to do 3 C-list offsites than wait hours for 1 A-list offsite
• You would be okay seeing the panel on YouTube or in the Playback room
• You'll feel let down if your favorite cast member only speaks once, while the director dominates the panel
• You'll be disappointed if you get stuck so far back in the room you have to watch the panel on a screen anyhow
• You haven't gotten a chance to thoroughly explore the Exhibit Hall
• There's anything else going on at the same time that you really want to see

If you answer yes to most of those - I wouldn't spend significant time in that line.

Always check socials for real time updates on lines - not just for what you want to do, but what you've already written off. Hall H and Ballroom 20 may become surprisingly walk-in at some point. A line might dwindle at your dream offsite or you may hear a rumor they're letting people in for an additional hour than was posted.

Make smart choices - and good luck.

San Diego Comic-Con 2025 is July 23-27 - and we have badge sale dates

 23 JULY 2024

I can't remember if we've ever had badge sale dates so early before - but CCI very efficiently delivered a bundle of knowledge today:

SDCC 2025 is July 23-27, 2025.

Returning Registration is September 21, 2024. First-timers - you will be eligible for this.

Open Registration is October 26, 2024.

I just spent the last week organizing a breast cancer awareness walk on October 26 - so I did cringe a little when I saw this. But it's great to have the dates so far in advance so we can all block our calendars and schedule our lives accordingly.

Becoming a Comic-Con panelist: an interview with Martin and Kristine Smith

 23 JULY 2024

Admit it; in the back of your mind, you have fantasized about hosting your own Comic-Con panel. Maybe you're an expert in some niche corner of nerddom; maybe you're sick of the misinformation pumped out about a long-ago TV series or DC character and you want to set the record straight. But the distance from your dreams to convention center rooms is impossibly long, right?

Maybe not. Today, podcast hosts Martin and Kristine Smith tell the story of how they got their first panel accepted last year - and how they got 2 panels accepted this year. 

So how long have you two been going to San Diego Comic-Con?

M: 21 years. We started in 1997 but skipped some years between the first few times.

Back then, did you want to have your own panel one day?

K: Once we started going, we spent a lot of time on the floor - everyone knows the allure of the floor. But once we pulled ourselves away and started going to panels, we said, “Wow, these panels are really good” but we didn’t give it a whole thought of thought because what the heck would we do a panel on?

M: It didn't even blink into my consciousness that we could do a panel until we had the podcast. And the irony is, this year I'm doing a panel that I could have talked about at any time.

Let’s talk about your podcast: Heroes of the Halcyon, about Disney's immersive Galactic Starcruiser hotel. When did you start it and why?

K: Memorial Day Weekend of 2022.

M: We just wanted to talk about Galactic Starcruiser!

K: After our first trip, we couldn’t stop talking about it, thinking about it. With our friend Drew, we said, “Let's do a podcast - even if nobody listens, it’ll be fun so let’s do it.”

Starcruiser is a unique experience and it’s difficult to explain it to other people - so when you find others who have gone, it’s a shared experience whether you were on same voyage or not. If you haven't gone, you can't understand why it means so much to those that have. So you search for other people who’ve had that experience.

Our honeymoon was in Disneyland 30+ years ago – but nothing hit us emotionally like Galactic Starcruiser. Then we found out it hit other people the same way.

M: All you have to do is say “Sublight Lounge” and you have a friend for life. You’ll talk for hours about what happened there, what was your backstory, what missions did you do?  For 24/7, you lived inside Star Wars for 2 days. There's nothing on earth like it. And honestly, I don’t think there will be again. 

Why did Galactic Starcruiser close? I know it was popular.

M: Disney+  was hemorrhaging money and they needed to go find $350 million fast. Galactic Starcruiser was on their property but didn't directly connect to parks – so it was something they could easily snip without any public perception that something had changed. That made it vulnerable.

K: The timing was challenging and perfect at the same time. It opened up in March 2022 right as things opened up after COVID. It was the first outing that you had with a group of people with no masks after being quarantined away and losing that 1:1 connection for 2 years. So on top of that fact, it allowed adults an opportunity to just let go and play. All the garbage in your day-to-day life, once you were there, that didn't matter anymore. You weren’t burdened by it anymore and you could just be.

That was a challenge, I think, with the marketing piece – there was no way to get that across to the general public, to convey that euphoria. Roughly 70K total people experienced it but they all felt that high. That need to feel it again is what stirred this creativity.

M: We know people who've learned to craft and write and metal work – it’s unbelievable. We're throwing a full-blown convention! We didn’t do these things before. Our wedding reception was in our apartment rec room!

So how did your podcast lead to an SDCC panel?

M: We knew room 7AB on Friday was the Star Wars room - so we hoped against hope to get it someday. But to apply and get a panel accepted year 1 was unbelievable.

The timing couldn’t have been more of a gift. 48 hours prior, the announcement came that Starcruiser was going to close in September 2023. The entire community was crushed. We were all scrambling to see if we could get on one more time. Then 48 hours after the announcement, we found out our panel was accepted.

Your panel had a long line. Did you know it would be that popular?

K: No. Because it was so focused on Starcruiser and a little bit of Galaxy Edge, we weren't sure.

M: It’s not a small room. It was a teeny bit daunting but we gave it everything and we had to get the word out and it worked.

How did you apply?

K: A friend supplied the email address to start the party and do the application. From there, it just exploded.

M: We really did hone a strong pitch. Comic-Con has a specific voice; every Con has a voice so if you want to give a good panel pitch, go to lots of panels. We’ve been going to Comic-Con for years so we knew this is what Comic-Con is looking for, how to present subject matter – and we knew we needed someone else with us to bulk up our creds.

We were very fortunate to get Nick Tierce, a significant name in the immersive entertainment space. He is a Star Wars parks superfan – and he knows everyone and everyone knows him.

K: You don't know who's looking at your application but we assumed one reviewer would have knowledge of our category.

M: And there's a bunch of rules - you can't advertise blatantly or just pitch your YouTube channel, they’re real serious about that in the documentation. You have to present material and not just sell and that fit our style well. We mentioned our podcast, of course, but we didn’t spend the whole time flashing a QR code to Like and Subscribe. 

Once accepted, how do you prepare?

M: We knew the subject matter in and out from dozens and dozens of podcast interviews. But you want it to be a nice, concise flow and target your subject matter.

And of course, you have to put your editor hat on; you really do have to kill your darlings. We walked through the outline we were happy with and it was 30 minutes too long. We were heartbroken that there was material that was going to have to go. So you have to be prepared to remove your ego from the equation because if it doesn't work on the page, it’s not going to work on the stage.

 

What was biggest surprise?

K: Having people standing in the back. Before we got there, someone texted us:  there's a line. And we said, that's cool – people shuttle in and shuttle out. And they said, no, we're not sure we're going to get in.

M: It was humbling and extremely gratifying that people cared. Then we wondered, are they here for the panel after us? And they weren’t!

The incredible moment was having the name card put in front of me. At that moment, it was, This is really happening. It was just so unbelievable that something that was soon to be no more was still giving joy to me. And it was a privilege to be the conduit to get that joy out.

Anything you wish you did differently?

M: Honestly, no. I was happy with what we did. We had a nice video produced of our panel, which is a treasure to look back on. But I think we accomplished so much. We left nothing on the table. We gave away a swag pack that I believe is one of the best I’ve seen out of a non-Hall H panel.

K We had so many friends there. That was huge. Especially the ones who had been going for years and knew why this was important, because SDCC was important to us.

M: It's a family. There's a Starcruiser family and a Comic-Con family. Our family was there.

 

What’s your advice for people who are dreaming of having a panel?

M: Stop dreaming. Put together a pitch and get it in. You don't get anything if you don't try. You've got something to offer.

Don't think you need to do it alone. Find other people who would make a strong panel. The overriding question is, “Is this a panel that I would want to see? And if I went, what would I think?”

We've been to panels that blew our minds and we've been to some that were so low effort it's insulting. We never want to forget that people are giving up precious time at Comic-Con to be at our panel and we really want to give them a show.

What can you tell us about your panels this year? I know you have two.

M: Our first panel is focused on Star Wars in Disney parks – Exploring Galaxy’s Edge: Secrets, Lore, and More.

We’re lucky to have Mars Suhardi whose Etsy shop sells incredibly crafted things. Holly Frye is a very prolific podcaster and dear personal friend who’s hosted panels at Star Wars Celebration.

K: There is so much world building they did prior to building Galaxy’s Edge, the media, movies, tv, books, comics - that's where we will take people this time.

M: Easter eggs galore. People who've been to Galaxy’s Edge a hundred times will learn something at this panel.

K: It will enhance your next trip.

What about the toy collecting panel?

M: Brian Frye is a super collector and toy package artist– and Silver Ciprian who works at Rancho Obi-Wan, the largest collection of Star Wars memorabilia on the planet. She knows about where to find hidden treasures. Brian and I both started collecting in Christmas 1977. It’s changed our lives.

But it’s not just toys that changed. It’s how we collect toys that has evolved - there are online connections, Etsy shops, we just had two custom action figures made - things that just weren't possible before have become available.

We used to be surprised by what's on the shelf, now we know 8-10 months in advance. We discuss these paradigm shifts in toy collecting. From the Sears Wishbook to Etsy storefronts, it’s been a wild ride.

I know you’ve launched your own Con now – what can you tell us about that?

M: Halcy-Con is an event for Galactic Starcruiser superfans, October 4-5. It sold out in 4 hours. Our core event team is 11 people and they’re all top performers in their fields. They’re giving Halcy-Con their all because Galactic Starcruiser literally changed their lives and gave them lifelong friendships.

Thank you so much!

PANELS

Exploring Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge: Unveiling the Secrets, Lore, and More Within Black Spire Outpost

Friday July 26, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am PDT - Room 7AB

Explore Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge as the expansive lore of this land within Disneyland and Walt Disney World is unveiled. Uncover the secret stories behind the planet Batuu and Black Spire Outpost and learn how its iconic attractions and characters fit into the larger Star Wars universe. Kristine and Martin Smith (Heroes of the Halcyon podcast), Mars Suhardi (cosplayer and prop maker), and Holly Frey (Full of Sith, Stuff You Missed in History Class podcasts) also discuss what’s new on Batuu and deep dive into the food, locations and imagery that transport you to a galaxy far, far away. Whether you’re an honorary citizen of Batuu or a first-time visitor, join in the fun! All attendees will receive an exclusive Black Spire Outpost souvenir!

The Evolution of Toy Collecting: From the Sears Wishbook to Etsy Storefronts

Sunday July 28, 2024 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT - Room 32AB

It's expected that toys have evolved over the decades, but what about how people collect them? Super collectors Martin Smith (Heroes of the Halcyon podcast), Brian Frey (toy package artist), and Silver Ciprian (Star Wars Thrifting channel) discuss the paradigm shifts and innovations that have FUNdamentally changed the hobby of toy collecting from the 1970s to the present. From Toys "R" Us and holiday catalogs to 3D printing at home, collecting toys over the past 50 years has itself been an adventure worthy of a retrospective. All attendees will receive an exclusive giveaway that allows you to proudly display your love for the most fun hobby in the universe!

PODCAST

You can listen to Heroes of the Halcyon episodes at www.heroesofthehalcyon.com

CON

To follow Halcy-Con, visit www.halcy-con.com.
 

 

 

 

5 last-minute reminders

 23 JULY 2024

It's Comic-Con Eve!!! If you're antsy and excited or anxious about forgetting something - these 5 reminders are for you.

1. Bring your badge! 

I said this yesterday and now I'm saying it again because you don't want to step off the plane and realize your badge is in another time zone. 


2. Confirm your hotel. 

Did you get an email from your hotel this week? If not, call and confirm your reservation - especially if you've had any kind of transfer, partial cancellation or some other shift.

3. Clarify any murky hotel arrangements. 

Who's sleeping in what room? Who gets the bed and who's relegated to an air mattress? If you're part of a large group with multiple rooms/roommates, it doesn't hurt to do a final check to make sure everyone's covered.

4. Set expectations with family, friends and coworkers. 

Yesterday, a long-term client of mine predictably had an anxiety attack over my absence and emailed me a list of things she (didn't actually) needed from me. She does this every year because I am very firm that I am not to be bothered during SDCC. People don't get how all-consuming Comic-Con is, so set the stage now. Blurred reality is your friend; tell friends, family, and coworkers that connectivity is very faulty in the convention center and you probably won't get their texts, emails and calls. Maybe that's true and maybe it isn't, but it's a statement that serves a greater cause: the potency of your Comic-Con joy. 

If you absolutely have to be accountable, schedule a daily check-in time and restrict them to it. Having your phone buzz all day with work questions and annoyed demands for attention can poison your SDCC mood. Their neediness can wait until Monday.

5. Take care of any banking transfers now. 

No one is as annoying as the attendee who shows up at Comic-Con without any money. Sometimes a paycheck didn't come through or they thought their mom would let them borrow a credit card or some other mishap has ensued. If you have even slightly precarious finances, I would transfer funds around now to make sure you have valid credit cards and sufficient cash.

The secrets of successful first-timers

22 JULY 2024

I used to tell people their first SDCC was a practice run. Not that their first time was worthless - first-timers still gloried in everything they experienced - but they simply could not have the skills and awareness needed to fully maximize their time there. I still think that's somewhat true, but today I see a lot of smart and prepared first-timers taking SDCC by the horns and mastering it.

Here are a few simple ways you can make your SDCC experience more efficient, energetic, and magical.

Make of a list of 3-5 priorities.

These should be your absolute can't-miss events, exclusives, panels, signings, photo shoots, etc. Document them on your phone, write them down, and schedule your Con around them. 

Everything else goes onto the B-list, where they'll happen if you have the extra time to make them happen. You might be thinking that I don't understand how organized and ruthless and effective you are. And maybe that's true - you got a badge, after all - but you don't understand how crowded, chaotic, and competitive the Con can be. 

If you show up with a wish list of 27 targets to conquer, you're setting yourself up for failure. There are just too many other people who want what you want, too many long lines, too many detours. Don't spend your time or energy on stuff that doesn't matter. Narrow your focus and you're more likely to get what you want and come home in a satisfied state.

Abandon any half-assed cosplay plans. 

So many attendees get inspired at the 11th hour to pull together a cosplay look, then drive themselves berserk trying to make it happen. If you aren't at the finish line yet, forget it. You won't look as convincing or finished as you want to, and it's just more unnecessary stress. There's bound to be another Con in your future where you can make it happen. 

Make backup plans.

A lot of your plans won't work out. Bless your heart if you've designed some tightly plotted schedule, but you should know that a lot of it will fall through. Your favorite actor will cancel, your character makeup will peel off in patches, the Funko will sell out when you're 2 places in line from buying. There are too many moving parts at SDCC for everything to be perfect, so make a Plan B and a Plan C. 

And be open to spontaneity. Sometimes you'll find your day evolving in unexpected directions, like deciding you need a nap or getting invited to a Hall H line effort. Flow with it. You can't be a perfectionist when it comes to Comic-Con. You can be organized and prepared, sure. But you don't want to aim for this impossible standard of everything going flawlessly because it won't.

Focus on making friends, not what people can do for you.

Comic-Con people are the best: generous, helpful, and interesting to talk to. Attendees are always sharing their wealth, from information to offsite tickets. 

But in recent years, there's been a rise in attendees who seem to view people solely as favor machines. They don't want to get to know anyone, they don't want to offer anything in return or even do the basic work of participating in a line or buying group; they just want someone else to hand it all to them. That's not how life works, and it's certainly not how Comic-Con works. Build a network, be appreciative of what people have to offer, and do your part in contributing. You'll be much likelier to tap into the community treasure chest. You'll also meet some great people.

Are you excited yet?

What to pack for San Diego Comic-Con

 22 JULY 2024

                                   

I realize you've already seen at least a dozen articles titled "What to Pack for San Diego Comic-Con." And also, you have common sense. So why am I posting this?

Because in your excitement, you might forget a few basics. Or you might still be new to our chaotic world and not quite realize what's required. So let's review: what should you pack?


#1. Something warm to wear. Currently we're headed into days in the high 70s/low 80s and nights in the 60s. If you're part lizard like I am and get cold easily, bring a sweater or jacket. If you're going to camp outside overnight, wear layers so you can bundle up and strip down accordingly.

#2. Sunscreen and umbrellas. If you're going to be outside in line - and this can happen when you don't expect it - that sun can get intense. People get sunburned at SDCC all the time, so prepare accordingly.

#3. Something comfortable to wear. You may be getting spiffed up for your very glamorous nightlife - but I promise the time will come when you just want to be lazy and comfortable. Yes, even if you're an image-conscious influencer or dedicated cosplayer. Speaking of...

#4. Cosplay repair. Wigs, weapons, armor, dresses, zombie makeup wounds, alternate costumes or repair tools and sewing kits - just be prepared.

#5. Extra batteries, headphones and portable chargers. Don't count on charging up when and where you need to. It's more reliable to just pop in a fresh power source or use your own charger.

#6. Promotional material and contact cards. Those digital cards like Popl are great but don't count on everyone having them - and you won't always have time to hand someone your phone to text themselves. Cards can help you connect to people you meet in line and at events. If you're marketing yourself in some capacity, obviously be prepared with your online portfolios, viewing rooms, socials, and other channels at the ready.

#7. A big tote, purse, or bagpack. Yes, SDCC provides you with massive bags but I find them way too unwieldy to carry around. Possibly this is a short person issue. At any rate, I prefer to bring in my own big but manageable bag where I can stuff in purchases while being able to quickly access my money and phone. I can also eyeball and secure it better - something that seems relevant this year with all the reports of stolen phones and pickpockets at Pride.


#8. Cash. I advocate bringing cash and card and app, not just one payment method - but cash will come in handy at some point.

#9. Snacks and water. This can mean getting into line earlier or being able to make a favorite panel instead of walking into the Gaslamp for lunch.

#10. A hard copy of your friends' contact info. Phones die, systems fail, connectivity goes out. I can't count the number of delayed texts I've had at SDCC. If you're meeting up with someone to trade offsite tickets or some other vital attendee transaction, but you've so far only chatted on Twitter or Reddit or Discord, get their contact information now.

#11. A list of everything you promised to pick up for your friends. It's just easier instead of running through texts from 17 people, trying to remember who wanted what and where you can find it.

#12. Portable chairs, collapsible stools, or air hammocks. Standing in line may not sound like a big deal, but after you're been walking miles every day, being able to sit down is the difference between heaven and hell.

#13. Earplugs and sleep mask. If you don't sleep well in hotels or are sensitive to city noise, earplugs and sleep masks can help you get restful sleep. Also consider a white noise app and some magnesium supplements at bedtime.

#14. A regular book. This may seem like bringing sand to the beach, but you might find yourself with more reading time than you think. Even if you buy a stack of fresh comics, do you really want to read them all in the Ballroom 20 line? Bringing a paperback will keep you from running down your phone, too.


#15. Swimsuit. Even if you don't visit the beach, getting in your hotel hot tub or sauna is a nice break from the Con.

#16. A refillable water bottle. Comic-Con is dehydrating, so get in the habit of carrying a bottle around that you can keep refilling.

#17. Your badge. There aren't enough panic attacks in the world for the moment you step off the plane and realize your badge is back home in Portland. Also bring a lanyard, even if you intend on buying a new one. 

What shouldn't you bring?

A bunch of different outfits and shoes. You can probably get by on your support shoes and one pair of going-out shoes.

An entire of suitcase of back issues and old action figures to sell. The vendors aren't interested unless you've got something super special.

A nest of devices. Do you really need your laptop, GoPro, tripod, phone, and iPad at SDCC? I'm going to say you can get by on 2 of those unless you're there in a media capacity. Don't weigh yourself down.

48 hours from now, Preview Night will be underway!

Answers to common SDCC questions

21 JULY 2024

It's that time of year when questions about San Diego Comic-Con reach fever pitch. It's hard to anticipate what might confuse you when you arrive, so here are a few answers to some common questions.

Can I cancel my badge or hotel?

Not entirely. If you have a really good excuse (say, medical) you can contact CCI and plead for mercy. But the refund deadline passed a while ago.

If you booked your hotel on your own, it's a matter of whether it's refundable or not. If you went through the CCI hotel sale, you've already paid 2 nights and that deposit isn't coming back. However - right now at this moment - you can probably still cancel the other 2 nights.

When do I get in line?

The ultimate Comic-Con question. Here's my unsatisfying answer: it depends. Don't just assume you can play it safe by lining up days in advance - people have tried this and been forced to disperse, or staff have started an official line elsewhere and those people have had to join the end of that line. 

If you're trying to get in Hall H, pay attention to the wristband rules and ask yourself how important it is to you to sit up front. Hall H is huge. Your best bet is to work with a group (lots of them spring up right now) and pay attention to the Hall H line twitter account. I can tell you that I know groups who are planning on lining up in the morning, as soon as Hall H is filled, for the following day's Hall H panels. In other words, they'll have about a 24 hour wait, though they'll work in shifts.

Sometimes Hall H will clear out during the day hours and you can get in, especially for the night. But not always. I've seen a lot of people insist that Friday's 5:15 pm Alien panel will be walk-in, for instance, but will it? Ditto Saturday's Interview with Vampire panel in Ballroom 20, which follows Simpsons, American Dad, and other panels with different fanbases. I suspect IWTV fans will be staking out (sorry) the room from the start of the day. 

It's true that Ballroom 20 and Hall H are quite large and even a massive line may not be as hopeless as it looks. But I've seen people spend hours, even a day, in line and not get in so I can only tell you to be realistic and balance the odds against what you'll be giving up.

For the Exhibit Hall, it depends on how desperate you are to buy certain items. I haven't lined up for this in years so I can't speak precisely to this, but I'm familiar with the lines up in the Sails Pavilion - people who are usually hardcore collectors. If you are dying to be in the first few hundred who get into Preview Night or the Exhibit Hall, you'll need to join these people and sacrifice a fair bit of time.

Can I bring tents/sleeping bags/coolers?

CCI does not want anyone erecting a full-scale camp site - but sleeping bags, umbrellas (to block the sun), blankets, and chairs are fine. Remember that whatever you bring will need to go into the panels with you unless you have a very good friend who will come unburden you at the right moment. I am tentatively planning to do the Everything Else/Ballroom 20 line Friday night and I am bringing a camping pad and blanket.

You can use the Lobby G restrooms overnight.

Will offsites have standby lines?

Some will. Your best bets are early in the morning or end of day. But before you decide to fully commit, ask around online and see how long people have been waiting.

Can I barter in the Exhibit Hall?

It depends. When the Con first gets started, prices are usually as marked. You can ask for volume discounts (or the seller proposes one) but if you go in and try to haggle aggressively, you probably won't be successful. The exception is Sunday, when vendors want to unload as much product as possible. You'll see lots of markdowns, but go ahead and ask about getting a deal if you don't see anything advertised. Just be respectful about it.

Will booths have standby lines for people who didn't get picked in the lottery?

Most will. Some won't. I don't want to promise anything, so I'll just say that you should approach the desired booth, ask nicely, and be as charming as possible. Treat a "No" like a "Not right now" and say, "So maybe we could try again at end of day?" unless the volunteer/staffer seems angry at you. Then swing back when someone new is working. 

I accessed my favorite small, high-demand booth last year only by being stoic, friendly, patient, and desperate all at the same time, eventually leading to the staffer (who kept banning me from even being in the area) allowing me to join a capped line. Bring all your soft skills to the Exhibit Hall because you will need them.

Can I buy exclusives anywhere else?

Quite often you can! Mattel, who has no idea I'm going to SDCC, keeps advertising its "exclusives" to me and everyone else on their mailing list; Funko sells through multiple retailers; it's probably the exception, not the rule, that an exclusive is truly confined to convention walls.

Should I bring cash or card?

Both. Cash used to be king in the Exhibit Hall but most people take cards now and some don't take cash. Have both on hand.

Can I take pictures of cosplayers?

Sure. The general etiquette is to ask first. However, if someone is already posing for 6 cameras, there's no harm in jumping into the mix. In terms of taking pictures with cosplayers, things get dicier. Remember that you're often going to be in a humid, crowded environment; cosplayers may not want dozens of sweaty strangers pressing up against them. (Would you?) So if you do take a photo with them, don't try to squeeze in. Be respectful; crude comments, groping, even licking, are gross experiences inflicted on both male and female cosplayers.

Where can I charge my devices?

Getting a good charge can be tough in the convention center. The easiest answer here is bringing battery packs and power bars. You can usually find free outlets upstairs in the room 27 area - one of the most spacious, coolest areas of the center. And you can bring a splitter to increase the odds. But if you're desperate to get some good charging action and the outlets at the convention center aren't delivering, walk over to the hallway lounges in the North Tower at the Marriott. 

Where can I put my stuff?

Bag check. It's in the lobby near A and E and lets you roam around free and unencumbered. But I believe you can't leave your items overnight.

If you've accrued a lot of books/art/plushies/swag and you aren't local - ship it home. It's nice not to have it cluttering up your room. There's a FedEx right at the Marriott next door and some other options in the Gaslamp. 

How do I meet people?

This used to be the #1 question, before lines became our prevailing obsession. I don't think it's just about romance (though that does seem to be on many attendee minds) but also making friends and building community. If you go to enough Cons, you eventually come to treasure seeing Con friends as much as the panels and parties. 

The answer here is really simple, it's.... talk to people. Wherever you find yourself, there will be something to talk about. There's always a rumor about a celebrity cancelation or a fight breaking out at a booth or a scandalous cosplayer costume or some other salacious detail of Comic-Con life. Attendees tend to be pretty friendly and laidback, so just turn around and get it started. Ask about a surprise offsite or live art show. SDCC is one nonstop information exchange. 

If you are looking to hook up (and I admire your having that energy after a long day of Comic-Conning), your best bet is to go to events and bars just like you would normally. There's also some kind of speeding dating/singles event this year; I'm surprised someone hasn't started a nerd dating app already. Maybe they have.

How do I meet famous people?

Here's the law of Comic-Con: you run into all the celebrities your mom or coworkers or roommate care about, while someone else runs into the celebrities you care about. A few exceptions include my running into Zach Woods in the lobby of the Omni at the crack of dawn; my ex-partner ran into Angelina Jolie and her guards behind the convention center by accident; my friend and I encountered James McAvoy at 4 am in a hallway in the Hard Rock. You can't plan that kind of thing. But I know people have their bag of tricks for this, like waiting in certain areas to see celebrities and their handlers emerge or lingering by certain booths after signings are over. Gaslamp bars will produce at least a few drunk actors.  

This should go without saying - but always be polite and respect whatever signals they're throwing up. I've seen abominable treatment of celebrities at the Con. Early in my SDCC days, I was swept into a Jack Black Exhibit Hall vortex that was terrifying. People pressed me against him (I apologized and he was very nice about it) and I saw the fear in his eyes as dozens of fanboys surrounded him. 

I feel like I'm going to miss out on everything. How do I know what's happening?

Check social, check YouTube reports, check the blogs and forums, and check mainstream nerd media. It might seem odd to read articles and watch videos about the Con when you're already there, but it's your best bet for finding out about things you'd otherwise miss. I am constantly hearing about booths/items on the floor that I somehow didn't notice or learning about screenings and events that were announced last minute. It's worth devoting time to this, because it feels horrible to come home and read about it all when it's too late.


I didn't get a badge. How can I get one?

You can pay $1900 to join the Comic-Con Museum or you can register yourself on comic-con.org and wait for Open Registration this fall. Next summer might seem far away but it does go quickly. In the meantime, join all the online communities, ask questions, make friends, and be ready for summer 2025.

What you shouldn't do: fall victim to some huckster who promises to sell you their badge. The odds are painfully high that you'll be taken for a ride.

I know I didn't touch on a lot of stuff here, so I'll post some links to more thorough articles. But at the end of the day - as long as you have your badge and a comfortable pair of shoes, you're guaranteed to have a good time.