18 things to pack for SDCC

12 JULY 2019

I know, I know - you've already seen at least a dozen articles titled "What to Pack for San Diego Comic-Con." And you've already been to the Con before and also, you're not stupid. 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. Next week's San Diego weather looks perfect to me - some cloud cover, days in the low-mid 70s and nights dipping into the low-mid 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. Something comfortable to wear. You may be getting snazzed up for some kind of glittery event or maybe you plan on cosplaying 24/7. Even so, the time will come when you just want to be comfortable at Comic-Con - even if you're the vainest princess ever.

#3. Portable chairs or air hammocks. Speaking of comfortable...

#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. You won't always have time to hand them your phone and have them text themselves. If you're marketing yourself in some capacity, you really want to bring the right materials, but even cards can help you stay in touch with people you meet in line and before panels.

#7. A big tote or bagpack. The SDCC bags are great, but a bit too unwieldy for most of us to carry around. You'll do better with a huge purse, tote or backpack - anything that doesn't fit in can go to Bag Check.

#8. A moderate number of devices. Do you really need your laptop, GoPro, phone and iPad at SDCC? I'm going to say you can get by on 2 of those. Don't weigh yourself down.

#9. Snacks and water. Even if you intend to eat out for every meal at SDCC, it may not always be an option. Being able to grab power bars or fruit gets you in line earlier as well, and bringing snacks into the convention center can stave off your hunger pains long enough to delay lunch for the right panel.

#10. A hard copy of your friends' contact info. In case you lose power or Internet or your phone - it happens. Or you're just Twitter friends with someone and they're offline and you can't text them and oops, there goes the Conan ticket they promised you.

#11. A list of everything you promised to pick up for your friends. It's just easier instead of running through text messages from 42 people, trying to remember who wanted what and where you can find it.

#12. Aspirin, band-aids, eyedrops, condoms, sunscreen, drugstore cures. Travel can do a number on you but add in the noise and stress of Comic-Con and you could be waylaid by headaches, constipation, dry eyes and other ailments. Sunscreen is mandatory. Yes, you can buy all this stuff there but it's another trip you'll be too busy for - and hotel gift shops will charge you a mortgage payment for 3 ibuprofen, when they aren't constantly closed.

#13. Earplugs and sleep mask. These aren't just for ladies of leisure who sleep till noon. 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 melatonin.

#14. Sketchbook, writing implement and art storage tubes. If you want to collect sketches, don't settle for the back of a promotional flyer. Bring a nice sketchbook and use it for multiple Cons. Art storage tubes will protect any prints you buy.

#15. A regular book. This may seem like bringing sand to the beach, but you will 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.

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

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

#18. 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 ton of different outfits and shoes. You can probably get by on your support shoes and one pair of going-out shoes.

Shipping materials.  The convention centers and nearby hotels have UPS or Fedex stores to ship your stuff home - and they'll have all the boxes and tape you need.

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.


Enjoy your last weekend before the storm.

What to wear to Comic-Con

9 JULY 2019

Reposted for first-timers.



Hey, fashion plate. What are you wearing to Comic-Con?

If you're packing jeans and shorts and t-shirts and that's about it - congratulations, you'll fit right in. See the random attendee sampling in the above photo. But that's most of us, not all of us. I know some of you want to look like you're on a red carpet and some of you just aren't sure about weather and dress codes.

First of all, be assured that no one will mock your outfit at SDCC. This isn't a cotillion. People tend to dress for comfort and as for those attendees in outrageous outfits, no one even blinks. This is an independent-thinking crowd. But if you're a first-timer, the below should help.

Nerdwear: Don't worry about being challenged to prove your knowledge about the gaming character or superhero on the shirt you're wearing. Someone may yell out a quote in a spirit of shared fandom, but you usually won't encounter one of those alpha nerds who like to make people feel inadequate about their nerd knowledge. And don't feel like you have to be deliberately obscure or go in the other direction and be trendy. Wear whatever you want.


Cosplay: Even if you love your costume and the way you look in it, bring alternate outfits just in case. You may get sick of being stopped to have your picture taken, or you might get hot and itchy.  Or you could just sort of deteriorate and look less magnificent as the day goes on due to wig issues, broken weapons, etc. Experienced cosplayers know their limits, but new ones tend to want to change back into street clothes sooner than they think.


Formal wear: I used to shop for Comic-Con like it was the Super Femme Olympics, bringing an array of day and evening outfits, 6 pairs of heels, etc. Now I'm a lazy dresser because who cares? But if you lead the kind of fancy life where people might whisk you off to some kind of formal event, bring something - don't assume you'll have time to go shopping.


Shoes: Obviously bring something cushiony and comfortable. If you're really into flip-flops, be aware your toes may be stepped on when the Exhibit Hall gets crowded. If you don't have a pair of supportive shoes already, you'd better buy and break them in every day now. And bring moleskin, bandaids and maybe insoles. Talk to the nurses and servers in your life; they always know all the latest supportive footwear tricks.


Weather: As someone who gets cold easily, I find San Diego nights chilly. I always bring a hoodie and a sweater. If you're planning on spending the night outside, I would advise bringing something warm to wear, in addition to whatever blanket or sleeping bag you've got. If you're going to camp through the day and night, wear layers so you can bundle up at 4 a.m. and then peel it all off under an 11 a.m. sun.

Amount of clothes: Don't count on being able to do laundry. I know people who will bring two outfits and alternate them, but you have to realize how grimy Comic-Con can be. You're going to be brushing up against people, leaning against walls, sitting on grass, sitting in seats a sweaty person just sat in, hustling through the Gaslamp under a hot sun, and basically sullying yourself in incremental stages all day. I can't wait to shower the Con off before dinner and there's no way in hell I would wear the same thing that night. Maybe you're not that squeamish, but you'll definitely still want to make sure you have enough clothes.


Makeup and sunscreen: If heavy makeup is part of your cosplay - or you typically wear a full face everywhere - be aware that the Exhibit Hall can get humid and that the hustle between rooms, or between the convention center and the Gaslamp, can leave your face in a smeary mess. That goes double if you're wearing a hat, wig or any kind of headgear. What works in your air-conditioned office can be streaky and melted by noon at the Con. Consider bringing fixative sprays or a repair kit. Bring a good supply of sunscreen as well.


Backpacks and purses: You will need some type of bag to carry your extra phone battery, water bottle, sketchbook, charger, program guide, collapsible chair, lunch and so on. This is especially critical if your hotel is distant, since you won't be able to quickly go back to your room and then return.

Basically, the goal at Comic-Con is to endure. Vanity is beside the point. We all wind up looking rumpled and tired and no one cares. As long as you're comfortable and can meet whatever daytime or nocturnal opportunity arises, you'll be fine.

What to wear to Comic-Con

11 JULY 2017

                                     


This year I hardly know any first-timers personally. It seems that as scoring badges becomes a matter of working in tribes, first-timers are becoming more and more rare. But I do know one couple and they had what seemed to me an odd worry: wearing the wrong thing to San Diego Comic-Con.

Let's just get this out of the way. No one is going to mock your outfit at SDCC. It's not a cotillion, Comic-Con attracts a very independent-thinking crowd, and everyone is too intrigued by what's going on around them to even notice your wardrobe.

That said. If you're new and you're stressing over what to wear, I'd advise playing an Exhibit Hall video like the above so you can see what other attendees wear.

Nerdwear: If you travel in geeky circles, you may have been challenged to prove your knowledge about the gaming character or superhero on the shirt you're wearing. We've all run into alpha nerds who like to make people feel inadequate about the depth of their knowledge. But you don't have to worry about that at SDCC - most everyone is pretty chill and when someone spots a fellow member of their fandom, the reaction is usually just congratulatory. Wear whatever you want.


Cosplay: Even if you love your costume and the way you look in it, definitely bring alternate outfits just in case. You may get sick of being stopped to have your picture taken, or you might get hot and itchy. Or you could just sort of deteriorate and look less magnificent as the day goes on due to wig issues, broken weapons, etc. Experienced cosplayers know their limits, but newer ones tend to want to get back to street clothes faster than they think.

Formal wear: I used to shop for Comic-Con like it was a red carpet event, bringing an array of day and evening outfits, with different heels for each. Now I'm a lazy dresser because who cares? But if you lead the kind of fancy life where people might whisk you off to some kind of formal event, go for it. One note: if you typically rely on the Nordstrom at Horton Plaza for last-minute clothes and LBDs, be aware it closed last summer after the Con. I have no idea what's there now.

Shoes: Obviously bring something cushiony and comfortable. If you're really into flip-flops, be aware your toes may be stepped on when the Exhibit Hall gets crowded. If you don't have a pair of supportive shoes already, I would buy them now and wear them every day to break them in before next week. Otherwise you're just asking for blisters.

Weather: As someone who gets cold easily, I find San Diego nights chilly. I always bring a hoodie and an extra sweater. If you're planning on spending the night outside, I would advise bringing something warm to wear, in addition to whatever blanket or sleeping bag you've got. If you're going to camp through the day and night, the obvious answer is layers so you can disrobe or bundle up as needed.

Amount of clothes: Don't count on being able to do laundry. I know people who will bring two shirts and alternate, but you have to take into account how grimy Comic-Con can be. You're going to be brushing up against people, leaning against walls, sitting on grass, sitting in seats a sweaty person just sat in, hustling through the Gaslamp under a hot sun, and basically sullying yourself in incremental stages all day. I can't wait to shower the Con off me before dinner and there's no way in hell I would wear the same thing that night.  You may be less squeamish than I am, but you'll still want to make sure you have enough clothes.

Makeup and sunscreen: If heavy makeup is part of your cosplay - or you just typically wear a full face everywhere - be aware that the Exhibit Hall can get humid and that the hustle between rooms, or between the convention center and the Gaslamp, can leave your makeup in a smeary mess. That goes double if you're wearing a wig or any kind of headgear. What works in your air-conditioned office can be streaky and melted by 11 am at the Con. Try to account for that in advance with fixative sprays or bring a repair kit. And because it's easy to find yourself in line outside longer than you thought, be sure you have a good supply of sunscreen as well.

Backpacks and purses: No one wants to saddle themselves with some massive bag at Comic-Con, but it's hard to avoid. Not just the stuff you buy and carry around, but having a big enough backpack or purse  - because it's kind of essential. Your extra phone battery, your water bottle, your sketchbook, your program: the more stuff you can keep with you, the longer you can avoid going back to your room.


Basically, the goal at Comic-Con is to endure. We all tend to acquire a rumpled, tired look as the days go on and no one cares. You'll just want to be dressed so you can meet whatever daytime or nocturnal situation arises and do it comfortably.

So you got an SDCC badge: the next 100 days

10 APRIL 2017

If you survived the extinction event known as Open Registration - congratulations. I didn't want to be insensitive on Saturday by throwing a giant Badge Holder Smugness party, but it's been 48 hours and I think we can all revel in our glorious luck. And frankly, it's time to get down to business, because San Diego Comic-Con is just a little more than 3 months away.

Here's what you should do now.



Take advantage of Early Bird Hotel sale or prep for Hotel Day while arranging a backup plan.

Locking down a hotel room for SDCC has gotten harder each year, and there's good reason to think that this year will bring a radically new process that you won't like. Here are your options: book a non-downtown room now without stress or uncertainty in the Early Bird sale; gamble in the Hotel Day sale; look for an Airbnb or other alternative situation. In fact, I'd partner those last two together, because it's so unlikely that you'll get the downtown room of your dreams.

First-timers, you may think 1) I'm exaggerating or 2) it doesn't matter where you stay. I'm not and it does. Staying in Mission Valley or elsewhere doesn't have to ruin your Con, but it's definitely more convenient to be closer. For those of you who've successfully traded reservations before on the attendee underground market, it's getting increasingly difficult to do that too. With the process changes expected this year, I'm guessing that will hold true.

What I'm saying: be scrappy and do what you can to lock down some lodgings.


Sign up for the parking lottery.

If you think you will be in the unfortunate situation of driving in and out of the area each day, you'll want to sign up for the parking lottery now. The drawing is on 25 April so don't delay. Be aware this isn't an option to drive into San Diego, deposit your car and pick it up Sunday; there's no overnight parking. (If your hotel doesn't have parking or even if it does, consider parking at the airport - it's significantly cheaper than hotel valet.)

 Save money.

I know, I know - you just paid for a badge and now you'll need to make a 2 night deposit on your hotel room. You may also be paying a hefty tax bill this week. No one is in a saving frame of mind. But you will have a much better time at SDCC if you wine, dine and shop as much as you want - and that means having a pretty sum put aside. Now is the best time to start; by June you'll see events tickets going on sale and certain exclusives will go up for pre-sale too. If you're currently having financial struggles, then you should definitely start saving now.


Get in shape.

SDCCfit is a thing now but far too many people still show up at Comic-Con unprepared for its physical demands. You can always identify them by Friday; they're sprawled in hallways with defeated expressions as they rub their feet and beg off other events. No one is ever prepared for how tiring Comic-Con is - all the walking and standing, the unexpectedly vast distances between going to lunch at the Fox Sports Grill at Hilton Bayfront, grabbing swag from the fulfillment room at the Hyatt, then heading back to Hall H. Seriously, pioneers didn't walk this much when their horse and buggy broke down. To make sure you're not sidelined by Day 2, start walking regularly and building up your endurance.

Make friends.

Here's something not many people know: a large percentage of Comic-Con attendees go alone. They don't have friends who share their interests, or their friends have kids/jobs keeping them at home, or they had a breakup when it was too late to invite someone else. There's nothing wrong with going to SDCC alone, but it's definitely more fun to meet up with friends. Start hanging out in the online SDCC communities. Not only will you find out about more events and exclusives, you'll have a better social life when you're there.


Take time off. 

Maybe you were waiting to see if you got a badge before doing this, but request vacation time off from your job now. Make sure you won't be guilted for skipping family weddings or graduation parties or summer trips, and if you need childcare help or some other kind of coverage, make those arrangements too.

Make a cosplay decision.

If you're part of a cosplay group, start working out the details now; if you're going solo, at least make overtures toward getting/making your outfit and props. This often takes longer than you think, and I know so many people who abandon their first plan mid-way and opt for something else. You can avoid getting stuck at the Con in an outfit you hate by getting started now.

Study up.

First-timers! What a journey of discovery awaits you. I know you've seen San Diego Comic-Con on YouTube and you've heard wild stories, and you probably think you have a decent idea of what to expect. You are wrong. It's bigger, louder and more multi-faceted than you can imagine, like a monstrously huge cephalopod that sucks you in and forces you to stumble, lost, through its many tentacles. That's why so many first-timers come home from SDCC dazzled but slightly resentful; they know they were in the midst of something incredible, but they also know they missed a lot of it.

Read up real accounts of people who've gone, and all of the advice on navigating what can be a bewildering experience. Hear what your first-timer ancestors thought - here and here and here and here. Oh, and here and here too.


Pay attention, starting now.

Comic-Con may seem far off but certain developments are already stirring. SyFy announced it will be broadcasting live again for instance; various exclusives will quietly go up for pre-sale and sell out before you found about them (already happened with DC Bombshells figures this year); tickets will be given away but only to people subscribed to a certain newsletter who happen to be online 15 minutes before go time. This takes knowledge and skill, and if you're new to Planet SDCC, it may be really frustrating how everyone seems to know this stuff but you. Make sure your Member ID account is checked to accept third-party offerings and stayed connected on social and the blogs so you find about events and sales in time. The Conan O'Brien tapings are a great example of people not understanding how to get tickets.


The next 3 months are going to whip by. We are firmly in Comic-Con season and there's no turning back - so get ready.

Your pansexual goth cosplay night at SDCC

30 JUNE 2016

Let's end June on a dark and mysterious note. Club Sabbat - which takes place at gay bar Numbers - is throwing a party just for you, lovers of goth, fetish and industrial scenes. So by all means break out your cosplay but also your sexiest corset dresses and armbinders. The theme is DC vs. Marvel, which means you could frame any number of scenarios: Catwoman and her whip corrupting Nightcrawler, Huntress menacing Black Widow with her crossbow, Talia ah Ghul anything; the possibilities are endless.

Numbers may be a gay club, but Sabbat is popular with straight, bi, homo and pan people, aces and revelers of every other stripe. So don't feel like you're crashing the cool rainbow kids' scene if you're hopelessly hetero - it's your party too. Especially if you want the kind of industrial & alternative music you probably won't find in the Gaslamp.

What: Club Sabbat

Where: Numbers - 3811 Park Blvd, San Diego 92103

When: 23 July, Saturday

Prepping now for San Diego Comic-Con

29 FEBRUARY 2016



Now that Open Registration furor has cooled, those of you who got a badge for San Diego Comic-Con have probably shifted from disbelief and joy to more practical concerns like...

1) How much money will you need?
2) When will the hotel sale happen?
3) Is there anything special you should start doing now?


So let's go over that.

Think about hotels.

I outlined this previously, but here it is again - Early Bird Sale I expect to happen shortly, followed by Hotel Day. Right now you need to decide whether you want to opt for certainty and economy by doing the Early Bird Sale, or gamble your fate on Hotel Day. More details on that as they get announced.


Tithe your income to SDCC.

Unless you're a member of the Comic-Con 1%, you need to start a special SDCC fund now. Why? Because over the following months you'll see parties, comedy shows and concerts advertised with online ticket sales. You'll try to get into a Nerd HQ panel. You'll want to do an exclusive pre-sale. And when you arrive at the Con, all those vows you made to rein in the spending will go out the window. You'll run into an old friend and go out for drinks somewhere swank, you'll see the rare action figure of your dreams, you'll feel tired and take cabs instead of walking. Save money now.

Sell your nerd stuff now, not later.

For some reason, first-timers often think that SDCC is the best place to sell off their collectibles. It's not. I don't know if it's the worst, but it's not ideal. Other than a few lightning strikes where you and a vendor turn out to be soulmates, most booths are trying to unload as much merchandise as possible. Many operate on a thin profit margin besides and are very nervous about making back their money, as opposed to feeling generous. Collect all those back issues and figures now and sell them however you can - Ebay, OfferUp, your local retailer - and pocket that cash. You'll get to enjoy a newly spacious house before you fill it up again in August.

Plan your marketing game.

Maybe you're just going to network; maybe you're going to participate in Portfolio Review or Comic Creator Connection; maybe you're going to stalk a certain agent and dazzle them with your brilliance. (That last one is not recommended, actually.) Start thinking now about how to put your best commercial foot forward and the materials involved - business cards, a prettier landing page, sample work, a new domain. I know it seems like you have months to get it done but the next 5 months will fly by.

Build up your stamina.

You don't have to be super-buff to get through Comic-Con - but if you're severely out of shape or just not used to walking, you're going to be sore after 1 day. You'll stand in line quite a bit. You'll sit in uncomfortable positions in hallways. You'll walk hither and yon all day and night. Your mind will want to go a Friday night cosplay party, but your feet will beg you to stay in your hotel bed. Be kind to your future self and start walking or biking daily now.

Get to know the SDCC community.

You will always, always, always, find out the most valuable information - which secret concert is happening, how to get a certain autograph ticket - by befriending other attendees. Read the blogs and forums, ask who's going in your other digital communities and fandoms, and get connected. You'll pick up countless tips that will serve you well later.

Start thinking about your costume.

Yes, I said "start." I'm not talking to you cosplay fanatics who pay monthly storage fees to house all your props and costumes and staging. Attendees who are new to cosplay but think they'd like to try it often leave this to the last second. Don't. This isn't like a Halloween party where everyone's costume is terrible and you're all drunk after 2 hours anyhow so who cares. At SDCC, you'll care. You don't have to be professionally polished - but you will want to make sure your cosplay fits comfortably, can hold up while moving in a crowd, won't suffocate you or make you sweat too much and isn't too itchy. Spend time in it, make sure you're not flashing anyone when you move a certain way, and ask your friends for suggestions. That last is really helpful when you're doing conceptual cosplay.

First-timers - be aware that the majority of attendees wear street clothes, not cosplay. There's a general impression that everyone dresses up, but no, it's quite optional.


Overall, you can expect this schedule between now and Comic-Con. Other than the hotel sale, the next two months will be quiet. Around May, you'll begin hearing about events and a few exclusives and releases, and then in June the pace will pick up. By July, monitoring SDCC developments will be a full-time job. Expect your productivity at work to drop and all your unbadged friends to tell you to stop talking about Comic-Con. Your mind will be a circus of all the screenings, parties, panels, tournaments and toys you're anticipating and then finally - you'll be walking through the doors of the convention center.

In other words, enjoy this lull while you have it.

Win tickets to Emerald City Comicon

24 FEBRUARY 2016




Did you fail to get a 4-day ticket to Emerald City Comicon? Did you also feel incredibly thirsty as you read the below description of ECCC's official beer Dark Heron? Then this is a golden opportunity for you: a Dark Heron launch party that will feature giveaways, a photo op with comic book and Dark Heron artist Justin "Moritat" Norman AND a cosplay contest offering tickets to ECCC.

Please note - while you're asked to RSVP for the party, doing so doesn't guarantee you admittance. It's first-come, first-serve. And it starts at 5:00 pm on a Wednesday so you office types may need to make arrangements to leave early that day.

What: the Dark Heron launch party (21+)

Where: Fremont Brewing Urban Beer Garden - 1050 34th Street in Seattle

When: 9 March, 5-9 pm


I can't imagine Seattle cosplayers don't already have ECCC tickets, but maybe you can show up and crush it and then donate the tickets to a good cause. This sounds like a fun event either way.

Will you be crowned cosplay champion at ECCC?

11 FEBRUARY 2016

Emerald City has always been known for its next-level cosplay. Ingenious, creative and convincing, the cosplay you see at ECCC represents some of the highest skill in the field. These cosplayers go beyond Spiderman and Harley Quinn clones to depict characters from cult movies and indie comics, and the sheer effort involved is mindboggling.

So it's quite exciting that Saturday night at Emerald City - 9 April - will be the Western Championships of Cosplay. The "first stop in the ReedPOP's 2016 Global Cosplay Competition Circuit," this event will be watched by thousands in person and livestreamed by no doubt thousands more. $5,000 in cash prizes will be handed out and the winner will make it into the final round of the 2017 C2E2 Crown Championships of Cosplay in Chicago, the final stop. (Yes, this competition apparently spans two calendar years. No donuts for you if you want to make sure you fit into the same costume.)

You must represent a character or element from the pop culture realm and demonstrate mastery in one of four skill categories:

• FX
• Needlework
• Larger than Life
• Armor

You'll be judged on the quality and craftsmanship; obviously no store-bought costumes are tolerable. After being judged offstage, you'll strut your stuff on the main stage and exhibit two or three poses while the MC reads the description you hand him. You can't pick your own music and you can't speak.


The deadline is 4 March. Good luck.

ECCC wants to hear from you, cosplayers

15 DECEMBER 2015




Emerald City has a survey for cosplayers to make their "cosplay experience at ECCC 2016 even better." They want to know typical things like if you go to panels about cosplay, where you're photographed most often, how much time and money you spend on your cosplay and so on. It's very quick, so go on and take it. Who knows, maybe we'll get a red carpet for cosplayers like at NYCC.

Transform into a Penny Dreadful character at SDCC

22 JUNE 2015

If you love Penny Dreadful, Showtime has a few special activities in store for you at Comic-Con. Such as:


Reeve Carney will be signing Saturday at 3 pm at the Entertainment Earth booth #2343.

Makeup artist Alexys Fleming will transform 5 fans into characters from the show, including the Creature, the werewolf and a witch. This is happening on Friday at the Entertainment Earth booth. AND - if you're still contemplating your cosplay, Alexys has already created 5 YouTube videos teaching you to transform into a Penny Dreadful character.

The first 6 fans to buy all 7 action figures - Ethan, Vanessa, Dorian, Victor, Sir Malcolm, the Creature and the Werewolf (but no Brona/Lily) - will get an autographed Penny Dreadful book.

Over at USAopoly booth #1017, you can buy a new Penny Dreadful board game version of Clue. You can also try to win one in 4 daily raffles. This booth has a great photo op: you posing in Dr. Frankenstein's lab with portraits of the suspects from Clue holding their weapons of choice - arsenic, tarot cards, syringe, etc.

And at Titan's booth #5537, you can pick up the Art And Making of Penny Dreadful for a special SDCC price of 20.

Based on a recent conversation I had with someone at Showtime, there's still another announcement or two to come with Penny Dreadful - so stay tuned.

 

Saturday at Phoenix Comicon

30 MAY 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today was the busiest, boldest day of Phoenix Comicon. It was also the day it became apparent that the organizers had done a very good thing by expanding to another floor of the convention center and surrounding hotels; with the photo ops, writers, signings, panels, car show and other features spread out, the crowds never became totally overwhelming. In fact, the hallway traffic moved a lot faster than it did last summer. On the whole, it was a very navigable day.

 

I spent most of it inside the main ballroom so I'll report on that. I missed David Morrissey, Summer Glau and Rocky Horror but I did see:

 

Jason Momoa

 

 

                                  

     

Known for his hulking roles on Game of Thrones, Stargate, Baywatch and Conan, Momoa said at one point that everyone thinks of him "as a big dumb animal" - however the panel showed off his wit and intelligence. It also showcased off his adoring female fans, one of whom gave him a customized jar candle that read "Saint Momoa - Patron Saint of the Lustful." Oh fandom, never change.

 

Some of the things we learned:

• He went over Aquaman in the New 52 with Geoff Johns and considers him a friend.
• The only role he'd play on GOT would be Khal Drogo - but if he had to play another, it'd be the Imp.
• He studied silverback gorillas for the role of Khal.
• He views his role as Aquaman as an homage to his Hawaiian background and "Polynesian gods and brown superheroes."
• He's currently working on a script based on a true story that's being translated from Hawaiian.
• He read a lot of comics when he was young like X-Men and currently likes Image titles especially.
• He originally intended to be a biologist and is an art aficionado.
• If his character had survived on GOT, it would have been a much shorter series because "I'd kill them all. Season 2: Khal jumps on the dragon's back, rides him over the water and kills them all. Season 3: Khal pets the dragon."

 

 Alyson Hannigan and Alexis Denisof

 

It's not often you see a married couple having their own panel. Fans asked questions about Buffy (obviously) and American Pie, Denisof being in the Marvel Universe and of course how they fell in love. Things we learned:

 

• Alyson couldn't even get the audition for Buffy. She tried and they flat out refused to even see her. Only after the pilot aired and an actress was fired was she permitted to audition.
• Of all the high-profile roles she's played, Willow is her favorite.
• She doesn't know who Harley Quinn or Poison Ivy are.
• Of her "How I Met Your Mother" memories, an episode about she and her husband picking each other up at the airport is one of the most meaningful.

  

 

Katee Sackhoff

 

 

                                               

 

 

The gorgeous and always candid Sackhoff was highly entertaining. She also had the longest advance lines for questions. What we learned:

 

• She didn't know Battlestar Galactica was a remake when she went in for the audition - and she was femmed out in spike heels to audition for the role of the swaggering Starbuck.
• Her favorite episode was the one with the boxing match with Lee.
• In the episode where Leoben is airlocked, she and Mary McDonnell couldn't stop laughing for 4 hours straight during shooting - and they never had another scene with just the two of them again.
• "I would play Captain America... I think." Later she said she'd turned down quite a few things from Marvel already and added, "Maybe because I was waiting for something else...?"
• Ron Moore told her from the beginning that Starbuck would never be a surprise Cylon.
• That she appreciates the roles she's gotten: "You should be so lucky to play such strong women on a daily basis."
• That she hated high school and convincingly faked notes from her parents to miss a lot of classes.

 

 

 

As for the Con itself. Cosplayers brought their A game, like Twisty from thehorrorshowchannel.com. There didn't seem to be as many activities to actually do on the floor as there have been previously. (One simple thing that was kind of incredible: a homemade ice cream booth.) Because the Con was dispersed, it was also harder to run into friends. Some attendees I know skipped most of the day to save their energy for the Red Wedding and other parties tonight. Some friends went to writing and creative panels; reactions were mixed.

 

Last year I talked to a few artists and writers who'd come to Phoenix under the impression it was a burgeoning Con - a great place to make sales. None of them sold as well as they hoped. Maybe that's why I've seen so few "name" comic creators here this weekend. Of course there are plenty of indie and self-pubbed artists and writers, and some of them have decent fanbases. But overall, it's kind of the opposite of Emerald City, where you can't turn around without stumbling over another comic book supertalent.

 

If you're going back tomorrow, I'd recommend swinging by booth 15066 and checking out ConQuest. You've probably seen their journals online; designed for Con attendees, they're immensely practical but luxurious and meaningful too. Notes, autographs, sketches, contact information, panel and vendor information - these journals can hold and organize much of your Comic Con existence in something that's beautiful to look at. Below Ted Thompson is holding Doctor Who and Supernatural journals that were both stunning. I think we've all had the experience of coming home from the Con with random scattered papers and sketches that wind up lost or stashed away; these journals provide a way to contain all of that in one collective keepsake.

 

 

Sunday should be a quieter day, if only because so many people will be sleeping off their wild festivities tonight. The Sunday sales here aren't always as drastic as they are at SDCC and other Cons, but it's still worth taking a final spin through the Exhibit Hall. And of course, there's the big closing party tomorrow night.

I'll close with a word on the heat. I came across one heatsick attendee today and another attendee who was crying and ill and complaining of exhaustion in the restroom; the sun and high temps can do that to you, especially if you're already tired from traveling and general Con doings. So if you're starting to feel physically off, sleep in tomorrow, drink a lot of water and recuperate. Trying to soldier through isn't worth it.

Hope everyone's having fun tonight. See you tomorrow, nerds.

San Diego Comic-Con 2015 Horror Gathering

5 MAY 2015




Are you into horror cosplay? Do you want to meet a bunch of other horror cosplayers at SDCC and take pictures with them?

That seems to be the focus of the San Diego Comic-Con 2015 Horror Gathering. It's happening 11 July at 5:00 pm in the Children's Museum Park and is open to anyone, badged or not. I would imagine something else beyond just photography will transpire, given the grand name, but maybe not. At any rate, this might be a fun opportunity to cosplay for locals who didn't get a badge but still want to dress up.

 Probably more details will be available as we get closer.

SDCC Open Registration was 2 months ago today

21 APRIL 2015




On 21 February, most of us found out whether or not we'd be going to San Diego Comic-Con this summer. That was 2 months ago; we're still 2.5 months out from the actual Con. Which makes this a good midway point to think about where you are.


Housing. Are you still one of the unfortunate homeless attendees? Keep checking the site. Rooms are still available. But if you're waiting for the Hyatt to open up, you may be waiting a long time. At some point, you have to settle on something and pay up. Don't forget to join your hotel's reward program for free Wifi and other benefits.


Money. Speaking of paying. A few months back, I suggested saving money, even if you're a born spender. Whether or not you've done so is your business. But I will point out this for first-timers: Comic-Con spending goes beyond badge, hotel and restaurants. Obviously there are the exclusives and other prizes you buy on the floor, but there are also events. So far we haven't had too many announcements but the San Diego Symphony Summer Pops at SDCC and the Walking Dead events are just two examples of outside events you may want to splurge on. Trust me, over the coming weeks you'll hear about a cavalcade of comedy shows, band shows, parties, screenings, live tapings and other events to tempt your wallet.


Marketing. Maybe you'll just bring business cards; maybe your plans include full color portfolio samples, merchandise and promotional material. 2.5 months isn't a lot of time to get cranking on this, especially if you're dependent on co-creators, printers and developers, so don't wait much longer.


Fitness. You'll be walking way more than you anticipate - and if you're not ready, you will be sore and exhausted on your 2nd day. Comic-Con is its own type of marathon and if you want to enjoy it, it's good to get your feet and legs ready. I'd suggest walking daily even for just 30 minutes. You really will be glad you did it once you're there.


Cosplay. If you're of a mind to try cosplaying this year, plan/buy/glue/sew now. Experienced cosplayers have this knocked, but first-timers tend to underestimate how itchy, hot or poor quality a costume can be. Or they'll order a special outfit from somewhere (again, I'm talking to attendees who just dress up, not competitive cosplayers who don't do store bought) and then it arrives in the wrong size or color.

On the one hand, Open Reg seems like a long time ago; on the other, we all know the next two and a half months are going to fly by. Get your logistics locked down now because it's easy to forget them in your excitement once parties and collectibles and parties start getting announced.

Reminder: ECCC cosplay contest deadline is 27 Feb

23 FEBRUARY 2015




If you're intending to flaunt your cosplay glory next month at Emerald City, you've probably already signed up for the Saturday night cosplay competition. But if you haven't, you only have a few days left: the deadline is 27 February.

I look forward to being dazzled by all of you at ECCC.

Cosplayers, your ideas are requested

15 SEPTEMBER 2014



The ECCC team has asked for suggestions from the cosplay community. (I do admire their collaborative spirit.) They want to expand the cosplay aspect for both cosplayers and their fans in what sounds like a designated area - perhaps like NYCC is doing.

I don't think you have to be going to ECCC to contribute your ideas - your general expertise as a cosplayer is enough. So if you have thoughts on how cosplay could best be showcased and enjoyed at Cons, go ahead and contact ECCC.

Update on injured cosplayer

1 AUGUST 2014




Here's some good news: the young cosplayer found bloody on the side of the road and hospitalized was not assaulted, according to police.

The story is still ambiguous because only the girl knows the entire story - and while she's regained consciousness in the hospital, her memory is fuzzy. But the police are considering her injuries the result of a fall, thanks to security camera footage.

We know a little more about what happened and some of the details are heartbreaking: it was her 17th birthday and her first Comic-Con, and she wound up in the hospital with skull and eye socket fractures and brain hemorrhaging. The man arrested was charged with sexual contact with a minor and "contributing to the delinquency" of a minor - and he's denying both. That would be Justin Kalior who runs Project Cosplay on YouTube. Apparently the two came to Comic-Con together.

Police are saying there could be other suspects and would like to talk to anyone who saw the girl or Kalior around the Marriott between 11 p.m. Saturday and 2 a.m. Sunday. If you have information, please email sdhpiwatch@portofsandiego.org.

Still a dismal story, but not quite as violent as was originally reported. It sounds like the girl has a long recovery ahead of her, so let's support her and her family in any way we can, including by honoring her privacy.

ETA: The Mary Sue has posted an update.

2014 trends and controversies

28 JULY 2014

Hopefully you're home and rested by now. If you're like most people, you're sick to death of anything SDCC at this point and aren't reading this - but you might also be catching up on all the gossipy Con news you missed, as it's hard to see everything when you're in the thick of it. In which case, read on.


Let's start with Saturday's ZombieWalk accident. Allegedly several zombies began banging on a car that allegedly honked/yelled at them, the zombies allegedly smashed its windshield, and the car definitely accelerated and hit a 64 year old woman (not part of the walk.) She was hospitalized with a broken arm. There are several versions of this story going around, hence all my "allegedly"s, but it's safe to speculate that this will impact next year's ZombieWalk, just like the Twilight fan who was killed running to the Hall H line a few years back generated stricter line guidelines.


If you chose not to think about it, the harassment controversy that dominated spring coverage wasn't a major factor in the Con - but it was there simmering beneath the surface if you did look for it. In addition to the CYA email sent out a few days before the Con, the harassment policy was posted in the restrooms and outlets ran articles like "Comic-Con's Dark Side: Harassment Amidst the Fantasy." Were cosplayers harassed at the same rate? I don't know. I got groped quite egregiously in the Hyatt bar by a drunk attendee who also said gross things to another woman and made a classic "what do you expect" comment. Neither of us were in costume but we were dressed like many women dress on a summer night, which apparently justified it in his mind. I'm including this story only to tell you that yes, this mentality does exist among attendees and it's not some hysterical fantasy made up for attention. Which is what many people have suggested.


But at least we know why CCI didn't want to create a new harassment policy: their lawyers were too busy creating a cease and desist order for Salt Lake Comic Con. This is a real thing. CCI is saying that Salt Lake Comic Con cannot use the term "comic con" for any event, logo, trademark or website moving forward. (So if one day this blog vanishes into a black hole, now you know why.) Salt Lake is challenging this by calling it intellectual property infringement and pointing out that hundreds of Cons already use the generic term "comic con." Team Salt Lake on this one.


Hall H wristbands seemed to exult some people and piss off others. I don't do Hall H, so I'm relying on other accounts here. Some people claimed to be robbed of their wristbands as they slept, which if true is a new low in Comic-Con world. Anyone who did this, I hope you fail at every future badge sale ever.

I also heard the general informal camaraderie of camping out seemed cooled by rules on where and how you could wait. Unpopular opinion: I don't have a problem with this. I remember well the tents and tiny grills people used to have, and how chaotic and uncontrollable it all got. And at the end of the day, we are on the convention center's property, at an event hosted by CCI, not at Burning Man. We're obligated to follow their rules.

In any case, the Saturday line seemed to blow everyone's mind and kick the mythos of the Hall H line into another dimension, from which it will hopefully boomerang back and settle into some kind of reasonable status. Because beginning your campout the afternoon or even morning of the day before the panel is just silly. It creates panic and then everyone has to get in line. I honestly don't even think it's that much about seeing the panel anymore - it's about the social experience and bragging rights. Enduring the Hall H line is running with the bulls for nerds. And the fact that people like Joss Whedon and Mischa Collins come along and feed the campers with coffee and attention doesn't help.


The outside events drew a large crowd, like we knew they would. However, while GOT was a big hit, I have to give Assassin's Creed top honors here, because that was almost as fun to watch as it was to do. (I'm guessing. There was no way I was going to even try.) Many of the events in and out of the convention center were social-based, which got old fast. It also seemed to be the year of Oculus Rift, which was employed by Fox/X Men, Sleepy Hollow, Pacific Rim and others. Minor gripe here: even though the X-Men experience had its own booth, it only gave out 75-100 passes a day and they seemed to be gone as soon as the Exhibit Hall opened. Offering an activity to only 100 people out of 130,000 is not the best planning.


And on the topic of bad planning, yikes to the Hasbro line. My sympathies if you were embroiled in that mess. You needed a ticket to stand in line, so people lined up in the pre-dawn hours to get tickets, and new attendees or anyone with a single day badge was out of luck. The line itself was poorly managed and while Hasbro said they were trying to eliminate resellers from the equation, I suspect the system gave resellers an advantage over regular attendees. Mattel and Funko looked hellish as well.


Nerd HQ is bigger than ever. Remember when it was just an appendage to Comic-Con? Now it feels like a threatening upstart - a sort of private club where you can sidestep the publicity nonsense and hear actual conversations with your favorite stars like Tatiana Maslany and Norman Reedus. I feel like a lot of people are skipping SDCC panels in favor of that option.

Which brings me to cosplay. I think the humidity shut a lot of cosplayers out of the Exhibit Hall, which at times felt like a Florida swamp. But I did see, in addition to the usual DC ensembles and Disney princesses and evil queens, some interesting trends. Namely Vikings, multiple Daryl Dixons (some with awful wigs), multiple Khaleesis (also with wigs), a few Helenas, and some amazing Saga cosplay.

My favorite cosplay photobomb was Maleficent below, if only for her predatory expression.

Finally, I can't believe how many people panicked over Stan Lee skipping the Con . A whole bunch of "Well, I heard..." sprung up but it was because of laryngitis, nothing more. You will see him again, I promise.

I'll post news and announcements in a bit.

Incognito: A Celebration of Cosplay with Adam Savage

8 JULY 2014

Prepare to be stunned: there's a party happening at Comic-Con that's free. As in, a real party with an open bar, food and a DJ. (I think this is the first time this year I've even used the word "free.") That would be "Incognito: a Celebration of Cosplay with Adam Savage" and it's happening Friday the 26th at Sidebar.

No doubt you know Adam from "Mythbusters" and Tested.com. At this event, he'll show off some of his most memorable cosplay and his reveal of one of his favorite movie props of all time. So while this is clearly going to be a draw for cosplayers, it's probably going to be a good time for anyone.

What: Tested.com Presents Incognito: a Celebration of Cosplay with Adam Savage

When: Friday, 25 July, 9 pm - 2 am

Where: Sidebar - 536 Market Street, San Diego

Who: 21+ only.

How: First come, first serve - no RSVP needed. 

Cosplay Security at Comic-Con

5 JULY 2014



It's almost here; we're just 5 days away from the official programming being announced (which should start on Thursday) and 18 days from Preview Night. You might be making lists of back issues to hunt down, figuring out which autograph/panel/party takes precedence over others, or buying new outfits (*guilty cough*) or still scrambling for parking spots and plane fare. You might also be test-driving your costume and making the final decision on what'll you wear and who you'll be. In which case, you should be adequately prepared to cosplay in CCI's world.

Toucan, "the only OFFICIAL SDCC blog" (note the all caps - we get it, Toucan, we're all imposters compared to you) has a tip of the day concerning cosplay weapons, which is a fairly important topic. There's an official policy and you need to comply with it. You can read all the rules and regulations here but this is the gist of it:

• You can wear fake weapons as part of your persona - no actual swords or guns or machetes. Foam, paper mache and that ilk are usually fine.
• You need to get your weapons inspected at the Weapons Check Desk in Lobby E. (When you walk up to the front doors of the convention center, you'll see that sections of doors are labelled A, B, C, etc.) They must conform to state and federal law.
• "Projectile" costume weapons must be inoperable. Swords must be tethered to your costume so that they can't be drawn.
• After you successfully pass inspection, you'll get a wristband indicating such. You have to wear it. If not, security will escort you to the security station. I have no idea what happens there but I'm sure it's not good.

Now. That's just cosplay weapon security. I'm going to touch on regular security later this weekend because there's an art and a science to dealing with security guards, and running afoul of them can ruin your Con experience. But I don't want to make you read an entire novella when you're still recovering from last night's holiday excesses. For now, just make sure your weapons are as safe as your cosplay is impressive.

A different kind of Comic-Con contest

17 MARCH 2014

illustration courtesy of Her Universe

Happy St. Patrick's Day. If you're not drinking away your Registration Day sorrows, and you happen to be a fashion designer, you will want to hear about a Comic-Con contest just for you. I can't actually tell if it will garner you a Comic-Con badge; it seems like it should, but that doesn't mean it will.

Her Universe is sponsoring a fashion design contest at San Diego Comic-Con for "geek couture." They will select 30 designs to be presented at the Her Universe Fashion Show on 24 July at the Grand Manchester Hyatt. This is not a cosplay contest; these are "fashions" and must be based "on anything that is celebrated at Comic-Con." (i.e., hot girls dressed up in sci-fi splendor, and not the sartorial laziness of nerd t-shirts and bad haircuts that really is celebrated at Comic-Con.)

Male or female designers are welcome to participate - one submission per person, three separate designs per submission - but the fashions are for females only. You must provide your own model, styling, makeup and hair design, AND pay for your own travel and hotel accommodations. (I'm going to assume Her Universe at least put aside rooms for these people, because otherwise they're asking the impossible of their contestants.)

Deadline is 4 April. Finalists will be announced via email no later than 18 April. The two winners will be guest designers with her Universe to design a Hot Topic collection.

So do the finalists get a badge to Comic-Con? I feel they should - but upon reading the fine print, this contest seems to be Con-adjacent as opposed to officially being part of it. Still worth investigating, though.

Find out how to submit here.