Understanding What San Diego Comic-Con Is and What It's Not

 29 JULY 2024

Now that we're all home, laundry done, comics and Funkos unpacked, pets reunited with, it's time to summarize the Great Return of San Diego Comic-Con 2024!

Or, for me, it'll be that time tomorrow. Right now I want to address a bugaboo that's bothered me for a few days now: a misunderstanding of what SDCC promises you.

I addressed this in a diatribe about offsites last week. I'll now address it again because I keep hearing sentiments such as:

~ This event packs in too many people without enough to do. I feel ripped off.

~ I didn't travel this far and pay this much money to stand in line most of the time. I feel ripped off.

~ I waited 4 hours to get into this offsite and all I got was a baseball hat. I feel ripped off.

This is apparently the inevitable and unpleasant conclusion of the cascading attendee obsession with offsites. Over the last 12 years, offsite activations have gotten more numerous and more elaborate while attendees have become more monomaniacal about them. Now they are the point for some attendees, whose vicious case of FOMO has convinced them their life is incomplete if they can't spend 4 minutes inside a marketing diorama. I know it's partly about posting it on social to make their friends envious, partly about a sense of union with their favorite fandom, and other murky factors. 

But is it actually Comic-Con? In the larger sense of the concept, yes. But literally? No, and I think that's where people are getting confused. 

Or to put it more bluntly: the convention center is full of half-empty panels and screenings. You know, the actual SDCC programming.

Shifting SDCC Math

I would never try to persuade people to like the nerdier stuff if they don't - you like what you like. But you can't buy a badge for an event that you're largely ignoring and then complain it didn't offer enough to entertain you. 

In other words, if you're disinterested in panels and tournaments and film festivals, if you really are 90% motivated by offsites and parties, maybe this isn't the Con for you. I know it seems like it is at first glance. But considering the thousands of people who spent hours in line for offsites and then complained it wasn't worth it - maybe a reassessment is in order. 

Numerically speaking, the number of badges sold is massive compared to the number of attendees accommodated by offsites and Funko Fridays and the Fandom party and IMDB boat. You might get some access to those experiences but not all of them. They were never intended to accommodate every person with a badge. Make your peace with those limitations and stop complaining or move on. 

I'll admit I'm a little biased because I've attended so many nerdy panels featuring brilliant writers and artists who had to look out at rows of empty chairs. It's depressing to go to a spotlight panel for a world-famous comic artist and see that just 17 people showed up for it at San Diego Comic-Con. There are plenty of people who'd love to attend those panels, of course. But it's hard for them to get a badge when they are drowned out by the massive crowd of combatants who are mostly looking to get a selfie with a celebrity.

I know this sounds judgmental and it's not intended to be. But this year, I heard more complaints than ever about how unfair it was that attendees couldn't simply go from offsite to offsite like bees pollinating flowers. Some of them called SDCC boring and said there wasn't enough to do. If you genuinely feel that way, then SDCC isn't for you. You are not one of us. Go forth and find your people, your fun, because this isn't it.

Again, not judging those interests - I quite understand the allure of a well-done offsite. But you do have to make your peace with the odds of getting tickets, the amount of time in line, and the reality that every offsite is a roll of the dice - maybe it's great, maybe it's a snore. 

And please stop saying that CCI failed you by not giving you more to do. There is plenty to do. Maybe next year you can spend more time inside the convention center. You might be surprised by what you find.

Comic-Con is more than offsites.

 20 JULY 2024

"There are decades where nothing happens and there are weeks where decades happen." Lenin said that and yes, it does apply to our volatile political landscape right now - but strangely, it also applies to San Diego Comic-Con! What a week we've had, with various lotteries leaving some people elated and others increasingly despondent and even bitter. 

But where jaded old veterans like me can roll with it, I've noticed first-timers are getting a very wrong and very dismal impression of SDCC: that offsites and exclusives are the main attractions of Comic-Con and they have now been shut out of what's most glorious and intriguing about SDCC. 

This seems to be the result of a high (it seems?) influx of first-timers and a higher number of lotteries. It upsets me to see these first-timers brooding and losing interest right when they should be getting excited about their first SDCC - so let's break this down.

San Diego Comic-Con is more than offsites and exclusives.

Believe it or not, Comic-Con used to be about comics! It's how it got started! Comics and science fiction fans came together in a nuclear fusion of Detective Comics, Star Trek, Stan Lee and other fevers, and Comic-Con was born. People milled around meeting Ray Bradbury and hunting for back issues and nerding out. No one expected corporations to set up big glamourous marketing promotions called offsites and parties were largely just friends getting together.

In recent years, yes, offsites and parties have become a star attraction for many people, but there is still so much to do. Like panels and the Exhibit Hall and film festivals and networking and gaming tournaments - you know, all the original bricks of the Comic-Con house.

But I don't think first-timers know this because I see bitter laments that say things like, "Apparently I've been shut out of everything so I don't even know why I'm going." And I can see why they say that - because all the recent talk has been of which offsite or party everyone has gotten tickets to. If you've never been to SDCC, you probably think this is all there is since it's all anyone is talking about.

But there's so much more magnificence you haven't heard about. Once you're there, you're going to forget all about the Penguin offsite because you'll be dazzled by other things.

In fact, the Con proper has little to do with offsites - so stop blaming CCI.

Again, I don't blame first-timers for this but so many people are calling the Con "badly run" and "mismanaged" and "elitist" and other terms because they couldn't get tickets to an event that has zero connection to SDCC. That's right: most of these fancy little events with pretty posters are wholly owned and run by some company with a fat marketing budget. They come to SDCC to promote to you, but CCI has zero power over them. (In most cases. Sometimes the lines blur.) 

So please stop blaming CCI because a media company's offsite didn't give you a ticket. These activations were never intended to accommodate a hundred thousand people passing through them. Same with boat trips and screenings and parties in Petco Park. They are fringe offerings, not part of SDCC programming. No one guaranteed access to any of this when you bought a badge.

Sorry to sound heartless about this, but I've seen too many people blame CCI for something that has nothing to do with them. I've even seen people say they feel deceived, that SDCC is unfair by selling so many badges when only a few people can get into the top attractions. CCI sold you a badge for official Con programming. Not an ancient Roman chariot race organized by a subsidiary of NBCUniversal Media Group.

Obviously the Deadpool Wolverine Celebration of Life and the exclusives lottery are a little different, but you still have to be realistic.

It's Hall H, seating is limited, interest was massive. Most of us weren't going to get in. Now - was a lottery the right way to go? I think so. But it's already bred predicted issues such as trios that must now split into two, parents who don't have babysitters, how to unofficially line up when you're not supposed to be lining up, and so forth. I'm really interested to see how this plays out. And it's been entertaining to see the many things offered to be a +1 - and on the flip side, the requests people have made to get their +1. 

Same with exclusives. This is the one area where I scored and I'm genuinely sorry for everyone who didn't. I can see why people feel deprived here - buying a badge and being told they can't even buy from specific booths on the floor. But again, there is no way to make everyone happy.

If offsites and parties are all you care about, maybe SDCC isn't for you - but I bet you will find other things to fall in love with.

If more things continue to move to a lottery methodology, people who only care about offsites and parties may ask themselves if they still want to go to SDCC. It's probably a pertinent question in those minutes before the badge sale: if you get into absolutely zero events, do you still want to attend? Is there a more experiential Con that would be more worth your while?

But right now, for this year, give the rest of the Con a shot. I've seen for years the split between the nerds and the fans, who somewhat cross over but not always. If comics, gaming, anime, science, cosplay, books, collectibles, science fiction, and fantasy don't interest you, give them a shot this summer. Expand your interests. Maybe some of that is for you and maybe it isn't.

Everyone remembers their happy SDCC memories - not the things they didn't do.

I feel safe in saying this is largely true. Of course we all remember a stinging injustice or sadistic booth worker, but by and large, SDCC is so immersive that upon entering, we are swallowed up in a sensory overload that drowns out all other thoughts. If this is your first Con, you will find plenty to occupy yourself, on and off the convention center grounds. That will probably include some currently unannounced offsites but also other events and Con programming. Just enjoy the mystery of that and not the current mania over tickets and trades and Deadpool.

Yes, some people are organized and highly skilled when it comes to this stuff. At the very least, you have to be proactive.

Nothing tugs at my heartstrings like seeing a first-timer say plaintively, "I can't find any of this stuff listed on the site. How do you all know about these events?"

Again, I get it - they scored a Comic-Con badge, they assumed that everything is listed and linked somewhere on the CCI site. They have no idea of how many companies and studios they need to follow, the different blogs they need to read and the communities they need to join. Instead, you see them stumbling across social media like bison across a wintry tundra, starving and desperately hunting for food. And when they realize that most of this stuff is dominated by super-attendees who tend to band together to conquer, they get very pissed off.

If this is you - yes, preparing for Comic-Con is almost a second job. It's one I've mostly abandoned because my priorities have changed, but it's still required if your eyes are on the prize. News breaks lightning fast and then it's over. Or you log into a portal on time but it's overloaded and then just over. 

It can be frustrating, especially when some people seem to have an advantage. I don't see this changing, so find your own group to join or make your peace with the intensely competitive nature of this Con. 

Finally - feel free to share your first-timer impressions with me.

I cover first-timers every year and I would love to hear what you thought about Comic-Con. Yes, even if you've been to other Cons. Just email me at SDCCguide@gmail.com.

Hopefully this wasn't too harsh; I just hate seeing bitterness spread like a cloud over what should be a week of excitement and anticipation. I understand being disappointed - I was too when I couldn't get certain tickets and didn't get picked for Deadpool. But don't let it ruin your Con because once you're there, everything will look very different.

Comic-Con is not a scam. It's just difficult.

 17 JULY 2024

You can accurately assess the number of first-timers at any SDCC by the amount of outrage at how unfair it all is. The offsite tickets sold out and I couldn't get any! I got an error message! I may not even get a chance at my favorite Funko! I demand a do-over - this is a scam!

Yep, San Diego Comic-Con is full of disappointment and minor vexations and inevitable failures. It's one of those places where a meritocracy doesn't (fully) apply; you can do everything right, study, prepare, show up with your A game, and still get shut out. It's just really that competitive.

But here's what you don't realize, my outraged first-timers - the reason access is so limited to these offsites and offerings is because there are so many of them. Which means you're going to find plenty of equally good alternatives.

Listen, I didn't get Shaun of the Dead or Peacock tickets and I'll probably miss out on 33 other things, but I won't be thinking about them because I'll have 67 distractions. And you will too. I promise that once you are at Comic-Con, you won't even remember the things you lost out on.

For now, resist sinking into a quagmire of gloom. SDCC is supposed to be fun - not bitter. And there are plenty of things that haven't been announced yet. I haven't even seen people talking much about the Museum yet, which I'll post on shortly. So focus on positive anticipation in these final pre-Con days, because you'll be more than gratified once you arrive.

Peacock wants us to think about the Roman Empire

 10 JULY 2024

                                                                            

And we have an early contender for best offsite. Thank you, Peacock, for bringing the lush pageantry we used to get – ancient Romans marching through the Gaslamp, a streaming of the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, a chariot race. You just know the two panels will (hopefully) include some killer swag!

Here’s how Peacock is answering that timely question: “How much do you think about the Roman Empire?”

Panels

You will want to visit Ballroom 20 on Thursday at 1:45 - 4:00 pm. First you’ll get a look at horror series Teacup, about people trying to survive a “mysterious threat” in rural Georgia. Then you’ll peek behind the scenes at Those About to Die, the new gladiator-themed series. 

This series premiers on July 18, so you can choose to watch the whole thing beforehand or go into the panel unexposed.

The Chariot Race

170 Sixth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Why are the best offsites set in either futuristic or ancient times? Those About To Die: The Chariot Race – which I did not get tickets to – is an activation open for the entire Con. You will "step inside the betting tavern, join one of the coveted factions and experience the adrenaline thrill of the chariot race itself.” You’ll also get the chance to wield the reins of a chariot yourself. This just begs for ancient Roman emperor cosplay, with maybe some Pompeii victim and visiting Hellenist diplomat thrown in. 

The activation will be open for the full duration of San Diego Comic-Con, Thursday, July 25 - 28.

Reservations are full but there will be a “standby line” as well. I can’t even imagine how long that line will be. Unfortunately, it’s only open to 6:30 pm most days; this is one of those activations where it would be great if they kept it open through 8 pm for people without tickets. A girl can dream. At any rate, Thursday and evenings are your best chances of standby.

The Paris Olympics Opening Livestream

I’m not an Olympics person, but I’m sure some attendees are. They can watch the Opening Ceremony on Friday at 10:30 am on a 20x30 foot livestream. What’s really cool: this all kicks off with an Ancient Roman-dressed band playing Olympic-inspired fanfare tunes as they march through the Gaslamp District. It says they will be “drawing in passersby along the way” which I guess means we can all join in? 

Enjoy your offsite tickets if you have them. I'm jealous.

                                                                From IGN

8 recommendations to bring back the magic of Comic-Con

 9 JULY 2023

I'll post on Saturday and Sunday panels later tonight. For now, I want to talk ideas to put the rainforests and exotic animals back in our currently barren desert of a Comic-Con landscape.

And yes, it's a little audacious to tell Netflix and CCI and Marvel and others what to do. But we're their paying customers! If they genuinely care about staying successful, they should want to hear our feedback. 

So here goes, based on my thoughts and my conversations with current and former attendees this weekend.

#1. No more virtual anything. 

Zoom panels are crap. They really are. We can stay home and see that on YouTube. We bought badges and plane tickets and hotel rooms so we could be there in person. If you think we're going to do all that and wait in line for your panel only to get a talking head on a screen, you've lost touch with what makes SDCC so compelling.

#2. Make exclusives actually exclusive, actually interesting, and available on the show floor. 

When I see "available at Funko and Target. com on July 21," it stops being an exclusive to me. It's something anyone can order and frankly, I probably will order it from Target and get it shipped so it's one less thing to bother with at the Con. 

Also - pre-orders at booths are a let-down. This is like coming downstairs on Christmas morning and opening up an empty box. I know it's easier on vendors not to bring a bunch of merchandise in and then ship it back, but I'm so over falling in love with something and being told to fill out a pre-order card. Going home empty-handed feels wrong.

#3. Come up with better events. 

I understand that elaborate offsites like the glorious Blade Runner site a few years back can be $$$$. So come up with something lower-cost and just as interesting. This is where NYCC gets it right, in my opinion - well, they used to, at least. They would have events around the city from poetry readings to live art shows to comics discussions to cosplay contents to drinks with authors and more, often with a few writers or actors or artists sprinkled in, that just felt more intimate and enthralling than what's on tap at SDCC. 

Yes, SDCC does a little of this, but mostly it seems to be big splashy parties that sell pricey tickets for an experience you could basically get at a club in your home city.

#4. Bring back good comic talent. 

I'll hedge this one slightly because there are some quality faces showing up every year - but it's not what it used to be. I and other comic book geeks (and yes, we're still buying badges) feel that absence. First certain booths and artists went away, with some telling me they just couldn't make the money at SDCC to justify coming. Then even the panels with today's top comic talent started dropping off the schedule. Sadly, I think this is my most unrealistic suggestion. 

#5. Start an annual fundraiser or party at the Comic-Con Museum. 

I don't understand why they aren't using the museum more as an offsite. I mean, it's there, and I'll probably go on Wednesday, but they should be having an annual fundraiser with multiple celebrity guests and giveaways. People are already paying $150-300 for certain events - they will shell out for a fundraiser. This could easily become a huge draw on Wednesday or Thursday night.

#6. Work with fandom clubs to create offsites and events. 

I suspect this will evolve naturally after this year, because space rental prices will come down and scrappy attendees will spot the opportunity. Here's the difference between studios and attendees: the former is motivated by money, the latter is motivated by passion. That means attendees are willing to go the extra mile to conceive, organize, and promote events and get-togethers. We already hold cosplay photo ops and contests, Battlestar Galactica happy hours and other events dedicated to meeting the fellow fans of even obscure favorites. I think attendees will take this to the next level on their own because most SDCC attendees are veterans who understand the city venues and rhythms, and the more driven will create more elaborate parties and meetups to make the Con feel special again. 

I know CCI was open to these collaborations already on a small level, but I would like to see more crowd-sourcing that gives attendees a bigger voice in official programming. We're brimming with energy and innovation; use us! Just as anyone can submit a panel, they should be able to submit an event proposal with the understanding that they'll be carrying most of the load.

#7. Decide earlier whether to have an SDCC presence, then announce it and stick to it.

No matter what strikes or sinking economy or cancelled series are happening. I get that coming to SDCC can be expensive but there are ways to cut costs without skipping the Con entirely. I think this somewhat reflects the new mindset we see in cancelling series quickly, removing old series from streaming platforms, and hiring CEOs whose decisions irritate everyone.

Studios need to decide on a presence months before the Con and find ways to make it worthwhile even if they don't have anything big and splashy to promote. Someone like Netflix or Marvel or DC or HBO or Amazon Prime has many assets in their stable. It really doesn't have to be a big loss for them. 

#8. Understand that fan passion and loyalty are immensely valuable even when that value is difficult to quantify.

We all get it - the bottom line is the bottom line - but I think we also all sense a creative chill in the air where fans and followings and the magic of Hollywood are simply ignored in business decisions. I'm a writer (not a screenwriter - obviously) who is increasingly hearing clients ignore the low quality of ChatGPT writing. They are willing to sacrifice originality and settle for mediocrity because the people who could make them understand the value of originality are no longer in the room. We've all seen this trend growing for years - the focus on reboots and copycats, the unwillingness to invest in fresh ideas and stories, the hiring of creatives based on their social followings, the checklist approach to plots and characters - but it's going to get more dire before it gets better. 

Again, I think this will partly be solved by the rise of indie creators. Dinosaur studios will produce stale content that goes ignored and they won't understand why; some studios will invest in a few whipsmart fresh series and stories that perform well; indie creators will work outside the system, create something ragingly popular, and become the titans of tomorrow.

Okay, I have strayed far from the concept of making SDCC great again. But I think you get how it all comes together. I want to make it clear I don't really blame CCI for most of this; I actually have empathy for them and recognize the market factors assailing them. 

But I also recognize that innovation isn't CCI's strong point. They tend to stick with the way they've always done things, instead of being adaptive and responsive and open to outside ideas. So we'll just have to see what next year brings and who is wily and ingenious enough to seize the SDCC throne and fill the vacuum of 2023.

What changes do you want to see next year? How would you reinvigorate San Diego Comic-Con?

Ranking 2019 SDCC Offsites

11 JULY 2019

By now your SDCC plans have probably changed multiple times, depending on what tickets you've gotten and what panels you want. But there's one aspect of Comic-Con life that semi-adapts to your whims and moods: offsites.

I'm not talking about parties, but some of the events and activations around the Gaslamp and convention center. These can be unforgettable and create some of your best SDCC memories; but you can also waste an entire day in line for something banal and boring. So I think it's important to evaluate where you dedicate your efforts.

Obviously we don't know yet what's good and what's mediocre, but let's speculate.


The Comic-Con Museum
Originally people were kind of tepid about this, but now interest is building. Is it the VR Batman experience, where you get to swoop over Gotham City? Is it The Batcave Gaming Lounge? Sure, it's a trip away from the convention center, but just get a group together and Lyft your way over.


Future Tech Live
One of the most overlooked offsites every year. Robots! Virtual reality! Astronaut training simulation! Video games! Why are you not taking the escalator up to the Omni ballroom? You really should.


Amazon
This seems to be the gorilla of activations, offering 60,000 square feet of immersive scenarios from The Boys, The Expanse and Carnival Row, and a 40 foot phallic-sounding LED tower that is in no way meant to compensate for Jeff Bezos' leaked photos. You can also hide from the sun under a tent while you wait and enjoy free beverages and Carls Jr. food. The rooms look very lush and elaborate, and possibly qualifying for "most high-budget activation ever." I expect massive lines for this.



Watchmen
I know most of us were hoping for a more accessible Westworld experience, but we're getting this - a Gaslamp "in-world" Watchmen experience that hands out enamel pins. While I'm very much anticipating the show, I'm not anticipating this.

The Twilight Zone Experience
At Petco Park. Yes, tickets are gone but there's also going to be a general line so don't lose heart if you're craving this. Just be clear - this is the new CBS Twilight Zone, not the classic.


Audible's Stan Lee's Alliances
"Reality-bending light and sound-driven experiences." What? It doesn't matter, it's Stan Lee and a novel he co-wrote and no badge is required. K Street and 4th Ave. People will be curious.


Esports Gaming Lounge
This is at the Marriott during Con hours and it promises celebrities, esports professionals, and a whole lot of tournaments, prizes and swag. I'll admit this all goes right over my non-esport head but I do know people who are hardcore into it. First-timers, this - and anything else at the Marriott - is not a major trip. It's literally adjacent to the Con and very easy to access.

ScareDiego
Instead of giving out tickets in the Sails Pavilion this year, you had to go online - and only get 1 ticket. It's on Preview Night and revolves around It Chapter Two, so getting in will be tough - but worth it if you can find someone with a ticket to give up. Some people will not want to go alone when none of their friends got a ticket.



Conan and Team Coco House
I know this was a tough year. I know many of you are very disappointed about not getting tickets to Conan. Unfortunately I think this narrowing of likelihood was inevitable. The first 2 years, a smaller group of super attendees were the most likely to get tickets because they knew how to prepare; now a much larger group of competitors is in the mix, in part because of the Funko Pops. That said - keep your eyes open for people with extra tickets/wristbands, and extra tickets to Team Coco events. In the heat of those events going live, a lot of people grabbed what they could but will ultimately have conflicts. And there will be standby lines.


NBC - The Good Place, Superstore, Brooklyn Nine-Nine
At first I thought "Meh" but then I saw there were pancakes involved. Sorry, Amazon, but NBC is bringing the real food. The pop-up pancake shop is at the Hard Rock (remember when it was the Syfy Cafe) and so is a replica of Superstore, where you can walk the aisles. Brooklyn Nine-Nine wants you to be a new recruit at their Tin Fish location.

FX Fearless Forum
FX has a history of making their offsites sound incredible, only to offer a more subpar experience in person. Offering a vampire lair and an immersive night-goggles American Horror Story experience sounds quite enticing, but this will be an "if I have time" item for me. If you're going to register, consider blending it with a Hall H line or lunch at the Fox Sports Grill at Hilton Bayfront.


Pokemon
This is right outside the Omni and offers a lot of photo ops and prizes. Given what a smash hit the movie was, I think this will be super popular.


Shazam's Chilladelphia Winter Carnival
Also outside the Omni, with games and photo ops.


Adult Swim
In addition to the nighttime events, you can play games and wander around a small carnival in the daytime. This usually isn't too crowded. 

 
Pennyworth
Do you want to play blackjack in a seedy secret club in 1960s London? The Oxford Social Club (real name) is also offering live entertainment, swag and photo ops. While I'm iffy on the show, I like the sound of this.

A few tips:

• Don't assume the big name offsites are the best. Sometimes they're good, sometimes all the budget in the world produces a snoozer. Once the Con starts, you want to listen across social to find out what the really captivating activations are - because there's always a dark horse that no one saw coming.

• Thursday is still the best/most accessible day IMO. You may disagree. While it's not as good as it used to be, Thursday often offers the best access. The people with Thursday/Sunday badges are usually inside the Con, the Sunday badges aren't here yet, and many people haven't yet heard about certain offsites. But I'll admit that Thursday offsite lines are longer than they used to be.

• Don't be a slave to the photo op. I know we're living in the Instagram Era and you want that one photo that's going to make all your friends at home jealous. But... their admiration is a moment in time. Is it worth wasting six hours in line for it when there are many other photo ops around Comic-Con? Something to think about - because you will inevitably hear about that one offsite that has a killer photo op.

• Ask questions. Bigger offsites are often self-guided, which means some attendees will just walk through and exit. Slow down and see what they have to offer. Talk to the staff and any characters walking around and make sure you're maximizing the offerings. 2 (I think) years ago, I heard from people who didn't even notice the Blade Runner offsite t-shirt vending machine or get the Jack Daniels. Someone I know waited forever for a Stranger Things offsite and literally walked into a room and walked out, missing 80% of it.

 

• Try to discern what you actually have a shot of getting into. Every year there's some event that people RSVP to online and get a nice confirmation in their inbox, and then they show up to a line of 200 people that never moves. Bail on these situations - no matter what your email says. One year I got a VIP invite to a trendy concert that had a lot of media people and a few celebrities wandering around in a space that was only 1/4 full. Outside was a line of hundreds of people and none of them got in, despite there being ample room. They were still waiting when we left after 2 hours. On that note..

• Don't fall into a sunk cost fallacy. So you've waited 4 hours for your #1 offsite and gradually you've realized it could be 5 more - but you're already invested so you keep waiting. This is a nefarious pattern that claims precious Comic-Con time. Set a limit before you get in line and your brain goes fuzzy, then stick to it. Warn your friends to stage an intervention. SDCC is once a year. I can't tell you how to live out your passions, but my belief is there's too much splendor to behold to spend an entire day sitting on a sidewalk.

Bear in mind there are plenty more offsites than listed here, and some we won't find out about until we're at the Con. As with all things SDCC, keep an open mind and a light heart and be open to where your adventure takes you.

Are you eligible for Conan tickets?

5 JUNE 2018

In the last few years, Conan O'Brien has become one of the biggest gets of San Diego Comic-Con. It's not just the amazing guests (X-Men, Game of Thrones, Suicide Squad, Silicon Valley and others) or the chance to dance onstage like a fool on TV. It's not even the Conan Funko Pops, which have become such a coveted item that my AC repair guy was struck dumb when he spotted one in my house. It's also one of the more fun things to do at the Con with your friends.

But you have to be prepared! Getting tickets is tough. Here's a primer if you've never been and some tips that might help even if you have.

What ConanCon Is

Conan tapes several shows in San Diego during the Con. Once you have tickets, you can tell your mom to watch Conan on the appropriate night which lets her brag to her friends that you were on TV, which might help her see all your SDCC tomfoolery in a new light.

During the taping, shirts will be thrown into the audience, you'll be encouraged to holler and cheer till your throat is hoarse, sparkling celebrities will take a seat on stage, and then it will all end. On your way out you'll be handed a Funko Pop. Desperate collectors and flippers will sidle up to you and creepily whisper bids in your ear for those Pops. You'll either sell yours off and regret it later or wisely hang onto it.

The timing: usually you need to line up super early in the morning (I arrived at 6:30 am one year and got a nosebleed seat) to get your wristband. You'll still be able to hit the Con when the Exhibit Hall doors open or shortly thereafter. Then you'll return to the venue that afternoon and be let into the theatre. The whole shebang is over by 5:30 or so.

That said - this is a consuming affair. Getting in line that morning means skipping some other Con line and its panel/event. Having to go back in mid-afternoon trims another 3-4 hours off your day. In a world where every day presents Sophie's Choice in terms of choosing between Hall H, offsites, tournaments and other options, you need to be aware that ConanCon will control most of one day for you.

How to Get Tickets

It's not easy. But this is one event that prioritizes SDCC attendees, which is nice.

• Check that your Member ID account is set up to receive third-party emails.
• Create a 1iota profile if you don't have one already. They have an app which you should definitely use. ETA:  I should have made this more clear - you need to get tickets through 1iota. It's not just about learning when tickets go live; you need to be logged into your 1iota account to apply for them. You can't just click a link and apply as an outsider.
• Make your profile fun. Post cosplay and Con photos. They want the taping to feature an electric audience in wild costumes so the viewers at home can say, "Oh, those crazy Comic-Con people!" Make a visual promise that you are colorful enough to fit the bill.
• You won't get much notice for when the tickets go live. If your job situation won't let you keep a digital vigil, find a Con friend who can use your info to apply for tickets. We've also been emailed special promo codes in the past, so make sure you have access to that as well.
•  In the past, we've been able to apply for tickets (up to 4) for all shows. Consider yourself lucky if you get tickets to even one taping.

How to Go If You Don't Get Tickets

Despite everything I said above, people do bail on Conan tapings. SDCC is really tiring and sometimes they just don't have the energy for another event. Other times the Con programming for the day of their ticket sounds more appealing. So don't be afraid to ask around. People will have spare tickets.

You can also try standby. I feel like the first two years were better for this than last year. But it's worth trying if you're desperate - and you may not only get in, but get good seats, especially if you're in cosplay.


What You Can Do Right Now

• Check your 1iota account and password. If you don't use it that often, you may not remember.
• Sign up for an account if you don't have one and pad yours if you do.
• Download their app for Apple or Google Play.

I'll post more when I know more. Stay tuned!

ETA: ConanCon is now on Instagram and they say it'll be the spot to hear about celebrity guests, ticket updates and other tantalizing news - follow them at instagram.com/conancon/.
 

Comic-Con news so far

22 JULY 2017

After a prolonged period of no Wifi, I'm back online. So what have we learned?


COMICS

Biggest news: Grant Morrison and Chris Burnham are doing Arkham Asylum 2, featuring an adult Damien Wayne.

We're also getting The Tempest, another League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, from Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill. This is a year away.

And there's this: Frank Miller is going to take on Superman and give him the Dark Knight treatment. What is in the water this SDCC?

Joelle Jones will tell us what happens when Batman proposes to Catwoman.

SEGA will publish New Sonic comics through IDW - not Archie. Also getting IDW series: Transformer Unicron and female Ghostbusters.

Marvel is bringing you a new Thanos series.

Archie and DC announced a crossover that everyone will want: Betty, Veronica, Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy. Weird combination, but compelling. Out this fall.

I'm less certain about this crossover: Doom Patrol and JLA. Could be good, I guess.

Very big news: we may be getting new Invisibles, Sandman.

TV

Stranger Things was a major offsite and a major panel for attendees - and we found out that while Barb will not be returning, she will be "avenged."

As a Halloween lover and stop-motion fan, I can't wait for the SpongeBob Halloween special "The Legend of Boo-kini Bottom."

Krypton is coming and reactions are mostly meh.

99.9% of us were not allowed to enter the Westworld experience but we did see the season 2 trailer, which features Dolores on horseback, gunning down humans. There was no definitive word on how much we'll see of Samurai World.

The Tick is one of those shows that got a lift from SDCC. Not many people I know thought twice about it before this weekend, but there's reasonable interest now.

The Defenders also is getting positive buzz. Everyone I know had only good things to say about it.

The next season of Archer will be Danger Island, set in the South Pacific in 1939. I'm ready for it.

It looks like Riverdale's second season will continue Jughead's melodramatic voiceover. Who shot Fred Andrews? Etc.

iZombie shared a sizzle reel and season 4 news about new zombie rules and wars. I feel like this show is running out of steam.

I heard The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones panels were lackluster, but we did get an interesting look at elderly Rick and found out the show will never try to cure/solve the zombie issue. For GOT, we got some intriguing hints about Dany partnering up with Melisandre. Maybe.

MOVIES


We're getting Wonder Woman 2. Of course we all knew this, but the official announcement is nice.

Thor: Ragnarok seemed to wow everyone with its trailer.

Were you expecting Michelle Pfeiffer to be in another superhero movie? Me neither, but she'll play Janet Van Dyne in The Ant Man and the Wasp.

DC always delivers news of its next animated feature but this year they announced four: Gotham by Gaslight, Suicide Squad/Hell to Pay and the two-part Death and Return of Superman. I was surprised by the eye-rolling that greeted this news; I'm all for it.

Black Panther got a standing ovation in Hall H.

We saw the first footage of Ready Player One and reactions were .... mixed. People who hadn't read the book seemed more into it than readers.

The reaction to Justice League was more positive, although I think all of us are pretty much dying for Aquaman to come out already.


CON DEVELOPMENTS

There's no shortage of talk here. We'll start with Conan, where something went drastically wrong this year:  on multiple days, people with tickets were sent home or received emails telling them not to show up. The Spreckels Theater was extremely hot - two people next to me on Thursday night got up and left before the show started. Overall, it was a very different experience from the previous 2 years. It's been suggested that demand surged this year, so everyone actually did show up for the tapings - where before they could count on a certain percentage never claiming their tickets. Not sure if it's true but hopefully next year will be smoother.

Offsites have been a main attraction for a few years now, but I've never known quite so many people to focus on them so intently - sometimes to the point of skipping the entire Con. I think Blade Runners takes the honors here because it partnered so many good elements - great VR, a t-shirt, shots of Johnnie Walker, free food, an atmospheric experience - while the line was much more reasonable than Game of Thrones. Netflix was also in high demand and then we had the Westworld experience, which only admitted 120 people a day.  I still maintain that the Tech Pavilion at the Omni is worth a look, but of course most attendees are skipping it. Even though I think some of the VR there was as good as Blade Runner.


Now - onto the Hall H line. My, my. Just when you think you've lived through every type of Hall H line drama possible, 2017 happens. From a line being forced to disperse, while new people took their places, to attendees getting wristbands and not getting in, this year was a mess. Apparently some people report waiting 30-40 hours, only to have so many others cut in front that they wound up with D wristbands or nothing at all. Staff pretty much shrugged off complaints.

But the biggest issue - reportedly - is that some people created fraudulent wristbands to get in. Everyone is reporting this as fact but I haven't seen it verified. At any rate, 2 full chutes of wristbanded attendees got left out in the cold after waiting upwards of a day. The good - and unprecedented - news is that CCI actually gave them 4 day badges for next year!

I have to admit I didn't expect that one. But while it was a nice gesture, it's obvious CCI has to do something about Hall H. The wristbands were a step, but now attendee madness has incorporated them into their desperation. CCI has to take stronger measures. I think assigned sections, handed out via lottery, would be one way to do it, but there are others.

Anyhow. Tomorrow is the final day of the Con. Hopefully the Hall H line will go a little smoother for Supernatural fans. And if you're one of those only-offsite people? Put your badge to use and give the actual Con a try. You may never get to go again.

SDCC events: where are you going?

4 JULY 2017

Happy 4th of July! As everyone heads off to barbecues, boats and fireworks tonight, it seems appropriate to talk about events.

If you've been listening to the Comic-Con conversation, there's been a common sentiment circulating that there isn't much going on. There have been fewer big parties and promotions announced, fewer contests and fewer press invitations. Given that one of SDCC's greatest attributes is the network of parties, shows, festivals and other events that surround it, this has upset some attendees.

But while I do think that there's been a slight marketing withdrawal from SDCC, there's still plenty to do. CCI shared a few outside events today, and they range from the simple (character balloons) to the more complex (tech demos and VR experiences.)

First-timers, when you see references to "outside events," know that these fall into 2 buckets:

1) Events and activities that are officially endorsed by CCI and part of the SDCC umbrella. Usually you need a badge for these. (Some will let you participate if you don't - but ask before you waste a lot of time in line.)

2) Events operated by outside entities. You don't need a badge for these in most cases, though some organizers will specify their events are for badge-holders only.

The first group used to be dwarfed by the second group - hence the wave of unbadged people who pour into the area during Comic-Con - but this year they're a little more equal. If you were hoping for more, remember that we still have 2 weeks to go. We will hear about more events. Remember also that the line factor and ticket sell-outs makes going to all of them impossible anyhow.

That said, here are some things to keep in mind when deciding where to go and when.

When is the line worth it?

Before you decide that one activation is worth all day in line, check online for what people are saying. I won't name names, but a few highly anticipated attractions of recent years left people cold. They'd stand in line for four hours, only to be whisked through a 90-second experience. Given how much else is going on, there's no reason to sacrifice 20% of San Diego Comic-Con for such a brief event. Team up with a partner for lines as always, but also have a Plan B, C, D and so on if the line for something is blocks long.

What day and time should you go to the all-day activations?

If you're going to something that isn't crazy popular, early morning and dinner time is usually best. In general, visiting the activations on Thursday used to mean shorter lines, with Saturday and Sunday lines being horrible. A lot of extra people will come down on the weekend; the people who didn't get Saturday badges will be looking for something else to do. However, last year was more unpredictable. Some activations will need to be played by ear. Sunday afternoon might be empty; most everyone will line up in the middle of the night, with people waiting 20 minutes by sunset.

Is it worth leaving the Gaslamp for outside events?

Yes. But if you book yourself every night for Balboa Theatre or a club party, it'll probably feel like a chore by the 3rd night.

In general, I wouldn't invest in too many spendy pre-ticketed events because odds are good you'll end up on bailing on some of them. There's a lot going on - things like the Buffy Fandom Party, Ghostbusters Mass Hysteria party at Werewolf, a Batman dance party that's a tribute to Adam West,  Jay and Silent Bob at American Comedy Co., the Dragon Ball meetup at McFadden's, the Heroes Brew Festival and the Suicide Girls Blackheart Burlesque and countless other events. Some of them might involve a car ride but others like Syfy Live are right in the area. I think it's best to only plan for your absolutely can't-miss events and leave yourself open as much as you can. The best Comic-Con adventures usually happen when you go where the night takes you.

How good are the official SDCC activations and events?

These range from dull to magnificent. This year looks decent, in my opinion.

We have the Her Universe fashion show on Thursday - I've never been but people like it. Every year there's some kind of TV show promotion between the Omni and Tin Fish, and this year it will feature Midnight Texas, which promises a "4D experience guaranteed to ignite all your senses." There's also a Skull Island thing behind the Omni, which will show you giant Kong bones and the King himself.

But the most in-demand events will undoubtedly be:

The Tick Takeover, which will have a multi-room replica of the set and a special lounge for Amazon Prime members to watch the pilot. There's also some sort of scavenger hunt.

The Friday night Vikings funeral. Supposedly the cast will be there and it all ends with a burning ship in the water. Previous Vikings attractions were big draws so I expect this will be too.

FX is back in their spot in front of the Hilton Bayfront. They have a history of offering activations that sound incredible but don't really deliver. This year you'll mix it up with various American Horror Story, Legion and Atlanta elements. Probably worth it if there's not much of a line.

AMC Deadquarters. This sounds kind of weak - Negan batting cages? - but maybe it'll be good. Regardless, it's going to pack in the attendees, especially because "cast appearances" were dangled in the description.


Netflix at Hilton Gaslamp is going to offer you swag, sneak peeks at Stranger Things, Bright and more. Given that Netflix is already one of the top buzz winners of SDCC2017, this will be popular. However, attendees often forget about Hilton Gaslamp doings so that could make it more accessible. I know I will swing through, and also head to....

The Tech and Futurism Pavilion at the Omni. VR has been a staple of SDCC attractions for a few years now but it hasn't exactly been all that enthralling. This year sounds like we'll be getting something a little more worthwhile, particularly for attendees who have yet to lose their AR and VR virginity. In addition to a concert, we're getting 9000 square feet of technology, including an AI fair with "ground-breaking robots."

One good rule of thumb when it comes to events is to not get too hung up on them. I've seen people lose their mind because they made the Game of Thrones activations the spiritual core of their Comic-Con, and then they couldn't get in.  It's always worth remembering that's there's a lot going on at the Con - and if you can't access one event, you'll get into another that's just as good.

Get your tickets for Game of Thrones: The Musical, coming to SDCC

5 MAY 2017

Happy Cinco de Mayo! But before you start knocking back mojitos, shift your thoughts from Mexico to Westeros, where at the end of the first GOT book, "the night came alive with the music of dragons."

What does the music of dragons sound like? No idea, but I'm going to hear it for myself and so are you - because we're both going to "Game of Thrones: The Musical" at San Diego Comic-Con.



Where: The 10th Avenue Arts Center, right in the Gaslamp

When: Thursday, 20 July - Sunday, 23 July. There will be 8 shows: at 6 and 9 pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday, a bonus show Friday at midnight and a Sunday matinee at 1 pm. So you'll be able to fit this into your schedule somehow - and if you didn't get a Friday or Saturday badge, this could be a great way to spend one of those days.

What's It Going to Be Like: Not a faithful rendition of the show/books set to music, but an opportunity to "relive the most iconic moments from their favorite show - this time as an absurd, laugh out loud musical comedy." Apparently the musical will extract all the laughs that were just hiding all this time inside the decapitations, smoke births and wedding massacres.


Why You Want to Go: Besides the obvious chance to hear a dragon symphony, you'll be helping the founders support The Wayne Foundation, a charity that promotes awareness about sexually exploited children. 5 percent of all ticket sales will go to that worthy cause. AND the creators are the same people behind Lost: The Musical and Once Upon a Time: The Rock Opera, which you may also have seen at SDCC. If you liked those shows, you'll obviously like the 12 original songs featured in this show.

And finally, you'll have bragging rights to make your friends jealous, which we all know is one of the top benefits of Comic-Con.

You can get your tickets here. Don't wait too long to book your own iron throne.

The SDCC offsites are amazing this year

5 JULY 2016

Erasing any doubt that you actually need a badge to have fun at Comic-Con, CCI announced their major offsites today. Emphasis on their; these may be officially recognized but there are plenty of others afoot. Right now, those of you who landed in the Thursday/Sunday split like my niece are probably not too upset about missing out on a few days inside the convention center.

So what do we have? A lot of VR but a few other things too.

Live coverage.

Comic-Con HQ will be at the Hilton Bayfront for daily live programming and nerd celebs and Con coverage.

Adult Swim is back. 


Hard to believe Adult Swim once contained their annual Con carnival to the Exhibit Hall floor. The Meatwad Full Dome Experience is back, so are some nightime events and so is a Rick and Morty VR experience.

The Omni will have a daily Batman v Superman scavenger hunt.

And a Batmobile.

MAC is offering a Star Trek photo op.

We knew about the Thursday launch party in the Gaslamp MAC store, but this goes beyond the debut of the Star Trek makeup line; you can also enjoy a "futuristic photo op and unique immersive experience" in the Star Trek transporter.


NBC revives the lost art of free Comic-Con treats.

In this case, frozen yogurt. Along with photo ops and other promotions for Timeless, Emerald City and The Good Place.

Amazon is promoting their shows The Man in the High Castle and Thunderbirds are Go.

Costumes, props, more VR.


Hasbro gives you a once-in-a-lifetime photo op.

It's with Transformers hero Bumblebee to celebrate the launch of EarthWars.

Neil deGrasse Tyson lights up your Con with space travel magnificence.

CCI is calling this “VR Con at Comic-Con.” Catchy title, CCI. They'll have “The John Wick VR Experience,” “NASA’s Journey to Mars” and others - and this sounds like it will be real VR (we hope?) and not simple 360 stuff.


South Park lures you away from the Con and never lets you go.

If you arrive at SDCC and detest it immediately - and that happens sometimes - you can head over to South Park's Hulu viewing lounge and lose yourself in every episode ever of South Park. You can also step into 20 life-size 2D/3D builds in an interactive fan experience, admire South Park art, and more.


The Her Universe Geek Fashion Show returns.

Another Thursday evening event. I've never been but I know it's quite popular.

American Horror Story IS at Comic-Con - kind of.

The cast may not have a panel this year, but FX is bringing an AHS VR experience, a face swap garden, giveaways and more.

Fox celebrates fishnets and muscles.

A giant rock wall, a huge stunt bag, another "immersive virtual reality experience" for Rocky Horror - you probably can't go wrong with this one.

In addition to device charging, Con-X will have a t-shirt bar.

Custom, limited edition t-shirts. Isn't "limited edition" guaranteed with anything customized? I'm guessing they'll be working with some kind of template and you can deviate from there.

First-timers, don't wait for Sunday to do these and the other activations. The lines will be awful. Find time in your schedule here and there and try to knock off the ones you really want to do early on.