Preview Night report

17 JULY 2019

The night we've been anticipating for - well, a year - has come and gone. San Diego Comic-Con 2019 blazed into life tonight and it was pretty much business as usual.

Preview Night opened its doors slightly earlier than usual, which was nice. What wasn't: the lack of line information. As everyone walked down toward G, they gradually realized they were already in line - or assumed so at least. It wouldn't have taken much to post a few people along the way to confirm that, but instead people kept asking each other, "is this a line? Should we turn around? How does far the other line go? Is this the same line as those people?"

Though it's year 50 for SDCC, you could be forgiven for mistaking this for any other year. The same booths, the same vendors, the same stuff you bought last year. I showed up ready to shop but spent little; some people expressed the same lack of interest while others were clutching deeply prized things.



Lines moved slowly - as they usually do. Miscommunications and inconveniences abounded, but no more than usual. One guy got so belligerent in the Hasbro line that he was escorted out of the convention center. I know tempers flare in these situations, but really - you fight for a Preview Night badge, wait months for Comic-Con, then get thrown out in under an hour? Not worth it.

I managed to make a cursory pass through every aisle, but mostly got stuck at certain points for long periods of time. My badge also didn't work (which none of the staffers noticed, oddly) so I spent some time at the RFID help desk in lobby A. Mercury Retrograde, I guess.

I thought the Exhibit Hall was reasonably spacious and the right temperature - both past challenges.




Pilot reports: didn't see them but heard that Batwoman was typical CW fare and Pennyworth was impressive - "all actors well cast and talented."  What did you think?

ScareDiego looked really fun and earned glowing reports from people who went. Having experienced Preview Night, I think ScareDiego was the better evening. A bigger time commitment, but fun.


Overall I think Preview Night continues to be worth it mostly for its fresh shopping. You'll have a much easier time getting what you (or your friends) want, and it's great to snatch up everything on your list in 1 night so you can enjoy the rest of the Con without worry about it. But I don't think anyone who doesn't have Preview Night should feel they're missing something incomparable - even though we all feel that way during the badge sales.

The SDCC Daily

27 JUNE 2016

Sometimes it seems like we've already gotten so many panels, events and toys announced that there can't be anymore - and then more announcements come. That happened today.


Like this Cosplay Train Express. There is so much packed into this - a cosplay train hurtling through California, trivia contests, Julie Newmar and Adam West sauntering up and down the railway cars, personal phone messages from celebrities. You could view it as one way for Angelenos to get to San Diego each day for the Con or you could embrace it as the "world's first all immersive pop culture rail experience."

Data nerds, you will like this study/word cloud that analyzes all the subcultures and groups that go to San Diego Comic-Con. Or as they call it, the "tribes" of Comic-Con. Conclusion: "NYCC and similar events are giant regional shows that aggregate niche fandoms, whereas SDCC is a mass media event that appeals to a more global audience with broader, overlapping interests in pop culture of all kinds." I can agree with that.

Well, this is depressing. San Diego has launched a human trafficking awareness campaign deliberately before the MBL's All Star Game and Comic-Con to remind everyone that buying other people is not the best way to spend your vacation.

On a lighter note, you'll find out more about the new Sonic the Hedgehog game at the 22 July Sonic Comic-Con party.

And here's a radio contest offering multiple badges.

Your favorite Twilight Zone creatures are now a Pin Mate wooden figure set - everyone from Talky Tina to the plane gremlin who drove William Shatner nuts.

The Wicked + The Divine rolled out a new line of threadless t-shirts - so let's assume these will be at the more hipster SDCC booths.

True, the Walking Dead Escape is not going to be at SDCC. However, you can catch the experience at the new TWD attraction at Universal Studios if you're heartbroken over missing it.

Warner Bros. is going to drown you in TV shows at the Con - both these appetizing pilots and shows like Supergirl, The Flash, The 100, Big Bang Theory, Arrow, Blindspot, Vampire Diaries, Supernatural, Lucifer, The Originals, iZombie, Legends of Tomorrow, Frequency, Gotham and Animaniacs Live.

The Marriott Marquis, the hotel where I used to sleep each Comic-Con before the housing situation dissolved into madness, is going to be extra fancy for you this summer. A sprawling Swarovski crystal chandelier, 16 foot digital walls, floor to ceiling windows that gaze out on the skyline, a ginormous outdoor terrace - we may not have gotten our convention center expansion but we got this. We also got a great description of SDCC as "San Diego's biggest space hog" which is my favorite visual ever.

Supposedly Syfy Presents tix are going to go live at any moment. We'll see.

Preview Night pilots are pretty ace this year

27 JUNE 2016

If you've followed talk about Preview Night, you might think it's all hungry hordes of attendees and their war cries over exclusives. It's not; there's a whole other side to Preview Night that may be quieter, but is still pretty exciting. I'm talking about the pilots that are screened in Ballroom 20.

Some years these are appetizing; other years quite skippable. This year has some pretty sweet offerings, in my opinion. If you attend, you'll see:

People of Earth. Oh hi, Carla from Silicon Valley. This show features a support group for alien "experiencers," dished up by a Daily Show alum; it's already amassing a built-in fanbase. Let's hope it's as funny as it could be.

Powerless. Superheroes and insurance agents = wacky fun; that's the premise. I'm not feeling it but maybe you are.

Time After Time. I like time travel shows but they don't always have the greatest track record - partly because the history gets bungled, the actors all have 21st century teeth and makeup even in 1872, and the networks tend to get sick of them. Still, it's hard to resist a show that has Jack the Ripper and says "Good lord, Wells, you actually built the bloody thing!"

Riverdale. We all know this is why our favorite comic books Afterlife with Archie and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina have been mostly MIA; their creators were creating this instead. Everyone's curious about this new Lynchian Archie universe where Betty's addicted to Adderall, Archie's sexing down Ms. Grundy and Jason Blossom is murdered, so this is going to be a top pick for many attendees.

A new episode of Teen Titans Go! and the debut of Justice League Action. Wait, this is supposed to be aimed at "younger fans?" This, ahem, more mature fan is very interested. And I bet a lot of other attendees are eager to see this new JL as well. This will be a major draw.


So yes, Ballroom 20 on Wednesday night is going to be a pretty great way to kick off Comic-Con. But as always - and this should make you happy, attendees who didn't get a Preview Night badge - these will screen a 2nd time throughout the Con. You can see the whole schedule here to find out when, along with the other shows Warner Bros. is bringing.

It's worth noting that last year, the iZombie panel screened late Friday afternoon in Ballroom 20 right before Justice League: Gods and Monsters. And what do you know, this year iZombie is back in Ballroom 20 on Friday at 5:30 - and The Killing Joke screens Friday night. Same bat room, same bat time? Just something to keep in mind as you plan your Friday adventures.

The SDCC Daily

21 JUNE 2016

What did we learn today?


Attendee badges are shipping out in batches. Did you get your email? If so, check the name and address listed to make sure they're correct - a few people are saying their email has outdated information.

Conan is sharing a look at his Pop! figures for Comic-Con tonight on his show. Here's how this works: you get lucky/quick enough to grab a ticket for one of his SDCC tapings; when you attend, they bestow the figure of the day upon you. Then as you leave, creepy collectors step up way too close to you and softly say bidding amounts in your ear. Not exaggerating, it was a bit unsettling last year.




CCI and Cox Communications are providing free WiFi for downtown during Con. I know you'll miss the bizarre KFC Colonel Sanders statues from last year.

In pilot news, you can see The Exorcist and Son of Zorn at the Con. The Exorcist is being called a "psychological thriller" which tells me it will be stripped of its head-rotating, crucifix-violating disgustingness, but I may give it a shot.


Hotel reservations opened back up. Remember when that actually meant something? The rooms left aren't exactly top-notch, but it is a place to stay during the Con. And remember - while you do need to pay a 2 night deposit, you can still cancel your other nights pretty much up to the last second. So feel free to keep searching out other digs if you don't mind changing hotels midstream.

Titan is bringing you a variety of cute things from Doctor Who, Star Trek and Adventure Time.

Another splashy Thursday night event: The Reuben Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park is hosting a Comic-Con party. To be clear, this is 21+, with cocktails, cosplay contests and IDW creators. Tickets on sale now.

Behold the beating heart of my Preview Night: this Jokerized Batman from Entertainment Earth, my favorite 2016 exclusive so far.

But you might like this better: a dapper Bruce Wayne, courtesy of Kotobukiya. Or maybe you'll like the Micronauts and Visionaries lines from Hasbro.


For those of you who got excited over the Rocky Horror panel, be aware that it's featuring the cast from the Fox special this fall. Not saying that it won't be good, but people are already pre-swooning over Tim Curry and no, wrong cast.

Stan Lee's new series Cosmic Crusaders will launch webisodes during Comic-Con.

And I'm not sure why everyone is so excited to see Ben Affleck at SDCC, but apparently his imminent arrival is huge news.


Watch your mailboxes!

Preview Night pilots and other TV panels

22 JULY 2013


We finally know what pilots will be screening in Ballroom 20 on Preview Night. They are once again from Warner Brothers and they are...

A special presentation of The Originals - this is the The Vampire Diaries spinoff that originally aired as an episode; it includes footage that never aired then, and centers on the "Original Family" in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Knowing how popular TVD panel is, I foresee a lot of people lining up for this one alone.

Almost Human - a futuristic show where police partner with cyborgs to stop crime. From J.J. Abrams if that entices you.

The Tomorrow People - beautiful youngsters who embody "the next stage of human evolution," telepathy, special powers, basically everything but Magneto and Kitty Pryde.

The 100 - a century ago, Earth was ruined by a nuclear apocalypse; the only survivors were up in space stations, who now are sending a group of juvenile delinquents to the surface to see whether it's safe to come back.


Quite a few panels have been announced now; I'll keep updating the Comic Con 2013 page as they come in but for now we know of:


Thursday

Murder Police.  New animated series. Panelists: David Goodman, Jason Ruiz, Will Sasso, Chi McBride, Peter Atencio and Justina Machado.
MAD. With producers Kevin Shinick and Mark Marek.
Black Sails. No panel, just the pilot of the Michael Bay pirate drama airing on Starz. Yes, I said Michael Bay pirate drama; the trailer is exactly what you'd expect. 
Hannibal at 6:45 pm. A sizzle reel of season one footage and Q&A with Bryan Fuller, Hugh Dancy, David Slade and Martha DeLaurentis.


Friday

Sleepy Hollow. The pilot premieres Friday with a Q&A and stars Tom Mison and Nicole Beharie.
Bones. Panelists include producers Hart Hanson and Stephen Nathan, plus star David Boreanaz.
Banshee. Airing on Cinemax.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Joss Whedon, Jeph Loeb and additional guests.
Bob's Burgers. Executive producers are joined by cast members H. Jon Benjamin, Dan Mintz, Eurgene Mirman, John Roberts, Kristen Schaal and Larry Murphy.
Brickleberry. Panelists include producers Waco O'Guin, Roger Black and Zac Moncrief and stars David Herman, Tom Kenny, Jerry Minor and Natasha Leggero.

Almost Human. 

The Big Bang Theory. The producers and writers, no stars.

Children’s Hospital. Creator/star Rob Corddry and executive producers David Wain and Jonathan Stern join cast members Lake Bell, Erinn Hayes, Ken Marino and Rob Huebel.

The Following. Kevin Bacon, Shawn Ashmore and Valorie Curry join executive producers Kevin Williamson and Marcos Siega.

Nikita: The very last panel, with stars Maggie Q, Shane West, Lyndsy Fonseca, Aaron Stanford, Melinda Clarke, Devon Sawa and Noah Bean.

The 100. Series stars Eliza Taylor, Thomas McDonell, Marie Avgeropoulos, and Henry Ian Cusick join executive producers Matthew Miller and Jason Rothenberg.

The Paranormal and Extraterrestrial Squad. A "new digital series about the misadventures of a ragtag group of ex-community college students searching for paranormal and extraterrestrial (PET) activity."


Saturday

Futurama. cast members and executive producers.The Simpsons. Matt Groening and producers will screen unseen footage, including some from guest director Guillermo del Toro.
Family Guy. Season 12 preview.
American Dad. Includes premiere of a song from the Christmas episode.
How I Met Your Mother. This is apparently taking Glee's place in the category of shows that don't really belong at SDCC. The full cast will be there.
Once Upon a Time and Wonderland. Cast and producers.
Arrow. Stars Stephen Amell, Katie Cassidy, David Ramsey, Emily Bett Rickards and Colton Haynes joining executive producers.

The Originals. Cast and producers.

Person of Interest. Executive producers Jonathan Nolan and Greg Plageman join the cast.

Revolution. Series stars and creator/executive producer Eric Kripke power up this panel.

The Tomorrow People. Stars Robbie Amell, Mark Pellegrino and Peyton List with executive producers Greg Berlanti, Phil Klemmer and Danny Cannon.

The Vampire Diaries. Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, Ian Somerhalder, Kat Graham and Candice Accola join executive producers Julie Plec and Caroline Dries.

Sunday

Sons of Anarchy. Cast Charlie Hunnam, Katey Sagal, Ron Perlman, Maggie Siff, Kim Coates, Mark Boone Junior, Tommy Flanagan, Theo Rossi, Dayton Callie and Jimmy Smits.
Dr. Who.
Supernatural.  Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles, Misha Collins and Mark A. Sheppard; executive producers Jeremy Carver and Robert Singer.

Beware the Batman. A new CG animated series.

Teen Titans Go! Producer Aaron Horvath joins members of the voice cast for screening and Q&A.



No, I don't know when the Game of Thrones, Walking Dead and True Blood panels will be. Walking Dead and Game of Thrones are usually on the same day in Hall H; True Blood has been in Ballroom 20 the past few years, but maybe this is the year it's deemed worthy of Hall H. It would be great if they could package all three together as a triple slam and let the shared fanbase only have to suffer through one overnight line - but we'll see.

ETA: The Walking Dead will be on Friday. Breaking Bad is on Sunday.

As for when we know everything - historically, CCI has published the programming two weeks to the day before Comic Con. This year, that would put the date for publishing Thursday programming on July 4.

New fall TV shows to watch for at the Con

14 JUNE 2013



It's a cliche to say TV today is the new film - but it seems to be borne out by Comic Con, where the longest lines are usually for shows rather than movies. And sometimes the best TV panels can be the ones preceding the first season; they’re usually easy to get into, and you get to be one of the very first people to see the trailer and cast. I know my favorite True Blood and Walking Dead panels were the first ones. 

Below is a list of new fall/winter shows that are likely to show up in San Diego this summer. One or two might even be a Preview Night pilot.

Intelligence. Handsomest man ever Josh Holloway is a U.S. agent with a microchip in his brain that can access computers.

The Blacklist. James Spader is an ex-government agent fighting a clever terrorist.

The Originals.  A Vampire Diaries spin-off series. It's airing this fall before Supernatural.

Sleepy Hollow. This has been confirmed. It’s a “modern retelling” involving time travel and witches, with Ichabod Crane teaming up with a female sheriff to solve mysteries. I am not making this up.

Dracula.  This is set in 1890s London, so no modern anything here. Except for Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, who plays the fanged one himself.   

Rabbids. Based on the videogame.

Stan Lee’s Mighty 7.  God forbid Stan Lee have a project that doesn't have his name in the title. This isn't a show but an animated TV movie that could lead to a show; Stan Lee is a legendary superhero creator teaching a crew of alien prisoners and their jailers, who have crash-landed on Earth, how to work together and use their powers to be superheroes.

The Tomorrow People.  Based on a UK series, this is about "young people who represent next stage in human evolution." What a highly original premise. Not at all like X Men/Alphas/Heroes, I'm sure.  But it wins points for featuring the comely Peyton List from Mad Men. 

Agents of SHIELD. From Joss Whedon, Agent Phil Coulson puts together a group of agents from the worldwide organization known as S.H.I.E.L.D.

Helix. Syfy’s new baby, fathered by the creators of Battlestar Galactica. Expect it to get a huge push. Half-expect it to go the way of Caprica.

High Moon. A lunar settlement discovers alien life on the Moon. Normally just the words “lunar settlement” would sell me but for some reason I keep picturing the Doris Wishman classic Nude on the Moon.

Almost Human. J.J. Abrams and J.H. Wyman bring you a violent sci-fi cop show.

Rumors we all wish were true, but probably aren’t:

Y The Last Man. Lately various Hollywood and comic book sites have announced that this was “moving forward” and a few people have hopefully suggested there will at least be news about it at the Con. As far as I know, it’s still stuck in debates over scope. 

American Gods. I know we’ve all been waiting for this to become our next HBO Sunday night obsession, but I think the most we can expect at SDCC is an announcement. Although even that is manna to thirsty Gaiman fans.


... And a rumor that just might be true:

American Horror Story. It was inexplicably absent last summer, but word is that your favorite ghost/alien/nazi/slasher show might make an appearance next month.