About San Diego Comic-Con International

Comic-Con comes once a year. It descends on San Diego, California, in late July, mid-summer, and fills the 1.7 million square foot convention center to capacity. In 2005, with 168,000 convention attendees draping every inch of the available space, the fire marshall shut it down. Today, no more than 145,000 comic-conners from all parts of the globe attend this convention.

A Little History of San Diego Comic-Con International
The convention had its beginnings in 1970 with an attendance of 300 people at an entry cost of $3.00. Today, attendees and traders come from every part of the globe. They include leading comic publishers, manufacturers of movie and comic book memorabilia, games manufacturers, sci fi and fantasy book publishers, manga, anime, Hollywood studios, wannabe comic writers and artists, and fans of comics, costume, and everything fantastical. The entry fee for 2009 was $75.00 for the four day convention, now it is approaching $100, and it will, no doubt be more in the future.

Facts and Figures
More than 1000 comic dealers have their stalls on the ground floor of the San Diego Convention Center. Comics dating back to the golden, silver and bronze years of the comic industry have fabulous price tags attached to them, and avid collectors come ready to purchase rare finds. In addition, newly established comic artists display their wares and sign up potential readers.

The Comic-Con Icons
Each year, famous icons like Sci Fi writer, Ray Bradbury, come to talk at one of the many panels. Bradbury is held in high esteem and it is no accident that some 6000 people converge on the large hall where he is speaking. Stargate actors like Christopher Judge, Amanda Tapping, and Ben Browder have strutted their stuff on the podium while fans gazed in rapt admiration, and previewed the next season well ahead of the pack. Previews happen often at comic-con. The list of celebrities that have had panels, given previews of their shows, etc. is extensive. They include Marvel Comic’s Stan Lee, Best selling sci fi author, Robert Heinlein, film star Larry Niven, Douglas Adams, famous for Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Neil Gaiman, author/producer of Stardust, Jean-Claude van Damme, Joss Wheden (head writer for Buffy, the Vampire Slayer), Ben Affleck, Will Eisner, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Paris Hilton, Hugh Jackman, Elijah Wood, Jude Law, Nicholas Cage, Mark Wahlberg - in short, far too many to mention. During the filming of the Indiana Jones movie, Steven Spielberg spoke to convention goers via satellite.

Lining Up For Popular Events
Lines begin to form early for some of the more popular speakers. It’s not unusual to see lines begin to form at mid-day for a panel some four or five hours later. Entry is on a first-come, first-serve basis. It’s also not unusual when one has been attending comic-con for some years to walk past world famous icons and not bat a lash. Still, there are the autograph hunters, so, suitably, there are stalls where TV stars sell photographs of themselves for $10.00 each and then validate it with a signature. For some years now, Star Trek actors have had their own stall but no photos are permitted by fans passing by.

How-to Panels Are Well Attended
There are many different ‘how-to’ seminars. To mention just a few that have taken place over the last few years, there’s how to make a podcast, how to write a comic, how to make a movie, or how to design a prize winning costume for the Masquerade. These seminars are held in smaller rooms, not quite as well attended as panels given by the famous stars of TV shows and movies, but, nevertheless, well attended by those intending to get themselves into the particular industry. While the organizers of the convention do not have any figures, each year brings comic job seekers. Portfolios are shown to future employers and advice is sought on how to break into the industry.

Highlights: The Masquerade and the Will Eisner Comic Industry Award
There are two annual highlights at the convention. One is the Will Eisner Comic Industry Award ceremony on a Friday night, and the other is the Masquerade on Saturday night. Some 6000 fans attend the Masquerade. Lines begin to form around mid-day for entry at about 7.30 that evening. On stage, entrants show off their costumes, copies of Marvel and DC comic heroes, Hollywood block busters, and gaming creations.Some have been months in the making and cost far more than any prize money could compensate for.

Star Wars Pavilion is a Perrenial
Lucas Arts has had a Star Wars pavilion since 1976. Close to four decades after the movie, Jedi and storm troopers still descend in full costume and play at being heroes in the space provided at the pavilion. It shows no promise of abating. Everybody loves Star Wars. It still remains one of the most popular venues of the show.

The Ambience of Costume
Costume is a big thing. Somewhere around ten or fifteen percent of comic-con attendees arrive in costume. Photo opportunities abound. Spiderman will be walking next to the Joker. Superman will be chatting to two Jedi. Alien monsters and manga princesses will animately compliment each other on their respective costumes.

Freebies
Freebies are the big thing at comic-con. This writer has more t-shirts than can be counted, including an Indiana Jones Marshall College t-shirt. Free books, junky gizmos, badges, posters, and the real biggie of comic-con: enormous carry bags truly designed to fit the kitchen sink - and all the other freebies available. Gamers find card clues for their games, new software for their computers, and space to challenge each other for the glory of winning.

Preview Night
Preview night is one of the busiest nights of the convention with fans beginning to line up at mid-day to collect their ‘badges’ Each badge has the name of the convention goer and is color coded according to days attended. Four day passes might be yellow, whereas a Thursday pass might be green and a Saturday pass might be pink. There is an enormous rush not only to grab the first freebies but to get the free program that comes with the entrance fee. Saturday is another biggie, and more than once, comic-con has had to close its doors for a period of time so that no new attendees could enter.

You Never Know Who You'll Meet. Guest Speakers
2009 guest speakers included Brian Herbert, co-author of the Dune series, and son of the late Frank Herbert, as well as Charles Vess, the illustrator for Neil Gaiman’s Stardust and past artist for DC Comics. In addition, the 2009 convention celebrated 75 years of the great adventure comic strips. Mandrake the Magician was published in 1934, as was Flash Gordon. Green Lantern celebrated its half century and Teenage Mutant Turtles notched up its first 25 years. Comic-con, itself, celebrated its 40th convention. In 2010, I was busy talking to someone and suddenly discovered I was talking to Brian Herbert, Dune author Frank Herbert's son. Hang on, it might have been Dirk Cussler, Clive Cussler's son. Actually, that might have been Wonder-con. Actually, I can't remember. After a while, one isn't so star struck anymore.

Early Reservation Essential
Comic-con goers book early. It’s not guaranteed that tickets will still be available at the door. In 2008, four day tickets were sold out two weeks before the start date. In 2009, four day tickets were sold out in March. In 2010, four day tickets were sold out in October, 2009, and all tickets sold out by March 2010. Four day tickets with preview were sold out for 2011 at the 2010 con in July 2010.  There were were 26,000 volunteers signed up for 2009. In 2010,when San Diego Comic-Con International sold out by March 2010, there was a run for volunteer positions. The doors closed. Currently, only those who have previously volunteered for Comic-Con are accepted.