San Diego Comic Con is a nerd mecca for genre lovers and geek culture enthusiasts, and 2024’s explosive event did not disappoint.
Photo credit: flickr.com/photos/vagueonthehow/, licensed under CC BY 2.0.
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Thursday, July 25th. 8:30 AM. The San Diego sun casts an amber glow over the slender palm trees and Mid-century modern buildings that make up the city’s picturesque skyline. It’s definitely warm, but it’s not hot due to the refreshing ocean breeze that whisps through the streets. Perhaps it’s punched up a degree or two based on the close quarters of the eager crowd funneling up to the colossal structure that is the San Diego Convention Center, which acts as the venue for the premier event for pop culture – San Diego Comic Con International.
Maybe you’ve heard of it.
The closer you get to the long line of entrances, the louder the yells of security and volunteer workers get as they work tirelessly to act as crowd control. If you have a badge, you enter at “E” and wait in an unending mish-mash of individuals. If you must pick up a wristband or grab your badge, skedaddle to the Sails Pavilion, but be prompt! “MOVE ALONG!” commanded a person in a Star Wars stormtrooper costume. There’s confusion, scarcely contained excitement, and a stew of chatter between attendees about what panel they want to see and exclusive merch they have to stuff in the backpack bags the venue provides you.
There is so much electricity in the air that it practically sends a jolt!
And there’s that sun, reflecting off the convention center’s shimmering glass domes. It’s a bit blinding, but to those who have only attended a time or two (this is my second Comic Con venture), it illuminates the edifice and gives it a radiant glow, transforming it into a dream castle in the clouds. You can practically hear the building proclaim to the masses, “YOU’RE HERE! YOU MADE IT!” as choral music acts as the cherry on top. Yes, indeed.
Grasping a catalog that lays out all the eye-popping panels (seriously, a scan of the schedule is sure to make you gasp in wonder) and stumbling out into the rows of vendors that include big names like Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, Nickelodeon, Disney+, Boom!, Lucasfilm, Iron Studios, Alex Ross, Funko, and more. It’s a stunner, something capable of making even the most casual fan pause in shock.
So begins Comic Con 2024, which found the event returning to full form after the actor’s strike led to a scaled-back presence last year.
Photo credit: Pat Loika, licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Considering I’m a Comic Con novice, you can file me under those who were simply trampled underfoot by the Hollywood majesty.
As you snake your way through crowds that need to be seen to be believed, you develop neck pain as you scan the sprawling space. It’s beyond overwhelming and a little frustrating as die-hards sprint toward various booths offering SDCC exclusives or lottery-based signing events. You hear expletive-laden rants that lines are capped and booth workers in a state of disarray as they rush to bring order to the mob.
And you know what? Even when you’re on the verge of tearing your hair out, there is still something to savor.
There’s some kind of magic drifting through the air (along with the various other expected con scents – those who attend cons regularly will know what I mean), and it grabs hold. “What kind of magic?” you ask.
I’m sure by now you’ve heard about Marvel’s fireworks and drone display outside the convention center on Thursday night in celebration of Deadpool and Wolverine, which premiered at the event (along with the stars there to fire up the fans). On Friday, that’s all anyone could talk about!
I was able to secure access to one of DC’s panels which featured DC Comics CCO Jim Lee (you know, the comic legend!), actor/comic creator David Dastmalchian (Late Night with the Devil, Oppenheimer, Suicide Squad), and several other comic legends as they discussed future plans for the company’s various books, revealed James Gunn’s Creature Commandos trailer (along with a video message from the director), and then unveiled the DC Studios logo, which will be stamped on any DCU film moving forward in their new shared universe.
Stumbling out of that panel, it would be only a few moments before the buzz of that moment collided with a glimpse of genius.
Photo credit: Chris Favero, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
The Simpsons mastermind Matt Groening proceeded to sit down next to my father and strike up a conversation (seriously). It was at that point that my nerd buzz was so strong I almost fainted. (In case you were wondering, my father can confirm that Groening is a fantastic guy.)
More sightings from there included Spawn creator Todd McFarlane, comic artist/writer Rafael Grampa, comedian Kevin Hart, the voice cast of Spongebob Squarepants, several cast members of What We Do in the Shadows (complete with my friend Jen yelling “Go Bucks!” to Matt Berry and him responding with a delighted smile, a wave and a blown kiss of gratitude) and another sighting of Dastmalchian at the Famous Monsters booth, where he was graciously taking photos and even nabbing some merch (he also seemed absolutely wonderful and, again, I was starstruck). I even caught sight of ol’ Lloyd Kauffman (you know, the Troma guy)!
It all built to Saturday evening when Marvel dropped the polarizing news that Robert Downey Jr. would be rejoining the MCU as popular baddie Victor Von Doom, which was on the lips of nearly every soul milling about the Gaslamp Quarter outside the convention center.
Speaking of, even if you don’t secure a badge to enter the convention center, one could find hours of entertainment sipping a beer and eating delicious food in the Gaslamp Quarter, where cosplayers and street performers wow those curious to see what the fuss is about.
For years, I’ve struggled to nudge my way into San Diego Comic Con.
Photo credit: W10002, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
I’m sure that someone reading this is probably in the same boat I was in for years. YEARS! And as someone who was just there as a humble attendee, I can assure you I more than once had to pinch myself. Me, just some kid (well, adult, but I feel like a kid) from Cleveland inside the walls of a place I was convinced I’d never be. I encourage you to be persistent. Keep on trying to get in. It WILL happen.
On Sunday, I wandered for about an hour through the crowds, observing the fervor and quietly listening to the thoughts, reflections and opinions of those donning the coveted key to enter. There was happiness and positivity abound. Stars in the eyes of those still maxing out their credit cards and yawning between sips of caffeinated beverages.
For four days, I met amazing people from all over the world.
I had a wonderful conversation about Batman 66’ with two gentlemen from Ireland, who just happened to strike up a conversation with me inside the Super 7 booth. I geeked out over Batmobiles with another cat at the Mattel area, proclaiming how much we love Adam West’s set of wheels (and Bale’s, too!).
And remember that individual who went on an expletive rant I mentioned earlier? I even talked with him about Comic Con of years past (and the character of Agent Liberty!)! That is, after he calmed down, of course. He reminisced about the years you could walk up to the ticket booth outside and gain entry that very day!
And how about the cat who was geeking out with me in the elevator of my hotel, who managed to strongarm his way into the famed Hall H for the Marvel panel and even showed me some video he took of the Fantastic Four presentation (thanks again for the posters!)? Or the chatty gal next to us at the “Fantagraphics” booth waiting patiently (as patiently as she could) to meet Daniel Clowes? Or the guy who was gushing over Rafael Grampa at the DC signing?
They were all exceptional people who were a joy to meet and converse with.
I loved these conversations and treasured the friends (new and old) who joined me in wandering the floor, drinking in the sights of things like the Godzilla booth, the Ultraman booth, and even a recreation of Bikini Bottom. I made so many laps around the place, my back, legs and feet were barking, and I was wearing comfortable kicks with arch support! It was a relief to plunk down in a panel and recharge.
My friends, I’m here to report that SDCC is truly larger than life.
Photo credit: Dawnseeker Ix’kin, Arakkoa Sun Sage, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
It’s a sublime experience that continues to hit in the wake of the doors being slammed shut and the exhausted staff yelling, “Don’t let the door hit you on the ass on the way out!” I’m still hearing about things I had no clue happened (In a Violent Nature 2 announcement?!) and kicking myself for missing others (Alien: Romulus panel complete with prop replica Facehuggers handed out to those who filled the Hall H seats).
So, here’s to a stellar 2024 SDCC! You made me a – to quote Stan Lee – “true believer!”
Last year, I was on board (give or take some snooty folks), but this year… this year, you swung for the fences. You possess something special that is sure to draw me back into your vortex. You loom as large as the kaiju-sized Spongebob that presided over the outdoor activities (the Hard Rock building was wrapped to resemble a towering Spongebob Squarepants that was illuminated bright yellow when the California sun sunk low).
I’m still giddy, and I’m hoping I can brush shoulders with all these different fandoms next year. To push side-by-side with anime gurus, Trekkies, and Doctor Who fans and hang on to the euphoric joy from those who make up the spellbinding legions of fandom.
More importantly, I want to lose myself in the welcoming community that converges for four and a half days to celebrate each other and the things that cause the imagination to burn as brilliantly and passionately as that gorgeous California sun.
Shine on, you wonderful souls! I’ll—hopefully—catch you at the next one.
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