San Diego Comic-Con#Events
{{Short description|Multi-genre entertainment and comic convention in California, US}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox Convention
| name = San Diego Comic-Con
| image = 150px
| caption =
| status = Active
| genre = Multigenre
| venue = San Diego Convention Center (main)
Downtown San Diego (various)
| location = San Diego, California, U.S.
| country = United States
| coordinates = {{Coord|32|42|23|N|117|09|41|W|region:US-CA_type:event|display=title,inline}}
| first = {{Start date and age|1970|3|21}} (as San Diego's Golden State Comic-Minicon)
| last = {{Start date and age|2024|7|25}}
| next = {{Start date and age|2025|7|24}}
| organizer = San Diego Comic Convention dba Comic-Con International
| filing = 501(c)(3) nonprofit
| attendance = >135,000 (2022)
| website = {{Official URL}}
}}
San Diego Comic-Con is a comic book convention and multi-genre entertainment event held annually in San Diego, California, at the San Diego Convention Center. Founded in 1970, originally showcasing primarily comic books and science fiction/fantasy media, Comic-Con has grown to include a large range of pop culture and entertainment elements across virtually all genres.
According to Forbes, Comic-Con is the "largest convention of its kind in the world". Since 2010, Comic-Con has filled the San Diego Convention Center to capacity with over 130,000 attendees.{{Cite news |last=Weisberg |first=Lori |date=November 22, 2010 |title=Comic-Con registration crashes for second time |url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/nov/22/comic-con-registration-crashes-for-second-time/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125013037/http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/nov/22/comic-con-registration-crashes-for-second-time/ |archive-date=November 25, 2010 |access-date=November 24, 2010 |newspaper=San Diego Union-Tribune |location=San Diego, California}} Comic-Con is home to the Eisner Awards, which recognizes creative achievement in American comic books, often referred to as the comic industry's equivalent to the Academy Awards.{{Cite web |title=The Eisner Awards: the Oscars of the Comics Industry · VCU Libraries Gallery |url=https://gallery.library.vcu.edu/exhibits/show/eisner-awards |access-date=2024-06-27 |website=gallery.library.vcu.edu}}
San Diego Comic Convention, doing business as Comic-Con International, is the corporate name of the public-benefit nonprofit corporation behind Comic-Con. The corporation also organizes WonderCon, an annual convention held in Anaheim, California, and SAM: Storytelling Across Media, a symposium held at the Comic-Con Museum in Balboa Park.
History and organization
The convention was founded in 1970 by Shel Dorf, Richard Alf, Ken Krueger, Mike Towry, Ron Graf, Barry Alfonso, Bob Sourk, Scott Shaw!, John Pound, Roger Freedman, David Clark, and Greg Bear.{{cite news |date=November 25, 2009 |title=Comic-Con co-creator Ken Krueger dies |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8379221.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304000150/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8379221.stm |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=January 7, 2012 |publisher=BBC News}}{{cite news |last=Rowe |first=Peter |date=January 5, 2012 |title=Richard Alf, 59, one of Comic-Con's founders |url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/jan/05/richard-alf-59-one-comic-cons-founders/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305075120/http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2012/jan/05/richard-alf-59-one-comic-cons-founders/ |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |access-date=January 7, 2012 |work=The San Diego Union-Tribune}}{{Cite web |last=Gonzalez |first=Blanca |date=2009-04-13 |title=Ronald Graf; retired police officer known for love of comics; 64 |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-1m13graf214119-retired-police-officer-known-love-c-2009apr13-story.html |access-date=2022-06-20 |website=San Diego Union-Tribune |language=en-US}} Initial comic book and sci-fi club meetings would be held at Krueger's Alert Books in Ocean Beach, where much of the foundation of the early Cons coalesced.{{cite web |title=Column: San Diego Comic-Con gets the superhero treatment in a new SiriusXM podcast |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/story/2021-06-25/column-san-diego-comic-con-gets-the-superhero-treatment-in-a-new-siriusxm-podcast |website=San Diego Union-Tribune |access-date=26 June 2021 |date=2021-06-25 |archive-date=June 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626110653/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/story/2021-06-25/column-san-diego-comic-con-gets-the-superhero-treatment-in-a-new-siriusxm-podcast |url-status=live }} In the mid-1960s, Dorf, a Detroit-born comics fan, had mounted the Detroit Triple-Fan Fair, one of the first commercial comics-fan conventions. When he moved to San Diego in 1970,[http://www.fox5sandiego.com/news/kswb-comic-con-obit,0,5610639.story "Founder of Comic-Con Dies at 76"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004143817/http://www.fox5sandiego.com/news/kswb-comic-con-obit,0,5610639.story |date=October 4, 2011 }}, City News Service via Fox5SanDiego.com, November 4, 2009 he organized a one-day convention known as San Diego's Golden State Comic-Minicon on March 21, 1970, "as a kind of 'dry run' for the larger convention he hoped to stage". Dorf went on to be associated with the convention as president or manager, variously, for years until becoming estranged from the organization.{{cite web |author-link=Mark Evanier |last=Evanier |first=Mark |url=http://www.newsfromme.com/archives/2009_11_03.html#018000 |work=POV Online |date=November 3, 2009 |title=Shel Dorf, R.I.P. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091106070349/http://www.newsfromme.com/archives/2009_11_03.html |archive-date=November 6, 2009|access-date=July 26, 2016}} Alf co-chaired the first convention with Krueger and became chairman in 1971.
File:San Diego Comic-Con 1982 (1118158318).jpg
Following the initial gathering, Dorf's first three-day San Diego comic convention, San Diego Golden State Comic-Con, drew 300 people.Comic-Con Souvenir Book No. 40 p.61 (2009) The venue was held in the basement of the U.S. Grant Hotel, having been secured by Graf, from August 1–3, 1970.Rowe, Peter. [http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/nov/04/sheldon-dorf-comic-con-co-founder-devoted-artists-/ "Obituary: Sheldon Dorf; Comic-Con co-founder"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091107061415/http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/nov/04/sheldon-dorf-comic-con-co-founder-devoted-artists-/ |date=November 7, 2009 }}. The San Diego Union-Tribune. Sign On San Diego. November 4, 2009 The first few Comic-Cons operated under the name San Diego West Coast Comic Convention until 1973, when it changed to San Diego Comic-Con. Other locations in the convention's early years included El Cortez Hotel, the University of California, San Diego, and Golden Hall, before being moved to the San Diego Convention Center in 1991.{{cite news |first=Elizabeth |last=Malloy |title=Charting Comic-Con's Hulk-like growth |url=http://www.sddt.com/Hospitality/article.cfm?SourceCode=20080418tbe |work=The Daily Transcript |date=April 18, 2008 |access-date=April 19, 2008 |archive-date=April 30, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430035322/http://www.sddt.com/Hospitality/article.cfm?SourceCode=20080418tbe |url-status=live }} Richard Alf, chairman in 1971, has noted an early factor in the Con's growth was an effort "to expand the Comic-Con [organizing] committee base by networking with other fandoms such as the Society for Creative Anachronism and the Mythopoeic Society, among others. (We found a lot of talent and strength through diversity)"."Comic Con Memories The 70s". Comic-Con Souvenir Book No. 40 p.75 (2009) In a Rolling Stone article about the origins of Comic-Con, it noted the work of Krueger, who handled early business matters, and worked to get the event to be organized by a non-profit organization.{{cite magazine |last=Chafin |first=Chris |date=July 19, 2017 |title=San Diego Comic-Con: The Untold History |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/san-diego-comic-con-the-untold-history-194401/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=September 5, 2018 |archive-date=September 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180906052549/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/san-diego-comic-con-the-untold-history-194401/ |url-status=live }} By the late 1970s, the show had grown to such an extent that Bob Schreck recalled visiting with his then-boss Gary Berman of Creation Conventions and reflecting, "While [Berman] kept repeating (attempting to convince himself) 'This show's not any bigger than ours!' I was quietly walking the floor stunned and in awe of just how much bigger it really was. I was blown away.""Comic Con Memories The 80s". Comic-Con Souvenir Book No. 40 p.90 (2009) From 1984 to {{Circa|1994}}, a trade fair called the "San Diego Comic Book Expo" was held in association with San Diego Comic-Con; David Scroggy was the organizer.[http://bailsprojects.com/bio.aspx?Name=SCROGGY%2C+DAVE David Scroggy entry] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804075129/http://bailsprojects.com/bio.aspx?Name=SCROGGY%2C%20DAVE |date=August 4, 2020 }}, Who's Who of American Comic Books: 1928–1999. Accessed December 6, 2019. In 1995, the convention's official name was changed to Comic-Con International: San Diego.
According to Forbes, the convention is the "largest convention of its kind in the world";{{cite news |title=The Coolest Costumes Of Comic-Con |author=David M. Ewalt if you come you will never leave and die |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidewalt/2011/07/25/costumes-comic-con-cosplay/ |newspaper=Forbes |date=July 25, 2011 |access-date=July 9, 2013 |archive-date=April 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407085443/http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidewalt/2011/07/25/costumes-comic-con-cosplay/ |url-status=live }} Publishers Weekly wrote "Comic-Con International: San Diego is the largest show in North America";{{cite news |last=MacDonald |first=Heidi |date=June 19, 2013 |title=What are the biggest comic-cons in North America? |url=http://blogs.publishersweekly.com/blogs/PWxyz/2013/06/19/what-are-the-biggest-comic-cons-in-north-america/comment-page-1/ |newspaper=Publishers Weekly |publisher=PWxyz, LLC. |access-date=September 5, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140807110133/http://blogs.publishersweekly.com/blogs/PWxyz/2013/06/19/what-are-the-biggest-comic-cons-in-north-america/comment-page-1/ |archive-date=August 7, 2014}} it is also the largest convention held in San Diego.{{cite news |title=Invasion of the comic fanatics |author=Peter Rowe |newspaper=San Diego Union Tribune |date=July 16, 2009 |url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20060716/news_1n16comicon.html |access-date=October 4, 2009 |quote=While the Con's impact is global, it's San Diego's single largest convention, drawing more than 100,000 people who will rent hotel rooms, order meals and buy bagfuls of whatnots, all to the tune of $32 million. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111111100202/http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20060716/news_1n16comicon.html |archive-date=November 11, 2011}} The convention has an estimated annual regional economic impact of more than $140 million.{{cite news |url=https://www.kusi.com/economic-impact-of-comic-con-international-san-diego/ |title=Economic impact of Comic-Con International San Diego |last=Tobias |first=Andrea |date=July 25, 2018 |work=KUSI |access-date=September 5, 2018 |archive-date=September 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905065306/https://www.kusi.com/economic-impact-of-comic-con-international-san-diego/ |url-status=live }} Yet, in 2009, the estimated economic impact was criticized for allegedly negatively impacting seasonal businesses outside of Comic-Con, low individual spending estimates of attendees, that a large number of attendees live in San Diego, and that the impact of the convention was more cultural than financial.{{cite news |last=Bruvold |first=Erik |via=National University System Institute for Policy Research |date=July 16, 2009 |title=Economics: Comic-Con's Impact More Cultural Than Financial |url=http://www.nusinstitute.org/press/commentaries/ComicConsImpactMoreCulturalThanFinancial.html |work=San Diego News Network |access-date=September 5, 2018 |archive-date=September 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180906052555/http://www.nusinstitute.org/press/commentaries/ComicConsImpactMoreCulturalThanFinancial.html |url-status=live }}
The estimated economic impact of that year's convention was $180 million.{{cite news |title=Beer is big, bubbly business in SD, new study confirms |author=Peter Rowe |url=http://mutsandiego.com/news/2013/apr/22/beer-big-new-study-confirms/ |newspaper=San Diego Union Tribune |date=April 22, 2013 |access-date=April 25, 2013 |quote=That same year, the direct economic impact of Comic-Con — a five-day pop culture celebration that is the county's largest convention — was pegged at $180 million.}}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} In 2014, the estimated impact of that year's convention was $177.8 million.{{cite news |last=Woerner |first=Meredith |date=July 2, 2015 |title=Comic-Con will stay in San Diego until 2018 |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/herocomplex/la-comic-con-will-stay-in-san-diego-until-2018-20150702-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=September 5, 2018 |archive-date=September 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180906090414/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/herocomplex/la-comic-con-will-stay-in-san-diego-until-2018-20150702-story.html |url-status=live }} In 2016, the estimated impact of that year's convention was down to $150 million.{{cite news |last=David |first=Javier E. |date=July 23, 2016 |title=Comic Con gives a big boost to San Diego each year, data shows |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2016/07/23/comic-con-gives-a-big-boost-to-san-diego-each-year-data-shows.html |work=CNBC |access-date=September 5, 2018 |archive-date=September 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905141111/https://www.cnbc.com/2016/07/23/comic-con-gives-a-big-boost-to-san-diego-each-year-data-shows.html |url-status=live }} By 2018, San Diego Comic-Con saw increasing competition from other comic conventions in places such as New York City, and Washington, D.C., which caused it to compete for attendees and companies time and budget; yet San Diego Comic-Con was described by Publishers Weekly as "a must-do".{{cite news |last=MacDonald |first=Heidi |date=July 6, 2018 |title=In a World of Too Many Cons, San Diego Is Still King |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/comics/article/77455-in-a-world-of-too-many-cons-san-diego-is-still-king.html |work=Publishers Weekly |access-date=September 5, 2018 |archive-date=September 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180906052715/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/comics/article/77455-in-a-world-of-too-many-cons-san-diego-is-still-king.html |url-status=live }}
The convention is organized by a panel of 13 board members, 16 to 20 full-time and part-time workers, and 80 volunteers who assist via committees. Comic-Con International is a non-profit organization, and proceeds of the event go to funding it, as well as SAM: Storytelling Across Media and WonderCon. The convention logo was designed by Richard Bruning and Josh Beatman in 1995. In 2015, working with Lionsgate, a video channel was created to host Comic-Con related content.{{cite news |last=Weisberg |first=Lori |date=April 9, 2015 |title=Comic-Con to get online video channel |url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/apr/09/comic-con-teams-liongate-on-demand-video-channel/ |newspaper=San Diego Union Tribune |access-date=April 11, 2015 |archive-date=October 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007011214/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/ |url-status=live }}
{{cite news |last=McNary |first=Dave |date=April 9, 2015 |title=Lionsgate Launching Comic-Con Channel |url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/lionsgate-launching-comic-con-channel-1201468406/ |newspaper=Variety |access-date=April 11, 2015 |archive-date=April 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150412021534/http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/lionsgate-launching-comic-con-channel-1201468406/ |url-status=live }} In 2015, through a limited liability company, Comic-Con International purchased three buildings in Barrio Logan.{{cite news |last=McDonald |first=Jeff |date=August 29, 2016 |title=Comic-Con buys properties in San Diego's Barrio Logan — but is mum on plans for them |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-barrio-comic-con-20160829-snap-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=September 5, 2018 |archive-date=September 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180906124518/http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-barrio-comic-con-20160829-snap-story.html |url-status=live }}
{{cite news |last=Little |first=Joe |date=August 29, 2016 |title=Comic-Con organizers purchase three buildings in Barrio Logan |url=https://www.10news.com/news/comic-con-organizers-purchase-three-buildings-in-barrio-logan |work=KGTV |location=San Diego |publisher=Scripps TV Station Group |access-date=September 5, 2018 |archive-date=November 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106112055/http://www.10news.com/news/comic-con-organizers-purchase-three-buildings-in-barrio-logan |url-status=live }} In 2018 Comic-Con International purchased a {{convert|29,000|sqft|sqm|adj=on}} office in San Diego's Little Italy neighborhood.
In 2017, the organization acquired a lease to the Federal Building in Balboa Park, originally built for the California Pacific International Exposition and previously occupied by the San Diego Hall of Champions, with the intention of opening the Comic-Con Museum.{{cite news |last=Showley |first=Roger |date=March 16, 2017 |title=Comic-Con Museum to open in Balboa Park |url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/growth-development/sd-fi-comicconmuseum-20170316-story.html |work=San Diego Union-Tribune |access-date=July 26, 2018 |archive-date=July 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727084714/http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/growth-development/sd-fi-comicconmuseum-20170316-story.html |url-status=live }} By October 2017, the organization began to hire staff for the museum.{{cite news |last=Steele |first=Jeanette |date=October 17, 2017 |title=Comic-Con museum in Balboa Park hires its 1st director |url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/growth-development/sd-fi-comiccon-museum-hires-first-director-20171017-story.html |work=San Diego Union-Tribune |access-date=July 26, 2018 |archive-date=July 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727084737/http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/growth-development/sd-fi-comiccon-museum-hires-first-director-20171017-story.html |url-status=live }}
{{cite news |last=Dubb |first=Steve |date=March 8, 2018 |title=Comic-Con Nonprofit Reveals its Plans for New Museum in San Diego |url=https://nonprofitquarterly.org/2018/03/08/comic-con-nonprofit-reveals-plans-new-museum-san-diego/ |work=Nonprofit Quarterly |access-date=September 5, 2018 |archive-date=September 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180906052723/https://nonprofitquarterly.org/2018/03/08/comic-con-nonprofit-reveals-plans-new-museum-san-diego/ |url-status=live }} Nearly a year after acquiring the lease, the museum was not yet open.{{cite news |last=Banks |first=Megan |date=July 20, 2018 |title=Comic-Con Museum Makes Its Debut With Call For Ideas |url=http://www.kpbs.org/news/2018/jul/20/comic-con-museum-makes-its-debut-call-ideas/ |work=KPBS |location=San Diego |access-date=July 26, 2018 |archive-date=July 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727054919/http://www.kpbs.org/news/2018/jul/20/comic-con-museum-makes-its-debut-call-ideas/ |url-status=live }} During the 2018 Comic-Con, one reason stated for why the museum had not yet opened was the need for additional funds.{{cite news |last=Phillips |first=Jevon |date=July 18, 2018 |title=A year-round Comic-Con? Get an early look at the San Diego museum currently in the works |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/herocomplex/la-et-hc-comic-con-museum-20180718-story.html?outputType=amp |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=July 26, 2018 |archive-date=July 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726150630/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/herocomplex/la-et-hc-comic-con-museum-20180718-story.html?outputType=amp |url-status=live }} Organizers are hoping to raise $25 million with a target opening date of late 2020 or 2022.{{cite news |url=http://www.sdbj.com/news/2018/sep/03/comic-con-plants-more-local-roots-and-wins-suit/ |title=SDBJ INSIDER: Comic-Con Plants More Local Roots, And Wins Suit |last=Jensen |first=Nels |date=September 3, 2018 |work=San Diego Business Journal |access-date=September 5, 2018 |archive-date=September 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904233552/http://sdbj.com/news/2018/sep/03/comic-con-plants-more-local-roots-and-wins-suit/ |url-status=live }}
On April 17, 2020, the 53rd convention was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in California and two stay-at-home orders issued by California governor Gavin Newsom. It was originally scheduled to occur from July 23 to 26, 2020, to coincide with the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, which was postponed to 2021 due to the pandemic.{{cite web |last=Polo |first=Susano |date=April 17, 2020 |title=San Diego Comic-Con 2020 canceled due to coronavirus concerns |url=https://www.polygon.com/entertainment/2020/4/17/21204523/san-diego-comic-con-2020-cancelled-postponed-ticket-refund-sdcc |access-date=April 17, 2020 |work=Polygon |archive-date=April 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417182702/https://www.polygon.com/entertainment/2020/4/17/21204523/san-diego-comic-con-2020-cancelled-postponed-ticket-refund-sdcc |url-status=live }} An "SDCC@Home" digital streaming event was held during the same time period as a replacement for the 2020 event.{{cite web |last=Haring |first=Bruce |date=May 9, 2020 |title=San Diego Comic-Con@Home Announced, Touting No Lines, Badges For All, And Personalized Snacks |url=https://deadline.com/2020/05/san-diego-comic-con-at-home-announced-1202930618/ |access-date=May 9, 2020 |work=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=May 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200510035046/https://deadline.com/2020/05/san-diego-comic-con-at-home-announced-1202930618/ |url-status=live }}
Although plans were made for the convention to possibly return in 2021 (with 2020 badge holders given the option to receive a full refund or to roll over their badge to 2021), it was announced on March 1, 2021, that the convention would be cancelled once again. Despite availability of COVID-19 vaccines, the organizers assessed that it was still premature and unsafe to hold an in-person event at Comic-Con's full scale on the originally-scheduled dates, and that Comic-Con International was exploring the possibility of holding a smaller in-person spin-off event later in the year. SDCC@Home would again be held, but in a downsized form.{{Cite web |last=Gelman |first=Vlada |date=March 1, 2021 |title=Comic-Con 2021 Cancelled; Organizers Eye Smaller, In-Person November Event |url=https://tvline.com/2021/03/01/comic-con-2021-cancelled-virtual-at-home-san-diego-november/ |access-date=March 1, 2021 |website=TVLine |language=en-US |archive-date=March 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301220115/https://tvline.com/2021/03/01/comic-con-2021-cancelled-virtual-at-home-san-diego-november/ |url-status=live }} A smaller in-person event, "San Diego Comic-Con Special Edition" was hosted in November 2021, with proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a recent negative test required for admission, and face masks being mandatory.{{Cite web |date=2021-11-24 |title=What we're most looking forward to at Comic-Con Special Edition |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/story/2021-11-24/comic-con-2021 |access-date=2023-06-26 |website=San Diego Union-Tribune |language=en-US}} The full-scale convention returned in July 2022; once again, face masks and proof of full COVID-19 vaccination was required.{{Cite web |last=Lowry |first=Brian |date=2022-07-21 |title=Comic-Con is back, masks and all, as fantasy streaming projects take center stage |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/21/entertainment/comic-con-preview/index.html |access-date=2023-06-26 |website=CNN |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-07-19 |title=This week's San Diego Comic-Con will require masking and testing |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2022-07-19/san-diego-comic-con-coronavirus-masks-vaccine-surge-variant |access-date=2023-06-26 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}
On July 13, 2023, SAG-AFTRA approved a strike after failing to renew its contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), marking the first time that both actors and writers have concurrently been on strike since 1960.{{Cite web |last1=Robb |first1=David |last2=Patten |first2=Dominic |date=July 13, 2023 |title=SAG-AFTRA Contract Talks Fail To Reach Deal; National Board Meeting Thursday Morning To Launch Strike; Sides Issue Statements |url=https://deadline.com/2023/07/actors-strike-contract-talks-fail-sag-aftra-to-launch-pickets-1235436031/ |access-date=July 13, 2023 |work=Deadline Hollywood}}{{Cite web |last=Richwine |first=Lisa |date=July 13, 2023 |title=Hollywood actors poised to strike, join writers on picket lines |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/hollywood-actors-union-sets-strike-vote-thursday-talks-break-down-2023-07-13/ |access-date=July 13, 2023 |publisher=Reuters}} As SAG-AFTRA members would be prohibited from participating in promotional work such as panels,{{Cite web |date=2023-07-11 |title=Entertainment Weekly Cancels Annual Comic-Con Bash Due to Potential SAG-AFTRA Strike |url=https://www.thewrap.com/entertainment-weekly-cancels-comic-con-bash/ |access-date=2023-07-13 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last1=Otterson |first1=Joe |last2=Maas |first2=Jennifer |date=2023-07-13 |title=What SAG-AFTRA Strike Means for Summer Productions, Fall Premieres, Comic-Con and Q2 Earnings |url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/sag-strike-productions-fall-premieres-comic-con-q2-earnings-1235659448/ |access-date=2023-07-13 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} multiple major media companies preemptively pulled out of Comic-Con as early as June, including Disney (including subsidiaries Marvel and Lucasfilm), Netflix, Inc., Sony Pictures, and Universal Pictures.{{Cite web |last=Vary |first=Adam B. |date=2023-06-23 |title=Comic-Con Crisis: Marvel, Netflix, Sony, HBO and Universal to Skip SDCC as Fest Faces Another Existential Threat |url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/comic-con-schedule-marvel-netflix-hbo-sony-universal-skipping-1235653256/ |access-date=2023-06-26 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} Nonetheless, the convention occurred as scheduled with, as later reported, approximately 135,000 attendees and an economic impact of $161.1 million.{{Cite web |last=Dixon |first=Kerry |date=December 8, 2024 |title=San Diego Comic-Con Tops San Diego Convention Center’s Economic Impact Generators List |url=https://sdccblog.com/2024/12/san-diego-comic-con-tops-san-diego-convention-centers-economic-impact-generators-list-3/ |access-date=2024-12-08 |website=SDCC Unofficial Blog |language=en-US}}
In July 2024, San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl cited Comic-Con as an exigent circumstance allowing him to bypass a recently enacted privacy law and fast-track the installation of "smart streetlights" and automated license plate readers in the vicinity of the convention. Wahl was unaware of any specific threats but said "that could change at any moment."{{Cite web |last=Winkley |first=Lyndsay |date=2024-07-27 |title=SDPD chief again flexes emergency powers to install surveillance cameras before Comic-Con |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2024/07/26/sdpd-chief-again-flexes-emergency-powers-to-install-surveillance-cameras-before-comic-con/ |access-date=2024-12-19 |website=San Diego Union-Tribune |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Quezada |first=Jeanette |date=2024-07-28 |title=San Diego police added more smart streetlight cameras in downtown just before Comic-Con |url=https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/san-diego-police-more-smart-streetlight-cameras-downtown-comic-con/3578984/ |access-date=2024-12-19 |website=NBC 7 San Diego |language=en-US}} In December 2024, a lawsuit was filed against the SDPD for improperly deploying the surveillance systems at Comic-Con and at the San Diego Pride Parade without disclosing their locations or the nature of the "exigent circumstances" in violation of the law.{{Cite web |last=Castanares |first=Arturo |date=2024-12-18 |title=Lawsuit Claims SD Violated Surveillance Policy |url=https://laprensa.org/lawsuit-claims-sd-violated-surveillance-policy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241219224828/https://laprensa.org/lawsuit-claims-sd-violated-surveillance-policy |archive-date=2024-12-19 |access-date=2024-12-19 |website=laprensa.org |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-12-18 |title=San Diego Police sued over surveillance violations |url=https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/local/san-diego-police-sued-over-surveillance/509-a358b67f-536c-4377-ada4-d9116f8f6f49 |access-date=2024-12-19 |website=cbs8.com |publisher=City News Service |language=en-US |via=CBS 8 San Diego}}
Events
File:Going back in... (9321793744).jpg
On the Wednesday evening prior to the official opening, professionals, exhibitors, and pre-registered guests for all four days can attend a pre-event, dubbed "Preview Night", to give attendees the opportunity to walk the exhibit hall and see what will be available during the convention.
Along with panels, seminars, and workshops with comic book professionals, there are previews of upcoming feature films and portfolio review sessions with top comic book and video game companies. The evenings include events such as awards ceremonies, the annual Masquerade costume contest, and the Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival, which showcases shorts and feature-length movies that do not have distribution or distribution deals.
Traditional events include an eclectic film program, screening rooms devoted to Japanese animation, gaming, programs such as cartoonist Scott Shaw!'s "Oddball Comics" slide show, Quick Draw! hosted by Mark Evanier with Shaw!, Sergio Aragones and a guest cartoonist responding to improvisational prompts and games (a la Whose Line Is It Anyway?), and animation expert Jerry Beck's program featuring TV's "worst cartoons ever", as well as over 350 hours of other programming on all aspects of comic books and pop culture.
Like most comic book conventions, Comic-Con features a large floorspace for exhibitors. These include media companies such as movie studios and TV networks, as well as comic-book dealers and collectibles merchants. And like most comics conventions, Comic-Con includes an autograph area, as well as the Artists' Alley where comics artists can sign autographs and sell or do free sketches. Despite the name, artists' alleys can include writers and even models.
Academics and comic industry professionals annually hold the Comics Arts Conference at Comic-Con, presenting scholarly studies on comics as a medium.
In recent years, the number of television shows that are promoted far outnumber films. During the 2011 convention, at least 80 TV shows were represented, compared to about 35 films.{{cite news |title=TV shows loom at Comic-Con |url=https://variety.com/2011/film/markets-festivals/tv-shows-loom-at-comic-con-1118039850/ |work=Variety, Reed Business Information |access-date=January 3, 2012 |first1=Marc |last1=Graser |first2=Erin |last2=Maxwell |date=July 13, 2011 |archive-date=January 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120124224140/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118039850 |url-status=live }} The shows not only promote in the exhibit halls, but also use screenings and panels of various actors, writers, producers, and others from their shows.
Premium cable channels HBO and Showtime have used the con to promote programs like Game of Thrones (HBO), Dexter (Showtime), Shameless (Showtime) and True Blood (HBO).{{cite news |last=Goldberg |first=Lesley |title=Comic-Con 2011: The TV Lineup |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/comic-con-2011-tv-lineup-203154 |access-date=January 3, 2012 |newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter |date=July 3, 2011 |archive-date=January 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120101235532/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/comic-con-2011-tv-lineup-203154 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Gelman |first=Vlada |title=Comic-Con 2011: ABC Bringing Castle and Once Upon a Time, and Other Updates |date=July 8, 2011 |url=http://www.tvline.com/2011/07/comic-con-2011-tv-shows-schedule/ |publisher=TVLine Media |access-date=January 3, 2012 |archive-date=September 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110911222126/http://www.tvline.com/2011/07/comic-con-2011-tv-shows-schedule/ |url-status=live }} Streaming services, including Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, have also had an increased presence at Comic-Con since the late-2010s.
In 2013, there were 1075 total panels held during the convention, the plurality of which were anime-focused (29%), followed by comic-focused panels (26%). The 2013 convention had 1036 vendors.{{cite web |title=Infographics: How SDCC Compares To Other Conventions |date=November 4, 2013 |url=http://sdccblog.com/2013/11/how-sdcc-compares-to-other-conventions/ |publisher=The San Diego Comic-Con Unofficial Blog |access-date=November 4, 2013 |archive-date=November 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104181535/http://sdccblog.com/2013/11/how-sdcc-compares-to-other-conventions/ |url-status=live }}
There are at least 17 separate rooms in the convention center used for panels and screenings, ranging in size from 280 seats to 6,100 seats. The two biggest are Ballroom 20, which seats approximately 4,900;{{cite web |title=Dancing With The Stars: A Guide To Comic-Con's Ballroom 20 |date=May 13, 2013 |url=http://sdccblog.com/2013/05/dancing-with-the-stars-a-guide-to-comic-cons-ballroom-20/ |publisher=The San Diego Comic-Con Unofficial Blog |access-date=May 13, 2013 |archive-date=June 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130612234136/http://sdccblog.com/2013/05/dancing-with-the-stars-a-guide-to-comic-cons-ballroom-20/ |url-status=live }} and Hall H, which seats just over 6,100.{{cite web |title=I Am Hall H: A Guide To The Biggest Stage At Comic-Con |date=June 3, 2013 |url=http://sdccblog.com/2013/06/i-am-hall-h-a-guide-to-the-biggest-stage-at-comic-con/ |publisher=The San Diego Comic-Con Unofficial Blog |access-date=June 3, 2013 |archive-date=June 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608130220/http://sdccblog.com/2013/06/i-am-hall-h-a-guide-to-the-biggest-stage-at-comic-con/ |url-status=live }}
The neighboring Hilton Bayfront is also used, with its main ballroom (Indigo) seating up to 2,600.{{cite web |title=Comin-Con Programming Information |url=http://www.comic-con.org/cci2011/cci_prog.php |publisher=Comic-Con.org |access-date=January 3, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120102122904/http://www.comic-con.org/cci2011/cci_prog.php |archive-date=January 2, 2012}}{{cite web |title=Meeting Room Capacity Chart |url=http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/meeting_space.jhtml?ctyhocn=SANCCHH |publisher=Hilton Worldwide |access-date=January 3, 2012 |archive-date=October 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007011228/https://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/california/hilton-san-diego-bayfront-SANCCHH/event/roomcharts.html |url-status=live }} The other neighboring hotel, the Marriott Marquis & Marina, also hosts a lot of Comic-Con activity. Among other things, the hotel serves as the anime headquarters and is where the nighttime films are shown.
Locations and dates
In the media
Comic-Con has served as the setting for Mark Hamill's Comic Book: The Movie, and for an episode of the HBO television series Entourage, the latter of which, while set at the event, was not filmed there. Comic-Con also served as an excuse for the fictional characters Seth Cohen and Ryan Atwood's trip to Tijuana, Mexico in episode 7 ("The Escape") of the first season of TV series The O.C. The convention also featured prominently as a setting for the Numb3rs episode "Graphic". In season 4 of Beauty and the Geek, an episode was featured where the contestants traveled to Comic-Con 07 and were given a challenge to create their own superheroes. In an episode of Punk'd, Hilary Swank gets Punk'd after an "attack from talking robot". In season 5, episode six, of the Showtime show Weeds, attendees from Comic-Con 2009 are seen in Silas and Doug's medicinal marijuana club.
Comic-Con featured at some length in the 2011 movie Paul which stars Simon Pegg and Nick Frost.{{cite book |last1=Archer |first1=Neil |title=Studying Hot Fuzz |date=2015 |publisher=Columbia University Press |isbn=978-0993238413 |page=98}}
Issue No. 72 of The Invincible Iron Man (January 1975) was set at the July–August 1974 Comic-Con at the El Cortez Hotel and featured cameos by a few of the special guests. The fifth Kelly Green graphic novel The Comic-Con Heist (1987) written by Leonard Starr and drawn by Stan Drake was set at the 1983 con and depicted such regulars as Will Eisner, Milton Caniff, Burne Hogarth and Jack Kirby along with Shel Dorf; it initially only appeared in French until Classic Comics Press issued a collection of all five volumes of the series in English in 2016.{{Cite web |title=Kelly Green: The Complete Collection |url=https://www.classiccomicspress.com/products/kelly-green-the-complete-collection |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922002531/https://www.classiccomicspress.com/products/kelly-green-the-complete-collection |archive-date=September 22, 2019 |access-date=September 22, 2019}} Other comics set at the convention include Archie No. 538 (September 2003), Archie Giant Series No. 601 (October 1989) and No. 624 (October 1991), G.I. Joe No. 180 (July 2012), Dazzler No. 30 (January 1984), Lobo Convention Special ([September] 1993) and Fanboys Vs Zombies.{{Cite web |date=January 7, 2014 |title=Comics that take place at Comic Conventions |url=https://www.cgccomics.com/boards/topic/314246-comics-that-take-place-at-comic-conventions/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926080720/https://www.cgccomics.com/boards/topic/314246-comics-that-take-place-at-comic-conventions/ |archive-date=September 26, 2019 |access-date=September 26, 2019}} 1992–1995 the Con partnered with Dark Horse Comics for an annual San Diego Comic Con Comics giveaway to attendees spotlighting characters published by Dark Horse.{{Cite web |title=San Diego Comic Con Comics |url=https://www.comics.org/series/14095/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807015236/https://www.comics.org/series/14095/ |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |access-date=October 5, 2019}}
Comic-Con is mentioned in the long-running CBS geek-targeted sitcom The Big Bang Theory in several episodes, and in NBC's Chuck in the episode "Chuck Versus the Sandworm", as an event the characters enjoy attending.{{cite web |author=Carla Day |date=April 27, 2012 |title=The Big Bang Theory Review: Howard, Raj and Sailor Moon |url=http://www.tvfanatic.com/2012/04/the-big-bang-theory-review-the-stag-convergence/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622232138/http://www.tvfanatic.com/2012/04/the-big-bang-theory-review-the-stag-convergence/ |archive-date=June 22, 2012 |access-date=August 27, 2012 |work=TVFanatic |publisher=Mediavine Inc.}}{{cite web |title=Chuck Versus the Sandworm |url=http://www.tv.com/shows/chuck/chuck-versus-the-sandworm-1144190/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120830162006/http://www.tv.com/shows/chuck/chuck-versus-the-sandworm-1144190/ |archive-date=August 30, 2012 |access-date=August 27, 2012 |work=Tv.com |publisher=CBS Interactive Inc.}} On the Futurama episode "Lrrreconcilable Ndndifferences", the main characters attend the 3010 convention (with it being referred to as "Comic-Con Intergalactic" and the iconic eye logo now sporting multiple eyes), where Fry looks for approval for his own comic while Bender attends a panel from Matt Groening (creator of Futurama as well as The Simpsons) on his new show "Futurella" (a twist on the title of the show and a parody of its cancellation by Fox).
In "It's My Party and I'll Bang If I Want To", an episode of the 2011 season of The Real World: San Diego, the cast attends Comic-Con made up as zombies in order to pass out promotional flyers for the House of Blues, where they worked as part of their season work assignment.[https://web.archive.org/web/20111112004530/http://www.mtv.com/shows/real_world/san_diego/episode.jhtml?episodeID=185477 Summary page for The Real World: San Diego (2011 season) Episode 7 ("It's My Party and I'll Bang If I Want To")]. MTV.com. [http://www.mtv.com/shows/real_world/san_diego/episodes.jhtml November 9, 2011] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111113204047/http://www.mtv.com/shows/real_world/san_diego/episodes.jhtml|date=November 13, 2011}}{{cite episode |title=It's My Party and I'll Bang If I Want To |url=http://www.mtv.com/videos/real-world-san-diego-ep-7-its-my-party-and-ill-bang-if-i-want-to/1674069/playlist.jhtml |access-date=November 11, 2011 |series=The Real World: San Diego |network=MTV |date=November 9, 2011 |season=26 |number=7 |archive-date=November 12, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111112002455/http://www.mtv.com/videos/real-world-san-diego-ep-7-its-my-party-and-ill-bang-if-i-want-to/1674069/playlist.jhtml |url-status=dead}} Filmmaker Morgan Spurlock released a 2011 documentary feature film set at the convention, Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan's Hope. Writer Robert Salkowitz also used the 2011 Comic-Con as a backdrop for his book Comic-Con and the Business of Pop Culture, an analysis of the comics industry's 21st-century dilemmas and what the future may hold.{{Cite web |date=June 14, 2012 |title=The Exclusive with Pop Culture Business Guru Rob Salkowitz |url=https://www.popmatters.com/feature/159821-human-revolution-the-exclusive-with-popculture-business-guru-rob-sal |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150521125447/http://www.popmatters.com/feature/159821-human-revolution-the-exclusive-with-popculture-business-guru-rob-sal/ |archive-date=May 21, 2015 |access-date=April 16, 2020}}
From 2015 to 2019, Conan O'Brien recorded a week of live shows from Comic-Con at the nearby Spreckels Theatre.{{Citation |author= |title=Conan Is Returning To Comic-Con® July 19–23 – CONAN on TBS |date=June 22, 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21UtRym8DRE |access-date=July 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170722085918/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21UtRym8DRE |archive-date=July 22, 2017 |url-status=live}}
{{cite news |last=Adams |first=Andie |date=April 8, 2014 |title=Conan O'Brien to Host from San Diego for Comic-Con 2015 |url=https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Conan-OBrien-Hosts-Show-from-San-Diego-for-Comic-Con-2015-254288701.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322143637/https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Conan-OBrien-Hosts-Show-from-San-Diego-for-Comic-Con-2015-254288701.html |archive-date=March 22, 2018 |access-date=March 21, 2018 |work=KNSD |location=San Diego}}
In 2015, the Food Network series Cake Masters had an episode where Duff Goldman presented a cake at Comic-Con to the cast of Fantastic Four.{{cite web |author= |date=2015 |title=Fantastic Four Cake |url=https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/cake-masters/episodes/fantastic-four-cake |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804231601/https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/cake-masters/episodes/fantastic-four-cake |archive-date=August 4, 2018 |access-date=August 4, 2018 |website=Foodnetwork.com |publisher=Television Food Network}}
=Comic-Con Begins Podcast=
In 2020, SiriusXM in association with Stitcher started production on COMIC-CON BEGINS: Origin Stories of the San Diego Comic-Con and the Rise of Modern Fandom.[https://comic-con-begins.simplecast.com/ COMIC-CON BEGINS] The podcast is a six-part mini-series chronicling the birth and evolution of San Diego Comic-Con, and is told by over 50 of the original contributors. Among the founders there are also interviews with celebrities like Felicia Day, Ho Che Anderson, Jackie Estrada, Scott Aukerman, Trina Robbins, Kevin Smith, Neil Gaiman, and Bruce Campbell. The podcast was hosted by Brinke Stevens of Slumber Party Massacre.{{cite web |date=2021-06-25 |title=Column: San Diego Comic-Con gets the superhero treatment in a new SiriusXM podcast |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/story/2021-06-25/column-san-diego-comic-con-gets-the-superhero-treatment-in-a-new-siriusxm-podcast |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626110653/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/story/2021-06-25/column-san-diego-comic-con-gets-the-superhero-treatment-in-a-new-siriusxm-podcast |archive-date=June 26, 2021 |access-date=June 26, 2021 |website=San Diego Union-Tribune}} The podcast was expanded into the book See You at San Diego: An Oral History of Comic-Con, Fandom, and the Triumph of Geek Culture by creator Mathew Klickstein and published by Fantagraphics on September 6, 2022.{{cite web |title=See You At San Diego: An Oral History of Comic-Con, Fandom, and the Triumph of Geek Culture |url=https://www.fantagraphics.com/products/see-you-at-san-diego-an-oral-history-of-comic-con-fandom-and-the-triumph-of-geek-culture |website=Fantagraphics |language=en}} The book includes forewords by cartoonists Stan Sakai and Jeff Smith, and an afterword by Wu-Tang Clan's RZA. The audiobook version was released on the same day by Blackstone Audio.{{cite book |url=https://www.blackstonelibrary.com/see-you-at-san-diego?sp=415733 |title=See You At San Diego: An Oral History of Comic-Con, Fandom, and the Triumph of Geek Culture}}
On March 28, 2024, it was announced that Academy Award and Emmy Award nominated executive producer David Permut and producer Oscar Boyson will be creating a feature-length documentary about Comic-Con, based on the book and podcast series.{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=2024-03-28 |title=San Diego Comic-Con Documentary About Fanboy Confab Origins In The Works From David Permut & Oscar Boyson |url=https://deadline.com/2024/03/san-diego-comic-con-documentary-david-permut-1235870960/ |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}
''Comic-Con Magazine''
Comic-Con Magazine, formerly known as Update, is the official magazine of Comic-Con, WonderCon, and SAM: Storytelling Across Media, published free by San Diego Comic-Con International in the United States. The seed of Comic-Con Magazine was a short one-shot issue of The Spirit, based on Comic-Con and sold exclusively in 1976 at Comic-Con. The Comic-Con Magazine debuted as Update in July 2005 and mainly focused on the winners of the Eisner Awards.{{cite journal |first=John |last=Rogers |title=Inside: Celebrating a Legend |journal=Update |volume=1 |issue=1 |date=July 2005 |page=Cover |location=San Diego, California |publisher=San Diego Comic-Con International |url=http://www.comic-con.org/common/assets/upd2005_1.pdf |oclc=50503872 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205080600/http://www.comic-con.org/common/assets/upd2005_1.pdf |archive-date=February 5, 2009}} The last Update issue appeared in July 2008;{{cite journal |first=John |last=Rogers |title=Exclusive World Premiere at WonderCon!: Justice League: The New Frontier |journal=Update |volume=3 |issue=1 |date=July 2008 |page=Cover |location=San Diego, California |publisher=San Diego Comic-Con International |url=http://www.comic-con.org/common/assets/upd2007_3.pdf |oclc=50503872 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205080520/http://www.comic-con.org/common/assets/upd2007_3.pdf |archive-date=February 5, 2009}} then it went on hiatus. When it came back, it was as Comic-Con Magazine, which not only covered San Diego Comic-Con, but also WonderCon and the Alternative Press Expo, more commonly known as APE (which the con owned through 2014). The new Comic-Con Magazine features interviews with Comic-Con attendees and complete coverage of Comic-Con events.{{cite web |url=http://www.comic-con.org/common/cc_magazine.shtml |title=FREE magazine gives you valuable information |publisher=San Diego Comic-Con International |format=SHTML |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226140230/http://www.comic-con.org/common/update.shtml |archive-date=February 26, 2008 |access-date=July 25, 2016 |quote=... the new official publication of the San Diego Comic-Con International, WonderCon, and APE, the Alternative Press Expo ... Comic-Con Magazine will still contain the elements that made the Update the official preview of all the Comic-Con events ... We will continue showcasing exclusive interviews with special guests from all three of our shows ...}}{{cite web |last=Miller |first=Neil |author-link=Neil Miller (writer) |url=https://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/officially-cool-comic-con-magazine-premiere-issue.php |title=Officially Cool: Comic-Con Magazine Premiere Issue |date=March 2, 2008 |publisher=Film School Rejects |format=PHP |access-date=February 3, 2009 |quote=... produced by the folks who run the San Diego Comic-Con, its little sister show WonderCon and APE, the Alternative Press Expo. This new publication, Comic-Con Magazine, is the evolved version of Update ... there is a pretty in-depth preview of this year's San Diego Comic-Con ... a Comic-Con A to Z Guide and Interviews with actual Comic-Con attendees. |archive-date=July 6, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706204022/http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/officially-cool-comic-con-magazine-premiere-issue.php |url-status=live }} The fourth issue of Comic-Con Magazine was a hybrid with Comic-Con's Souvenir Book with cover art by Alex Ross, in full color and exclusive to Comic-Con attendees.{{cite web |url=http://www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_progbk.shtml |title=2009 Comic‑Con Souvenir Book! |publisher=San Diego Comic-Con International |format=SHTML |access-date=February 3, 2009 |quote=... Alex Ross' cover for our 2008 Souvenir Book ... The big news this year is that the Souvenir Book is switching to FULL COLOR ... |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209014802/http://comic-con.org/cci/cci_progbk.shtml |archive-date=February 9, 2009}}
Exhibitors
A large number of exhibitors from art, comics, games, film, TV, and publishing make their appearance at Comic-Con.
There are three types of exhibitors at San Diego Comic Con. Inside the convention center, which requires a badge to visit during the convention, includes artists alley and the main exhibitor hall. Artist Alley is for up and coming artists who are new to the pop culture world by selling their new books, comics, toys, and or services. They range from local companies and businesses in Southern California to international ones, but are mainly private endeavors. Artist Alley is usually located in Hall G of the convention center. Spaces for these exhibitors are highly sought after and are on a lottery and need-based system.{{cite web |url=https://www.comic-con.org/cci/2018/exhibitors |title=Exhibitors |work=comic-con.org |date=August 24, 2017 |access-date=August 27, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-date=August 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817182943/https://comic-con.org/cci/2018/exhibitors }}
The main exhibit hall, which includes larger well-recognized companies, takes up halls F through A. These companies sell or promote new and upcoming movies, television shows, and video games as well as featuring toys and exclusives with many selling for hundreds or even thousands on the secondary markets outside the convention. Some notable recurring companies include Lego, Hasbro, Funko, Hallmark Cards, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, The Walt Disney Company, and Blizzard Entertainment. In the 21st century, the convention has drawn toy and collectibles designers who sell "Comic-Con Exclusive" products. Most such exclusives are licensed properties of film, comic book and animation characters.
=Off site=
The other type of exhibitors include offsite exhibitors, booths and events which are located outside the convention center. These locations are usually within walking distance of the convention center but have been moving into nearby parks in recent years. Some notable examples include Gaslamp Quarter, Petco Park, and Children's Park.{{cite news |last=Carr |first=Stephanie |date=July 23, 2018 |title=Get an inside look at some of Comic-Con's lesser-known activities |url=https://www.kshb.com/entertainment/get-an-inside-look-at-some-of-comic-cons-lesser-known-activities |work=KSHB |location=Kansas City |access-date=July 26, 2018 |archive-date=July 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727054602/https://www.kshb.com/entertainment/get-an-inside-look-at-some-of-comic-cons-lesser-known-activities |url-status=live }}
{{cite news |last=Alvarez |first=Elizabeth |date=July 21, 2018 |title=Comic-Con Day 3: A look at the fans and events outside the convention center |url=https://www.kusi.com/comic-con-day-3-a-look-at-the-fans-and-events-outside-the-convention-center/ |work=KUSI |location=San Diego |access-date=July 26, 2018 |archive-date=August 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831082611/https://www.kusi.com/comic-con-day-3-a-look-at-the-fans-and-events-outside-the-convention-center/ |url-status=live }} In recent years, these offsite events have no connection to Comic-Con.{{cite news |last=Batcha |first=Sarah |date=July 17, 2018 |title=18 San Diego Comic-Con 2018 events you can enjoy without buying a badge |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2018/06/28/18-san-diego-comic-con-2018-events-you-can-enjoy-without-buying-a-badge/ |work=Orange County Register |access-date=July 26, 2018 |archive-date=July 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727054624/https://www.ocregister.com/2018/06/28/18-san-diego-comic-con-2018-events-you-can-enjoy-without-buying-a-badge/ |url-status=live }} In the past, most sites have not required a Comic-Con badge.{{cite web |url=https://www.gaslamp.org/2018/07/no-badge-required-comic-con-events-specials-gaslamp-quarter/ |title=No Badge Required Comic-Con Events and Specials in the Gaslmap Quarter! |author= |date=July 2018 |website=Gaslamp.org |publisher=Gaslamp Quarter Association |access-date=August 4, 2018 |archive-date=March 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321182056/https://www.gaslamp.org/2018/07/no-badge-required-comic-con-events-specials-gaslamp-quarter/ |url-status=live }}
{{cite magazine |last=Scheinbaum |first=Chase |date=July 14, 2018 |title=4 Fun Things to Do at Comic-Con 2018, No Badge Required |url=http://www.sandiegomagazine.com/Blogs/Cityfiles/Summer-2018/4-Fun-Things-to-Do-at-Comic-Con-2018-No-Badge-Required/ |magazine=San Diego Magazine |access-date=August 4, 2018 |archive-date=August 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805052017/http://www.sandiegomagazine.com/Blogs/Cityfiles/Summer-2018/4-Fun-Things-to-Do-at-Comic-Con-2018-No-Badge-Required/ |url-status=live }} In 2017, one example was a virtual reality and immersive set based on the movie Blade Runner 2049.{{cite news |last=Yamato |first=Jen |date=July 20, 2017 |title=Are you a replicant? Go inside the immersive, insanely real 'Blade Runner 2049' experience at Comic-Con |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-comic-con-2017-blade-runner-2049-bar-replicants-deckard-gosling-1500580559-htmlstory.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=August 4, 2018 |archive-date=August 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805052121/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-comic-con-2017-blade-runner-2049-bar-replicants-deckard-gosling-1500580559-htmlstory.html |url-status=live }} In 2018, these examples included a Taco Bell Demolition Man themed pop-up restaurant in the Gaslamp{{cite news |last=Petrakovitz |first=Caitlin |date=July 20, 2018 |title=Taco Bell's Comic-Con pop-up was delicious and all thanks to Demolition Man! |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/taco-bell-comic-con-pop-up-was-delicious-thanks-demolition-man/ |work=CNET |access-date=July 26, 2018 |archive-date=July 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726020336/https://www.cnet.com/news/taco-bell-comic-con-pop-up-was-delicious-thanks-demolition-man/ |url-status=live }} and a Shake Shack Bob's Burgers themed pop-up restaurant in Mission Valley.{{cite news |last=Sherman |first=Elisabeth |date=July 17, 2018 |title=Shake Shack Will Bring 'Bob's Burgers' to Life for Comic Con |url=https://www.foodandwine.com/news/shake-shack-real-life-bobs-burgers-comic-con |work=Food & Wine |access-date=July 26, 2018 |archive-date=July 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727054931/https://www.foodandwine.com/news/shake-shack-real-life-bobs-burgers-comic-con |url-status=live }} However, there are some official offsite events that require a badge.{{cite web |url=https://www.comic-con.org/toucan/22-outside-convention-center-comic-con-2018 |title=#22: Outside the Convention Center at Comic-Con 2018! |author= |date=2018 |website=Comic-Con.org |publisher=San Diego Comic Convention |access-date=August 4, 2018 |archive-date=August 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805052051/https://www.comic-con.org/toucan/22-outside-convention-center-comic-con-2018 |url-status=live }} In 2018, it was estimated that nearly 200,000 people would be in downtown San Diego due to Comic-Con related exhibits and events.{{cite news |last=Albert |first=Cliff |date=September 5, 2018 |title=How San Diego's Comic-Con Became So Big |url=https://kogo.iheart.com/content/2018-07-17-how-san-diegos-comic-con-became-so-big/ |work=KOGO |location=San Diego |access-date=September 5, 2018 |archive-date=October 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007011216/https://kogo.iheart.com/content/2018-07-17-how-san-diegos-comic-con-became-so-big/ |url-status=live }}
Overcrowding
File:ComicCon2011ByPhilKonstantin.jpg
File:San Diego Comic Con 2011 - waiting for exhibition hall to open.jpg
Capacity attendance at Comic-Con in 2006 and 2007 has caused crowding issues. Concerns have been raised that the event is possibly too large for the San Diego Convention Center, Comic-Con's home through at least 2024.https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/tourism/story/2019-07-05/comic-con-is-staying-in-san-diego-at-least-through-2024 San Diego Tribune (July 5, 2019) {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190706004802/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/tourism/story/2019-07-05/comic-con-is-staying-in-san-diego-at-least-through-2024 |date=July 6, 2019 }}: "With just two weeks to go before the start of Comic-Con, organizers of the annual pop culture extravaganza have agreed to a new three-year contract that ensures the annual convention will stay in San Diego through 2024.". In 2006, Comic-Con, for the first time, had to close registration for a few hours on Saturday to accommodate crowds. In response, for 2007, Comic-Con introduced a new three-day membership that did not include Saturday. Nevertheless, the 2007 show went on to sell out Saturday, as well as Friday and Sunday for the first time. Additionally, both the four-day and three-day memberships sold out for the first time. For 2008, the three-day memberships were abandoned and the convention decided to sell memberships only in advance, with no on-site registration.{{Cite web|url=https://www.comic-con.org/cc/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011033223/http://www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_reg.shtml|url-status=dead|title=Homepage|archivedate=October 11, 2007|website=Comic-Con}} In 2008, all memberships were sold out before the convention for the first time. This sellout has given rise to the new phenomenon of Comic-Con memberships being scalped for exorbitant prices on websites such as eBay and Craigslist.{{Cite news |last=McLean |first=Tom |title=Buyers beware scalped Comic-Con tickets |newspaper=Variety.com |date=June 25, 2008 |url=http://weblogs.variety.com/bags_and_boards/2008/06/comic-con-ticke.html |access-date=July 20, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720141232/http://weblogs.variety.com/bags_and_boards/2008/06/comic-con-ticke.html |archive-date=July 20, 2008}}
In April 2008, David Glanzer, Comic-Con's director of marketing and public relations, commented on the organization's desire to remain in San Diego:
{{blockquote|We've been approached by other cities, [but] I don't think anybody wants to leave San Diego. I certainly don't. It's a perfect fit for us. It's expensive, whether it be paying for the street signs that tell you what streets are closed, or for any police or the hall or any of the myriad things, it's expensive. But it's a great city. There's been some talk of expansion of the center, which we would certainly welcome. Hopefully if everything lines up, we will be here for many more years.}}
Heidi McDonald reported on her blog The Beat as of October 7, 2009, Preview Night for the 2010 show had already sold out. Glazner explained the early sell-out:
{{blockquote|For 2010 the decision was made to offer an option (of whether they wanted to attend Preview Night) to those who pre-registered for four-day badges. We limited the number of badges for Preview Night to the number of those who attended in 2008.[https://web.archive.org/web/20091010082602/http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/10/07/mroe-on-the-sdcc-preview-night-sell-out More on the SDCC Preview Night sellout — correction]}}
Mark Evanier on his blog News from ME noted as of November 9, 2009, that all 4-day passes for the 2010 show had already been sold out.{{Cite web|url=http://www.newsfromme.com/archives/2009_11_09.html#018028|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111021123322/http://www.newsfromme.com/archives/2009_11_09.html|url-status=dead|title=You Were Warned!|archivedate=October 21, 2011}} On February 23, 2010, The Orange County Register reported that the larger Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim would be making a bid to become the new home of Comic-Con starting in 2013.{{cite news |title=Could Comic-Con move to Anaheim? |first=Carpenter |last=Eric |newspaper=The Orange County Register |date=February 23, 2010 |url=http://www.ocregister.com/news/convention-235900-comic-anaheim.html |access-date=February 24, 2010 |archive-date=February 27, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100227081824/http://www.ocregister.com/news/convention-235900-comic-anaheim.html |url-status=live }} On September 30, 2010, Comic Con announced that they had extended their stay up to 2015. The North County Times reported on July 26, 2010, that 4-day passes with access to Preview night for the 2011 Convention had sold out two hours before the 2010 convention closed.{{cite news |url=http://www.nctimes.com/business/article_0dd24a8a-a75d-53ae-a16e-3c0c244d5e0c.html |title=REGION: Comic-Con sells out 2011 Preview Night before Con ends |author=Eric Wolff |newspaper=North County Times |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100902102554/http://www.nctimes.com/business/article_0dd24a8a-a75d-53ae-a16e-3c0c244d5e0c.html |archive-date=September 2, 2010}} Comic-Con International announced that 4-day passes for the 2014 convention (July 24–27) would no longer be available and only single days would be sold.{{cite news |title=San Diego Comic-Con International: No more four-day badges for 2014 |author=Noelene Clark |url=http://herocomplex.latimes.com/comic-con/san-diego-comic-con-international-no-more-four-day-badges-for-2014/#/0 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=January 10, 2014 |access-date=March 26, 2014 |quote=People who want to attend Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday will have to purchase a badge for each day |archive-date=October 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012223756/http://herocomplex.latimes.com/comic-con/san-diego-comic-con-international-no-more-four-day-badges-for-2014/#/0 |url-status=live }} Due to overcrowding, organizers of the event capped attendance;{{cite news |title=Comic-Con badges go on sale Saturday |author=Lori Weisberg |url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/mar/01/its-official-comic-con-badges-on-sale-sat/ |newspaper=San Diego Union Tribune |date=March 1, 2012 |access-date=March 5, 2012 |quote="As you know because of limited space at the San Diego Convention Center we have had to cap attendance for the last few years," organizers said in their e-mail. |archive-date=May 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504112530/http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/mar/01/its-official-comic-con-badges-on-sale-sat/ |url-status=live }} this cap has been in place since 2007.{{cite news |title=Comic-Con will stay in San Diego |author=Geoff Boucher |url=http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2010/09/30/comic-con-international-san-diego/ |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=September 30, 2010 |access-date=March 5, 2012 |quote=Comic-Con reached a self-imposed attendance limit at the San Diego Convention Center (SDCC) in 2007 and has had to cap attendance at approximately 125,000 people each year since. |archive-date=October 4, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101004120603/http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2010/09/30/comic-con-international-san-diego/ |url-status=live }}
As of October 2013, a $520 million proposed expansion to the San Diego Convention Center received approval from the California Coastal Commission.{{cite news |title=Commission OKs convention expansion |author=Lori Weisberg |url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/Oct/10/coastal-commission-convention-expansion-plan-bay/ |newspaper=U-T San Diego |date=October 10, 2013 |access-date=February 11, 2014 |archive-date=October 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011002811/http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/oct/10/coastal-commission-convention-expansion-plan-bay/ |url-status=live }} The proposed expansion would increase the available space within the convention center and had a target completion date of early 2016.{{cite web |url=http://www.visitsandiego.com/community/expansion.cfm |title=Expansion |author= |year=2012 |work=Community |publisher=San Diego Convention Center Corporation |access-date=December 27, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130309023108/http://www.visitsandiego.com/community/expansion.cfm |archive-date=March 9, 2013}} The expansion would add approximately 225,000 square feet of exhibit space, an additional 35%; and a brand-new 80,000 square foot ballroom, 20% larger than Hall H. The plan would also add a second tower to the Hilton Bayfront hotel, adding 500 rooms adjacent to the Convention Center.{{cite news |title=CA Coastal Committee Okays San Diego Convention Center Expansion, Completion Targeted for 2018 |url=http://sdccblog.com/2013/10/ca-costal-committee-okays-san-diego-convention-center-expansion-completion-targeted-for-2018/ |publisher=The San Diego Comic-Con Unofficial Blog |access-date=October 11, 2013 |archive-date=October 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011183224/http://sdccblog.com/2013/10/ca-costal-committee-okays-san-diego-convention-center-expansion-completion-targeted-for-2018/ |url-status=live }} Due to the proposed expansion of the convention center, Comic Con extended its contract for San Diego to 2016.{{cite news |title=Comic-Con International to remain in San Diego through 2016 |url=http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2012/10/29/comic-con-international-to-remain-in-san-diego-through-2016/ |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=October 29, 2012 |access-date=December 27, 2012 |archive-date=November 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101002806/http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2012/10/29/comic-con-international-to-remain-in-san-diego-through-2016/ |url-status=live }} In 2014, convention center expansion was halted due to a lawsuit.{{cite news |last=Sloss |first=Jason |date=August 7, 2014 |title=City Council ponders next move for San Diego Convention Center expansion |url=http://fox5sandiego.com/2014/08/07/city-council-ponders-next-move-for-san-diego-convention-center-expansion/ |newspaper=KSWB |location=San Diego |access-date=June 27, 2015 |archive-date=July 1, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701021128/http://fox5sandiego.com/2014/08/07/city-council-ponders-next-move-for-san-diego-convention-center-expansion/ |url-status=live }}
{{cite news |last=Weisberg |first=Lori |date=August 1, 2014 |title=Ruling threatens convention center expansion |url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/aug/01/convention-expansion-hotel-tax-unconstitutional/ |newspaper=San Diego Union Tribune |access-date=June 27, 2015 |archive-date=June 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630032446/http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/aug/01/convention-expansion-hotel-tax-unconstitutional/ |url-status=live }}
{{cite news |last=Lewis |first=Scott |date=August 26, 2014 |title=Six Years and $10 Million Gone, the Convention Center Expansion Is Dead |url=http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/share/six-years-and-10-million-gone-the-convention-center-expansion-is-dead/ |access-date=June 27, 2015 |archive-date=June 29, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629064535/http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/share/six-years-and-10-million-gone-the-convention-center-expansion-is-dead/ |url-status=live }}
{{cite news |last=Weisberg |first=Lori |date=May 9, 2015 |title=Is contiguous center expansion dead? |url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/may/09/contiguous-convention-center-expansion-in-jeopardy/ |newspaper=San Diego Union Tribune |access-date=June 27, 2015 |archive-date=June 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630044857/http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/may/09/contiguous-convention-center-expansion-in-jeopardy/ |url-status=live }}
{{cite news |last1=Sauer |first1=Mark |first2=Claire |last2=Trageser |date=August 1, 2014 |title=Court Rejects San Diego Convention Center Expansion Tax |url=http://www.kpbs.org/news/2014/aug/01/court-rejects-special-tax-fund-san-diego-conventio/ |newspaper=KPBS |location=San Diego |access-date=June 27, 2015 |archive-date=June 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630160443/http://www.kpbs.org/news/2014/aug/01/court-rejects-special-tax-fund-san-diego-conventio/ |url-status=live }} As of July 2015, convention center expansion is effectively frozen, partly because the city no longer has financing lined up for it (any financing plan would involve taxpayer money and would have to be approved by a public vote), and partly because the city lost the rights to the only contiguous parcel of land where expansion could occur.{{cite news |url=http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/topics/land-use/everything-you-need-to-know-about-where-the-convention-center-expansion-stands/ |title=Everything You Need to Know About Where the Convention Center Expansion Stands |access-date=July 13, 2015 |archive-date=July 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714030027/http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/topics/land-use/everything-you-need-to-know-about-where-the-convention-center-expansion-stands/ |url-status=live }} Other cities, including Los Angeles, began to seek to have Comic-Con move out of San Diego;{{cite news |last1=Hugo |first1=Martin |last2=Perry |first2=Tony |date=January 21, 2015 |title=Will Comic-Con leave San Diego? Other cities are making pitches |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-comic-con-move-20150121-story.html |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |access-date=June 27, 2015 |archive-date=June 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630122821/http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-comic-con-move-20150121-story.html |url-status=live }} In 2015, Comic-Con entered into negotiations with San Diego.{{cite news |last=Weisberg |first=Lori |date=June 25, 2015 |title=Comic-Con deal near |url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/jun/24/comic-con-two-year-contract-expected/ |newspaper=San Diego Union Tribune |access-date=June 27, 2015 |archive-date=June 29, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629045829/http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/jun/24/comic-con-two-year-contract-expected/ |url-status=live }} As a result of these negotiations, Comic-Con entered into a contract to stay in San Diego through 2018.{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/videos/news/2015/07/02/29654985/ |title=Comic-Con International decides to stay in San Diego through 2018 |newspaper=USA Today |date=July 2, 2015 |access-date=July 2, 2015 |archive-date=July 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706033747/http://www.usatoday.com/videos/news/2015/07/02/29654985/ |url-status=live }} The commitment to San Diego was extended to 2021,{{cite news |url=http://www.sdbj.com/news/2017/jul/02/comic-con-stay-san-diego-through-2021/ |title=Comic-Con to Stay in San Diego Through 2021 |last=De Crescenzo |first=Sarah |date=July 2, 2017 |work=San Diego Business Journal |access-date=July 3, 2017 |archive-date=July 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703015808/http://sdbj.com/news/2017/jul/02/comic-con-stay-san-diego-through-2021/ |url-status=live }} then to 2024.{{Cite news |last=Weisberg |first=Lori |date=5 July 2019 |title=Comic-Con is staying in San Diego — at least through 2024 |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/tourism/story/2019-07-05/comic-con-is-staying-in-san-diego-at-least-through-2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705194342/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/tourism/story/2019-07-05/comic-con-is-staying-in-san-diego-at-least-through-2024 |archive-date=5 July 2023 |access-date=21 March 2024 |work=The San Diego Union-Tribune}}
Accidents and incidents
In 2012, a 53-year-old woman was struck and killed by a motorist Tuesday as she tried to cross the street in front of the San Diego Convention Center, police said. The woman tripped and hit the car while crossing at the intersection of 5th and Harbor. She had been part of the crowd camping out for the Twilight panel.{{Cite web |last=Dickey |first=Josh L. |date=2012-07-10 |title='Twilight' fan killed in Comic-Con car crash: Woman was crossing street outside convention center |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2012/07/10/twilight-fan-killed-in-comic-con-car-crash-woman-was-crossing-street-outside-convention-center/ |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=Chicago Tribune |language=en-US}}
In 2013, a young woman attempted to jump off the balcony of a local high-rise, but nearby stuntmen prevented it.{{cite news |title=Stuntmen saves woman hanging from balcony |url=http://www.10news.com/news/stuntmen-save-woman-hanging-from-balcony-071913 |newspaper=KGTV |date=August 1, 2013 |access-date=July 20, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722145924/http://www.10news.com/news/stuntmen-save-woman-hanging-from-balcony-071913 |archive-date=July 22, 2013}}
In 2014, multiple pedestrians marching in an off-site ZombieWalk were struck by a car forcing its way through an intersection.{{cite news |title=ZombieWalk Driver Found Guilty In Comic-Con 2014 Accident Trial |url=https://deadline.com/2015/12/zombiewalk-driver-guilty-verdict-matthew-pocci-2014-comic-con-accident-1201607237/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=December 11, 2015 |access-date=April 16, 2020 |archive-date=July 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725161115/https://deadline.com/2015/12/zombiewalk-driver-guilty-verdict-matthew-pocci-2014-comic-con-accident-1201607237/ |url-status=live }} A 64-year-old woman sustained serious injuries to her arm; two others had minor injuries.{{cite news |title=Passersby Struck by Car Amid Comic-Con Zombie Walk |url=http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Pedestrian-Hit-by-Car-Amid-ZombieWalk-Downtown-San-Diego-Comic-Con-268762861.html |website=NBCSanDiego.com |date=July 28, 2014 |access-date=July 28, 2014 |archive-date=July 27, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727193933/http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Pedestrian-Hit-by-Car-Amid-ZombieWalk-Downtown-San-Diego-Comic-Con-268762861.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Ash |first1=Allison |last2=Bianco |first2=Rachel |date=July 29, 2014 |title=New cellphone videos of 'Zombie Walk' hit-and-run surface |url=http://www.10news.com/news/new-cell-phone-videos-of-zombie-walk-hit-and-run-surface |newspaper=KGTV |publisher=The E.W. Scripps Co |access-date=July 30, 2014 |archive-date=August 25, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140825101419/http://www.10news.com/news/new-cell-phone-videos-of-zombie-walk-hit-and-run-surface |url-status=live }}
The same year, a teenage cosplayer was initially thought to have been sexually assaulted early Sunday morning, and a suspect was arrested on Sunday at the San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina.*{{cite news |author=Emma G. Gallegos |title=Man Arrested After Teen Cosplayer Discovered 'Unconscious And Bloody' On The Side Of The Road At Comic-Con |url=http://laist.com/2014/07/29/man_arrested_in_teens_beating_at_co.php |newspaper=LAist |publisher=Gothamist LLC |date=July 29, 2014 |access-date=July 30, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140802031708/http://laist.com/2014/07/29/man_arrested_in_teens_beating_at_co.php |archive-date=August 2, 2014 }}
- {{cite news |author= |title=Comic-Con 2014: Police investigating attack on Riverside County teen cosplayer |url=http://www.dailynews.com/general-news/20140730/comic-con-2014-man-jailed-for-inappropriate-contact-with-teen-cosplayer |newspaper=Los Angeles Daily News |publisher=LA Daily News |date=July 30, 2014 |access-date=July 30, 2014 |archive-date=October 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007011216/https://www.dailynews.com/2014/07/30/comic-con-2014-police-investigating-attack-on-riverside-county-teen-cosplayer/ |url-status=live }}
- {{cite news |author=Arturo Garcia |title=SD Comic-Con cosplaying teen hospitalized in bloody attack, man arrested |url=http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/07/29/sd-comic-con-cosplaying-teen-hospitalized-in-bloody-attack-man-arrested/ |newspaper=Raw Story |publisher=Raw Story Media, Inc. |date=July 29, 2014 |access-date=July 30, 2014 |archive-date=July 31, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140731074059/http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/07/29/sd-comic-con-cosplaying-teen-hospitalized-in-bloody-attack-man-arrested/ |url-status=live }}
- {{cite news |last1=Nguyen |first1=Candice |last2=R. |first2=Strickney |date=July 30, 2014 |title=Family: Riverside Co. Teen Beaten While Attending Comic-Con 2014 |url=http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Comic-Con-San-Diego-Attack-Cosplayer-Harbor-Drive-269218791.html |newspaper=NBC San Diego |publisher=NBCUniversal Media, LLC. |access-date=July 30, 2014 |archive-date=July 30, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140730224252/http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Comic-Con-San-Diego-Attack-Cosplayer-Harbor-Drive-269218791.html |url-status=live }}
- {{cite news |last=Cox |first=Carolyn |date=July 31, 2014 |title=What We Know About The Comic-Con Cosplay Assault, And How To Help |url=http://www.themarysue.com/comic-con-cosplay-assault/ |newspaper=The Mary Sue |access-date=July 31, 2014 |archive-date=August 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140801142359/http://www.themarysue.com/comic-con-cosplay-assault/ |url-status=live }}
- {{cite news |last=Du Pre |first=Jon |date=July 31, 2014 |title=Comic-Con assault leaves female minor in critical condition |url=http://www.kusi.com/story/26157793/comic-con-assault-leaves-female-minor-in-critical-condition |newspaper=KUSI |publisher=McKinnon Broadcasting Company |access-date=August 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808060714/http://www.kusi.com/story/26157793/comic-con-assault-leaves-female-minor-in-critical-condition |archive-date=August 8, 2014 |url-status=dead }} Police later stated that the teenage girl was injured in a fall, and the arrested individual was released without any charges.{{cite news |last=McVicker |first=Laura |date=August 1, 2014 |title=Comic-Con Cosplayer Not Assaulted: Police |url=http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Comic-Con-Cosplayer-Not-Assaulted-Police-269470211.html |newspaper=NBCSanDiego.com |publisher=NBCUniversal Media, LLC |access-date=August 5, 2014 |archive-date=August 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140804030436/http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Comic-Con-Cosplayer-Not-Assaulted-Police-269470211.html |url-status=live }}
In 2024, a three-alarm kitchen fire started in a nearby steakhouse caused the evacuation of around 1200 attendees of an "Iceberg Lounge" promotional event for the HBO series The Penguin.{{Cite web |last=Candelieri |first=Domenick |date=2024-07-26 |title=Brazilian steakhouse in Gaslamp Quarter catches fire; 50 people displaced |url=https://fox5sandiego.com/news/local-news/building-in-gaslamp-quarter-catches-fire/ |website=Fox 5 San Diego}}{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Danielle |date=2024-07-27 |title=50 displaced, hundreds evacuated after fire in downtown San Diego during Comic-Con |url=https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/structure-fire-downtown-san-diego/3578277/ |access-date=2024-07-28 |website=NBC 7 San Diego |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last1=Moreau |first1=Jordan |last2=Stephan |first2=Katcy |last3=Murphy |first3=J. Kim |last4=Vary |first4=Adam B. |date=2024-07-27 |title='The Penguin' Comic-Con Activation Evacuated After Fire Breaks Out on Roof |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/penguin-comic-con-fire-1236087450/ |access-date=2024-07-28 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} The next day, actress Jennifer Garner got stuck in an elevator and had to call the fire department to get her out.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-28 |title=Actress Jennifer Garner Stuck In Elevator For Over An Hour During Comic-Con San Diego |url=https://www.sandiegoville.com/2024/07/actress-jennifer-garner-stuck-in.html |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=Sandiegoville}}{{Cite web |date=2024-07-28 |title=Jennifer Garner gets stuck inside elevator for over an hour at Comic-Con in San Diego, California |url=https://abc7chicago.com/videoClip/jennifer-garner-gets-stuck-inside-elevator-comic-con/15111226/ |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=ABC7 Chicago |language=en}} Also in 2024, the "San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force" conducted a multi-agency undercover operation that arrested 14 and rescued 10 victims.{{Cite web |last=Anastas |first=Katie |date=2024-08-01 |title=Undercover anti-human trafficking operation during Comic-Con nets 14 arrests |url=https://www.kpbs.org/news/public-safety/2024/08/01/14-arrested-in-undercover-anti-human-trafficking-operation-during-comic-con |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=KPBS Public Media |language=en}} According to the California Attorney General's Office, "sex buyers were using the San Diego Comic-Con Convention to seek out potential victims".{{Cite web |last=Campoli |first=Alessia |date=2024-08-02 |title=14 arrested in sex-trafficking sting operation at Comic-Con in San Diego |url=https://www.ktnnonline.com/2024/08/02/14-arrested-in-sex-trafficking-sting-operation-at-comic-con-in-san-diego/ |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=KTNN - St. Michaels, AZ |language=en-US}}
Trademark
In 2014, San Diego Comic-Con sent a cease and desist order to the organizers of Salt Lake Comic Con, asserting that "Comic-Con" and "Comic-Con International" were registered trademarks of the convention, and that use of the term "comic con" in any form was trademark infringement as it implies an unauthorized association with San Diego Comic-Con.{{Cite news |url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/tourism/sdut-salt-lake-san-diego-comic-con-battle-name-rights-2014jul28-htmlstory.html |title=Battle of the Cons: SD vs. Salt Lake City |last=Weisberg |first=Lori |work=San Diego Union-Tribune |access-date=January 10, 2018 |language=en-US |archive-date=January 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111165002/http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/tourism/sdut-salt-lake-san-diego-comic-con-battle-name-rights-2014jul28-htmlstory.html |url-status=live }} A U.S. court ruled in favor of San Diego Comic-Con and awarded $20,000 in damages (albeit not considering the infringement to be willful). Phoenix Comiccon changed its name to Phoenix Comic Fest as a proactive move to avoid possible legal issues in the wake of this ruling. They then filed a motion in an Arizona Federal Court to strike down San Diego Comic Convention's trademark.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2018/01/18/phoenix-comic-fest-asks-federal-court-comic-con-trademark/ |title=Phoenix Comic Fest is Asking a Federal Court to Strike Down SDCC's Comic-Con Trademark |last=Terror |first=Jude |work=Bleeding Cool |access-date=March 1, 2018 |language=en-US |archive-date=March 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180302103852/https://www.bleedingcool.com/2018/01/18/phoenix-comic-fest-asks-federal-court-comic-con-trademark/ |url-status=live }} In 2017, the Salt Lake Comic Con changed its name to FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention (or just FanX).{{cite web |url=https://www.fanxsaltlake.com/about/ |title=About Us |website=fanxsaltlake.com |access-date=August 27, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-date=August 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812141242/https://fanxsaltlake.com/about/ }} On January 16, 2018, Salt Lake Comic Con filed a motion for a new trial.{{Cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/san-diego-comic-con-trademark-fight-continues-jury-verdict-1066336 |title=San Diego Comic-Con Trademark Fight Rages On After Jury Verdict |last=Cullins |first=Ashley |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=March 1, 2018 |language=en-US |archive-date=March 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180302044642/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/san-diego-comic-con-trademark-fight-continues-jury-verdict-1066336 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/california/articles/2018-01-18/salt-lake-comic-con-files-for-new-trial-in-trademark-case |title=Salt Lake Comic Con files for new trial in trademark case |work=The Associated Press |access-date=March 1, 2018 |language=en-US |archive-date=March 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180302103852/https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/california/articles/2018-01-18/salt-lake-comic-con-files-for-new-trial-in-trademark-case |url-status=live }}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
Further reading
- Bill Schelly. [https://www.comic-con.org/sites/default/files/forms/cci19_sb01_schelly_article.pdf "The Comic-Con of Destiny"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409094244/https://www.comic-con.org/sites/default/files/forms/cci19_sb01_schelly_article.pdf |date=April 9, 2023 }}. Comic-Con Souvenir Book 2019. pp. 14–32.
- [http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/scott_shaw/archive/2005/07/07/1717.aspx The "Secret Origin" of San Diego's Comic-Con International]
- [http://sdccblog.com/san-diego-comic-con-frequently-asked-questions/ San Diego Comic-Con – Frequently Asked Questions]
- [https://comic-con-begins.simplecast.com Comic-Con Begins oral history]
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{official website}}
- [https://www.comic-con.org/awards/1980s-recipients 1985–1989 Eisner Award winners], Comic-Con International San Diego. [https://archive.today/20130704001351/http://www.comic-con.org/awards/1980s-recipients Archived] from the original on July 3, 2013.
- [https://www.comic-con.org/awards/1990s-recipients 1991–1999 Eisner Award winners], Comic-Con International San Diego. [https://archive.today/20131029200617/http://www.comic-con.org/awards/1990s-recipients Archived] from the original on February 1, 2014
- [https://www.comic-con.org/awards/2000s 2000–2009 Eisner Award winners], Comic-Con International San Diego. [https://archive.today/20141006153947/http://www.comic-con.org/awards/2000s Archived] from the original on February 1, 2015.
- [https://www.comic-con.org/awards/eisner-award-recipients-2010-present 2010–2020 Eisner Award winners], Comic-Con International San Diego. [https://web.archive.org/web/20201030031640/https://comic-con.org/awards/eisner-award-recipients-2010-present Archived] from the original on October 30, 2020.
- {{cite web |url=http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/eisner.php |editor-first=Joel |editor-last=Hahn |title=Will Eisner Awards [1988–2007] |publisher=Comic Book Awards Almanac |access-date=November 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101102132937/http://www.hahnlibrary.net/comics/awards/eisner |archive-date=November 2, 2010 |url-status=live}}
{{Multigenre conventions in North America}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:1970 establishments in California
Category:Annual events in California
Category:Comics conventions in the United States
Category:Fan conventions in the United States
Category:Conventions in California
Category:Recurring events established in 1970
Category:Film festivals in San Diego