San Diego ComiCon 2003

[Rob]

If you've been, tell me all about it. I live in Phoenix (about a 5 hour drive), and have wanted to go for years, but have never been. I'm seriously considering it this year, and am getting very excited. Do I want to go all 5 days? Have comic dealers decreased in recent years, as Mile High's report says? Have you found good deals there?

[Rickdogg]

I went for the 1st time last year and it sure was fun! I wish I had the all weekend pass (of course I wouldn't have showed up on Sunday for the leftovers). I basically bought multiples of "Con exclusives" ( ie Toys, comics, etc) and flipped them on ebay for about an average 400%+ profit, which helped me pay for all of the junk I buy on ebay

 

It's also nice to meet all of the writers and artists of your fav titles Psssst the porn booth was next to the food court

[Comicdave]

If you have even the remotest interest in comics, movies, original art, or what have you, it's worth going to San Diego Comic-Con International at least once, so you can say you've been. There are a multitude of things to see and do.

 

You will definately need to go for more than one day, as you will not be able to see everything in just one day. The expansion for the San Diego Convention Center was completed last year, so the dealers room was expanded to over 350,000 square feet (it used to be only 250,000 square feet). Believe it or not, but they are expanding it again to over 400,000 square feet this year. Definately bring some comfortable walking shoes.

 

I'm not going to say there are more comic dealers then at other conventions, but there are a good number. If all you want to do is look for comics, then you would be missing 95% of the experience.

Click here San Diego Comic-Con to find out more about the con.

 

If you have any specific questions, let me know.

[Rob]

Thanks for the info! I've checked out the website, but it doesn't say much. How much are 1-day passes? Will there be a schedule of events/guest appearances?

[aardvark88]

U need the 5 day pass if it is your 1st time at the con. It is spread out over 2 floors. Most lectures, debates, gaming, costume contests, movie previews, painted model kit displays, etc. are upstairs.

Postmarked b4 03Jun05, 4 day pass + Wed. advance preview admission is $55. At the door adult admission is $60.

Best time to take photos of all the oversize comic /manga props are Wed. Once the con opens to the masses on Thurs, u will be surrounded by collectors at all times.

[aardvark88]

Best deals are from distributor warehouses like McFarlane toys blowing out individual toys at wholesale or less prices. Most of the vintage comic & orig. art will be at top of the mkt prices. See Heritage & All Star Auction goodies in person.

[cd4ever]

I'm going this year for the first time. I've always wanted to go and when I heard Neil Gaiman would be there this year, that clinched it. I hope I get to see a lot of you guys there!

[Rob]

I made my hotel reservations today! You'd better make them quick, as there aren't many left. I got 6 nights at the Wyndham Emerald downtown, so my wife and I can make it a vacation.

 

Here's my question. She hates comics, and I'm not paying $55 to get her in. She wouldn't go anyway. So would it make sense for me to go for a few hours at a time, and still be able to spend time with her? Or is it an all day affair every day? What are the hours?

[musicmeta]

I hope to be able to go next year for the first time.

[spidermanbeyond]

As a married man myself with a great wife that tolerates my crazy hobby with comics, I would recommend you spend 1 whole day (2 days?) yourself at the con and then the rest with her. It is probably not worth it trying to go a few hours at a time.

[Rob]

Cool, thanks for the advice. I definitely want to hit the Preview Night, which is only a few hours Wednesday. I plan to spend all day Thursday (when does it end?). And Fri/Sat/Sun, just go when my favorite guests will be there. I also heard Sunday you can get some nice deals. I'm sure it's junk, but junk that wasn't worth their asking price, I might pay 20% guide for on Sunday.

[Comicdave]

The preview night (Wednesday) is 5:30 to 8:30. Thursday through Satrurday the dealers room is open 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM and on Sunday it's open 10 to 5. Thursday through Saturday there are things to do even after the dealers room closes. The Eisner Awards are Friday night and the Masquerade is Saturday night. The programming is usually not finalized until the day before the con opens.

My advice would be to go preview night and pick up the Con program and schedule and go over it to see what programs you want to check out. Saturday is usually the day for all the movie previews/presentations. You never know who's going to show up. Last year Ben Affleck showed up for the Daredevil preview and Arnold Schwarzenegger was there for the T3 preview along with producer Gale Anne Hurd. James Cameron was also there, but he was promoting Solaris. Hilary Swank was promoting The Core. None of these people were listed in the progress reports that come out before the Con.

Some of the guests announced for this year's con are the aformentioned Neil Gaiman, Dave McKean, Sal Buscema, Will Eisner (he's there every year, but is a special guest this year) Julius Schwartz, Stan Goldberg, David Goyer (Blade & Blade II screenwriter), Larry Leiber ( Stan Lee's brother), Terry Moore, Grant Morrison, Wendy & Richard Pini (This is Elfquest's 25th anniversary), Alex Ross, J. Michael Straczynski, George Woodbridge ( Mad artist), among others. These are just the invited guests. There will be about another 1000-1500 various professionals who will be there as guests of the companies, or in artist's alley, or just wandering around.

 

 

 

 

[Rob]

Man, I'm excited now!!!

[ArnoldTBlumberg]

I've heard that this year, due to the immense size of the dealers' room floor, they will be offering private jetpacks that you can rent by the hour in order to cover the room more effectively. Repulsor rays will be optional.

[aardvark88]

U can take your wife to Coronado Island for a $2 ferry ride each way. $1 for local bus to Hotel Coronado area with beachfront.

Costs about $12-18 for a pass to over 12 different museums in Balboa Park area which is a short taxi or bus ride from the Broadway (Wyndham Emerald).

[Bonds25]

Believe me, there is plenty for her to do without going to the con. Balboa Park, Coronado Island, the Zoo, Wild Animal Park, Temecula Wine Country, etc. I live here, so PM me if you have any questions.

[Rickdogg]

I'm sure you know a lot about Oceanside

[Bonds25]

That's where my beotches and hos hang out!

[Rob]

Not sure if she's going with me now. She heard me talk about Wednesday's preview night, and she thought it was only Saturday and Sunday. She says my priorities are messed up for being more excited about a "nerd convention" than spending time with her. So I may end up going alone.

[cd4ever]

Wow! Sounds like you may be doing lots of things alone for a while!