San Diego Comic Con

Cafe Society
1

I’ve never been, although I’ve lived in San Diego for a long time. Any other Dopers thinking of going? I’m neither a comics nor a sci-fi fan, but I thought it might be of some interest since I’m an illustrator. Plus, I can write it off :cool: . I am, however, a Buffy fan and I hear Sarah Michelle Gellar will be putting in an appearance, although I have to say I would far preferred to have been there last year to hear Joss Whedon hold forth…

If anyone’s coming in from out of town and wants info about San Diego, etc., I’m at your service :slight_smile: .

2

I went in 2000 (all the way from Florida), when I was much LESS into comics than I am now, and I still had an amazing time. Just mingling and people-watching at SDCC is an experience in itself, and there’s plenty to do if you don’t go with an agenda of shopping or meeting pros. Once you pay admission, you can consult a schedule and sit in on dozens of panels, possibly meet Ms Gellar and other celebrities, pose for pictures with costumed models (both amateur and professional), and even watch classic TV shows and soon-to-be-released movies in the various rooms of the convention center. At night, the parties should be surprisingly fun–everything from drinkin’ with B-movie scream queens to karaoke with comic book creators.

If you live in San Diego, you should definitely put in an appearance and just see how it all is. But if you live in San Diego, I am extremely jealous. I had such a good time during my long weekend in your city. It is truly beautiful and clean and exciting and fun, with perfect weather, and I loved it there.

3

It doesn’t suck :slight_smile: .
Unless you’re trying to buy a house and can afford less than, oh, $600,000. But that’s another thread…

Thanks for the info, Voodoo Lou!

4

jellyblue, FWIW a friend of mine with even less connection to comics and science fiction than you have visited the con one year as a pop culture exercise and thoroughly enjoyed herself. I encourage you to go and see what it’s like.

Mind you, this Chicago native will be thoroughly jealous not only of your San Diego residency but that proximity of the convention.

5

I heartily recommend Comic Book: the Movie, a mockumentary filmed at a recent San Diego Comic Con. It looks exactly like what it is: filmed in four days with a budget of ~$1,000. But. If you can catch even one-tenth of all the in-jokes about comics, cartoon tv, and sf in all media, you will be hysterical.

I saw it as a movie, but it is out on DVD and I’m told the commentary is worth the listen.

6

I went in 2001 and it was a lot of fun. There was so much to see. I went with a friend of mine who is quite serious about his comic collecting and probably had as much fun or more than he did. I spent a lot less time waiting in lines for autographs or sketches than he did, or I’d catch him when he managed to make it to the front of the line and hear the conversations he had.

My highlights were:

  • Getting a sketch from Dave Gibbons. I was a big fan after reading the Watchment and he was very approachable and really enjoyed talking about his work.

  • sitting in a huge auditorium watching a never before aired (at the time) Futurama Christmas episode and hearing Matt Groening and all answer questions.

  • seeing a sneak peak for the first Spider-man movie

There was so much to see. If the stuff on the schedule doesn’t really interest you, then go on the busiest day (Saturday I think) - the place was so packed. Many people dressed up in costume, it was really great.