This past weekend I attended the world famous San Diego Comic Con with fellow Hero District writer Billy. While I am a big comic book fan, I had never made it out to this convention before, so I really wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from it other than a great time. Here are some things that I learned while attending SDCC 2011.
Conflu is Real
I actually meant to write articles about San Diego Comic Con all week. Judging by the fact it is Thursday and this is the first SDCC article, you can see that this didn’t happen, and it is all because of conflu. Conflu is what happens when you pack over 100,000 filthy nerd folk inside a convention center for around 12 hours a day. There are a lot of germs floating around and it is not uncommon for people to get sick after the convention. I mean, I saw a baby’s diaper being changed in the middle small press section. Basically what I’m saying is remember to bring some Purell to Comic Con.
Show Up Early
That is all one line. Actually, part of one line.
SDCC has gotten so popular that you have to show up early for absolutely everything. This goes for registration for badges, hotel rooms, getting in the door, going to panels, everything. One panel I really wanted to attend this year was the Adventure Time panel. To make sure I got in, I stood in line about 3 hours before that panel started. I got into the panel room pretty quickly and had to sit through a terrible panel on why middle aged women want to make love to vampires. It’s a good thing I went early though, as everybody else at that panel was also waiting for the Adventure Time panel to start, so the 600 people or so waiting in line outside the door were out of luck.
You Never Have Enough Money
There is a ridiculous amount of cool stuff to buy at SDCC. There are action figures, comics, clothes, accessories, and comics that are just begging you to buy them. If you’re really into spending the big bucks, there are also original art pieces and giant statues. The thing is, everything is really expensive at SDCC. That goes for everything from the hotel rooms to trying to find a decent meal. My suggestion for most people is to start saving up now for next year’s SDCC. I know I am.
Convention Exclusives are Hard to Get
There were a couple convention exclusives that I really wanted to get this year. I figured I’d probably have to show up early to get them, but it wouldn’t be that big of a deal. Boy, was I wrong. Those things sell out fast. Also I am convinced that some of the people who attend comic con are wizards, as there was a day when I was at the front of the line to enter the convention center when the doors opened, yet there was a line of hundreds of people in front of me when I power walked over to one of the vendor booths. It is so ridiculous that Hasbro actually made you stand in line in one area to get a ticket that would let you stand in line in another area.
Panels, Panels, and More Panels
I have to say the highlight of my Comic Con experience was attending some of the panels, especially the Adventure Time panel. The panels give a unique insight into pretty much everything you could want to know, plus they usually have some pretty awesome swag to give out. The unpredictability of what’s going to happen at the panels is a lot of fun as well. Matt Groening actually stopped by for an appearance at the Adventure Time panel, which was awesome. Just remember to show up early so you can actually get in.
