Top 5 Things at Comic-Con 2016 I’m Looking Forward To
There are a lot of things at Comic-Con 2016, so here are my top 5.
San Diego Comic Convention seems to grow bigger every year. The even changes the gas lamp district into a nerd and pop-culture haven filled to the brim with living commercials. Every corner occupied by a cosplayer, every booth ready to take your money with something you can only get there, and a chance to see your favorite celebrity. San Diego Comic-Con is truly a magical, exhausting, great story, but questionable experiences you can have. It’s pretty much like EDC except with lights and top-40 music on repeat and less drugs. So in this 5 day festival of geekdom, I have brought my list to my Top 5 things at Comic-Con 2016.
5. Cosplayers
The Comic-Con cosplaying crowd is mixed with professionals and enthusiasts of all levels. There are always extremely intricate ones and clever subtle ones. You never know who you’ll see, or really what you’ll see. I don’t think anyone will every beat Bryan Cranston cosplaying as himself, though.
4. Outside the Con
You can get a majority of the Comic-Con experience without a badge. Gaslamp is nerd and pop-culture central. Many companies don’t pay the price to be in the exhibition hall and opt for using the saved money to go all out on an exhibit outside. There’s Nerd HQ which is pretty much their own Hall H experience. Also, FX and Square Enix have full on experiences for fans, not to mention everything going on at Petco Park. Then there are all the artists and vendors as well who often have more than they lead on. And lastly, a lot of movies do grass root publicity so it’s a great chance to get some free stuff.
3. Booth Experiences
Studios go crazy to promote their upcoming projects and deck out their booths to do so. DC has a bunch of displays of their costumes and collectibles, Sideshow Collectibles has the most detailed figures and busts you can imagine, video game companies recreate worlds, and then some. It’s jaw dropping how many different worlds you can get lost in.
2. Exclusives
Comic-Con is notorious for having exclusive products that are only available at the Con. This means that they will jack up the price because nerds love items that only they can have. Yes, I will spend $200 on this set of Spider-Man action figures at Hasbro that only 999 other people can get. I imagine I’m saying that with sarcasm, but I’m pretty sure it’s true. Comic-Con is the king of exclusives, and vendors capitalize on the opportunity to bring fans unique items to tickle their fandom fancies. While of course making a nice little profit. Truth be told, most exclusives end up in my crawlspace.
1. Batman: The Killing Joke
My favorite part of any Comic-Con or Wonder-Con is the premiere of the new DC Animated feature. This year it is Batman: The Killing Joke starring Kevin Conry, Mark Hamill, and Tara Strong. This is one of the most defining comic books, well ever, and it is being brought to life by the team that brought us, Batman The Animated Series. It’s as if my cartoons have grown up with me. You can have your Michael Keaton, your Christian Bales, Kevin Conroy is Batman to me and Mark Hamill is my Joker. Although Heath Ledger is a damn close second, and only for the reason to make an impact on my statement. I will be in Ballroom 20, watching the movie, then sitting through the panel. It will be glorious!
I realized as I got to the end of my list, I was not very specific in my list. As it turns out there are multiple in each category I really liked, so I blanketed it. As I have to start driving there, I probably won’t be able to clarify. But stay tuned, like and subscribe, all that digital stalking, because I have a jam packed schedule and will be sharing the entire experience.
