In the main hall, you can encounter the upcoming offerings from the various movie and television studios, check out genuine and recreated props, purchase collectible toys and artwork (including Christmas ornaments!) or get that Merlotte’s Bar and Grill waitress T-shirt your wife would just die for (Sarah loves it!).
This year marked my first trip to “The Con” aka Comic-Con . In case you hate the internet, don’t watch television or were recently in a coma, Comic-Con is the largest comic book and “popular arts” convention held. It is based in San Diego and was attended by 125,000+ fans. For four days crazed fans descend upon the San Diego Convention Center and surrounding Gaslamp District in search of a chance to preview new releases, attend panels with their favorite stars and creators and be totally immersed in the world of comic related and influenced entertainment. In a word it was overwhelming. In a slew of words I’d say; packed, frenzied, loud, exciting, exhausting and inspiring. As a trade show veteran, I thought I had seen it all. What follows are some observations and tips from a Comic-Con newbie…
Back in the PlayStation 1 days, E3 was a totally happening event, full of game demos, elaborate booth designs and tons of freebies. Each year since then, it has dwindled in size, finally bottoming out a couple years ago to relatively small airplane hangar in Santa Monica. Fortunately, E3 has returned to its roots as a sensory overload event. Each platform had something new to brag about. The XBOX Kinect motion controller was a big hit, with ridiculous lines to try it. The new Nintendo DS booth was so jammed with people; you had to wait just to get in and then wait again to play anything. The PlayStation Move controller will also be a fun addition for PS3 owners, and will be instantly familiar to those familiar with the Wii. Each exhibitor clearly didn’t cheap out on their booth designs, with special effects, costumes and elaborate architecture. It was a great time and well worth the time and train ride downtown. See you next year!
Another Comic-Con has come and gone and I have to say, it’s just getting way too big for its own good. I remember a time when you could leisurely roam the exhibit hall at your own pace. But now there are more people than ever before packing the hall. See More
