Gil Riego Jr.
Hollywood, comic books, video games and fans from all walks of life collided again in the San Diego Convention Center for one of the largest entertainment gatherings in the world – the 39th annual Comic-Con International.
Comic-Con, which took place from the July 23 Preview Night through July 26, is a nonprofit event intended to educate and create awareness of and appreciation for comics and their related popular art forms.
Big names including DC Comics, Marvel, Microsoft, Sony, Upper Deck, Warner Bros. and more packed the 525,701 square foot exhibition hall along with a large number of big and small companies trying to promote current and future projects by giving away “SWAG” (Stuff We All Get) to attendees.
Weeks before Preview Night, the event sold out to maximum capacity for the first time in its history, with a reported attendance of more than 130,000 to fill up more than 450 exclusive screenings and panel rooms.
The Artists’ Alley, a popular spot at the convention, allowed small names get big exposure by showing their artwork and talents.
“I’ve always gone to Comic-Con just as a fan, because I love comic-book art,” said Andy Carreon, a first-time exhibitor at the Artists’ Alley. “This is the biggest convention in the world, and [I get] exposure. I consider myself a new talent and I’ve already had a few editors like my work.”
You don’t have to be an artist to enjoy the wonders that Comic-Con has to offer.
“This is where fans of everything can meet the creators,” said Chris Gore, film critic and correspondent for G4, a games-and-gadgets TV station. “That’s different than going to something where you don’t actually get that face time.
“I’ve been a long time fan, and I’ve been coming here since the ’90s,” he continued. “It’s just incredible. I’m a geek of many shades and I just love that stuff, and I love that you kind of get to meet your heroes.”
Three-year attendee Thomas Bobb has been a fan of anime and manga for the past six years.
“Comic-Con goes all out when they do something – they do it to the extreme,” he said. “They have everything you could ever want.”
“You can find things here that you won’t find at a regular comic store,” said Mike Beck, another repeat attendee. “The rarity of things from the past and the future…it’s just amazing.”But there is more to Comic-Con than comic books.
The latest movies, television shows and video games were premiered as well, including an announcement and first-peek trailer of “Tron 2”, which surprised and excited audiences.
Attendees also got first glimpse into upcoming comic book-inspired movies “The Watchmen” and “The Spirit”.
With comics, sci-fi and fantasy influencing all aspects of today’s modern culture, many have already registered to see what next year’s Comic-Con brings as it returns to the SDCC for its 40th anniversary celebration.
Pictures and interviews from the event are available below.
Wonder Woman, played by Hollywood street-character Jennifer Wenger, pretends to choke a fan at the 39th annual Comic-Con International, which took place in the San Diego Convention Center from July 23 to 26. Wenger usually walks Hollywood as Wonder Woman, shown in the 2007 documentary “Confessions of a Superhero”. ()