Has anyone been to the San Diego Comic Con or any other Cons?

[kregg]

I'm just curious as to what people do at these "cons", since I've never went to one, and I have no clue what happens at this place, or at similar cons.

So far, from what I've heard, it's a "con" (again, what?) about movies, TV shows, and comic books, obviously. Herein lies the problem: I don't watch TV that much (all of it is crap except from Mythbusters, Futurama, and some british comedy shows every week on Dave), I'm not a frequent visitor of the cinema and hence I don't see a lot of films (I haven't got much time to see them on DVD either), and the last time I read comic books, it was the Beano (british children's comic book) and the Simpsons magazine.

Also, how is this different to something like an E3 expo, which is something that seems far more appealing to me on first glance (new shiny stuff? WOOOOO!!)?

Thanks for your input, Beartatoes.

[InvisibleDuncan]

All I can tell you from that lot is that "con" is short for "convention". That's probably not going to make your mind up one way or the other, though.

[techgnome]

As Duncan noted "Cons" be it ComiCon (there is no need to preface it with San Diego, since the annual gathering in San Diego IS THE Comicon) Or Dragon Con, or what ever, means "Convention". They are held all year long, all over the place, it just so happens that ComiCon is the premier event.

What happens at these conventions? It's a place for fans and writers/actors/characters to meet/greet/get autographs. As an attendee, you can find the latest comics, catch previews of upcoming shows, partake in panel discussion (at one point, I saw that the cast of Futurama did a table read). Even toy manufacturers get in on the action with action figures. A lot of it is Sci-Fi or fantasy related, but not all of it. Even the folks from Mythbusters were there. Adam dressed as a Stormtrooper, and Grant was showing off Geoff Peterson.

It's like if you took Cannes Festival, E3 expo, Tech Ed, and PDC and rolled it all into one, and then made it about comics, games, Sci-Fi, and fantasy...

-tg

[BackWoodsCoder]

My sister and her husband go to comic con's because it's their job lol. They design and write their own comic. Basically just a large convention hall set up with booths for the different comics/publishers. Peoploe go and check out new things coming out, get their stuff autographed, meet the artists etc. I'm sure most of them feature speeches and presentations from various artists and publishers, contests, etc. All the while surrounded by thousands of people doing cos play.

[kregg]

Ah I see. Sounds like fun, but maybe when I've gathered more interest in stuff that is socially acceptable within "geeks" then it will seem more worthwhile. As it stands, I'm only really interested in games and the odd TV show/movie.

Although the whole cosplay thing is a bit... ""

[techgnome]

"I'm only really interested in games and the odd TV show/movie." -- that's partly what drives ComiCon ... as for the costume play... meh... only the uber geeks do that. Plenty of normal people go to those things too. I'd probably go, but I have issues with crowds. Place like that is too crowded for me.

-tg

[Hack]

I got conned once in San Diego...does that count?

[abhijit]

I got conned once in San Diego...does that count?

Was it a two man con?

[techgnome]

I got conned once in San Diego...does that count?

Only if it was by a comic...

-tg

[TheBigB]

The Cyanide and Happiness cartoonists were there.

[kregg]

And so was the Saturday Morning Breakfast Comic guy, and several other people, "online" and "offline". If only if I could have seen James Rolfe...

Damnit, I'm trying hard to justify not spending money to go to America to do nerdy things...

At least I didn't get poked in the eye by some crazed Harry Potter fan. That would suck.










Massively.

[SambaNeko]

I live in San Diego and have gone to three consecutive years of Comic Con, and would've gone this year too... if tickets hadn't sold out way earlier than ever before. You get some free stuff (comics, keychains, a surprisingly high quality Scooby-doo dog collar, buttons, Final Fantasy fans, etc.), get to see and/or play some upcoming games (got to play Scribblenauts last year before it was out), people-watching is great, and you can see some celebs on panels (enjoyed seeing John Cho and Kal Penn on a Harold and Kumar panel; NPH was scheduled to be there too, but had to take off to direct a play in London or something... what a lousy excuse!).

It's probably not something I'd go out of my way to attend, but when it's right in town, it's a fun event.

As for the stabbing incident, that normally doesn't happen...

[mendhak]

It's a giant exercise in ego massaging which serves as an opportunity for the self important to feel better about themselves by tweeting about it.

The only good bit is the cosplay.

[kregg]

It's a giant exercise in ego massaging which serves as an opportunity for the self important to feel better about themselves by tweeting about it.

The only good bit is the cosplay.

I barely like cosplay D;

I live in San Diego and have gone to three consecutive years of Comic Con, and would've gone this year too... if tickets hadn't sold out way earlier than ever before. You get some free stuff (comics, keychains, a surprisingly high quality Scooby-doo dog collar, buttons, Final Fantasy fans, etc.), get to see and/or play some upcoming games (got to play Scribblenauts last year before it was out), people-watching is great, and you can see some celebs on panels (enjoyed seeing John Cho and Kal Penn on a Harold and Kumar panel; NPH was scheduled to be there too, but had to take off to direct a play in London or something... what a lousy excuse!).

It's probably not something I'd go out of my way to attend, but when it's right in town, it's a fun event.

As for the stabbing incident, that normally doesn't happen...

I like the sound of the free stuff, don't know any of the celebs that you mentioned (yes, that's how "clued up" I am on the movie/tv scene), and people-watching?

And if I'm there next year, I'll make sure the stabbing incident becomes an occuring theme for Comic Con! *finds sharp pens and pencils from desk*

[demotivater]

Went to a couple gaming con's years and years ago. Mainly just for the hotel parties and to play Morrow Project. There were some surprisingly slutty girls there. Overall, geektastic times.