Saturday, November 18th marked the return of Open Registration, when anyone can attempt to score tickets to the pop culture mecca that is San Diego Comic-Con in southern California. Returning Registration took place on Saturday, November 4th where the rumored 60% of attendee passes were gobbled up in 90 minutes. For the unfamiliar, SDCC has been running since 1970, growing from a hotel basement gathering of a few hundred comic book, movie and science fiction fans to an event that takes over an entire downtown and welcomes around 135,000 attendees over four days (plus an abbreviated Preview Night).
Non-Profit Comic-Con International now runs WonderCon near Disneyland in Anaheim in the March while SDCC takes place in in July. On one side you have the exhibition floor where vendors and artists showcase and sell comic books, art prints, original art, toys, video games, anime and so much more. Then you have programming panels putting the spotlight on creatives, the latest TV show or movie, how to get into the business, writing, cosplay, you name it. Oh yes, you will see many a costume; in 2023 it was a lot of Barbenheimer and Mario Brothers. And no, I do not dress up.
2023’s SDCC was marred by the Writer and Actor strikes meaning recognizable talent could not be on hand to promote their projects. There were still plenty of TV and movie panels and advertising was at an all-time high via building wraps, pop up activations and publicity stunts like a Twisted Metal parade and Haunted Mansion pedicabs with costumed traveling ghosts.
Action fans got a glimpse at Jean-Claude Van Damme in Bloodsport, Bruce Lee as Kato and Ernie Reyes, Jr. from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II in action figure form. While 80’s buffs got Masters of the Universe, Thundercats, Transformers, G.I. Joe and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles all over the place promoting new toys, cartoons, store takeovers and the latest movie.
Tickets for the 2024 show are completely sold out but you can still get your hands on passes and support Comic-Con International along with their Comic-Con Museum by becoming a Legend member or bidding on their official eBay and take part in this once in a lifetime event, that happens annually. See you in San Diego!
