Comic-Con 2018 Craziness

I'm in recovery from my first full San Diego Comic-Con experience. In the past few years I had only done 2 or 3 days of the Con. Also, from the first time four years ago to this past year, the convention has changed a lot. I'm going to summarize my experience in a top ten highlight reel. For those who ask about "Why" or "What" happens inside I've summarized my thoughts about why we love the Con.

My brother, Sean showing off his Dragonball Z bag from the off-site

Panels: I love going to panels. Small or the infamous Hall H. Panels are an interesting way to hear more about projects across all mediums and various industries such as; comics, video games, film/tv or toys. Besides seeing these things first, often producers or directors share their thoughts, inside perspectives or future insights. These are the creators of projects and often not people who are interviewed by traditional media.

Autograph signings: for those collectors and super fans, this can be quite the highlight and sought after.

Exhibition Hall: overwhelming fun for all. It is what most Con attendees spend wandering from booth to booth gathering "SDCC Exclusives" and other collectibles. This year, I was obsessed with collecting all the shirts from Deadpool 2, but missed Thursday (got distracted) and Sunday was a catastrophe. Deadpool riding a unicorn. I really wanted this shirt, but so did a hundred other people who were more determined and pushier. Clearly, I'm not aiming to spend hours waiting and waiting. I did blow budget gathering cool shirts, new books, and art prints from artists.

Free-bees: These are a bonus because often they are exclusive to the Con. Posters, shirts and other random items. Attendees (or non-attendees at off-sites) receive fun stuff from booths and during panels, one of the reason my attendees go crazy trying to get into certain panels or booths.

Off-sites: These are mostly those events and/or booths that are often open to the public.

My Top Ten Favorite Things from SDCC 2018

10. Deadpool 2 panel: full clip from the conclusion of the film (If I can turn back time). Cher will              never be the same.
9.   Acquiring my first Alex Ross, Wonder Woman to add to my collection. Limited, SDCC exclusive        21/25. Can't wait to hang it!
8.   Deadpool 2 giveaway tee shirts. Friday shirt giveaway featured his sketch of Peter. Although the          song 9-5 will forever be altered. Also (adding in here), I discovered and met Justin from Claus            Studios. You'll know his work from the end credits of the movie. His work is entertaining.
7.   Star Wars Millennium Falcon experience. #thesmugglersway
6.   Spending time with friends doing the Con together. These memories and experiences are quality          time too. This year I took a friend's son and it was so much fun. I didn't get to do it with the                Dude, but he did go with his Dad. However, our friend's son was the next best thing, and we had          an awesome day. It was full of "exclusives". Hanging with Rebecca, her boyfriend
      Nick Kremenek (artist and graphic designer) and my brother (fan boy) makes the Con experience        more worthwhile. When you are waiting, you talk and talk. It truly is quality time.
5.   Sony Panel in Hall H. First, the wait was only 30 minutes and that's nothing by SDCC standards.        Spider-man: into the Spider-verse was amazing. Graphics will blow you away, and features the            new Spider-man Miles Morales. It's a big deal. We watched rough-cut preview for Venom                    starring Tom Hardy, who came to his first panel. What a treat!
4.   Getting to speak to author, Tom Angleberger, who wrote the Origami Yoda series. Not only was          he gracious with his time, he made the Dude an origami Yoda. The Dude will get it when I pick          him up tomorrow. Can't wait to give the Dude his new Star Wars, The Mighty Chewbacca in the          Forest of Fear.
3.   Ryan Reynolds during Deadpool 2 panel. He is as funny in person as he is on Instagram. If you          want a good laugh, follow him on IG: @vancityreynolds
2.   Impromptu Flash Panel. During Kevin Smith's panel he showed Grant Gustin and Tom                        Cavanagh's short film, Tom and Grant. It is hilarious.
1.   Kevin Smith Panel, and seeing him receive the Inkpot. If you ever get a chance to hear Kevin              Smith on Saturday night in Hall H. Run, don't walk. We watched his pilot, Hollyweed, which he          had never screened with an audience.  It's Clerks in a pot shop. If you love Kevin Smith, you'll            love this show. You can order episodes at www.RivitTv.com.

There are many more, but I just can't list everything. Now I've got to wait another 360 days until 2019. Let the countdown begin. Click to see photos from SDCC 2018 Photos