I've been home for nearly two days, and my San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) buzz has not subsided. It was, for me, the best time I've had since I started attending in 2006. Here are some thoughts from my trip!
Book Panels
There are generally two types of book/graphic novel-related programs at SDCC: a “what's new and upcoming” style put on by various publishers, and author panels, usually organized around themes. I attended a couple of both, and while I enjoy the publisher-sponsored programs (they often host giveaways), they seem aimed more at the librarian/blogger types. However, if you like walking away from a panel with a list of books to buy/check out from your local library, these publisher panels are the place to be!
The author panels are great for readers of specific genres or authors, as well as for aspiring writers, as the panelists often talk about their writing processes, research and inspirations. Over the last few years, I've developed a fondness for a few authors based on their ‘performances' in past panels, and will usually seek them out whenever possible: Max Brooks, the reigning king of zombie fiction, is always off-color and hilarious (though lines to see him are looong); Patrick Rothfuss, author of The Name of the Wind, who lamented the fact that his most well-known identifying feature — a fittingly epic grey-black beard — is a direct result of his being too lazy to shave; Jim Butcher, author of the awesome Harry Dresden series, who is snarkily funny and tells great research stories; and Rachel Hawkins, author of the YA series, Hex Hall, who is my new favorite author to see. She's funny, sarcastic, and a little bit dirty, which makes an hour with her absolutely delightful.
Television
These panels used to make up most of my Comic-Con experience. As I love both television AND sneak previews, these panels are great, since shows sometimes debut their series premieres in San Diego, and every show that comes to Comic Con brings a teaser reel of sorts. This year, as with others, I happily waited in line to see The Walking Dead (and CANNOT wait for the new season, in which Carol will be teaching little kids about fighting with knives. For serious), as well as Game of Thrones, whose panel focused a lot on a couple of major characters' deaths and how those actors prepared for and reacted to those scenes. I also saw clips and/or episodes of the upcoming season of Sons of Anarchy, and of a new cartoon series created by Seth Meyers and Mike Shoemaker, The Awesomes,
Movies
I tend to avoid movie panels, as they require a level of line perseverance I don't usually possess, but this year included a few important book-to-movie panels that this librarian HAD to see. The Ender's Game footage was seriously slick and action-packed, and freakin' Harrison Ford was on hand, making for some awkwardly gushy audience questions; and the Divergent footage was both awesome, intense, and swoon-worthy. However, the panel for which I woke up at 4:30am was the Veronica Mars movie. As a fan of the TV show (in fact, the first year I went to SDCC was 2006, the first and only time VM attended as a show), I happily cheered and sighed over the never-before-seen footage and actor stories.
As I stayed in Hall H all day Friday for my favorites, I was treated to great panels in between, including The World's End, the sure-to-be hilarious third movie from Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg, and Nick Frost about a night of pub crawling with old friends interrupted by a violent alien invasion. We were also treated to footage of Kick Ass 2 (which promises to be violent, crass, and violently funny), and The Chronicles of Riddick, which seems to be a bit of a throwback to Pitch Black, and includes the insanely bad-ass Katee Sackoff. I cannot wait for that one!
Lines
SDCC wouldn't be SDCC without lines. As I mentioned, I myself surrendered to the lure of the line for my must-sees, and we were there by 5:20am for an 11am program. We, like others, were prepared for that 5 hour wait with fold up “pocket chairs” and reading material, but not surprisingly, there were more serious fans than we who slept in line to guarantee their spots. Even a book program — “Urban Fantasy: Myth & Magic in the City,” featuring authors like Jim Butcher and Richard Kadrey — was full two hours before start time, thanks to its position in the schedule. Right after the fantasy authors was the TV show, Gravity Falls, which has a very dedicated fan base.
This can lead to frustration for con-goers at all levels of fan-intensity, and will force you to focus on what is most important to YOU. See the panel or get the stars' autographs? (They often sign right after panels, and those lines can start long before the panel began). Sleep on the ground overnight in line or take your chances? Give up on that one hugely popular program in order to see five other smaller panels? (The queue for Sunday's Hall H line-up, which included the Dr. Who 50th Anniversary, began filling at 4pm on Saturday evening…)
Serendipity
That perseverance needed to get into a room before your panel often leads to the most interesting discoveries. In trying to secure an early spot for a publisher panel Thursday evening, we sat through a panel about The Goon Kickstarter project, and were pleasantly surprised by how much we enjoyed the panelists' banter and the clips of the project. And Sunday afternoon, stopping in early for an author panel, I popped into “Shattering Convention in Comic Book Storytelling,” and heard a fascinating discussion of the roles diversity does and maybe should play in the comics world, with panelists from Racebending.com talking and discussing with creators like graphic novelist Gene Luen Yang and the amazing Gail Simone.
The Exhibit Hall and Cosplay
I am not a big spender at Comic Con. I sometimes buy books or t-shirts as presents, but not much else. However, I love spending time on the exhibit floor, if only for the people-watching. The number of people dressed in costume — and often in character — is insane and awesome. I don't recognize all of those costumed, but the amount of time, skill and money that goes into these beautiful and creative costumes is clear and impressive. They also make for great pictures!
Not so great is maneuverability. The exhibit hall is a mad crush at the best of times, especially around the gaming and big studio booths, the former for the amount of free gaming opportunities they allow (so very cool), and the latter for all the free stuff. Yes, there is a ton of free swag available at SDCC, but you either have to be lucky (showing up just as a new line is forming for School of Dragons horned helmets), or in the know, either because you checked the giveaway schedule or the booth's website/Facebook/Twitter feed.
And Finally, My Favorite Moment
Last year, my friends and I bought spectator tickets to The Walking Dead Escape, and while it was fun, it wasn't quite the experience we expected. So, when I heard that it was happening again this year, I asked my best friend and official con buddy if she'd be interested in running the course with me. She agreed, and it was with great nervousness that we bought our ($75) tickets, laced up our sneakers, and lined up outside Petco Park, not quite sure what to expect, but jittery with nerves and giddiness. A half-hour later, we emerged sweaty, exhausted, and laughing, as the experience — crawling through tunnels, climbing fences and wooden towers, and threading through piles of boxes, all while dodging horrifically made-up live zombie actors — was some of the most fun I've ever had. And yes, I was infected and exterminated, but I got some awesome swag for my troubles, and I will be running again next year!
I hope to see you there!
TL;DR: San Diego Comic Con and The Walking Dead Escape are experiences not to be missed.