Comic Con 2010 TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW! With and Without Preview Night!

[kremzeek]

^
the only retired actor I would like to see is Sean Connery. Everyone else is still alive (chris lee) or still acting.

I haven't been to SDCC in a few years and would like to attend the Freaks party the next time I in town.

 

[Mesa]

Comic Con has been going down hill since I first attended in '97. It has become an industry trade show and caters almost primarily to the studios. This is why you pay 30%-50% over peak season rates for a hotel when you go. It's price gouging, pure and simple, but nobody will do anything about it.

I used to love going to "Con", but unfortunately, this may be it for me. I guess I'll just have to watch it through all the news outlets where they'll point out the extreme contrast between the "beautiful" Hollywood people and the "nerds" of con. I'll get to hear how every young star or starlet pretends to "love" comics as they walk down the red carpet to promote some POS genre movie.

Eventually, there won't be an artist's alley where you can talk to people like Mike Kaluta, Sergio Aragones etc. It'll be replaced by the already growing group of "retired" actors shilling autographs. There will be fewer and fewer artists and writers talking about the craft of making comic books. They'll just be talking about how to sell your comics to the studios. Finally, there won't even be comic books. There'll just be studio booths handing out free promotional bags to carry more free studio hand outs and actor autographs in.

What used to be a cool vacation with friends has turned into an expensive trip where I get to hear "creative" execs make fun of all the "nerds" on the train ride down.

If I sound bitter, well, I am. I LOVE comics and grew up reading and making them. I also love movies and work in the film industry. I just think big business has come in and corrupted both of these things I'm so passionate about.

Sorry about the rant. It's just seems like this year might be when the show finally implodes on itself and it's a sad, sad thing.

I've only been to SDCC 2X. Last year and this year. And both times were a friggin' blast. SSF party and introductions and cool people to hang out with probably had something to do with that.

I hear what you're saying, but where do you draw the line? I Love SDCC for what it is RIGHT NOW. Where else can I go and see beautiful women dressed as Ghostbusters, check out the newest video game trailer or maybe play a demo, sit in on a panel ranging from THE summer blockbusters, TV shows (G4, Big Bang Theory, True Blood, Fringe, etc.), Comic companies, toy companies, etc. etc. etc.

So while I go for the SSF event and because I do enjoy a good comic story, I definitely enjoy all the other awesome things loosely or closely related to anything pop culture, movie studios, Marvel, DC, Image, Sony, WB, Lucas, Xbox, Lou Ferigno, Legos, Mattel; bring it on. Call me a sell out, whatever. If I want to see a low budget con, I'll just attend my local event.

 

[Ultramanimator]

I've only been to SDCC 2X. Last year and this year. And both times were a friggin' blast. SSF party and introductions and cool people to hang out with probably had something to do with that.

I hear what you're saying, but where do you draw the line? I Love SDCC for what it is RIGHT NOW. Where else can I go and see beautiful women dressed as Ghostbusters, check out the newest video game trailer or maybe play a demo, sit in on a panel ranging from THE summer blockbusters, TV shows (G4, Big Bang Theory, True Blood, Fringe, etc.), Comic companies, toy companies, etc. etc. etc.

So while I go for the SSF event and because I do enjoy a good comic story, I definitely enjoy all the other awesome things loosely or closely related to anything pop culture, movie studios, Marvel, DC, Image, Sony, WB, Lucas, Xbox, Lou Ferigno, Legos, Mattel; bring it on. Call me a sell out, whatever. If I want to see a low budget con, I'll just attend my local event.

I like all of those things too and I think there is a place for them at the show. However, it's STILL called Comic Con and the fact of the matter is, comic retailers and artists are slowly being squeezed out of the show.

Supposedly, Comic Con is a non-profit organization that promotes "comics and the popular arts", but they charge comic retailers the same amount per sq ft for a booth as big studios like Warner Bros and Fox. There's NO WAY a small business like a comic shop can spend the same money as one of these studios. If the show is truly about promoting comics and REALLY is non profit, than give the little guys a break. Hell, change the name of the show, but don't pretend it's about supporting comics anymore.

Sadly, I think the Comic Con organization wants to co-opt the "comics" brand and kow tow to the studios, while kicking true supporters of the art of comics to the curb.

 

[LOTRFan]

My fear is that the con will get too big and either have to move, where I may not be able to attend, or it get so expensive or limited attendance like they tried with E3. I'm cool with $100 for tickets, not with a whole lot more than that.

Move it to Vegas!

 

[Ultramanimator]

Move it to Vegas!

That's been the rumor lately...

 

[Kuzeh]

Isn't it supposed be in San Diego until 2013 if I'm not mistaken?...

 

[Mack]

Article from June 2nd, 2009

Convention Center design includes more space and pedestrian bridge

DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO — Architects working on a new San Diego Convention Center wing say it wouldn't just be for tourists but would offer something for locals, such as a rooftop restaurant and a pedestrian bridge with easier access to San Diego Bay.
The city's nonprofit Convention Center agency today will unveil the preliminary layout of a hoped-for expansion that would bring the entire building to 1.2 million square feet.

Drawings depict nearly 400,000 additional square feet, of which 225,000would be prime exhibit space — which convention officials say they need to keep competing for large, lucrative shows.

The expansion is not as big as initially desired because of land constraints at the only site deemed workable.

But it would keep San Diego in the top 13 American convention cities, according to one estimate, though many others are also eyeing expansions.

And it would be big enough to continue housing the mega-show Comic-Con if the San Diego-born comic book convention wants to stay, Convention Center President Carol Wallace said.

Mayor Jerry Sanders appointed a task force to determine whether the city should expand the center, which currently measures 814,000 square feet, including 615,000 square feet of exhibit space. The task force, which has issued no opinion, will see a presentation on the preliminary architectural plans at a public meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Convention Center.

A spokesman for Tucker Sadler, the architecture firm that designed the 2001 expansion and was hired for initial work on what would be the center's third phase, said a main concern was opening better access to the bay and enlivening the bayfront walkway, known as the embarcadero.

“We want to make sure that people walk the entire embarcadero, that there is something there for them to experience,” said Gregory Mueller, president of Tucker Sadler.

The new wing would sit in front of the existing building, on the bay side. It would rise 40 feet above the southern wing but stand about as tall as the structure's signature “sails,” officials said.

The design team discarded another site — across Harbor Drive on parking lots now used by Petco Park, including Tailgate Park — because a previously unknown finger of the Rose Canyon earthquake fault was discovered there.

One eye-catching element of the bayfront design would be a 57-foot-high pedestrian bridge stretching from Fourth Avenue, across the Convention Center, to the water. Currently, walkers must summit a mountain of steps or take a slow-moving elevator to get from the Harbor Drive side to the bay side of the long building.

The city's Centre City Development Corp. is overseeing construction of a publicly financed, $26.8 million pedestrian bridge just down Harbor Drive at Park Boulevard. Views of that structure, meant to be iconic, would not be blocked because it will be lower, at 25 feet above the street, convention officials said.

One new aspect would be an improved pedestrian promenade along the bayfront, where navigation now is not straightforward. The new building would extend out toward the water, taking up what is currently a parking lot, but leave a 35-foot-wide walkway and a 25-foot-wide buffer area where cafe tables and chairs could spill out.
Another element of the design, which remains preliminary, would be a rooftop eatery open to the public. As yet, the publicly financed convention hall offers no shopping and no restaurants meant to serve residents.

Officials said they won't have a price tag until mid-month.
For more about the task force, go to conventioncentertaskforce.org.

https://www3.signonsandiego.com/sto...tion-center-design-includes-more-space-and-p/

 

[Mesa]

Move it to Vegas!

I could still swing it then, but my trips would probably quadruple in costs.

 

[LOTRFan]

That's been the rumor lately...

So I've read, but I heard that Con organizers were worried about too many distractions and attendees not spending money on Con related merchandise etc.


Even so, it's my home town.

 

[Mesa]

So I've read, but I heard that Con organizers were worried about too many distractions and attendees not spending money on Con related merchandise etc.


Even so, it's my home town.

Good point. I'd rather keep it in san Diego. Vegas is for gambling, hookers and blow. Keep my comic events in San Diego.

 

[MaulFan]

I'd like to see them rotate it between East coast and West coast.

 

[playafree]

Good point. I'd rather keep it in san Diego. Vegas is for gambling, hookers and blow. Keep my comic events in San Diego.

haha.. so true man, so true...

Anyhow, i bought my 4 day pass today.. Now, it's time to start looking for a hotel..

 

[Master Wayne]

wow wow wow four day passes are up to $100 this year? How lame.

 

[GrueSam]

For what you get, though, $100 is cheap cheap cheap.

I'd like to see them rotate it between East coast and West coast.

That won't happen. Hollywood won't want to ship their displays, promos, swag nor stars that far!

 

[MaulFan]

For what you get, though, $100 is cheap cheap cheap.

This is my first year buying tickets, so I'm not sure what they ran before, but for 4 days at a show like this, given where it is and how big it is, I thought $100 was on teh cheap side, I woud have almost expected like $50-$100 per day.

 

[GrueSam]

This is my first year buying tickets, so I'm not sure what they ran before, but for 4 days at a show like this, given where it is and how big it is, I thought $100 was on teh cheap side, I woud have almost expected like $50-$100 per day.

And... can't wait to meet you, Sean!

 

[MaulFan]

I'll feel real confident I'm finally getting there once I book a hotel, I think I'll see about wrapping that part of this up this weekend.

Hotels don't charge you until you actually go there and stay right, up front it's just a reservation.

 

[Buttmunch]

This is my first year buying tickets, so I'm not sure what they ran before, but for 4 days at a show like this, given where it is and how big it is, I thought $100 was on teh cheap side, I woud have almost expected like $50-$100 per day.

Just 2 years ago it was $50 for the 4 day pass if you bought early. This year it was up to $75. And people thought Sideshow price jumped fast! The cost DOUBLED in 2 years. Even if it is still a good deal, I can't help but feel ripped off. And this year there seemed to be even MORE people and I got into even LESS things I wanted. I fail to see why I was charged 50% more for a worse experience than then the year before. I can understand charging more if they let less people attend, but that clearly wasn't the case.

 

[MaulFan]

Well, I imagine I'd spend a large ammount of time at the Sideshow booth, and just meeting everyone would be great, so maybe I don't see it as a rip because I have that first time excitement.

 

[zimbo]

Can anyone in this thread recommend some good hotels/motels in SD. I've never been to SD before and this will hopefully be my 1st Comic-Con just trying to sort out Accomodation and flights from Scotland and back now.

And would it better to try and get a hotel near to the Convention centre or not?

Thanks for any help guys.

Zimbo