Whether they prefer Superman to Batman, Yu Gi-Oh! to Pokemon, the thousands that flock to the annual San Diego Comic-Con will get their fill of pop-culture and sci/fi fantasy entertainment to last them, well, until next year. The four-day event will be held San Diego Convention Center, 111 Harbor Dr., from July 20 to 23. More than 100,000 people converged on the convention center last year, including exhibitors, attendees and volunteers.
“It’s hard to project or forecast (how many people will come) because there are so many variables”¦We just hope to get as much this year,” David Glanzer, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Comic-Con, said.
On the ground level of the convention center are the large exhibit halls filled from one end to another with booths representing old comic book collections to new ones, toy manufacturers, small and independent publishers, artists and movie industry representatives, all promoting or hyping their products.
“We have diversity so no one overpowers another on the floor,” Glanzer stated. “With movie studios and publishers many people say”¦they take a lot more portion of the floor. But it’s not the case. It just looks that way because of the big banners and showcases.”
Large forums and small question and answer sessions are held in the upper floor featuring panels of celebrities, directors, writers, artists and others in the creative industry discussing their newest venture or reliving many of their old and most popular ones. Attendees can also delight in meeting their favorite professionals in the autograph signing area. Special guests slated to come are Forrest J. Ackerman, Ray Bradbury, Brad Meltzer, Sheldon Moldoff, Christopher Paolini, and a slew of others.
Well-known in their industry, many attend not just for the publicity or promotion but more of a chance to meet their fans, Glanzer explained.
“It gives them the opportunity to talk to and interact with people who buy the movie tickets, the comic books, the books,” he said.
On the business side, industry members get to meet and greet with each other. Artists are introduced to directors; producers may talk with actors they want to work with.
“We are kind of the epicenter,” Glanzer boasted.
Frequent Comic-Con fans may harp at not knowing what movie stars may attend until the last minute, but Glanzer swears he and his organizers are not doing it on purpose.
“We don’t want to advertise so early and people come from across the country and then that person cancels,” Glanzer explained. “While it seems like we are holding out to make it more exciting, the real reason is it takes a great deal finesse to manipulate the schedule. We are hoping to have the final schedule up very soon.”
Originally a small cult event, it is now a major affair for both comic publishers and the movie industry. Glanzer attributes the convention’s success and growth to its uniqueness and diversity.
“I think foremost it is mostly a really fun event,” he added.
Each Comic-Con is planned nearly immediately after the last one is completed. To keep on top of upcoming trends, organizers peruse the Internet, trade magazines and communicate with studios, publishers and toy manufacturing companies.
“All of us are really fans of those venues. We all have kind of an ear to what is cool and what is happening,” Glanzer said.
Though they have a fair share of first-time exhibitors, many of them are frequent returnees. On the last day, exhibitors are encouraged to register again for the following year, receiving a discounted rate.
“It helps us a lot as well. It gives a good indicator of what kind of floor we are going to have,” Glanzer explained.
They do not allow just any party to reserve a booth or floor space for the convention. They must be related in some way to pop culture or comics, Glanzer explained. In other words, no car dealerships or other random companies are permitted, he added.
Glanzer encourages all to pick up a program schedule as soon as they can. Event coordinators try to establish a plan so attendants will have the opportunity to sit on all or most of their forums and/or autograph sessions. But sometimes it is contingent upon the guests’ schedule.
“It’s a really Herculean effort,” Glanzer said.
Costume-goers are a large staple to Comic-con. Many people spend months on designing their own outfit and accessories instead of just buying from a traditional store. The Saturday night Masquerade Ball is a contest venue for those who wish to parade their design skills. Industry professionals award prizes. A Hollywood costume designer will also be on hand at one forum during the convention to discuss how to create eye-popping costumes.
“There is great craftsmanship and talent that goes into it,” Glanzer said.
Amateur artists can have their work appraised at the Portfolio review section. Professionals in the industry from small to big publishers meet with the artists and give pointers, training advice and sometimes even jobs.
In addition, NBC 7/39 and Platinum Studios partnered up for the Comic Book Challenge contest for aspiring writers and artists. All are invited to submit their comic book concept to be developed for print, online, film and TV.
“With the excitement the Comic-Con convention brings to San Diego, we felt this would provide a unique opportunity for a search for new talent in our community,” Penny Martin, VP of Program and Creative Services at NBC 7/39, said.
Scott Mitchell Rosenberg, chairman of Platinum Studios, said judges would be looking for talent, creativity and, above all, “strength of a good story.
“Creative and talented writers and artists with something interesting to say are what we’re looking for, not something to fill a hole or something that is popular at the moment,” he said.
New and unpublished comic book creators can submit their ideas online at NBCSanDiego.com. On Thursday, July 20, the first day of the Comic-Con, the top 50 semi-finalists will pitch their ideas live to a panel of industry insiders at Peacock Plaza, adjacent to the NBC 7/39 studios, 225 Broadway, starting at 10 a.m. The top three finalists will appear on NBC 7/39’s “Streetside San Diego with Kimberly King,” on Friday, July 21, to pitch their comic vision. The winner will be published by Platinum Studios and premiere in print in March of 2007.
The success of recent comic book-inspired movies and sci-fi/fantasy-themed television shows have generated a new legion of fans and still tends to keep the traditional ones around.
“I think people are realizing that there is a lot more to comics than guys running around in capes and tights (although capes and tights are still cool)”¦Comic book stores have as many different genres as any mainstream bookstore,” Rosenberg said. “People are beginning to realize that and look at the medium with more respect. And I honestly think Hollywood has helped with that.”
For more information, visit www.comic-con.org.