Hear that? Ryan Murphy is spilling on some spoilers for the next season of “Glee.” See that? Those people are all dressed up in an assortment of costumes for the Masquerade Ball. Smell that? These people just don’t know what deodorant is.
San Diego Comic Con is something that I look forward to every year, and this year I finally had a four day pass to enjoy every single day of this wonderful convention. I was able to experience what it was like to wait five hours in line for the famous Hall H, where some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry talk about their latest movies. I learned what a privilege it was to even be in Hall H. I heard stories about previous years of Comic Con while waiting in line, or for the panels to start. Going to a panel meant waiting for hours in line just to get in. It can even mean camping overnight to get good seats for a highly anticipated panel, such as “Harry Potter” (It was nice seeing Tom Felton).
Comic Con is not only all about the comics, but also TV shows, movies, gaming, fantasy, sci-fi, anime/manga, and so much more. “[Comic Con is] a jumble of all the ridiculous, all the best people. If you’ve ever liked a show, movie, book, anything; this is the place where you aren’t alone,” said Sammay Ness, junior.
I walked up and down the aisles in the exhibit hall, where hundreds of alluring booths were set up. There was plenty to do, whether it was buying cartoon toys, examining action figure collectables, or trying to lift a car as promotion for a new TV series. Plenty of lines formed in order to get free swag, try out a game, or to get autographs.
Cameras went off as fans took pictures of someone brilliantly cosplayed as Heath Ledger’s adaptation of the Joker. People walked around with a cardboard sign saying “FREE HUGS” or “THE GAME” and more recently, “FREE BEATINGS” to counter all of those hugs given out.
Nearly everybody there had been carrying giant bags of posters, comics, flyers, but mostly the free swag. Trying to get through the hall was tough as people traffic made it hard to move. It was fun whenever I was squished up into the arms of strangers who probably hadn’t showered in days.
“It was a great experience to see so many people really excited and passionate. Crowds of people going crazy over seeing an actor or the release of an exclusive preview… there is something for anyone and everyone at Comic Con,” said Annie Tarabini, junior.
People come together and share their appreciation for something that they can’t find anywhere else. “What makes [Comic Con] so amazing is just being able to share your own excitement with all the people around you, even if you have no idea who they are!” Tarabini said.
As the years go by, Comic Con has become more popular. New shows and movies come out and attract even larger audiences. The 2011 San Diego Comic Con 4-day pass with preview night had already sold out by the Monday after the last day of Comic Con 2010. There had been a rumor that Comic Con San Diego might have to move to somewhere else with a bigger convention center, because the one right now just isn’t big enough to hold all the excitement built up around the four days. Also, because hotels and businesses in the downtown area had been taking advantage of the event and overprice everything. But recently, they announced that Comic Con will stay in San Diego. San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders even stepped in to make sure that the hotels will do everything they can to keep San Diego ideal. Good thing I am one of the lucky ones who had already preregistered for the four day passes for next year before it sold out, and I wasn’t stabbed by a pen in the process.