Comic-Con International, the comic book and pop culture extravaganza, is kicking off in San Diego. The convention, which draws over 130,000 fans annually, opens for a preview night Wednesday and runs through Sunday.
With the COVID-19 pandemic and the Hollywood strikes disrupting past years of the convention either through complete cancellation or modifications to the way they ran, this year will be the most traditional Comic-Con since 2019.
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Actors, filmmakers, comic book authors and illustrators and fans are making their way to the San Diego Convention Center and the several official (and unofficial) event locations for a weekend brimming with programming.
On the opening preview night, fans said they could feel the excitement. Aliia Roza, an attendee from Los Angeles, said she enjoyed seeing people, especially children, coming together and bonding over their shared interests.
“When you were a little girl, what would you do? You would read all these comic books, right? And dream about being a hero and I think this is the most beautiful thing when you just live in a dream.”
Here’s what to expect at the sprawling convention.
Marvel mania
With the highly anticipated release of “ Deadpool & Wolverine,” Marvel is set to be a strong presence, from the costumes fans don to the panels that draw the longest lines. The Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman-led feature is the first and only Disney-backed Marvel movie of the year. The panel promoting the film and celebrating its release Thursday is expected to draw thousands to the convention's famed Hall H.
Marvel is also expected to announce news teasing their upcoming titles in their “Phase 5” cinematic universe plan and beyond, with Marvel president Kevin Feige as the only confirmed speaker on their Saturday panel. He will be joined by special guests, who may include stars of upcoming Marvel titles like “Captain America: Brave New World,” “Thunderbolts(asterisk)” and “ The Fantastic Four.”
Veteran attendees, like Doug Packwood, who's at his 34th convention this year, know that the bigger panels like Marvel's will come with a long wait to snag a coveted seat, but he said it doesn't bog down the high spirits of the event.
“It’s fun for everybody. If you don’t come here and have a good time, then you just got a bad attitude,” he said. "You got to know there’s going to be lines, and you just have fun.”
Stars assemble
After their absence from the convention last year due to the actors strike, stars are returning to the convention in full force to showcase upcoming series and movies. While the lineup for Marvel’s panel will likely remain under wraps until the event starts, several A-listers are confirmed to attend the convention.
Chris Hemsworth, Keegan-Michael Key and Brian Tyree Henry will be speaking on a panel for “Transformers One,” the upcoming animated movie with a star-studded cast that also includes Scarlett Johansson, Jon Hamm, Laurence Fishburne and Steve Buscemi.
The cast of the anticipated August release “Alien: Romulus,” Cailee Spaeny, Isabela Merced and David Jonsson, will speak on a panel with director and writer Fede Alvarez.
Christian Slater, Lupita Nyong’o and the cast members of “The Boys” and “Abbott Elementary” will also make appearances. And of course, Reynolds and Jackman, who have kept busy promoting “Deadpool & Wolverine,” will be there, too.
Beyond the convention
Beyond the convention hall, San Diego will be buzzing with activities, brand activations, parties and events celebrating all things pop culture. Pop and R&B artist Jason Derulo, Japanese singer LiSA and the San Diego Symphony Orchestra are each expected to perform at parties during the weekend.
While several parties and events are invitation-only — including the notable Entertainment Weekly party that draws huge crowds and several celebrities — visitors can keep an eye out for events and pop-ups throughout the city’s Gaslamp Quarter. The area surrounding the convention center embraces the spirit of the weekend, with local businesses, restaurants and bars typically rolling out Comic-Con-specific products or menus.
Unique merchandise
Part of the draw for many Comic-Con attendees is the plethora of merchandise available to purchase on the exhibit floor. Booths selling collectibles from Marvel, DC, Star Wars, Lego, Hasbro, Sony, Mattel and dozens of other companies and franchises will take over the sprawling venue. Visitors can also expect some free items and giveaways on the floor.
The “Artists' Alley” in the exhibit hall also features dozens of rising creators selling art prints, comics, toys, books, collectibles and more.
Many attendees scramble on preview night and in the convention's first day to try to snag the merchandise that is exclusive to the event. Retailers big and small boast rare collectibles, and they sell out quickly.
Memorable cosplaying
Another highlight of the weekend for many is the inventive (and often lifelike) costumes attendees wear. The main exhibition floor is a good place to scout out the best looks, but visitors can expect to see decked-out fans throughout the city all weekend.
On preview night, some attendees opted for more low-key looks, saving their elaborate costumes for the official dates of the convention. Jenna Nguyen, a special effects makeup artist, said her planning process for costumes and makeup takes about a full year.
“This year, I will be half-Anakin and half-Darth Vader," Nguyen said. "Every year it’s a little bit more challenging 'cause everyone expects a little bit more and there’s so many creative costumes here.”
The convention will also celebrate its 50th year of the onstage costume competition, “The Masquerade.” Organizers accepted entries from contestants in the months leading up to the convention and will award top costumes with free passes for next year. Several costuming companies and organizations will also award their favorite looks with cash prizes and gifts. The competition will take over the 4,000 person-Ballroom 20 on Saturday at 8:30 p.m.