SDCC 2006

[furtech]

I love the San Diego ComiCon (but refuse to call it by its new name): it's a giant nerd-shopping mall! Yes, it's gotten too huge; yes, a lot of the little-guys have been squeezed out; yes, corporate wins over all...but still, it's THE COMICON!



Once again I took the Surfliner/Amtrak down and the trip was blissfully uneventful. Even the obnoxious, loud and loutish group of frat boys who decided to have a party on the train didn't spoil the trip. I arrived late Friday afternoon and met up with Martes, who had done pre-reconnaissance for me. She found a number of werewolf comics (though no toys this year) and we went off to gather them. Saw cooner and set up a dinner date. Tried to see missmonstermel but she was off wandering the con in-costume. She's got bigger ones than me to creature-costume at SDCC! Between the heat and the crowds-- Wow! Even Galactus had trouble getting through the crowds!

I stayed at the Marriot Gaslamp Quarter Hotel: I thought this was a new construction, but cooner said it was the old Clarion re-modeled. I argued against that idea, only to discover on closer inspection that he was right! The Marriot Corp had done such a complete remodel I didn't recognize it! Now it's a really nice place to stay! Plus it has a view of Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres . I almost called up Terrie Smith to see if she wanted to catch a game during the weekend, but the Pads were (ironically) up in San Francisco playing the Giants that weekend.

The con has transitioned from a large comic book dealer's room to a huge media fest. The studios spend a LOT of money on booths and displays here-- the Samual Jackson/Snakes on a Plane panel was the hit of the con (and Samual Jackson seemed to have a really good time). There was a lot of free loot this year-- really nice things like an LED fan, a maglight and Cartoon Networks' 5X7 sketchbook with the CN logo on the cover. I was amused a group of the shortest Predator-aliens that I've ever seen at the Sideshow (fancy maquettes) booth.



And of course there were all the things I wanted to buy, but couldn't (either because of price or unavailability). Minotaurs were the species of choice this year-- all kinds of models, toys and art from independent sources to Narnia to Worlds of Warcraft, as well as a WoW collectible card game. There was a cute Lassie maquette at the Sideshow booth (not out yet); that and a Rin-Tin-Tin would make great bookends! There was a neat sculpture of Naruto w/Kyuubi demon as well (pic for tsukinobara).

Comments

[furtech.livejournal.com]

Yeah-- it makes any tourist's snapcam shot look like art! I think the San Diego Convention Center is one of the most beautiful I've ever been in. The only two things they dropped the ball on was not taking more advantage of being right on the ocean and, of course, -parking-! Good seeing you there! If I'd known you were going, I would have tried to drag you off to grab food earlier.

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

*nodsabout the problem running out of space too*
I'd hate to see 'em move also..
and honestly, seriously.. they have options.
The Convention center can still build out some, up some, or even go DOWN some.. it wouldn't be that difficult.. I wish they'd get started so it'll be ready next year :D