Last week, I attended Comic-Con for a half-day for my second year in a row. Just like last year, the convention was sensory overload and standing room only. KPBS reported that there was about 126,000 attendees and another 25,000 exhibitors in town for the four day event. Over the four days, it was estimated that the local businesses reaped in about $42 million.
While I was strolling the aisles, I came across Stan Sakai’s booth. He was selling autographed copies of the 1987 Fantagraphic’s Usagi Yojimbo: Samuri! issue #1 for only $5. At first, I thought I was mistaken to see the 25 year old comic for just $5. I mostly remember Usagi Yojimbo from the TMNT TV series and comics of the 1980s. After snatching up the autographed #1 issue, I discovered that the un-autographed issue’s street price is somewhere between $14 and 17. I just wish I could pick stocks and mutual funds with a 200% profit…
For those that haven’t attended Comic-Con before, the conference isn’t all about comics. I’d say that at a rough guess, it might be about 40% comics, 30% TV, 20% movies, and 10% video games. All of the big name TV series (Heroes, Stargate series, Battlestar Galactica, 24, Fringe, Lost, etc.) and movies (Transformers, Iron Man, GI Joe, etc.) had huge booths. There were also a few booths for new TV shows like “V” (a remake of the 80s TV show). And of course, I saw a few celebrities there including Edward James Olmos (Battlestar Galactica) and Lou Ferrigno (the original Incredible Hulk).
Overall, I really enjoy Comic-Con, but it’s way too crowded in the convention center. There’s lots of stuff to see and tons of venders selling everything you can imagine. Nearly every TV show and upcoming movie from all genres (fantasy, sci-fi, drama, action, horror) is there and there’s huge booths and TV screens with previews running. I was even able to catch a glimpse at the next season of Heroes. I also saw the 24 booth and tried to head in that direction, but I got distracted or lost because I didn’t actually make it there.
There’s an ongoing debate to whether San Diego should expand the convention center to accommodate a larger Comic-Con, otherwise, Comic-Con will be moving to Las Vegas in 2012. I’d hate to see the convention move to Las Vegas and I’m sure all of those wearing Boba Fett or Stormtrooper armor or other full outfits would hate to walk around Vegas in 100+ degree weather. Not only will Comic-Con potentially be leaving San Diego, if we don’t expand the convention center, but there’s other medical conferences that are nearing the same volume of people that will require more floor space and meeting rooms.
The proposed convention center expansion is to add another 200,000 sq ft of exhibit space and 100,000 sq ft of meeting rooms. The expansion is estimated to cost around $1 billion.
Resources:
- Comic-Con’s Economic Impact on San Diego (KPBS)
- Building a $1 Billion Convention Center Expansion for Free (Voice of San Diego)
- Convention Center design includes more space and pedestrian bridge (San Diego Union Tribune)
- Usagi Yojimbo (Usagi Yojimbo.com)
I’d like to be able to go to Comic-con one day.