Autograph signings are another big part of Comic Con each year, and this year was no exception. Movie stars, TV celebrities, comic book artists and writers were signing at booths and panels throughout the weekend. I was lucky enough to talk with Paul Levitz (a big whig over at DC comics and current writer on Legion of Superheroes) and get an autographed comic. My buddy Jose got two really big comic book names, Stan "the Man" Lee and Geoff Johns (creative director at DC Entertainment and major comic book writer). I didn't get an autograph, but I was able to get a picture with Morgan Spurlock (Supersize Me and tv series 30 Days). There were celebrities everywhere, I bumped into Nelsan Ellis who plays Lafayette on True Blood when I was walking out of the bathroom. And most all writers, artists, and celebrities are just as excited as the fans to be giving autographs and meeting fans - makes for a great environment.
During Comic Con, Morgan Spurlock was shooting a documentary called Episode IV: A Fan's Hope that tracked four attendees around the convention for the weekend as well as documented the happenings of the whole event. The production crew was everywhere taking pictures, filming panels, following those four attendees, and interviewing random guests and celebrities also. I bumped into Mr. Spurlock when I was walking through the headquarters for their production. They hope to have the documentary out in time for next year's Comic Con.
There was an "elephant in the room" so to speak at Comic Con this year. The contract with the San Diego Convention Center is set to expire in 2012 and Comic Con has publicly announced that it is considering other venues in addition to San Diego for 2013 on. Anaheim and Los Angeles, California are the two other cities up for possible hosting sites. Throughout the entire weekend, the attendees were talking about it, the exhibitors were talking about, the press was asking people's opinions on the matter. It was clearly a big point of discussion for the event. Comic Con International said that they would not be making the announcement until after the weekend, and now it's been postponed until August. In my opinion, they should stay in San Diego, where the event has been held for 41 years. Yes, there are size restraints, but if movie studios were limited to only bringing comic book related movies to the Con and not allowing Hollywood to run the show, then size would probably not be a problem. Comic Con International is a non-profit organization, so its not about dollars. If they really want to promote movies and TV shows so much, I would suggest having two cons. Host Comic Con in July, like every year, and only allow panels based on comic books (no Angelina Jolie spy movies that have no comic book relation) and then in the fall host, "Hollywood Con" in Los Angeles that brings all the stars, studios, and tv shows together to air their previews and host panels and giveaway movie posters and Tshirts. This would get Comic Con back to its roots and leave it in San Diego. Anaheim and Los Angeles are great cities, but they would not give the attention to Comic Con that San Diego does. Anaheim would mute Comic Con's presence with Disneyland and Angels baseball events going on at the same time and Los Angeles is just too big a city to be able to put the focus on one event at the convention center (That's why Vegas is bad too). The Gaslamp District of San Diego gets into the theme of Comic con. Restaurants have special menus and stores sell special comics merchandise, the local theaters host screenings and its all within walking distance of the convention center. The city of San Diego, including their city council and police force, work hard to make sure Comic Con goes smoothly and runs safely. My stand to Comic Con Internation is "KEEP COMIC CON IN SAN DIEGO!"
I hope you had fun following my adventures. It was a great week in San Diego (didn't get to see the ocean much though). A quick shoutout to my fellow attendees, Heather, Jose, and Guy - It wouldn't have been the same without you all. I'm glad we were able to all geek out together!
If you have the means and opportunity to attend Comic Con next year, I highly suggest you do so - and if you do, hit me up, we'll hang out and I'll show you the ropes! Thank you for following.
Sincerely,
Brightboy
P.S. Stay tuned to BrightboyAdventures.com as we have some big changes coming to the site in the coming days! We are going full nerdiness ahead, with coverage of all things geeky year round! Including comic book and superhero movie reviews, contests, and coverage of our adventures at comic con's up and down the west coast.
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