San Diego Comic-Con

San Diego Comic-Con: A Cultural Phenomenon and Mecca for Pop Culture Enthusiasts

Introduction: San Diego Comic-Con

Every year, a kaleidoscope of colorful characters, celebrities, and devoted fans from around the world descends upon the sunny shores of San Diego, California, for an event that has become synonymous with pop culture, entertainment, and geekdom—the San Diego Comic-Con.

Since its humble beginnings in 1970, this annual convention has evolved into an unparalleled extravaganza that celebrates everything from comic books and science fiction to movies, TV shows, video games, and more.

In this 10,000-word article, we will delve into the rich history, unique features, and significant impact of San Diego Comic-Con, exploring how it has transformed from a niche gathering to a global phenomenon.

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I. Origins and Evolution: San Diego Comic-Con

1. The Birth of Comic-Con:
   • In 1970, a group of comic book enthusiasts led by Shel Dorf organized the first San Diego Comic-Con at the U.S. Grant Hotel, with a modest attendance of just a few hundred attendees.
   • The convention aimed to provide a platform for comic book creators, collectors, and fans to gather, share their passion, and showcase their artwork.
2. Expansion into Pop Culture:
   • Over the years, Comic-Con expanded its focus to include science fiction, fantasy, and other elements of popular culture, attracting a more diverse audience.
   • Notable guests and panels from the entertainment industry began to grace the convention, elevating its status and appeal.
3. The Golden Age of Comics:
   • The 1980s and 1990s marked a resurgence in the popularity of comic books, thanks in part to the success of blockbuster movies based on comic book characters.
   • San Diego Comic-Con became a key promotional platform for studios and publishers to generate buzz for their upcoming releases.

II. The Comic-Con Experience: San Diego Comic-Con

1. Panels and Exclusive Reveals:
   • Comic-Con’s hallmark events are its panels, where creators, actors, and industry insiders engage with fans, unveil trailers, and share exclusive sneak peeks.
   • Hall H, the convention’s largest venue, has become legendary for hosting high-profile presentations that generate headlines and excitement.
2. Cosplay Culture:
   • Cosplay (costume play) has grown into a central aspect of Comic-Con, with attendees dressing up as their favorite characters from comics, movies, and TV shows.
   • The Masquerade Ball and the cosplay competition showcase the incredible craftsmanship and creativity of fans.
3. Artists’ Alley and Exhibit Hall:
   • Artists’ Alley offers a chance for comic book creators, illustrators, and writers to connect directly with their fans and showcase their work.
   • The Exhibit Hall is a massive space where exhibitors sell merchandise, limited-edition collectibles, and one-of-a-kind artworks.
4. Fan Interaction and Networking:
   • Comic-Con fosters a sense of community among fans who share similar interests and passions, creating lasting friendships and networking opportunities.
   • Social events and after-parties offer a chance for fans to mingle with celebrities and industry professionals in a more relaxed setting.

III. Impact and Influence:

1. Boosting Pop Culture:
   • Comic-Con has played a crucial role in elevating the status of pop culture, making it a mainstream phenomenon with global appeal.
   • The convention has helped legitimize comic books as an art form and inspired a new generation of creators and fans.
2. Economic Impact:
   • San Diego Comic-Con has a substantial economic impact on the city, attracting thousands of visitors and generating revenue for local businesses.
   • The convention also boosts tourism and puts San Diego on the map as a hub for entertainment and pop culture enthusiasts.
3. Entertainment Industry and Marketing:
   • Studios and publishers recognize Comic-Con’s significance as a launchpad for major announcements, trailers, and exclusive content.
   • The convention has become a crucial marketing platform for blockbuster movies and TV shows, contributing to their success.
4. Inspiration and Aspiration:
   • Comic-Con serves as a source of inspiration for aspiring creators, actors, and artists, motivating them to pursue careers in the entertainment industry.
   • The convention’s emphasis on creativity and imagination encourages fans to explore their passions and embrace their geeky side.

Conclusion: San Diego Comic-Con

From its humble beginnings to its current status as an international pop culture phenomenon, San Diego Comic-Con has evolved into an unparalleled celebration of creativity, imagination, and community.

It continues to captivate fans, shape popular culture, and bridge the gap between fans and their favorite creators. As the convention continues to evolve and grow, it remains a testament to the power of shared passions and the universal appeal of storytelling.

San Diego Comic-Con stands tall as a symbol of how pop culture can bring people together from all walks of life, creating a lasting impact on generations to come.

Locations and dates: San Diego Comic-Con

No.	Dates	Location	Attendance	Guests	Notes
1	March 21, 1970	U.S. Grant Hotel	60–75	Forrest J Ackerman, Mike Royer	Minicon staged to raise funding for August convention
2	Aug 1–3, 1970	U.S. Grant Hotel	300	Forrest J Ackerman, Ray Bradbury, Jack Kirby, Bob Stevens, A. E. van Vogt:	a.k.a. Golden State Comic Con
3	Aug 6–8, 1971	Muir College, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California	800	Kirk Alyn, Leigh Brackett, Ray Bradbury, Edmund Hamilton, Jack Kirby
4	Aug 18–21, 1972	El Cortez Hotel	900+	Bob Clampett, Harry Harrison, Jack Kirby, Katherine Kurtz, Mel Lazarus, Roy Thomas, Milt Gray	a.k.a. San Diego’s West Coast Comic Convention
5	Aug 16–19, 1973	Sheraton Hotel, Harbor Island	1,000+	Neal Adams, D.C. Fontana, June Foray, Mike Friedrich, Carmine Infantino	Now officially San Diego Comic-Con; first five-day Comic-Con; first celebrity brunch
6	July 31 – August 5, 1974	El Cortez Hotel	2,500	Majel Barrett, Milton Caniff, Frank Capra, Chuck Jones, Walter Koenig, Russ Manning, Russell Myers, Charles M. Schulz, Larry “Seymour” Vincent	First Masquerade, emceed by June Foray
7	July 30 – August 3, 1975	El Cortez Hotel	2,450+	Robert Bloch, Will Eisner, Mark Evanier, Gil Kane, Jack Katz, Stan Lee, Dick Moores, Chuck Norris, Don Rico, Jerry Siegel, Jim Starlin, Jim Steranko, Theodore Sturgeon	Radio personality Gabriel Wisdom (dressed as Thor) emcees Maquerade, with Charlene Brinkman (akas Brinke Stevens)
8	Nov 7–9, 1975	El Cortez Hotel	1,100	Jock Mahoney, George Pal	Three-day follow-up to summer Con. Con incorporates as nonprofit.
9	July 21–25, 1976	El Cortez Hotel	3,000+	Sergio Aragonés, Mel Blanc, Milton Caniff, Rick Griffin, Dale Messick, Joe Shuster, Noel Sickles, Don Thompson, Maggie Thompson	Vaughn Bodé, scheduled to appear, dies just before Con.
10	July 20–24, 1977	El Cortez Hotel	4,000+	Carl Barks, C. C. Beck, Walter Gibson, Robert A. Heinlein, Michael Kaluta, Jack Kirby, B. Kliban, Joe Kubert, Harvey Kurtzman, Stan Lynde, Alex Niño, Trina Robbins, Bill Scott
11	July 26–30, 1978	El Cortez Hotel	5,000	John Buscema, Howard Chaykin, Shary Flenniken, Alan Dean Foster, Gardner Fox, Steve Gerber, Burne Hogarth, Greg Jein, Bob Kane, Gray Morrow, Clarence “Ducky” Nash, Grim Natwick, Wendy Pini, Frank Thorne, Boris Vallejo[76]: 71  George Metzger[77]
12	Aug 1–5, 1979	San Diego Convention Center, U.S. Grant Hotel	6,000	Kelly Freas, Mike Jittlov, Harvey Kurtzman, Victor Moscoso, Nestor Redondo, Marshall Rogers, John Romita Sr., Mort Walker, Len Wein, Marv Wolfman	US$12,000 in receipts stolen from home of Con’s treasurer.
13	July 30 – August 3, 1980	San Diego Convention Center, U.S. Grant Hotel	5,000	John Byrne, Chris Claremont, Mike Grell, Paul Gulacy, Larry Niven, Joe Orlando, Richard Pini, Wendy Pini, Jerry Pournelle, Osamu Tezuka, Go Nagai, Monkey Punch, Ryoichi Ikegami, Adam West, Wally Wood
14	July 23–26, 1981	El Cortez Hotel	5,000	Jerry Bails, Dave Berg, Ray Bradbury, L. B. Cole, Jim Fitzpatrick, Dick Giordano, George Clayton Johnson, Bil Keane, Julius Schwartz, Bill Sienkiewicz, Dave Sim	Gary Owens emcees Masquerade.
15	July 8–11, 1982	San Diego Convention Center, Hotel San Diego	5,000	Carl Barks, Terry Beatty, Brian Bolland, Max Allan Collins, Will Eisner, Mike Grell, Chuck Jones, Hank Ketcham, Walter Koenig, Frank Miller, Arn Saba, Leonard Starr, Ken Steacy, Robert Williams
16	Aug 4–7, 1983	San Diego Convention Center, Hotel San Diego	5,000	Douglas Adams, Bob Clampett, Floyd Gottfredson, Harvey Kurtzman, Norman Maurer, Grim Natwick, George Pérez, Trina Robbins	First year the Con tried a theme for the souvenir programs. Arn Saba emcees Masquerade.
17	June 28 – July 1, 1984	San Diego Convention Center, Hotel San Diego	5,500	Greg Bear, Howard Chaykin, Stan Drake, Burne Hogarth, Greg Jein, Ollie Johnston, Bob Layton, Brant Parker, Marshall Rogers, Mike Royer, Robert Shayne, Dave Stevens, Curt Swan, Frank Thomas, Al Williamson	Held early due to Los Angeles Summer Olympics. Sergio Aragonés hosted Masquerade.
18	Aug 1–4, 1985	San Diego Convention Center, Hotel San Diego	6,000	Ben Bova, Jack Cummings, Jack Davis, Gil Kane, Harvey Kurtzman, Alan Moore (in his only U.S. convention appearance), Dan O’Bannon, Jerry Ordway, Alex Schomburg, Julius Schwartz, Jerry Siegel, Louise Simonson, Walt Simonson	Rick Geary toucan design adopted as official logo. Fae Desmond hired as general manager.
19	July 31 – August 3, 1986	San Diego Convention Center, Hotel San Diego	6,500	Poul Anderson, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Greg Evans, Stan Lee, Dale Messick, Frank Miller, Moebius, Mart Nodell, Harvey Pekar, Jim Valentino, Doug Wildey
20	Aug 6–9, 1987	San Diego Convention Center, Holiday Inn	5,000	Harlan Ellison, Miguel Ferrer, Ward Kimball, B. Kliban, Françoise Mouly, Bill Mumy, Mike Peters, Robert Silverberg, Art Spiegelman, Bernie Wrightson	Debut of Convention Events Guide. Country Joe McDonald performs.
21	Aug 4–7, 1988	San Diego Convention Center, Omni Hotel	8,000	Art Adams, Robert Asprin, Jules Feiffer, Ray Feist, David Gerrold, Matt Groening, George R.R. Martin, Matt Wagner	Seduction Of The Innocent band (Bill Mumy, Steve Leialoha, Miguel Ferrer, Chris Christensen, Max Allan Collins) and anime department debut.
22	Aug 3–6, 1989	San Diego Convention Center, Omni Hotel	11,000	Paul Chadwick, Howard Cruse, Ron Goulart, Mark Hamill, Gilbert Hernandez and Jaime Hernandez, Selby Kelly, Syd Mead, Fred Rhoads, Jerry Robinson, Gahan Wilson
23	Aug 2–5, 1990	San Diego Convention Center, Holiday Inn	13,000	Peter David, Will Eisner, Kelly Freas, Michael Kaluta, Mel Lazarus, Carl Macek, Grant Morrison, John Romita Jr., Van Williams
24	July 4–7, 1991	San Diego Convention Center, Pan Pacific Hotel	15,000+	Clive Barker, Dan DeCarlo, Harlan Ellison, Neil Gaiman, Keith Giffen, Joe Haldeman, Lynn Johnston, Joe Kubert, Jim Lee, Don Maitz, Sheldon Moldoff, Rick Sternbach, Janny Wurts
25	Aug 13–16, 1992	San Diego Convention Center, Double Tree Hotel	22,000	Francis Ford Coppola, Creig Flessel, Bill Griffith, Todd McFarlane, Diane Noomin, Rowena, William Shatner, Gilbert Shelton, Lewis Shiner, Mr. T, Gary Trousdale, Vernor Vinge, Kirk Wise	Con hosts Jack Kirby’s 75th birthday party. Phil Foglio emcees.
26	Aug 19–22, 1993	San Diego Convention Center, Doubletree Hotel	28,000	Murphy Anderson, Jim Aparo, Peter Bagge, Dan Clowes, Nancy Collins, Paul Dini, Garth Ennis, Ferd Johnson, Rick Kirkman, Don Martin, Olivia, Dave Sim, Vin Sullivan, Michael Whelan, Robert Williams, Roger Zelazny
27	Aug 4–7, 1994	San Diego Convention Center, Hyatt Regency	31,000	Mike Allred, David Brin, Dave Dorman, Al Feldstein, Rick Geary, Stan Goldberg, Roberta Gregory, Matt Groening, Chad Grothkopf, Lurene Haines, Dan Jurgens, Frank Miller, Leonard Nimoy, James O’Barr, Lucius Shepard, J. Michael Straczynski, Rumiko Takahashi, Jean-Claude Van Damme
28	July 27–30, 1995	San Diego Convention Center	34,000	Scott Bakula, Clive Barker, Mike Baron, Simon Bisley, Charles Burns, Alan Davis, Ramona Fradon, Neil Gaiman, James Gurney, Greg Hildebrandt, Tim Hildebrandt, Ryoichi Ikegami, Gil Kane, Stan Lee, Rob Liefeld, Go Nagai, Irv Novick, Harvey Pekar, Stan Sakai, Joe Sinnott, Tom Sito, Jeff Smith, Andrew Vachss	Name change to Comic-Con International. Richard Bruning “eye” logo debuts.
29	July 4–7, 1996	San Diego Convention Center	36,000	Donna Barr, David Brin, Paul Chadwick, Steve Dillon, Mort Drucker, Ben Edlund, Garth Ennis, Dave Gibbons, Joe Giella, Richard Hatch, Dave McKean, Jim Mooney, Kurt Schaffenberger, François Schuiten	Due to the Republican National Convention, Con falls for second time on Independence Day.
30	July 17–20, 1997	San Diego Convention Center	40,000	Brent Anderson, Dick Ayers, Steve Bissette, Terry Brooks, Kurt Busiek, Evan Dorkin, Sarah Dyer, Steven Hughes, Peter Kuper, David Lapham, Carol Lay, Joseph Michael Linsner, Ralph McQuarrie, Linda Medley, Michael Moorcock, George Pérez, Brian Pulido, Alex Ross, R.A. Salvatore, Kevin Smith, George Tuska, Jhonen Vasquez, Paul Verhoeven, Mark Waid, Al Williamson
31	Aug 13–16, 1998	San Diego Convention Center	42,000	John Broome, Eddie Campbell, Nick Cardy, Mark Crilley, Colleen Doran, Lorenzo Mattotti, Terry Moore, Paul S. Newman, James Robinson, Joe Simon, Paul Smith, Vin Sullivan, Naoko Takeuchi, Chris Ware, Robert Williams
32	Aug 13–16, 1999	San Diego Convention Center	42,000	Tom Batiuk, Chuck Cuidera, Samuel R. Delany, Paul Dini, Arnold Drake, Neil Gaiman, Sam Glanzman, Larry Gonick, Irwin Hasen, Patrick McDonnell, Mike Mignola, Mark Mothersbaugh, Jerry Robinson, Art Spiegelman, Jim Steranko, Jill Thompson, Bruce Timm, Barry Windsor-Smith
33	July 20–23, 2000	San Diego Convention Center	48,500	Kyle Baker, Will Elder, Ric Estrada, Al Feldstein, Phoebe Gloeckner, Jack Kamen, Ben Katchor, Harry Knowles, Harry Lampert, Jeph Loeb, Scott McCloud, Tim Sale, Marie Severin, Kevin Smith, Bryan Talbot, Angelo Torres, Lewis Trondheim, Al Williamson, Gahan Wilson, Janny Wurts
34	July 19–22, 2001	San Diego Convention Center	53,000	Brian Michael Bendis, John Buscema, Michael Chabon, Frank Cho, Julie Doucet, Brian Froud, Wendy Froud, Gene Ha, Joe R. Lansdale, Russell Myers, P. Craig Russell, Kim Stanley Robinson, Spider Robinson, Alvin Schwartz, Dan Spiegle, Jhonen Vasquez, Judd Winick, Bernie Wrightson
35	Aug 1–4, 2002	San Diego Convention Center	63,000	Dick Ayers, Mike Carey, Howard Chaykin, Peter David, Roman Dirge, Devon Grayson, Frank Jacobs, Chip Kidd, Bob Lubbers, Jason Lutes, Craig McCracken, Todd McFarlane, Tony Millionaire, Kevin Nowlan, Bob Oksner, Lew Sayre Schwartz, Eric Shanower, Hal Sherman, Herb Trimpe, George Woodbridge, William Woolfolk
36	July 17–20, 2003	San Diego Convention Center	70,000	Brian Azzarello, Charles Berberian, Sal Buscema, Philippe Dupuy, Neil Gaiman, Jackson “Butch” Guice, Nalo Hopkinson, Steve Jackson, Geoff Johns, Larry Lieber, Carla Speed McNeil, Kevin O’Neill, Howard Post, R.A. Salvatore
37	July 22–25, 2004	San Diego Convention Center	95,000	Jack Adler, Roger Dean, Dave Gibbons, Tom Gill, Harry Harrison, Sid Jacobson, Geoff Johns, Batton Lash, Chuck McCann, Aaron McGruder, Brad Meltzer, Mike Mignola, Rebecca Moesta, Bill Plympton, Eduardo Risso, Jean Schulz, Frank Springer, Tim Thomerson, Craig Thompson, John Totleben	Con expands into Hall H of San Diego Convention Center, occupying entire exhibit space.
38	July 14–17, 2005	San Diego Convention Center	103,000	Lalo Alcaraz, Lee Ames, Sy Barry, Bob Bolling, Bruce Campbell, Nick Cardy, Greg Evans, Bob Fujitani, Pia Guerra, Ray Harryhausen, Phil Jimenez, Robert Jordan, David Lapham, Richard Morgan, Gary Panter, Eric Powell, Lou Scheimer, J. J. Sedelmaier, Dexter Taylor, Brian K. Vaughan, James Warren
39	July 20–23, 2006	San Diego Convention Center	123,000	Forrest J. Ackerman, Yoshitaka Amano, Sergio Aragonés, Peter S. Beagle, Brian Bolland, Ray Bradbury, Mark Buckingham, Kurt Busiek, Art Clokey, Daniel Clowes, Amanda Conner, Roger Corman, Luis Dominguez, Brian Fies, Phil Foglio, Basil Gogos, Carmine Infantino, Everett Raymond Kinstler, Robert Kirkman, James Kochalka, Walter Koenig, Kazuo Koike, Tommy Kovac, Roger Langridge, George R.R. Martin, Billy Martinez, Jonathan Matthews, Linda Medley, Brad Meltzer, Jean-Claude Mézières, Sheldon Moldoff, Jim Mooney, Jimmy Palmiotti, Christopher Paolini, George Pérez, Howard Porter, Jerry Robinson, John Romita, Andy Runton, Shag, Gail Simone, J. Michael Straczynski, Yoshihiro Tatsumi, John Wagner, Brian Walker, Greg Weisman, Scott Williams.
40	July 26–29, 2007	San Diego Convention Center	125,000	Sergio Aragonés, Alison Bechdel, Allen Bellman, Ray Bradbury, Dan Brereton, Daryl Cagle, Cecil Castellucci, Darwyn Cooke, Guy Delisle, Paul Dini, Roman Dirge, Cory Doctorow, Ann Eisner, Warren Ellis, Mark Evanier, Renee French, Gary Friedrich, Christos N. Gage, Neil Gaiman, Rick Geary, George Gladir, Laurell K. Hamilton, Gilbert Hernandez, Jaime Hernandez, Adam Hughes, Joe Jusko, Miriam Katin, Mel Keefer, Scott Kurtz, Joseph Michael Linsner, Joe Matt, David Morrell, Karen Palinko, Mike Ploog, Paul Pope, Lily Renée, George A. Romero, Rowena, Dave Stevens, J. Michael Straczynski, Ben Templesmith, Roy Thomas, Morrie Turner, Mark Verheiden, Matt Wagner, J. H. Williams III, Kent Williams, F. Paul Wilson, Brian Wood.
41	July 24–27, 2008	San Diego Convention Center	126,000	Forrest J Ackerman, Sergio Aragonés, Kyle Baker, Ralph Bakshi, Mike W. Barr, Lynda Barry, Frank Beddor, Ray Bradbury, Steve Breen, Max Brooks, Ed Brubaker, Matt Busch, Jim Butcher, Eddie Campbell, Howard Chaykin, Kim Deitch, Mark Evanier, Al Feldstein, Hiro Mashima, Keith Giffen, Neil Googe, Victor Gorelick, Mike Grell, Paul Gulacy, Neil Patrick Harris, Joe Hill, Bryan Hitch, John Howe, Al Jaffee, Geoff Johns, J. G. Jones, Todd Klein, Dean Koontz, Tite Kubo, Verne Langdon, Jim Lee, Rutu Modan, Noel Neill, Floyd Norman, Jim Ottaviani, Mike Peters, Wendy Pini, Steve Purcell, Robert J. Sawyer, James Shoop, Jim Starlin, Joe Staton, J. Michael Straczynski, Adrian Tomine, Ethan Van Sciver, James Warren, Jeff Watts, Signe Wilkinson, Bill Willingham, Connie Willis, Jim Woodring, Bernie Wrightson, Dean Yeagle.
42	July 23–26, 2009	San Diego Convention Center	126,000	Shane Acker, Michael “Doc” Allred, Kevin J. Anderson, Sergio Aragonés, Ray Bradbury, Brom, Gene Colan, Nicola Cuti, Kevin Eastman, Steve Epting, Mark Evanier, June Foray, Ramona Fradon, Hunter Freberg, Stan Freberg, Gary Gianni, Jimmy Gownley, Russ Heath, Brian Herbert, James Jean, Geoff Johns, Eric Jones, Kazu Kibuishi, Denis Kitchen, John Kricfalusi, Hope Larson, Jim Lee, Francis Manapul, Dwayne McDuffie, Doug Moench, Sheldon “Shelly” Moldoff, Fabio Moon, Patrick Oliphant, Bryan Lee O’Malley, Stephan Pastis, David Petersen, Darick Robertson, Jerry Robinson, Mike Royer, Stan Sakai, Lew Sayre Schwartz, Seth, Bill Sienkiewicz, Gail Simone, Leonard Starr, J. Michael Straczynski, Richard Thompson, Lewis Trondheim, Ramón Valdiosera Berman, Jerry Vanderstelt, Charles Vess, Landry Walker, Bill Willingham, Gene Yang, Leinil Yu. John Lasseter and Hayao Miyazaki as panelists
43	July 22–25, 2010	San Diego Convention Center, Hilton San Diego Bayfront, and San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina	130,000+	Neal Adams, Jason Spyda Adams, Joel Adams, Josh Adams, Sergio Aragonés, Peter Bagge, Gabrielle Bell, Brian Michael Bendis, Ray Bradbury, Émile Bravo, Berkeley Breathed, Kurt Busiek, Chris Claremont, Howard Cruse, Vanessa Davis, Felicia Day, Samuel R. Delany, Dave Dorman, Mark Evanier, Jon Favreau, Matt Fraction, Hunter Freberg, Stan Freberg, Nicholas Gurewitch, Moto Hagio, Charlaine Harris, Dusty Higgins, Tanya Huff, Kathryn Immonen, Stuart Immonen, Van Jensen, Phil Jimenez, Jenette Kahn, Keith Knight, Jim Lee, Stan Lee, Paul Levitz, Milo Manara, Larry Marder, Carla Speed McNeil, China Miéville, Dennis O’Neil, Robert M. Overstreet, Tom Palmer, Sean Phillips, Ivan Reis, Douglas E. Richards, Rick Riordan, Jerry Robinson, Steve Rude, Jeannie Schulz, J. Michael Straczynski, Drew Struzan, James Sturm, Jillian Tamaki, Doug TenNapel, C. Tyler, Ann VanderMeer, Jeff VanderMeer, Gerard Way, Al Wiesner, Michael Zulli.
44	July 21–24, 2011	San Diego Convention Center, Hilton San Diego Bayfront, San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina, and Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel	126,000+	Gerry Alanguilan, Sergio Aragonés, Jean Bails, Ed Benes, Anina Bennett, Jordi Bernet, Yves Bigerel, Joyce Brabner, Patricia Briggs, Chester Brown, Ernie Chan, Jo Chen, Seymour Chwast, Alan Davis, Dick DeBartolo, Tony DeZuniga, Eric Drooker, Garth Ennis, Mark Evanier, Joyce Farmer, David Finch, Dave Gibbons, Tsuneo Goda, Paul Guinan, Kim Harrison (Dawn Cook), Jonathan Hickman, John Higgins, Charlie Huston, Jamal Igle, Joëlle Jones, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Peter Kuper, Richard Kyle, Mell Lazarus, Jim Lee, Paul Levitz, David Lloyd, Patricia Lupoff, Richard A. Lupoff, Patrick McDonnell, Rebecca Moesta, Christopher Moore, Grant Morrison, Alex Niño, Ethan Nicolle, Malachai Nicolle, Anders Nilsen, Jerry Robinson, Bill Schelly, Scott Shaw, Louise Simonson, Walter Simonson, Jeff Smith, Frank Stack, Jim Steranko, Cameron Stewart, Dave Stewart, J. Michael Straczynski, Mark Tatulli, Roy Thomas, Maggie Thompson, Peter J. Tomasi, Scott Westerfeld, Ashley Wood Steven Spielberg appeared as a panelist.
45	July 12–15, 2012	San Diego Convention Center, Hilton San Diego Bayfront, and San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina	130,000+	Charlie Adlard, Bill Amend, Sergio Aragonés, Tom Batiuk, Kate Beaton, Alison Bechdel, Tim Bradstreet, Mike Carey, Gail Carriger, Becky Cloonan, Geof Darrow, Ben Edlund, Steve Englehart, Mark Evanier, Greg Evans, Brecht Evens, Gary Gianni, Stan Goldberg, Rob Guillory, Larry Hama, Peter F. Hamilton, Gilbert Hernandez, Jaime Hernandez, Mario Hernandez, Jennifer and Matthew Holm, Klaus Janson, N.K. Jemisin, Lynn Johnston, Joe Jusko, Karl Kerschl, Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, John Layman, Jim Lee, Jeff Lemire, Paul Levitz, Rob Liefeld, Andy Mangels, Rudy Nebres, Dan Piraro, Whilce Portacio, Nate Powell, James Robinson, Brandon Sanderson, Ben Saunders, Doug Savage, John Scalzi, Mark Schultz, Scott Shaw, Gilbert Shelton, Jason Shiga, Jim Silke, Marc Silvestri, Scott Snyder, J. Michael Straczynski, Angelo Torres, Herb Trimpe, Morrie Turner, Michael Uslan, Jim Valentino, Trevor Von Eeden, Mark Waid, Tom Yeates, Anthony Bourdain	Comic-Con begins charging for Preview Night; pre-registration during 2011 held off-site at Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel, and number of pre-registrations limited.
46	July 18–21, 2013	San Diego Convention Center, Gaslamp Quarter, Hilton San Diego Bayfront, San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina, Petco Park Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel, Chula Vista Center	130,000+	Sergio Aragonés, Tom Batiuk, Brian Michael Bendis, Jon Bogdanove, Vera Brosgol, Jeffrey Brown, Frank Brunner, Gerry Conway, Denys B. Cowan, Jeromy Cox, Michael Davis, Gene Deitch, Jose Delbo, Derek T. Dingle, Paul Dini, Mark Evanier, Christine Feehan, Ellen Forney, Gary Frank, Charlotte Fullerton, Neil Gaiman, Tom Gauld, Russ Heath, Faith Erin Hicks, Adam Hughes, Tony Isabella, Georges Jeanty, Dan Jurgens, Richard Kadrey, Sam Kieth, Jim Lee, Paul Levitz, John Lewis, Todd Lockwood, Elliot S. Maggin, Leonard Maltin, Jeff Mariotte, Val Mayerik, Dave McKean, Terry Moore, Dean Mullaney, Ted Naifeh, Mike Norton, Jerry Ordway, Dan Parent, Martin Pasko, Lincoln Peirce, George Pérez, Fred Perry, Richard Pini, Wendy Pini, John Romita Jr., Chris Samnee, Ruth Sanderson, Scott Shaw, Christopher Shy, Louise Simonson, Bill Skarsgård, Jeff Smith, Nick Spencer, J. Michael Straczynski, Duane Swierczynski, Romeo Tanghal Sr., Roy Thomas, Bruce Timm, J. H. Williams III
47	July 24–27, 2014	San Diego Convention Center, Gaslamp Quarter, Hilton San Diego Bayfront, San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina, Petco Park, Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel, Harbor Club Condominiums, Westfield Horton Plaza, Chula Vista Center, Qualcomm Stadium	130,000+	Mark Brooks, Amanda Conner, Jane Espenson, Jim Lee, Sara E. Mayhew, Jimmy Palmiotti, Joe Quesada, Stan Sakai, Dan Slott, Brian Stelfreeze, J. Michael Straczynski, Brian K. Vaughn, Gene Luen Yang
48	July 9–12, 2015	San Diego Convention Center, Hilton San Diego Bayfront, Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel, San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina, Horton Grand Theatre, Horton Plaza Mall San Diego Central Library, Petco Park, Park at the Park, Omni San Diego Hotel, Children’s Park, Gaslamp Quarter, Horton Grand Theatre, Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade, Embarcadero Marina Park South, Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge, Marina Spreckels Theatre	167,000	Jim Lee, Stan Lee, Humberto Ramos, J. Michael Straczynski, Jhonen Vasquez, Skottie Young	Anime rooms, returned to the San Diego Convention Center for 2015.
49	July 21–24, 2016	San Diego Convention Center, Hilton San Diego Bayfront, Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel, San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina, Horton Grand Theatre, Horton Plaza Mall San Diego Central Library, Petco Park, Park at the Park, Omni San Diego Hotel, Children’s Park, Gaslamp Quarter, Horton Grand Theatre, Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade, Embarcadero Marina Park South, Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge, Marina Spreckels Theatre	135,000+	Sergio Aragonés, Peter David, Ben Dunn, Duff Goldman, Jim Lee, Stan Lee, Ed McGuinness, Tsutomu Nihei, Patrick Rothfuss, J. Michael Straczynski	RFID badges are first introduced. This requires attendees to “tap in” as they enter the convention center and official offsite events and “tap out” as they exit. Anime rooms return to Marriott.
50	July 20–23, 2017	San Diego Convention Center, Hilton San Diego Bayfront, Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel, San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina, Horton Grand Theatre, Horton Plaza Mall San Diego Central Library, Petco Park, Park at the Park, Omni San Diego Hotel, Children’s Park, Gaslamp Quarter, Horton Grand Theatre, Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade, Embarcadero Marina Park South, Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge, Marina Spreckels Theatre	130,000+	Sergio Aragonés, Mike Daniels, Paul Dini, Mike Grell, Erica Henderson, Jim Lee, Stan Lee, Jonathan Maberry, Gail Simone, R. L. Stine, J. Michael Straczynski	First year badges are mailed in a box, with an exclusive SDCC ’17 pin.
51	July 19–22, 2018	San Diego Convention Center, Hilton San Diego Bayfront, Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel, San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina, Horton Grand Theatre, Horton Plaza Mall San Diego Central Library, Petco Park, Park at the Park, Omni San Diego Hotel, Children’s Park, Gaslamp Quarter, Horton Grand Theatre, Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade, Embarcadero Marina Park South, Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge, Marina Spreckels Theatre	130,000+	Yoshitaka Amano, Brian Fies, Duff Goldman, Jim Lee, Trina Robbins, R. A. Salvatore, John Walsh	Online lottery system first implemented for high-demand signings, exclusives, and booth access. First year Harbor Drive and some additional streets are closed to public vehicle traffic from 7am to 9pm Wednesday to Sunday.
52	July 18–21, 2019	San Diego Convention Center, Hilton San Diego Bayfront, Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel, San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina, Horton Grand Theatre, Horton Plaza Mall San Diego Central Library, Comic-Con Museum, Petco Park, Park at the Park, Omni San Diego Hotel, Children’s Park, Gaslamp Quarter, Horton Grand Theatre, Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade, Embarcadero Marina Park South, Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge, Marina Spreckels Theatre	135,000+	Preeti Chhibber	First year Comic-Con shuttles are not operating continuously. Shuttles operated from 5am to 1am during the con. 50th Anniversary of Comic-Con International.
53	July23–26,2020	San Diego Convention Center	N/A		Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Replaced with virtual event.
54	July 22–25, 2021	San Diego Convention Center
55	November 26–28, 2021	San Diego Convention Center, San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina, Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade, Comic-Con Museum, Gaslamp Quarter	40,000+		Titled as “Comic-Con Special Edition”. Unlike previous years, badges were not mailed in advance. Badge pick up occurred in Hall H (instead of Sails Pavilion) after attendees received a wristband, indicating proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or a negative COVID-19 test no earlier than 48 hours prior to the first day of the event. Covid vaccine/testing verification wristbands were distributed at pop-up booths located outside Halls C and H. Masks were required. First time badges for individual days were not sold. Instead, badges were marketed as a 3-day badge only (Fri-Sun). No preview night on Thurs. No Comic-Con shuttles, however complementary shuttles between the Comic-Con Museum and the Convention Center were available. No online lottery system implemented for exclusive booth access. Instead, only one onsite lottery was held (Funko) inside Hall A each morning. First time in a decade that badges did not sell out.
56	July 21–24, 2022	San Diego Convention Center, Hilton San Diego Bayfront, Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel, San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina, San Diego Central Library, Comic-Con Museum, Petco Interactive Zone, Omni San Diego Hotel, Children’s Park, Gaslamp Quarter, Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade, Embarcadero Marina Park South, Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge, Marina	135,000+	Tomi Adeyemi, Lorena Alvarez, Jane Baer, Henry Barajas, Tom Batiuk, Pierce Brown, Cecil Castellucci, Soman Chainani, Amy Chu, Ezra Claytan Daniels, Mark Evanier, Danny Fingeroth, Shaenon Garrity, Marc Hempel, Gilbert Hernandez, Jaime Hernandez, Jock, Keithan Jones, Phil LaMarr, Jim Lee, Miriam Libicki, Tula Lotay, Kevin Maguire, Barbara Mendes, Shannon Messenger, Frank Miller, Bill Morrison, Steve Niles, Nathan W. Pyle, Barbara Randall Kesel, Steve Saffel, Scott Shaw!, Dan Slott, Jeff Smith, Scott Snyder, William Stout, J. Michael Straczynski, Lila Sturges, Mariko Tamaki, Raina Telgemeier, Hidetaka Tenjin, Maggie Thompson, Trino, Mark Wheatley, Sophie Yanow	First in-person San Diego Comic-Con since 2019, returning to its usual July dates. Due to the cancelation of the 2020 show, attendees who had 2020 badges were able to roll badges over to 2021. When the 2021 show was canceled, the same option was available for the 2022 show. Badges were shipped without a commemorative box and an exclusive pin as in years prior. Masks were required, similar to SDCC “Special Edition” 8 months prior. All valid badge holders were required to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or show proof of a negative COVID-19 test no earlier than 48 hours prior to the first day the badge is valid for. Covid vaccine/testing verification wristbands were distributed at various pop-up booths located around San Diego, with most located in and around the convention center complex, with some expanding to nearby hotels. Comic-Con partnered with CLEAR which enabled US citizens to streamline the process.
57	July 20–23, 2023	San Diego Convention Center, Hilton San Diego Bayfront, Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel, San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina, Horton Grand Theatre, San Diego Central Library, Comic-Con Museum, Petco Park, Park at the Park, Omni San Diego Hotel, Children’s Park, Gaslamp Quarter, Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade, Embarcadero Marina Park South, Harbor Drive Pedestrian Bridge, Marina, Rady Shell	TBD		Proof of Covid-19 vaccination is not required, returning to the 2019 pre-pandemic era. Similar to SDCC 2022, badges were mailed to US attendees in a discrete envelope without a decorative box and pin. The 2023 Writers Guild of America strike as well as the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike has directly effected the con. Many companies and talent have cancelled panels ahead of the convention, due to the uncertainty of the strike. However, some companies may still have a presence on the exhibit hall, with limited talent attending.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about San Diego Comic-Con

San Diego Comic-Con Official Website: https://comic-con.org/