For 42 years in a row people have been going to San Diego to celebrate all things nerdy without me. This year is no exception. As the San Diego Comic Book Convention (Comicon) gets started this week, I am left here in Wisconsin wishing I was there.
For the last 48 hours I have been devouring the Twitter and Facebook feeds of people I know that are there, celebrities that will be making appearances and TV shows that have booths. My youngest child eagerly asks me every few hours if the BBC has released any news on the new season of Doctor Who. Co workers are curious about our lunch table discussion shows Dexter and the Walking Dead.
Some people wait all year for the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show, others mark the calendar for the next big announcement from Apple. I look forward to Comicon every year. Even though I have never been there.
The wonder of the modern age we live in is that even without attending you can participate. In addition to the live feeds, many companies will use the "con" to launch ARGs or other cross promotional sites. In addition the trailers and clips that are shown at the convention will find their way to the web in mere minutes after being shown.
None of this compares to the pageantry that is on display at the hall itself. At the Walking Dead booth they have a diorama set up and allow visitors to take photos of themselves being chased by Zombies. BBC America Has the Tardis on display and will be hosting a panel discussion with the Doctor Himself and his co stars. In fine Comicon tradition they promise a "surprise" during the panel. Dexter Fans were treated to a panel last night that included the first 2 minutes of the Season 7 opener.
While TV shows and Comic books are making a big splash this year movies are not to be left out. There are posters for Rekall Corporation (A tie in to the remake of Total Recall) as well as a large booth sponsored by Omni Corp The Makers of RoboCop and the offical Police Department of Detroit. Omni Corp has a special offer for attendees this year: anyone that signs over the rights to their brain and spinal column will receive free police protection for a year! how can you beat that?
So while I would rather be there, I am here. Slugging away at my job trying to make the world a slightly better place. But my heart is not really in it today. Today, I am definitely California Dreamin. Lastly to all my friends at the con: I hope you have a great time, but I do hate you just a little bit for being there.
You need to come to Dragon*Con. Where Comicon is industry-oriented, D*C is fan-oriented. You have a much better chance of getting close to the guests and getting into the best panels. Also, I work there, so I can hook you up. :) It's probably a little late for you to make plans for this year, but it's held every Labor Day weekend.
ReplyDeleteI will definitely check it out.
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