Five Reasons You Should be Glad You Didn’t Go to the San Diego Comic Convention

If you’ve been watching the Major Spoilers website these last couple of weeks, you know there is a huge comic book convention going on in San Diego, California.  The show sold out over a month ago, and hotel rooms went the first day, so anyone who wasn’t on the ball, is now sitting on their couch or chair at the office suffering from SDCC Non-Attendance Remorse.

To help you get over your suffering, we take a look at five reasons you should be glad you didn’t go to the largest North American comic book convention of the year.

1.  125,000+ people

Hanging around the comic shop with your friends is pretty cool, even when the “crowd” comes in on Wednesday to pick up their new shipment.  Now take that number and multiply it by 50,000 and you get the idea of just how crowded the convention show floor can be.  And let’s face facts, of those 125,000+ people running around pushing and shoving you, half of them will have “forgotten” their deodorant.  Probably not a big deal if you are 6’5”, but shorties at pit height are going to be glad they’re hanging out on the Barcalounger instead of swimming in pit-stain heaven.

2.  More time to read comics

We know it is fun running from booth to booth and diving into the bins in the dealer section, but really, at a show like SDCC, there’s no time to read the stuff you buy, let alone the new comics released this week until you get home.

3.  Money Savings Galore

Yes, I too really wish I was at the show to snag some of the con exclusives, and purchase some original art, but barring that, hotel expense, airfare, and $10 hot dogs on the show floor – I’m exaggerating here, but not by much – really take a toll on one’s wallet.  While there are many artists who might do sketches for free, many charge high rates, and there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to get your favorite artist to do a doodle for you.

For those really dying for a sketch or show exclusive, I suggest eBay (that’s where I’m headed on Monday morning), or visiting the artist’s website to see if they do commissions via the ‘net.  That’s what I did with Gene Gonzales and his non-con-sketch-auctions.

4.  See Dark Knight Again (and again)

With all the comic fans in San Diego, that means fewer people in line at the multiplex waiting to see Dark Knight.  Take that money saved by not flying and you can see Dark Knight five more times before Sunday evening.

5.  Enjoy the show virtually

With all the blogs, websites (Major Spoilers included), twitters, podcasts, video blogs, and more covering the show, there’s no need to step foot in San Diego to enjoy a comic convention.

I’ve been attending major conventions for over 10 years (National Association of Broadcasters, SIGGRAPH, Consumer Electronics Show, Home Builders Show, and so on), and for the last two years, I’ve made it a point not to attend the CES and NAB, because I end up getting the news faster online than I do from actually being there.

So there you go.  Hopefully you feel better about not being able to attend the convention this year, perhaps in the future you’ll be able to attend Comic Con International: San Diego, or one of the other hundred comic book conventions that are closer in proximity.