This year, 2024, could be the first “normal” San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) we’ve experienced in quite some time!
WHAT’S HAPPENING?
Let’s see, the writers and actors are no longer on strike. The pandemic is in the rearview mirror (so far, anyway). So, this might be the first “regular” San Diego Comic-Con we’ve been through in quite a while! It’s being held from Wednesday, July 24, through Sunday, July 28. According to their website, here’s how they describe themselves: “Comic-Con is the premier event for all things comics and related popular art, including movies, television, gaming, interactive media, and so much more! Enjoy cosplay galore and take part in unique programming, exclusive previews, and presentations, not to mention the expansive and diverse Exhibit Hall featuring merchandise and displays representing all fandoms.” The hours of operation will be Wednesday (Preview Night) from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and finally Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
All kinds of news from the entertainment industry are usually released during SDCC. Of course, we here at MajorSpoilers are primarily interested in information about upcoming comic books and the like, but there could be TV, movie, video gaming, and other comics-related news that we need to cover! Each time there is an SDCC, Head Honcho Stephen Schleicher and his team keep fans informed about the latest and greatest developments from that con!
Will it be a good con to attend? Of course! Actors and writers and many others in the entertainment businesses will be there promoting their wares and upcoming projects, which they will be able to discuss this time (unless they are under orders not to by the heads of the companies—spoilers, you know). See the aforementioned website for more about what will be happening there!
IF YOU ARE ATTENDING
It’s true every single year–Many of us have to plan far, far ahead just to be able to go to SDCC, so hotel room reservations were scheduled months ago. If you are one of the very fortunate people staying with local friends, they are likely expecting you to be there, and they have made plans to help you enjoy the con!
The entertainment companies are likely doing some of the big activities they usually do, like taking over restaurants and the like in downtown San Diego, so be sure to keep up with things through the various websites of the many different companies.
Are you one of the very smart ones who has started walking in preparation? You should definitely already be walking as much as possible so you can traverse downtown SDCC easily. As I’ve mentioned in previous years, I did NOT do that the first time I went to SDCC. It took me about two weeks to recover from that expedition! I was exhausted!
Many pros and entertainment organizations are likely already posting their schedules on social media, and that’s going to be good for fans to plan around! You should be following them in preparation for the event!
Remember the usual reminders to having a great con—be sure to carry water bottles if at all possible so you can keep hydrated, wear loose clothing to keep comfortable in the warm weather, and do what you have to so you can keep your phone charged!
Even if you are attending SDCC, be sure to check in here at MajorSpoilers regularly to keep up with what’s going on. Hey, when I was there live, people online knew more about the news that was happening than I did when I was walking the con floor! And if you are NOT at SDCC, MajorSpoilers will be your best source of the latest news from one of the biggest cons of the year! You’ll know what’s happening!
WHAT ELSE SHOULD YOU BE DOING?
As always, the con website is a place to go for vital information and updates! Personally, I would bookmark that site. This is true of almost all the conventions I attend!
If you are meeting up with other fans during SDCC, work out a method of communication that will help you all keep in touch! Whatever social media platform/email systems that you all use, be aware how you all want to communicate!
I also believe that, as much as I love to focus on the con I’m attending, it’s helpful to keep up with the news happening in the “real” world and in the local community. Something could happen that will impact your attending the con! What if streets are blocked off due to some local occurrence? You’ll need to know that as soon as possible! However you can do it, make it so!
Do you know people who regularly attend SDCC? If you do, they will be excellent sources of information or processes you will need to know to get the most out of the con. Experience remains one of the best teachers, so you should take advantage of that! Or, you can check out previous years of SDCC and the coverage on MajorSpoilers or other websites/social media to see what has taken place and what you can learn from this!
CONS THIS YEAR
Sadly, real life is getting in the way of me attending or participating in conventions in 2024. My personal life is busy as can be, so I won’t be in San Diego yet again this year. It’s been a while since I’ve been there, but again I will miss trapsing around downtown San Diego, seeing all the costumers and cosplayers showing off their various outfits. Ah, the memories!
I have noticed that comic conventions have been in transition after the pandemic, and that includes a bigger focus on anime and related items. I didn’t get to NYCC last year, but my friends who went told me that the comic areas were much smaller, and the anime producers/salespeople took up a lot of what would have been the empty spots. I would hate to see “comic cons” become almost totally “anime cons,” but we’ll see. It’s going to be something that I’ll be keeping my eyes on. It’s natural for things to change over time, but I seriously doubt that SDCC will become SDAC (San Diego Anime Con) in the years ahead. They did trademark their original name, after all!
One of the big deals at SDCC in 2024 will be DC Comics’ focus on “All In.” Joshua Williamson and Scott Snyder are apparently helping DC work to restart interest in comics and superheroes, so if you are there, don’t miss their presentations! I’ll personally be following “All In” very closely because I hope it will help the comics industry move forward in the years ahead. Will it be “just the thing” the industry needs right now? Only time will tell, but I am a huge fan of both of those creators, so I’m very hopeful and positive as well as anxious to see just what they have in mind for us fans! Some are comparing this to Marvel’s recently revived Ultimate line, but the more, the merrier, in my opinion.
Whatever you can do to stay aware or get the most out of SDCC, do your research and keep up with what’s taking place! And be sure to check in here at MajorSpoilers so you can get the most out of San Diego Comic-Con 2024!
What do you think? Are you going to SDCC 2024? Have you attended San Diego Comic-Con in the past? What are you looking forward to taking place this week at SDCC? Whatever your opinions, be sure to share them in the space below!
Dear Spoilerite,
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Wayne Hall creates the Wayne's Comics Podcast. He’s interviewed Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo, John Layman, Kyle Higgins, Phil Hester, Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray, David Petersen, Christos Gage, Mike Grell, and Matt Kindt. On this site each week, he writes his "Comics Portal" column (general comics comments and previews) and reviews comics.