As I was attempting to do some planning for the upcoming Comic-Con in San Diego this year, I hit a bit of a road block. The official schedule of events, that mammoth catalog of panels, performers, and parties happening at Comic-Con International this year, won’t be out for at least a few more weeks according to the CCI website. So my work on the Suvudu coverage schedule closed almost as soon as it started (though I’ve got a kickin’ template ready to go).
But that doesn’t mean we’re completely in the dark. This year’s San Diego Con highlights a few really cool milestones. I’m going to take a minute to break those down for you in this post. And since we’re talking about milestones and past events, I also want to ask you about your past Comic-Con experiences. Do you have a cool or favorite memory from one of the past Cons? Tell us all about it in the comments section.
And with that, let’s look at some of the featured themes and anniversaries of the coming San Diego Comic-Con:
• 75th Anniversary of the Great Adventure Comic Strips
I don’t know much about the original Adventure Comic strips, but I am the recipient of their legacy. In fact, as comics fans, we all are. 1934 was a boom year for the ACS with titles like Terry and the Pirates, Flash Gordon, ‘Lil Abner and more, the popularity of these strips introduced (or re-introduced, depending on your perspective) comics and graphic storytelling to the masses.
• 50th Anniversary of Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)
The Green Lantern has been, and will likely continue to be, one of superhero-dom’s greatest characters. The series has spawned one of the best villains in Sinestro and the Sinestro Corps and continues to reward fans with intricate storylines. Happy 50th Hal Jordan and crew! Here’s hoping for fifty more!
• 50th Anniversary of Rocky and Bullwinkle
That’s right - Rocky and Bullwinkle are turning 50! Incredible, right? To celebrate, the voice of Rocky the Squirel, June Foray, will be attending the Con. I have no idea how many of these she’s been to before, but I urge her to read the suggestions given to me for first-time Con attendees. Good luck, June!
• 25th Anniversary of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Dude! No way! Here’s one that means I’m officially turning into an “Old Dude.” Those mutated, pizza-loving, martial artist turtles are 25 this year. I would make a joke about them doing some sort of career planning or something like that, but given the opening of their last movie, they’ve already done that. But if they were teenagers 25 years ago, that means they are at least 38 years old now. Or not. Best if they’re not. Expect a lot of green outfits at the Con this year, though. I’m holding out hope that I’ll see at least one Shredder outfit. That would be fun!
• 25th Anniversary of Usagi Yojimbo
I am ashamed to admit I know next to nothing about the rabbit samauri. I might be one of the only ones as Stan Sakai, a three-time Eisner winner, has been writing these stories for 25 years now—with more than 120 issues!—and fans keep eating it up.
• Comic-Con #40
That's right, the Con itself is celebrating a milestone (but not a milestone birthday - as they point out themselves). This year marks the fortieth time that fans, creators, and retailers have gathered because and in honor of comics, fantasy, and science fiction, since that first smallish convention of comic book artists and retailers gathered in 1970. It's gone from hotel convention rooms to an entire convention center and still growing. This year, the Con will pause and take a quick look back in it's souvenir magazine to remember its history. It's a little late to get your entry into their magazine, but if you have a Con story you'd like to share, I know we'd love to hear about it in the comments!
Still want more? Me too. So here's one last find from my Comic-Con Friday. It's the Comic Con magazine and it's on offer for free web reading (via CCI, so be sure to say thank you to them). The magazine is below and you can click through it. I'd recommend popping it out to full screen mode though, unless you have super-powered eyesight.
Yeah, over the weekend I went to find the Listing of Events but, as always, they wait until two weeks beforehand. *sighs*
Well, in a few weeks, we'll know what we are doing. Errr... if I am even going... haha
Yeah, I'm a little intimidated. I thought that the NY Comic-Con was pretty big, but hearing the war stories from San Diego... I think it's going to be a crazy weekend. And I've been told that Segways are not in the budget. *sigh*
You'll do fine. NY Comic Con was a good way to "ease" into San Diego. ;)
Don't forget a very important date. Suvudu's 1st Birthday! That's right...Suvudu start was Comic Con '08.
Awe! Happy First Birthday is coming! Sweet.
I just want cool bags at Comic Con. Can we have cool bags at Comic Con, Camille?? ;)
I was so bummed that I couldn't go last year, but I am SO there this time. I've only ever been to the NYC Comic-Con once. And I do mean once; a friend of mine couldn't make it on the last day and gave me his pass. That one day was the beginning of something wonderful. I too am eager to get my own schedule down so I can squeeze the most out of this event.