Comic-Con in San Diego is the largest comic book convention the world gets to enjoy each year. Packed to the rim with exciting industry information, merchandise, artists, cast, and more. It took over the streets around the convention center and even took over the Padres’ ballpark. It brings so many thousands of people that it forces the city to close streets and carefully watch building capacities.
One of the biggest topics was the new Deadpool & Wolverine movie that is crushing records and making a lot of money in theaters. The panel was so popular that the convention had to take seat reservations before everything even kicked off. There was an extensive drone show in the sky, dancing Deadpools during the Marvel panel accompanied by a choir, and there was even a small parade of Deadpools riding inflatable unicorns on the street (although that might not have been an official promotion/experience).
Various IPs took over restaurants, hotels, bars, and more. Including Planet of the Apes, Peanuts, Spongebob Paramount+, and Borderlands (to name a few).
The Hard Rock turned its street-facing bar into Moxxi’s bar, themed around Mad Moxxi, an NPC from the popular video game series. The new Borderlands movie hits theaters on August 9th, hence the promotion, and looks to be a fun film that shouldn’t be missed. It may not do as well as Deadpool & Wolverine, but it is bound to draw in quite the crowd.
Paramount+ took over a business, once again turning it into the Paramount+ Lodge experience. Filled with promotions for a number of its IPs, including Star Trek, Spongebob, Dextor, IF (the movie), Ghosts, and more. There were cocktails, pizza, T-shirts, temporary tattoos (sprayed), photo opportunities, and other activities to draw people in. Just as last year, it seemed to be quite the hit.
Panel after panel, the rooms were packed with experiences covering the comic, novel, TV, movie, video game, and other exciting industries. From Marvel to Star Trek, there were so many announcements, sneak peeks, and giveaways. Keanu Reeves was presented an Inkpot award by Comic-Con International during his panel where he was revealing new information about his BRZRKR franchise. He had new books, an upcoming movie, and even new toys via a collaboration with Todd McFarlane.
And speaking of Marvel, it had a lot of announcements to share. Including information and a teaser clip for its future Fantastic Four movie. Along with the fact that the studio is bringing back the Russo brothers for the future Avenger movies (Secret Wars and Doomsday). This also included the reveal that Robert Downey Jr will be making a comeback to the Marvel Universe as Victor Von Doom (aka, Dr. Doom).
Robert took the stage saying “new mask, same task”, causing the crowd to completely lose it when he took the mask off. A brilliant reveal by Marvel. It’s unclear if this will be an alternative Tony Stark or something completely new. Or if the Russo brothers are trying to play with everyone’s head. Either way, RDJ will be making a comeback and that is a huge win for the Marvel Universe.
Of course, Comic-Con wouldn’t be what it is without its record-setting exhibit floor. Isle after isle of content for attendees to browse as they buy into new Comic-Con exclusives, score sketches and signatures from their favorite artists/authors, and take part in additional experiences and giveaways.
There were plenty of fascinating booths with massive displays, art, comics/books, and other content to check out. Long lines to take part in, video games to play, convention food to ingest, and shoulder-to-shoulder traffic that forces you to hone your skills in patience.
Since there were no real strikes in the industries affecting things this year (unlike last year), the show was back to its full size. Bringing an unbelievably massive crowd to downtown San Diego, and plenty of profit to all of the businesses there.
