Comic Con 2015. A day in a life

Ioanna Papageorgiou
Mar 3, 2016
13 min read

Last July, I found myself in San Diego, where I spent a day at Comic Con. With a Press Badge, but no privileges. Because these five days (if we take into account Wednesday's night Preview) of nerdy celebration is created only and almost exclusively for its fans....

Friday, 10 July 2015. 09:30 a.m. Outside the entrance of my hotel, I take the bus, specifically chartered to take us downtown, at the city's port and the Convention Center that has been the beating heart of Comic Con ever since 1991 (19 years after its establishment, in August 1970, at US Grand Hotel, by Shel Dorf, Richard Alf, Ken Krueger and Mike Towry). I sit in one of the last five available seats, next to a semi naked guy, disguised as something between a zombie and a ghost. He is very rigid as he tries not to touch me or the back of his seat so that not to leave traces of his white make-up. "Good morning!" he says smiling, however.

10:15 a.m. We reach at the - closed for private vehicles - port. I realise that, these days, the whole city is organised for and... dances in the rhythm of Comic Con. On my way to the Convention Center, I pass an outdoor space, configured for the occasion as a playground (including a gigantic, blown-up, red Snoopy house) for every taste, as well as an absolutely packed footbridge and sidewalks. I am surrounded by every comic or not, super or not heroic creature of every age you can imagine. But I don't take my camera out yet. I am in a hurry to collect my badge so that I can take my place in the line for the «The Walking Dead» panel, in time.

10:30 a.m. I arrive at the Press Registration area, on the ground floor of the Convention Center, where a very polite employ informs me which of the officers behind the ridiculously many desks is available for me. There, a... not so very polite employ scans the bar-code of my accreditation confirmation that I have printed, gives me my badge and prompts me, from the bundle next to her (and only that one), to gather my collectible bag and the information material. The former is sponsored by Warner and its subsidiary DC Entertainment, so apart from the cinematic «Batman VS Superman: Dawn Of Justice», each one of them is adorned with one of their many TV series’ poster: from «Arrow» and «The Flash» to the new «Lucifer» και «Supergirl» (that I got). The latter consists of the Quick Guide (with easy to use mini maps of the venues and info on what happens, when), the Events Guide (which gives details on every program and happening) and the Souvenir Book (containing anthology pictures, illustrations and essays for all the anniversary specials - i.e. Lucasfilms' 39 years presence - as well as this year's Eisner Awards). I am asking her if the press has any privileges or some kind of special treatment at the entrance of the panels, and she answers me curtly, «I have no idea. Ask someone at the Press Information desk». There, a couple of steps away, another, thankfully very polite employ, lets me know that members of the (international) press are not facilitated in any away as far as entrance to the panel is concerned, and that any press material (which, happily, I still receive an abundance of) is send only via email.

10:45 a.m. After a short stop for a meager breakfast of coffee and a croissant, next to a «Kick-Ass»'s Hit-Girl, I arrive at the line of the renowned Hall H that has a capacity of 6.500 seats, and where the most popular panels of Comic Con take place. Today’s program began at 10:00 a.m. with 16th Annual Animation Show of Shows (which is an animated short films festival). Then it is the AMC’s phenomenon «The Walking Dead» (you can discover its best moments here) and its spin-off «Fear The Walking Dead», at 12:00 and 13:00 respectively, «Game Of Thrones» at 14:30, Entertainment Weekly: Brave New Warriors at 16:00, Lucasfilm for the uber-hyped «Star Wars: The Force Awakens» at 17:30 and Yoga Hosers: An Evening With Kevin Smith (on which the self-proclaimed «Clown Prince of Comic-Con», Kevin Smith, talked about his new movie, «Yoga Hosers», his forthcoming sequel to «Mallrats», «Mallbrats» and his AMC Show «Comic Book Men») at 19:15. Until 11:15 the line moves fast and I comfortably arrive nearly at the top of its third leg. In front of me there are 800 people at most, so I feel certain I will get in. I wish…

12:20 p.m. «The Walking Dead»’s panel has started as scheduled 20’ ago and I am stuck at the same, exact point for the last hour. I witnessed the line expanding to three more legs parallel to mine. Dressed-up fans (like the… Jedi with the lightsaber, next to me, at the second leg of the line) getting cozy, sitting or lying down directly on the grass, on the coldness of the pebble tiles, on their collectible bags (that obviously everybody gets and not only the press) or on each other, reading books, playing cards, roaming their social media pages via smartphones or tablets, even eating lunch that is brought to them by friends and relatives not standing in line. A TV crew asks for impressions and how many hours each of us stands in line. And a dad asks himself aloud how much longer his newborn, mostly quiet, baby will withstand the waiting! Sitting on my collectible bag, browsing the Events Guide I have by now accepted the fact that I am not getting in my beloved «The Walking Dead», but still hope I will make it in «Fear The Walking Dead». Optimism is futile I soon discover. Congenial youth sporting a t-shirt that declares «Comic Con Staff» gets into our leg of the line to let us know of our fate. «The room is packed» he informs us. «I don’t think you have any chance of getting in any of the next panels. We don’t clear the room after each panel, and there are people that have secured a seat from 5:00 a.m. and they seem anything but eager to leave». OK. Two girls in front of me tell him that they are here for «Game Of Thrones» panel and that they insist on hoping. «I don’t know what to tell you» he replies. «I think it’s unlikely». «What about the Lucasfilms’ panel?», I interject. «Extremely unlikely» he responds, and I think I see pity in his eyes.

12:30 p.m. After deliberations with his spouse, who had just arrived, the dad with the – not quiet anymore – baby and his friends leave. But the line remains completely still. I start talking with the «GOT» fans in front of me. It’s not their first time at Comic Con. And yes they have paid more than 100 dollars each, for a day pass (FRIDAY 2015 is indicated on their badge, in contrast with 4-DAY 2015 that is written on mine, which was free), so that they can have access to every venue and event of Comic Con. They inform me that waiting in the line of Hall H, if you don’t get in for the first panel of the day, is a gamble. «You may wait for 5 or 6 hours and still not get in; neither for the panel are you interested in, nor for any other».

12:45 p.m. I am still waiting. At exactly the same point. I resolve to wait and see if and how much I will progress within the next half hour, so that I can decide my next move. In the meantime I study more thoroughly my information material. From the Quick Guide I learn that ever since last year the so-called Toucan Tracker Wristbands have been established especially for the… impregnable Hall H. These are distributed in the night of the previous day (this year from 22:00 on Wednesday, 20:30 on Thursday, 21:45 on Friday and 23:00 on Saturday, and throughout the hours of darkness until there in no one left), for the events of the next day. They ensure to their holders certain entrance from the first panel, as well as priority and choice of preferred, close to the stage seating. Of course, in order to enjoy such advantages they have to stand in line immediately after the receive their wristband, after midnight and until the opening of Hall H for the first panel, or return in line before 7:30 in the morning. And only then! From the internet I find out that ever since the serious and dangerous problems Comic Con faced in 2008 due to overcrowding, it had to reduce the number of all its accredited visitors to 130.000. And I start counting… Is there any chance that out of the 130.000 there won’t be 6.500 nuts, who have camped outside Hall H since 21:45 last night, so that to reserve the seat of their dreams? None. And if they have spent so much money, and spared no effort, foregoing most of their sleep, for their cause, and the venues are not emptied after each panel, is there any likelihood of at least one of them leaving before the panel of Lucasfilm? None.

01:10 p.m. Having progressed barely a meter I decide not to take the risk of spending my one and only day at Comic Con waiting in vain. So, I collect my things and depart seeking other thrills.

01:15 p.m. I enter Exhibit Hall – the original beating heart of Comic Con. I begin my exploration in Artist’s Alley, where celebrated and less so comic artists, illustrators, painters and tattoo artists, even sculptors showcase and sell their – often pricey – work. I then wander towards Warner’s booth, where taking pride of place are three full-size figures of the super-hero stars of του «Batman VS Superman: Dawn Of Justice». Simultaneously, next to them, on the reversed, compiled of giant screens cone, new FOX series «Lucifer»’s trailer is projected along with live footage of its Welshman star, Tom Ellis, as he signs autographs (along his costars) directly beneath it.

I move on to the «The Walking Dead» booth where I am ambushed by… two zombies. For real. I jump and hardly manage to stifle a scream! There is a line here as well. But small enough for someone to be able to get in, take selfies with the decomposed corpses under the warning graffiti «Wolves Not Far», walk through a container full of zombies that is illuminated only with sparse, strobe lights and get out through revolving glass doors (exactly like the ones where a trapped Noah tragically perished last season) in less than an hour. On the screens at the top of the booth season 6’s trailer, which premiered here, plays alternately with behind the scenes footage as well as interviews with the actors and creators of the show.

From the rest of the extraordinary sights and sounds I encounter as I roam the Exhibit Hall I favour the quiet presence of Edward James Olmos, who sits inconspicuously in a booth selling his cult series «Battlestar Gallactica»’s memorabilia, affably responding to anyone who wants to talk to him or have him sign an autograph.

The amazing even as a comic female hero «Buffy The Vampire Slayer», who dominates one of the walls of the Dark Horse Comics booth.

The massive, festive booth Lucasfilm has erected in honor of «Star Wars: The Force Awakens», where star-troopers and R2D2s walk around, ready to take pictures with you. And where, apart from free posters you can buy everything: t-shirts, caps, suits, action figures or expensive, collectible miniatures of the beloved film series’ famous, various spacecrafts.

The similarly enormous, generous booth of DC Entertainment, where, among other things, the original costumes from the much-loved TV series «Arrow» and «The Flash», plus, once again, those from «Batman VS Superman: Dawn Of Justice», that an “amateur” Wonder Woman duly took advantage of.

The congestion caused by a mismatched, dressed-up gang, including a cumbersome, obscure heroine with wings and a… Spider Man.

And the frenzy triggered by the surprise appearance of the legendary comic creator Stan Lee at Marvel’s and «Ant-Man»’s booth, in order to sign autographs.

02:15 o.m. Having traversed every inch of the Exhibit Hall I opt to investigate the upper floor of the Convention Center, where two, besides Hall H, of the biggest venues are (Ballroom 20 and Room 6B6F, with a capacity of 4.800 and 2.160 seats, respectively), as well as the Sails Pavilion: a vast semi-outdoors space that accommodates the Freebie Tables (where the lucky few who arrive early may collect different every day gadgets and other kinds of memorabilia for free from all the officially participating companies and labels), a stall for autograph signing sessions and an Art Exhibition.

I think I may try my luck at Ballroom 20, where at 15:00 Marvel TV’s panel is hosted, divided between «Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D» and «Agent Carter». On my way there I peek outside, directly opposite of the Convention Center, at Gaslamp – the historic neighborhood of Sand Diego, and I gasp as I take in the hordes of people.

02:25 p.m. I reach the end of the line for Ballroom 20, in one of the spacious balconies of the building and I am feeling optimistic as only one of its three legs is full. Until, moving a bit forward, I gasp again. As I take in the hordes of people. The line expands to the next balcony / terrace, where five and not three legs are packed. And, after making a loop at the other side of the building (which I can't see from where I stand, but discover in the Quick Guide) ends inside, right out of Ballroom's 20 entrance, where I am faced by an unbelievable crowd. I return to the volunteer holding the sign «End of the line – Ballroom 20», and ask him if all that I can and... cannot see is indeed the line for Ballroom 20. «Yes» is his answer. And I think I can see pity in his eyes as well...

14:35 p.m. Disappointed, I decide to wander around the Sails Pavilion for a while, before I look for Room 6B6F. There, at17:45, the panel of another favourite of (not only) mine, «Orphan Black», is taking place. At the Sails Pavilion, as there no one signing autographs at the moment, and the Freebie Tables, having been "looted" early on, are already removed for the day, I explore the Art Show: a particularly interesting exhibition of work by professional and amateur comic artists, with a space dedicated to pieces by this year's nominees for Eisner Awards, as well as Hall Of Fame for some by previous years' winners. I am informed that some of the artworks are for sale via a silent auction. The prospective buyers must register and declare their bid at the exhibition’s management throughout the duration of Comic Con, and wait until Monday morning, 9:00 - 11:00, to pay and claim their... spoils, if victorious.

Before I move on, towards Room 6B6F, I take a look behind me and bask at the... harmonious rivalry between Showtime's «Penny Dreadful» and HBO's «Game Of Thrones».

This part of the upper floor is labyrinthine, with smaller venues and corridors. Thus, the crowding can easily cause confusion. To avoid it I focus on the directional signs, and follow them carefully until I feel that I have arrived at the right place. To make sure, I ask the very sweet lady - member of staff that I luckily bump on. «I am looking for Room 6Β5F, for «Orphan Black»». «You found it» she replies, showing me a door, without a line outside, opening to an almost empty room! «But you better get in now, since we expect a full house both for «Orphan Black»'s and the preceding «Colony»'s panels». I follow her advice promptly.

15:05 p.m. I find a perfectly situated seat, in the front sixth row, on the center-right side, next to a… Flash and a smiling girl that welcomes me letting me know that she too is here for «Orphan Black». The panel that is about to start is titled «How to get a job in the video-games industry» and a handful of eminent «gamers» are ready to enlighten us. Out of the 100, 150 people in the room however, only a handful are here for this particular panel, and attend to it, thrilled, with surprising many exclamations of enthusiasm as soon as it starts. All the rest of us dawdle on our smartphones, read Comic Con's or not publications, and, the most organized, eat the day's main lunch, bought right before their entrance...

16:15 p.m. The room is beginning to fill. Fast. Even though the next panel is for the new science fiction show of - drama series neophyte - USA, «Colony» (http://www.usanetwork.com/colony/cast), Leda clones are dominant among the large number of newcomer attendees, with a variety of Alison's and Cosima's versions stealing the show.

16:30 p.m. «Colony»'s panel starts and the audience, more or less in its entirety, not only awakens, but also starts to (literally) scream its excitement. You see, one of «Colony»’ creators, Carlton Cuse, has served as a producer of the legendary «Lost», while currently he is also one of the creative minds behind FX’s «The Strain» (http://www.fox-greece.gr/the-strain, ( https://twitter.com/thestrainfx, http://deltorofilms.com/). Moreover, «Colony»’s stars are none others than «Lost» heartthrob Joss Holloway and «The Walking Dead»’s darling Sarah Wayne Callies. Thus, apart from said series the conversation often revolves back to those too already classic and cult shows. Two young girls dressed as «The Walking Dead’s» Rick ask Sarah one of the best questions, before Nestor Carbonell, one of «Lost»’s outstanding supporting actors manages to utterly surprise us. Heavily disguised as a dodgy character, he comes up to the microphone designated for audience use and with a whispering but gradually louder and louder voice argues with Carlton for what really happened at the end of «Lost». «So they all died, right? So how come I am here?», he declares abruptly taking off his wig, sun-glasses, and hat. Each and everyone in the room bursts our laughing as crafty Nestor is invited to and takes a place up the panel.

17:45 p.m. After a 15’ intermission, everything is ready for the «Orphan Black» (http://orphanblack.space.ca/) panel to begin. The audience is already elated as, in turn, the creators of the show, John Fawcett and Graeme Manson, the unexpectedly beautiful… body and spirit, Dylan Bruce (at, as he says, his «swan song», since his character Paul Dierden, tragically, yet heroically, sacrificed himself for Sarah during the just completed 3rd season), the colourless not only as an actor, Ari Millen, the designated comic-relief in real life as well, Kristian Bruun, the grand dame Maria Doyle Kennedy, and the simply wonderful Jordan Cavaris make their way up the stage. And (the audience) goes completely wild when the – finally nominated for an EMMY – miraculous as an actress, but unbelievably modest as a human being, Tatiana Maslany, arrives to take her place at the panel, dispensing smiles and kisses. In the next 60 minutes we have the pleasure of finding out how exactly the family dinner scene (that came just before the end of the season and where the four core – Sarah, Alison, Cosima and Helena –Leda clones are present) came to be. Laugh heartily, a lot, as we become privy to an array of behind the scenes anecdotes, inside jokes and a hilarious blooper real. Witness a refreshingly substantial and unpretentious discussion on diversity, fluid gender identity, pansexuality and the wonderful, real, possibility of a one big happy, choice (and not blood) oriented, family. And, at the 15’ Q&A that closes the panel, that more often than not, a fan can be much more concise and to the point with her questions than a professional interviewer.

18:50 p.m. Satisfied and sated for ultimately being able to have the experience of not one, but two extraordinary, characteristic of Comic Con panels, I rather hastily make my way out of the Convention Center, since I can no longer ignore my empty, hungry stomach. On the way towards the red line bus two Comic Con trademark images bid me farewell: a/daddy, mommy and baby in stroller all wearing «X-Men» costumes (that amaze me so much that I neglect to take a picture of them), and b/ the equipped with blankets, sleeping-bags, umbrellas, tents and all the related camping accessories swarm of people that are already populating the line of the next day’s Toucan Tracker Wristbands, outside the entrance of Hall H…