The biggest entertainment convention of the year still saw big crowds last weekend when fans flocked to San Diego Comic-Con to meet their favorite comic creators and artists, show off movie-quality cosplay, shop for new and exclusive merch and generally geek out with others.
Hall H—typically the place to be for celebrity panels, trailer reveals and announcements—was mostly empty. All of the biggest film and television studios were absent, and few celebrities attended SDCC.
The Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes bar creators and actors from promoting studio contracted work. That means conventions like SDCC don’t have their normal packed panels promoting the next superhero movie or new fall TV shows.
In recaps from TheWrap and Entertainment Weekly, reporters at SDCC noted a quieter but still fun event. EW wrote that cosplay, video games and comics ruled the weekend with fans packing panels for new games and comic creators.
TheWrap spoke to a few creators in Artist Alley who said the lack of celebrities was a boon for them this year. And without the stress of trying to get into big ticket panels, fans were able to enjoy smaller ones that may otherwise be overshadowed. One producer told TheWrap: “If there is one single summation it would be that Comic-Con is now too big to fail, and that Hollywood needs Comic-Con more than Comic-Con needs Hollywood.”
I couldn’t agree more. I fully support the members of WGA and SAG-AFTRA in their fight for fair wages and better working conditions in Hollywood. And as a longtime nerd and lover of nerd conventions, I also welcome the chance for comic cons to return to their roots of comics, community, creators and comics.
At home here in Florida, Tampa Bay Comic Con is gearing up for another nerd fest at the Tampa Convention Center this weekend. Days ahead of opening, the guest list is still stacked with actors, voice artists, comic creators and authors.
Top names include Sean Astin (“Lord of the Rings,” “The Goonies”), Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan (“Lord of the Rings”), Matthew Lewis (“Harry Potter”), Giancarlo Esposito (“Breaking Bad,” “The Mandalorian”) and Jim Cummings (voice of Winnie the Pooh).
Tickets to Tampa Bay Comic Con happening Friday-Sunday, July 28-30 at Tampa Convention Center start at $30.
According to TBCC organizers, the Hollywood strikes have not impacted the upcoming event.
“While we wait for there to be a resolution to the recent turn of events in the entertainment world, we are incredibly grateful that it has not caused a negative impact on the overall experience that attendees will observe when they come to our event,” Ro Malaga, Director of Business Development at Tampa Bay Comic Convention, told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay.
Malaga said there are still chances for photo ops and autographs with celebrity guests as well as scheduled panels throughout the weekend. But similarly to SDCC, the content of some panels may be modified to avoid crossing the picket line by discussing struck work.
“…it’s fortunate that we have had no cancellations due to the recent strike and expect there to be a record turnout again this year,” Malaga said. “Our event organizers have a great relationship with many in the entertainment world including SAG and will adhere to their wishes as members of the union are present at our show greeting their fans and creating an experience for all to partake in,” Malaga said.
The draw of conventions like Tampa Bay Comic Con and Metrocon is their ability to land big name talent while also maintaining a smaller community feel. Both events began as much smaller gatherings in hotel ballrooms before growing into the multi-day geek fests they are today—drawing upwards of 50,000 people.
I’ve gone to TBCC and other cons for nearly a decade. Some years, I splurged to meet people like Evan Peters (“American Horror Story”), Norman Reedus (“The Walking Dead”) and even the legendary Stan Lee (creator of Spider-Man). I also wrote a piece on how to do comic con a budget after getting tips from a bunch of local nerds. The best parts of fan conventions aren’t just about the star-studded guest lists or opportunities to see a new movie trailer before anyone else. It’s the people.
It’s seeing the Nerdy Speed Dating return year after year, and watching not one but two weddings with one couple as Sally and Jack Skellington and the other as Wonder Woman and Superman. It’s the thrill of being hunched over dusty comic long boxes and walking away with bruised cuticles and a stack of vintage Star Wars comics.
It’s the surge of serotonin you get when people compliment your and your husband’s matching Dharma Initiative t-shirts (if you know, you know). It’s the fun of spotting dozens of people dressed up the character of the moment – this year, I expect to see a lot of Barbies.
It’s the excitement of seeing other people excited about fictional characters, stories, worlds. And also sharing in that excitement, feeling a part of a bunch of smaller communities under the larger umbrella community of nerdom.
So, if you’re headed to TBCC this weekend, take note of all the friendly neighborhood comic creators, artists, authors and cosplayers.
Try your hand at LARPing in the Foam Combat Arena or sign up to play Magic the Gathering with author Brandon Sanderson. Bring your books and comics to get signed, and buy new ones directly from their creators. Take lots of photos with people dressed as your favorite characters (ask first, please) and compliment them on their craftsmanship.
“What is so great about comic and pop culture events is there isn’t just one perfect formula,” Malaga said. “Each celebrity, comic creator, artist, author, writer, cosplayer, etc. brings their own brand and audience into this immersive world.”
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This article appears in Jul 20-26, 2023.