The Guide to Pop Conventions
News Updates
So Close You Can Taste It and Other News Updates
Jul 20th
Do you count Comic-Con as starting on the first actual day, or on Preview Night? Either way, it's almost here. So it's a good thing they posted their games schedule. There are also going to be food trucks parked at the 1st/Island/2nd/J lot, While the San Diego Convention Center is pretty close to many places that serve food, I pretty much survived off of food trucks while at Anime Expo in Los Angeles.
- D23 posted information about their silent auction.
- Joe Weems is going to be at Long Beach Comic Con.
Oh My God It’s This Week and Other News Updates
Jul 19th
Hah! Comic-Con, thinks it’s so great, well I’m not going to lead off with you! Because FanExpo Canada has Gary Kurtz! He was George Lucas’ co-producer on everything up to Empire. Last time I know of he attended a fan convention, he kinda blasted George for selling out. Who knows what wackiness he’ll get up to this time? Also, they’ve got speed dating. Which I’m assuming is completely separate from Gary Kurtz.
- Hah! Comic-Con doesn’t go now, either! Want to talk about Otakon on Twitter? Use the hashtag #otakon. Easy!
- At Comi… FOOLED YOU! Anime Expo 2012 may be 11 months or so off, but you can already RSVP.
- Speaking of which, TrekTrax Atlanta is scheduled for April 20-22.
- OK, OK, Comic-Con news. Here’s information about official scheduling happening at nearby hotels. There, are you happy?
Really? Another Almost All Comic-Con and Other News Updates?
Jul 16th
Man, it’s like the rest of the convention news world shuts down for Comic-Con!
- I know we all like to complain that Comic-Con isn’t enough about the comics anymore, but the schedules for Anime screenings, the Autograph Area, the Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival, now with movie synopses, the San Diego International Children’s Film Festival and thePortfolio Review schedule are all live. Actually, wait, the portfolio review, those would be comics. Never mind.
- New panelists have been added to the ICv2 Conference on Comics, Media, and Digital at Comic-Con. They’re mostly business people, so I’m not going to name them here, but it should be an interesting discussion on the financial future of comics.
- This year’s Eisner Awards are sponsored by AMD. Which is kind of odd, having a company that produces microprocessors sponsoring the premiere comic book awards, but… I really can’t think of a but what. It’s just kind of weird. It’s also going to be hosted by Robert Ben Garant and Thomas Lennon, so expect mustaches and short shorts, because despite the fact they’ve been doing comedy since MTV’s The State, I’m stuck on Reno 911.
- Non Comic-Con News! Are you going to PAX? Monday is your last chance to change addresses before the badges are shipped!
Almost Comic-Con and Other News Updates
Jul 15th
Is it Comic-Con time yet? No? How about now? While you're waiting, go read all your transportation options. I can't believe they finally opened that pedestrian bridge between the convention center and PETCO Park. That is going to take a good couple minutes off my walk from my secret parking place that no I will not tell you where it is.
- Otakon has a couple additions to its guest list -- sci fi and fantasy writer Peter S. Beagle and Madhouse Studios founder Masao Maruyama.
- Star Trek Boston's schedule is up.
- Long Beach Comic Con has some updates for their Artist's Alley.
- There is going to be a special announcement of some kind at D23 at a "storytelling event" featuring writers Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson and actor David Arquette. Your guess is as good as mine. Better, even.
All the Comic-Con News You Can Handle and Other News Updates
Jul 13th
So much news coming out of San Diego, it’s enough to make you think there’s a giant convention happening there in a week and a half!
- Need maps? Here are some.
- Need to know how to pick up your badge? Read here.
- Need a bag to carry around all the stuff you get at Comic-Con? The show is teaming up with Warner Bros. for the official bags this year, featuring art from “The Big Bang Theory,” “Fringe,” “Supernatural,” “The Vampire Diaries,” “Green Lantern: The Animated Series,” “The Looney Tunes Show,” “ThunderCats,” “Batman: Arkham City,” “LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5–7” and “Justice League.” And they even convert into backpacks. Yay!
- Michael “Hicks” Biehn is going to be at Fan Expo Canada.
- Cincinnati Comic Expo is going to have artist Dustin Carson, Jack Knifley and Woodrow Hinton III in attendance.
- Otakon has bios up for participants in their Otaku Idol contest.
I’m Going to San Diego and Other News Updates
Jul 12th
It’s funny, every year for the past several years, I say I’m not going to Comic-Con this year. And somehow, I always end up going. Well, it turns out, after telling everyone that I was skipping out on Comic-Con this year, it looks like I’ll be there Friday through Sunday. Expect lots of pics and stuff. So that’s news. Which is good, because today’s is light.
- TCON has a mobile guide!
- There’s going to be a Marvel vs. Capcom 3 tournament at Gamecon Memphis V.
Comic-Con Sunday
Jul 11th
Once again, I am sensing a pattern. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Comic-Con International in San Diego released their schedules for the corresponding days of the convention. And as luck would have it… Sunday’s is up! If you missed any of the previous days, it’s probably easiest just to go to the main programming page and move on from there. Plus, they have an online scheduler to help you plan out your con. Enjoy!
Comic-Con Saturday
Jul 10th
Thursday, Comic-Con revealed their Thursday schedule. Friday, they did Friday.
Comic-Con Fridays and Other News Updates
Jul 9th
I bet you all were wondering what Comic-Con was scheduling for the Friday of the show. Well, now you don’t have to.
- A bunch of guests were announced for El Paso Comic Con today. Jessica Rey and Walter Jones from the Power Rangers franchise will be there, as will Orli “Shaak Ti” Shoshan and Andy “Drawn a Whole Lotta Comics” Kuhn.
- The official hashtag for Supernatural New Jersey will be #NJCon.
Schedules, Schedules, Schedules and More News Updates
Jul 8th
It looks like everyone is releasing schedules today.
- D23 Expo, the Disney fan expo, put their arena schedule up.
- Comic-Con also put up their Thursday schedule.
- Supernatural New Jersey put up their entire schedule.
- Gallifrey One didn’t put up a schedule, but they announced a ton of guests – Tony Curran, Frazer Hines, John Shiban, Charlie Ross, Virginia Hey, Denton Tipton and Charlie Kirchoff.
- Otakon will have producer, author and journalist Takamasa Sakurai as a guest, and will also preview the martial arts film Bunraku.
- Going to Fan Expo Candada? Make sure to use the hashtag #fanexpocanada when you tweet.
