My journey began in 2019 when one of my friends was able to purchase tickets for me for San Diego Comic Con 2020. It was the first time since 2013 that I was able to get tickets through the online waiting room. Previous tickets were purchased through comp tickets from a friend.
I was so excited that I got a room at an Air BnB and looked forward to my journey to the Con.
Then the unthinkable happened as not one but 2 Cons were cancelled!
Finally the Megaverse opened and Comic Con 2022 was pronounced to be a reality.
But this Comic Con would be like no other before it.
First step on Preview night was obtaining my wrist band to certify that I was Covid safe. This was not the simple procedure that I had experienced at Comic Con Special Edition back in November 2021. Now there were long lines at the limited stations.
Fortunately I had downloaded the required info to my phone which allowed me in the very short line for Clear Pass app holders. Masks were required in the Convention Center at all times and I do not mean the Cosplay variety. Masks had to be medical grade.
Next I was happy to find out that the fact that my badge did not come in the mail allowed me to bypass the long line for those who only needed their bag and schedule. There was no line to pick up my badge and I received my bag and schedule at the same location.
Then to my surprise there was an extremely long line forming to enter the Exhibit Hall. This was something I had never experienced at previous Cons. Preview Night in previous years was not very well attended and what few panels were available and the Exhibit Hall were easily accessible.
I decided to head to Tin Fish for their taco Tuesday special then head home on the train. I got a few fun pics of the huge billboards painted on the buildings near the convention.
I accomplished all of this in an hour which I am sure is some kind of record.
Day 1
My goal for Thursday was to check into my hotel and then head to my group for my allotted time in the Hall H line for Friday. It was too early to check into my hotel so I checked my luggage and then took the trolley to the Convention Center.
I had hoped to get into the Exhibit Hall but once again there was a very long line. This was something I had never experienced. The Exhibit Hall, in previous years, never had a line to enter. I heard others say that there were less people this Con, but based on the lines and crowd I saw, I have never seen a busier CC.
I decided to go to my line group. I was there an hour before my scheduled time. I met some nice people there. Chatting made the time go fast. Since I had arrived early I was allowed to leave early.
I headed to Hall H which typically is not busy on Thursday and was able to walk right into the half filled Hall. Thursdays in Hall H don’t usually have panels from the major studios but in past years I have always had surprises of unexpected stars in the panels.
This was true for CC2022 as well. The first panel started late due to some security issues so arriving a little after 1:00, I hadn’t missed much.
I spotted Chris Pine in the panel as I walked in. It was the panel for Dungeons and Dragons which surprisingly had a star studded cast!
Also included in the Panel were Michelle (Furious 5+ Series) Rodriguez, Rege Jean-Page (of Bridgerton fame) and Hugh Grant (one of my long time fav actors). We were treated to a trailer and previews of the movie which looks to be quite epic.
The next panel was for Teen Wolf-the movie. I must admit that I never watched the TV show that the movie is based on.
I was familiar with the cast from other films. Tyler Posey I knew from Maid in Manhattan and Tyler Hoechlin from various films and shows.
What I do know of Teen Wolf the TV show, this movie rendition seems much darker. It is a sequel 20 years following the end of the TV show.
The third panel was Masters of The Universe. It was fun to see clips of the classic stop motion TV show from the 70s as well as the movie from the 80s. We had the privilege of seeing Dolph Lundgren from that film.William Shatner popped by as a mystery voice in the upcoming Netflix project for Masters of The Universe-Revolution. Stephen Root of Office Space fame was also in the Panel. He has also done voices for the animated series.
I headed back on the trolley to check into my hotel rested a bit before returning to my Hall H group for a long wait for our wrist bands for the Friday panels. Then back to the hotel this time by Lyft for a good night’s sleep.
Day 2
I arrived at the Hall H tents around 7 am Friday. Although we were supposed to be able to join our groups holding our space in line, security was not letting us into the tent area. I reminded them that this was Comic Con policy and showed them a picture of where my group was in the first chute of the tents.
One of our group members came back to vouch for me and the rest of our group and finally we were escorted back to our place in line. Around 9 am we were allowed to enter the Hall. Our seats were about 8 rows back. It was the closest I had ever been to the stage.
I heard later that Hall H never did fill up that day so perhaps all the maneuvering in my group line was in vain except for the prime seat I had.
There was beautiful music playing and subtle blue lighting as we waited for the first panel-Amazon Prime’s Lord of The Rings, Rings of Power.
Then at 10:30 am the back drop covered in Comic Con Logos raised, revealing an orchestra and we were treated to an amazing performance of the score for The Rings of Power led by the composer, Bear McCreary.
Next Stephen Colbert came to the stage to share his love of Tolkien as he MCed the panel.We heard from the show creators, executive producer , composer,and then with a spectacular screen spanning three walls of the huge Hall, were introduced to the cast, watched the trailer, and scenes from the series. It was a mesmerizing morning.
After a break, the next panel was Tales of the Walking Dead. This is a new spinoff series with 6 tales from The Walking Dead Universe. I was excited to see Terry Crews, Danny Ramirez(Top Gun Maverick) and Samantha Morton reprising her role as Alpha.
The breaking news was a 6 episode spinoff featuring the beloved Andrew Lincoln (Rick Grimes) and Danai Gurira (Michonne) who made a surprise appearance and the crowd went wild!
Next we were treated to the final panel of the original Walking Dead as they wrap up their finale season. It was a tearful good bye for the cast and fans. The cast paid tribute to the fervent loyalty of the fans.
I ended the day with Keanu Reeves presenting his comic book BZRKR which is being made into a movie and anime series. Loved seeing him!
I had a brief rest back at my hotel then at the NDL (Next Day Line) for my turn in line and to get wrist bands from the blinky blinks for Sat Hall H. The wrist bands are so coveted that the line is wrapped in caution tape and Comic Con staff in neon vests with blinking lights distribute them. No, this is not a sci fi!
Day 3
I arrived at the tents outside Hall H a little after 5am Saturday morning to fulfill my final line shift. Security was a little more cooperative with a bit of a delay then suddenly we were allowed to join our groups.
This time my group was in the second chute so our seats were a bit further back but Saturday is Marvel Day so every seat was taken and our efforts as a group to hold our space in line were definitely worth it.
The first panel was Warner Brothers. We were shown the trailer and met the cast for Shazam Fury of the Gods which included Zachary Levi and Lucy Liu. Helen Mirren is also in the Movie. It seems they are increasing the Star Power from the previous film.
We were treated to some special effects as smoke filled the stage and The Rock appeared in a skin suit as Black Adam. My line group members are still debating if it was really him or an animatronic. It was exciting anyway. We were each given a device that we wore around our necks and as he came out of the smoke and raised his arm, a blue light appeared from the device and we all lit up the Hall. We were each given a movie ticket to see Black Adam at an IMAX theater.
Again we saw the trailer and met the cast members including Dwayne Johnson who was in jeans and a Hawaiian shirt.
HBO was next on the agenda with House of Dragons, the prequel series to Game of Thrones. We saw clips to introduce us to new characters and new imaginings of characters from the previous series. It was quite an honor to have the author and creator George R.R. Martin as part of the panel. Unfortunately, it was later reported that he caught Covid 19. He did not have major symptoms,however. House of Dragons looks to be just as exciting as Game of Thrones!
creator George R.R.Martin
After a short break it was time for the Star Trek Universe. I was most excited to see the cast of Picard which resurrects the cast of Star Trek The Next Generation for the 3rd and final season. Present was Picard himself-Sir Patrick Stewart.
There were a few more shows presented which seem interesting, but the universe of Star Trek on Paramount Plus has so many worlds and timelines and storylines, I can’t keep them all straight.
Moving on to Sandman the Neil Gaiman comic to new TV series coming to Netflix. It includes some exciting actors with Tom Sturridge as Dream and Gwendolyn Christie (Game of Thrones) as Lucifer as well as some thrilling cinematography. Apparently I was so mesmerized that I didn’t take any pictures of the panel. Maybe I was saving the battery on my phone for the Marvel panel.
Though I was pretty exhausted by this point, I had to hang on through one more panel before Marvel.
I can’t really say much about Entertainment Weekly Bold School except I am glad women have more opportunities in film and TV.
Just before the Marvel Panel an alarm went off in the Hall. The announcement told us to stay in our seats while the incident was investigated. After about 10 minutes the announcement told us that the incident had been resolved. We found out later that it was a security breach. A woman ran into the Hall and pulled the fire alarm.
Finally it was time for Marvel!
We were entertained by The Ant Man and Wasp sequel and Guardian’s of the Galaxy 3 with trailer and cast members. Paul Rudd and Chris Pratt were the fan favorites. We were given the timeline of upcoming films and Disney Plus series.
Next was a beautiful performance of African song and dance as we were introduced to the new Black Panther movie. We met new and returning cast members from the previous film. There was a lot of emotion as Chadwick Boseman was remembered. I especially enjoyed seeing Angela Bassett. It was a beautiful presentation. The new film Wakanda Forever looks amazing.
As the Marvel panel ended I finally exited Hall H. I headed on the trolley to the Hyatt Mandarin for my swag from Game of Thrones and Marvel. Then I stopped in at Kansas City Barbeque and got ribs to go and rode the trolley to my hotel to relax!
Day 4
This is the first Comic Con that I attended Sunday events. Past years I was too exhausted and headed home on Sunday. Being part of a line group and staying in a hotel downtown made all the difference.
I went to the Christian Comics Arts Society Panel and made connections for my own creative endeavors.
I stayed in the room for the next panel for the new Netflix film The School For Good and Evil. I didn’t know much about it except that Charlize Theron is in the cast. The author of the book series Soman Chainani was the only panel member. We heard how he came up with the concept for the book series and how it was brought to film. We saw the trailer. He had a quiz for the audience and gave some signed books and memorabilia for prizes.
I spent the rest of the day wandering the Exhibit Hall (finally) had lunch at Cerveza Jack’s and headed home on the train. It was an amazing Comic Con. Til next year!
cindybiondigobrecht 