Arts & Entertainment

2013 San Diego Comic-Con in Review: Cinema Siren's Comic-Confidential

Wonder what it's like at Comic-Con? Cinema Siren tells all.

By Leslie Combemale

SAN DIEGO — Now that Cinema Siren is looking rear-view mirror style at the 2013 San Diego Comic-Con, it's time to consider what big successes, big events and big surprises actually worked and got the buzz they so hoped for — and which ones fell flat.  

Although I've been going to San Diego for years, playing a variety of roles from panelist (this year with "Harry Potter: Still Magic" and "Legendary Artists of Classic '60s Cartoons") to exhibitor (representing my film art gallery ArtInsights) to rabid fan (last year for 10th Anniversary of "Firefly" and, as it turned out, this year, for the "X-Men: Days of Future Past" panel), this year we intentionally wanted to give the flavor of both an insider's view and that of a newbie.

It turns out, for one thing, that sleeping outside to get into Hall H, which for the truly elite can be skipped to enjoy the handful of reserved seating way up front, is both entertaining and affirming of humanity, as well as extremely uncomfortable, even for a 24 year-old (or so says my trusty intern).

It also turns out that however Hall H or Ballroom 20 — the biggest panel venues at the Con — is accessed, nerd-vana will be experienced with thousands of temporary best friends. Walking the show floor in search of exclusive merchandise and experiences tied to the Next Big Thing — like DC Comics, where they had all of the Superman costumes from early TV to the most recent movie to further promote "Man of Steel" — drains the brain faster than a zombie bite, so must be done in small doses.  

Any attempts by exhibitors or professionals to access exclusives are met with roadblocks, so it's better to just buy them at a premium from the regular badge holders who get a dozen or so at a time to put on eBay.

Hobnobbing with pop culture heroes like Matt Smith (the retiring Doctor Who) or Bryan Cranston ("Breaking Bad") is as easy as eyeing masked attendees. Both walked the floor in disguise, as do dozens of celebs, but if you suspect something, it's considered very poor taste to follow them, take pictures or call attention to them.  

Losing things is par for the course, especially after overnighters on concrete or hours shuffling from one side of the show floor to the other. What's pleasantly surprising are the numerous stories about people who lose their wallets and get them back with the hundreds of dollars and credit cards still tucked away inside within a day of their loss. SDCC is like that.  

Friends are made in line who will wind up finding each other on Facebook or offering invitations to exclusive parties. If you're in the business, you might wind up getting in some great networking while charging your phone in the bathroom.

As to panels, those who are involved have varying degrees of success. "Harry Potter: Still Magic" wound up, courtesy of yours truly, with a surprise guest in Kazu Kibuishi, creator of the new, unreleased Harry Potter book covers.  
The "Legendary Artists of Classic '60s Cartoons" panel was also enjoyed by attendees. But both of those are teeny compared to the main panels that drive SDCC. 

Fortunately, Saturday was the day for all the big announcements and surprises in Hall H, the biggest of which were the entire cast of "X-Men: Days of Future Past" showing up, Zach Snyder slyly suggesting Superman will face Batman in the "Man of Steel" sequel, and Joss Whedon teasing the next "Avengers" film, which will be be based on the recent "Age of Ultron" comic book story.

Another highly entertaining moment featured Tom Huddlestone in full Loki garb manipulating an audience of more than 7,000-strong, cuing boisterous applause and screams as well as complete silence with a simple gesture or flick of his hand.   

Less successful were some of the panels promoting TV shows, especially what appears to be a Gossip Girl-Masterpiece Theatre mashup called "Reign" on the CW, wherein supposed teens, clearly Americans, play fictionalized versions of Mary Queen of Scots and her royal entourage. Copious snickers ensued. 

Part of that is due to no Scottish accents or Scottish actors being used. That's a pop culture tragedy on par with Mary's beheading.

Ultimately there are so many new friends and ways to network that for most it is impossible not to have success in some form at this convention.

Fun? Of course! Exhausting? You bet. But where else could I sit next to the new Harry Potter book cover artist, asking him questions, have lunch with two famous comic book writers, inspire two teenage art fans — they were in tears when they introduced themselves — see so many of your favorite actors all on one stage, and eat dinner next to a cigar-smoking zombie, all in one day?

Only at Comic-Con. And for more, here is a video of our experiences: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXUlCsWegB8


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