[ETCETERA] Comic-Con is a Lot

So…  Does this make me Rick?

It’s already been a couple of months, but I still haven’t quite recovered.

Sure, the San Diego Comic-Con is a cool place.  A fascinating place.

But it’s a lot.

A lot of people, a lot of walking, and a hell of a lot of heat.

If you haven’t been there in person, you’ve almost definitely seen pictures or video.  It’s a pretty popular event.

Actually, most of the time, SDCC feels a bit too popular.  There are so many people, it’s a chore to shuffle through most aisles.  And if you ever stop to rest or eat, you’re constantly told by staff that you need to keep moving, or you’re in the fire aisle, or that’s not a bathroom, sir.

Somewhere in there is Jason Momoa’s head.  Possibly more.  It was really hard to see.

The ubiquitous cosplay is crazy impressive, but also all-too-frequently baffling.

I don’t know how geeky you need to be to even get a passing grade in identifying the majority.

There are so many different areas people are drawing from – comics, cartoons, anime, movies, television, and video games (not to mention the hybrids and riffs) – that you need an advanced degree in pop culture to have a working knowledge of every one.

Sadly, snacks here will not be your salvation.  The on-site food game is pretty grim.  Most people seem to wisely exit to downtown San Diego for meals of substance, but if you’re trying to stay in the convention center to maximize your time (and minimize your perspiration), you better have a low bar for pizza.

Rhonda and I have never even tried to stay at a hotel, but I hear finding rooms is quite the battle.  Instead, we’ve always driven down from the L.A. area in the morning and it’s a looong haul.

Finally, a clear shot of Momoa.

Finding a place to park was actually pretty easy (we booked ahead of time), but it’s a steamy walk to the convention center itself.

Despite being on-theme, I definitely don’t envy the guys making their way in full Sandtrooper armor (okay, I do kinda envy them, but not for the heat).

On the other hand….

There’s a lot of cool stuff to see.  And buy.  Possibly both.

And, or course, the legendary panels, populated by a who’s who of the genre world (which seem to run non-stop the entire time).

Also Artists’ Alley, filled with amazing creators just waiting to sign a cover or create a commission to order.  Your very own one-of-a-kind collectible.

Not to mention, almost everyone I know goes with regularity.

Yeah, it’s probably worth another try or two.  Especially if next year Rhonda and I are there behind our own table with Blowback the whole weekend.

Yeah, that’s the way to do it.

Never too early to make some hotel reservations…

Just walking the aisles, we stumbled onto a full-blown Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. panel in the middle of the hall.