Has the World’s Largest Comic Convention Lost Its Roots?
Posted: Wednesday, July 28, 2010
by Leah Ann
Go Smart Solutions
One thing about me that will become evident in this community is that I am a geek. Like, a huge geek. So naturally, I attended Comic-Con this past weekend fully suited up in costume with a carefully laid-out schedule of events for the time spent there.
This is my third year attending the convention, so while I'm no veteran to the event I do know my way around. In just these past few years I've seen a significant change in venue and attendee interaction... but I'm getting ahead of myself.
Besides being the western hemisphere's largest comic book convention, it's also the second largest in the world, taking a back seat only to the Angoulme International Comics Festival in Europe. Comic-Con is held in San Diego, CA (as well as having a smaller sister branch in New York), and today boasts well over 100,000 attendees during the event's 4-day span. As a venue to all the latest in the science-fiction, fantasy, animation, gaming, and comic book industries, Comic-Con is much more than a group of 30-somethings who still live in their parents' basement.
Some may argue it's become too much more.
In 1970 when the event was first held, there weren't more than a few hundred people in attendance. Granted, the genre really hadn't begun to take off in popular culture until the new millennium hit, but the past five years especially have earned Comic-Con a higher attendee count than the previous 35 years combined. One has to wonder why that might be.
Yes, it's definitely in part due to the fact that the realm of "geekdom" has now become a blockbuster phenomenon, what with Marvel and DC pumping out a new super hero action film every year, but one major concern seems to be that Comic-Con has become so mainstream that it no longer represents the community it originally set out to captivate.
Taking a look over some of this year's exhibitors and panelists, there are definitely some rather out-of-place characters for the con.
Nickelodeon, for instance, dominated a large chunk of the exhibit hall this year. Sure the network airs animated cartoons, but Spongebob Squarepants isn't exactly in the same realm of thought as traditional Comic-Con animation.
Other oddities included this year's recurring Bones (Fox) panel and Community (NBC) panel in Ballroom 20. One would think the largest panel room - which seats 6000 people - would feature exclusives from things at least remotely related to the genre. However, neither of these shows (as well as a good portion of other panels and exhibitors) can even meet that standard.
That wasn't what really struck fans this year though.
Comic-Con has never had a history of violence. In fact, it's never even had a violent blemish. The people who attend are all there for the same thing - all share the same interests, and let's be honest, comic geeks aren't generally known for their ruff-and-tumble attitude. So when it was reported that someone was stabbed in the eye with a pen at this year's Comic-Con, people were more than a little dismayed. Has this 4-day escape from reality into a place of being truly comfortable with one's self been dismantled?
No, I don't believe it has.
Personally, I'm thrilled to see Comic-Con go mainstream. I love the fact that it's grabbing the attention of all the major small-screen networks as well as Hollywood. I love that it's selling out months in advance, and that I have to arrive at least four hours early to have even a fighting chance at getting into my must-see panel.
What all this means to me is that geeks aren't outcast anymore. It means that the thing so many people have been passionate about for so many years, and have been looked down on because of it, is finally beginning to receive the recognition it deserves. It's the best place in the world to meet celebrities in an informal, completely intimate setting and to get the very first look at any and all upcoming promotions. The vast exhibit hall carries everything one could ever dream of - from tabletop gaming to artist's alley to celebrity signings. Everyone who attends - exhibitors, panelists, celebrities, and fans alike - all share a common interest at Comic-Con. It's a utopia.
If that means having to deal with thousands more people each year and horrendously long lines, I greet it with a smile and welcome it with open arms.
Here's to another great year. Farewell Comic-Con 2010.
This Article has been viewed 780 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)I actually didn't realize that these conventions were real events - I've only seen them portrayed in movies! I think it's great that their popularity has led to less prejudice. Good for you, Leah!Oh yeah, they're rampant! I live in California, so I really only know the ones around here, but you'll find them just about anywhere. You'd be surprised - I'd be willing to bet you could find one near you as well.Thank you for the comment :)
Thanks for the informative piece on Comic-Con - appreciate your insights.
Geeks have come a long way. About a 100 years ago or so I was considered a geek, but the word hadn't been invented yet. Two of my four kids are geeks. Geeks are normal people with a focused interest. Thanks.
i am not a big comic fan, since i was a kid i found that i finished the comic too fast and therefore i did not get the full enjoyment out of it...Ah, but that's the wonder of it (for myself, anyway)! So much story and such wonderful artwork all within one small issue. Though, I'll admit, I do tend to prefer getting full volumes when available.Thanks for your comment :)
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.