Another Comic Con Survival Guide, by Tatiana – In The Mix #26

July 16, 2009 Tatiana EL-Khouri 11 Comments

I’m taking up the challenge that MOTU set forth and will dedicate my next few articles to Comic Con and all it’s greatness. I’ve convinced many people over the years that this is the place to be if you are a creative talent or just a lover of any and everything in pop culture. There is really nothing that can be said or done to truly prepare anyone with the sensory overload that is sure to overcome them when you experience firsthand what it means to have over 125,000 people inhabit a 5 mile radius for the love of comics and pop culture.

I know there are plenty of Comic Con Survival Guides out there. But here’s my attempt at listing some of my top advice to making your Comic Con experience a smooth one based on the questions and misconceptions I’ve heard from recently from first-timers.

– The Program Guide is out!
You’ve circled your top panel choices, you’ve picked out your outfit and are ready to impress the stars of Twilight. Don’t forget to allot enough time to deal with the traffic into San Diego, finding an empty $30 parking lot, standing in the long entrance line (which sometimes wraps the building) to get your convention badge, and then braving the crowds to get to the panel room.

First off the sensory overload that will overcome you is intense! The amount of people crowding around you, the amazing costumes passing by, and excitement in the air is enough to distract your time. Don’t screw up your panel attending schedule by thinking you will arrive at 12pm and just waltz in to a panel at 1pm.

Might I add the only panel you really need in your schedule is The Black Panel.

10:00-11:30 The Black Panel— By now you must have heard about the massive amount of fun The Black Panel is! 2009’s panel will be the one that puts all others to shame. This year’s panel includes Ludacris, Michael Jai White (Black Dynamite), Kel Mitchell (Kenan & Kel, The Brash Brothers), Prodigal Sunn (The Wu Tang Clan), Reggie Hudlin (Black Panther animated series), Denys Cowan (Black Panther animated series), and as always some surprise guests! Moderated by Michael Davis. Room 5AB

– Swag, Swag, and More Swag.
I’m sure you’ve heard there are tons of neat valuable and quite frankly useless free swag. Be prepared! There have been plenty of times I have gotten fantastic DVD’s posters, artwork, toys, books, etc but am only met with the realization that I have no room in my car, suitcase, or flight. So save some room in your suitcase for the amount of freebies that you will acquire. Bringing your own backpack and poster tube is helpful. You can pick up a poster tube at an art supply store or shipping center. It will help protect the signed posters and art you get and it keeps it out of the way while you walk the floor.

–Speaking of walking.
There is plenty of it! Wear comfortable shoes and have layers. If you are so lucky to have a hotel room in walking distance, outfit changes and dropping off swag is an easy task. However if you plan to be at the convention for the full day, make sure your feet can handle your footwear and that your clothing can brave the heat of people walking close to you like a sardine can. Have a light jacket in case the air conditioning is too high in a panel. And my favorite, be sure to look nice enough that you can go from the convention floor to an exclusive Comic Con dinner or party. Often major booths will raffle off chances to go to their party or you meet new friends that invite you out.

–Money, money, money.
Be prepared with cash before going in the convention center. Cash you say? Nope it’s not just free swag on the floor. There are plenty of exclusive items for sale on the exhibitor floor, rare comic books, signing opportunities, and of course food. The lines for the ATM machines get long and not to mention they run out of money.

– Have business cards, portfolio or promotional items.
Comic Con is not just the fanboy and fangirls wonderland. Some of the most influential movers and shakers are in attendance and they are actually walking the convention floor and running the exhibitor booths. The worse is to be in your dream publisher or studios booth and rave about their projects to one of the exhibitors to find out that they are the creative director or editor and you have no business cards or leave behinds. There’s a Kinko’s inside the convention center so there is little excuse to not being prepared. Or if you have some if it’s still at least 2 or 3 days before the Con take advantage of a resource like Next Day Printers, affordable prices and quick turnaround.

– Pack a lunch.
Take it back to the lovely days of your youth and pack a lunch like you did for a field trip. Since you already have your backpack on hand for your freebies, be sure to come with water, snacks, and food. The lines get very long inside the convention floor. Don’t let the sensory overload or excitement of the convention make you forget the basics of hydration and keeping your energy high.

– Bring a Camera.
I always come back from Comic Con very inspired and ready to work. Be sure to save those memories with a camera.