The latex gloves are shined, the codpieces are refitted, masks are adjusted, and PVC revealing décolletage is given a quick lift as cosplayers, fans, and just the curious descend on the grand-daddy meet-up of the comic fantastic faithful, 2022 Comic-Con International. The 4-day event held at the San Diego Convention Center is in full force (see this article) for the first time since 2019.
With ‘Preview Night’ just past, the crowd (as well as the festival’s organizers) are hopping on at least the estimated 135,000 who descended on San Diego’s Comic-Con pre-pandemic. Although the organizers did manage virtual versions of this gathering over the past two summers (plus a smaller hybrid one last November), there is no question that attendees are salivating with being able to make the see-and-be-scene in person.
Beyond the hang, the daily alternative fashion shows that more or less occur on the convention’s main floor, and the massive dealer room filled to the brim with memorabilia, Funko’s, and new gaming offerings, there are plenty of events/panels and studio previews with celebrity panels planned. In fact, it is this last unique feature that this particular comic convention has been, arguably, most known for in the past few years.
This year Warner Bros./D.C. Universe is supposed to show some of “Black Adam,” with star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and other stars of the movie attending the panel. W.B. will also provide a preview of “Shazam: Fury of the Gods,” and Marvel is expected to give fans a tease from “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and the Disney+ TV “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.” HBO Max already dropped the new trailer for “Game of Thrones” spinoff “House of the Dragon,” and they will have a panel for their new show, and Amazon will also feature their upcoming, “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.”
And this is only a smattering of the planned hourly panels, discussions, and interviews.
If you aren’t attending, you can still fit into your latex trench, slip on some steampunk goggles and visit the event by going to the Comic-Co links page here.
