San Diego Comic-Con 2024 Analysis

Here we go – our way-too-long look at the 2024 San Diego Comic-Con!

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

There were no panels of note on Wednesday ‘preview night’ but a few storylines heading into the convention were notable to mention.

Hall H Changes

With the surprise of a last-minute “Deadpool & Wolverine” (2024) celebration panel, the convention organizers shocked fans on the eve of the convention with a one-time (?) shift to how fans got into Hall H panels. A separate registration process was implemented for this panel, requiring Hall H to be cleared before it amid a 2-hour downtime gap in use. This addressed issues with the previous first-come, first-served system, which often led to fans camping out and occupying seats for multiple panels. Again, this was just for the last panel of Thursday, but the new approach hinted at a future where this could become more of a norm. It would generally be a positive change to create a more efficient and (arguably) fair experience, potentially allowing for fewer but higher-quality panels and ensuring that truly interested attendees can access their desired events.

Parties Still Happening

The lack of strike disruption this year brought a return to some of the higher-profile ‘exclusive’ parties. Of note was Entertainment Weekly back in town after last year’s cancellation. Fandom and IGN both had ‘exclusive’ (i.e., hard to get into) events of note with mostly television cast-type celebrities.

Superman and James Gunn

Peter Safran, co-chair of DC Studios alongside James Gunn, explained that DC Studios skipped San Diego Comic-Con 2024 because it was too early for a Hall H panel (the new Gunn-led “Superman” film wasn’t coming out until July 11, 2025, which was about 10 days prior to San Diego Comic-Con 2025). He mentioned in an interview with The Wrap that a year is a long time for a campaign and that they preferred to go stronger over a shorter period rather than stretching it out. Safran assured fans there would be plenty of Superman-related content in the next 12 months. Despite DC Studios’ absence, Gunn would eventually pop up in a couple of key announcement videos.

Ed Piskor’s Legacy

Ed Piskor, a renowned comics artist best known for “Hip Hop Family Tree” and “X-Men: Grand Design” (which I really liked), as well as the driving force and co-host of the YouTube channel Cartoonist Kayfabe, tragically passed away earlier this year following a harrowing week of allegations of sexual misconduct in late March. The accusations led to a Pittsburgh gallery indefinitely postponing an exhibition of his work, and seemingly losing a major book deal. Piskor’s social media note, interpreted by many as a suicide note, contained an apology for inappropriate communication with a teenager in 2020, addressed a separate consensual relationship with another artist, along with denying impropriety with a third. His death has left a significant mark on the comic book community, which hasn’t really yet processed all of the divisive fallout.

Ed Piskor was posthumously nominated for an Eisner Award at the convention, adding a layer of poignancy to the event. Interestingly, Alex De Campi, named in Piskor’s suicide note as a ‘murderer,’ was nominated in another category. Piskor’s entire family, seemingly with support from Fantagraphics, planned to attend the ceremony and stay at the convention for a few days. This announcement introduced a potentially dramatic element to the event, given ongoing legal tensions and the $20k GoFundMe for the family’s legal bills that could end up funding lawsuits.

The people named in the allegations have largely retreated from public view, heightening the tension around the family’s presence at the convention.

Thursday, July 25, 2024

82 Years of Superhero Cereal Boxes

Three cerealologists took attendees on a tour of superhero cereal boxes, starting from the first 1942 Superman box to modern offerings. Based on photos and other coverage, this panel was a bigger hit than I would have guessed. The only negative feedback that I saw about it involved people annoyed that a Funko employee crashed the panel and distracted (at least momentarily) the cerealologists from talking shop.

Marvel: Past, Present, and Future from Abrams

The Abrams publishing partnership with Marvel continued to expand in some unusual new directions. Marvel continued to farm out young readers content to Abrams with the expansion of the My Mighty Marvel books, including a Fantastic Four title and Mighty Marvel Team-Up featuring Iron Man.

Other highlights were the unveiling of “The Ultimate Pop-Up Book,” with a Galactus pop-up, the Marvel classic Black Light Posters being released as a calendar, and Abrams collaborating with artist Alex Ross on a new calendar that folds out to be six feet long. Additionally, a Spider-Man panel-by-panel book similar to the Fantastic Four one from a few years ago continued to get teased (although it was delayed by a year in 2023).

One aside with Abrams: A major piece of news was the launch of Abrams ComicArts’ new imprint, Abrams Comics, featuring series by Darren Aronofsky and Frank Miller. Aronofsky’s “Human Nature” will debut in November 2024, and Miller’s “Pandora” and “Invasive Species” will follow in December 2024 and January 2025, respectively.

Ronda Rousey’s Comic Debut with AWA

UFC and WWE champion Ronda Rousey joined moderator Dave Bautista to discuss her debut graphic novel, “Expecting the Unexpected.” The panel offered a conversation about their post-ring careers and the creative process behind Rousey’s new project (featuring a pregnant hero?) with artist Mike Deodato Jr. and former Marvel Editor in Chief Axel Alonso. “Kill Bill” was name-dropped as inspiration, along with, oddly, “Spirited Away.”

The History of Peanuts in Animation

Moderator Damian Holbrook announced the renewal of the Peanuts animated series “Camp Snoopy” for a second season.

True to the title, much of the panel was about Peanuts history. Despite initial reluctance from creator Charles M. Schulz, who was convinced by CBS to create an animated special, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” became a beloved classic, known for its unique design and jazz music. Todd Barbee, the voice of Charlie Brown in the 1970s, recounted his time working with the kindhearted director Bill Melendez, who also voiced Snoopy.

Modern adaptations, like “The Peanuts Movie” in 2015, introduced 3D animation. Paige Braddock and Stephanie Betts emphasized listening to fan feedback to balance new content with classic appeal.

Kurtzman Centennial Celebration!

Celebrating the 100th anniversary of Harvey Kurtzman’s birth, this panel brought together what I’d describe as a number of the leading members of the modern EC Comics fan community. Panelists, including William Stout and Kim Deitch, shared personal experiences working with Kurtzman and explored how his innovative humor continues to influence modern creators.

Paul Levitz and The Business Secrets

Eisner Hall-of-Famer Paul Levitz, former DC Comics President and Publisher, was interviewed by Rob Salkowitz about the business side of comics. Levitz shared insights on DC’s strategies to compete with Marvel, the development of the graphic novel market, and stories about working with industry legends like Alan Moore.

Paramount Animation and Hasbro Entertainment: Transformers One

The animated “Transformers One” was introduced, with producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura highlighting the cost benefits of animation over live-action (i.e., it would have cost $500m to live-action produce) for the origin story of Megatron and Optimus Prime.

This is all going to sound somewhat bizarre but here we go: The film’s first trailer highlighted Cybertron’s Olympic race (?) and key characters like Orion Pax (Chris Hemsworth) and D-16 (Brian Tyree Henry). Director Josh Cooley emphasized the importance of the T-Cog device (which is a key to transforming?) in the narrative, with Laurence Fishburne voicing Alpha Trion (Morpheus-like character?). Steve Buscemi’s Starscream and Keegan-Michael Key’s B-127 (eventually Bumblebee) were also featured, with Key amusing the audience by singing the Transformers theme song. Scarlett Johansson, who voices Alita, was absent due to filming commitments.

Comic Bans: Learning from the 1950s Comic Book Scare

This was the first of several panels referencing the Senate subcommittee on juvenile delinquency hearings. This panel explored the infamous 1950s comic book scare and its relevance today. Industry experts, including representatives from the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, discussed strategies for protecting comics in modern communities based on lessons from earlier censorship attempts.

Jack Kirby’s Mythology

This panel delved into Jack Kirby’s fascination with mythology and its influence on his work throughout his career (the Marvel pantheon, etc). It featured Kirby’s granddaughter Tracy Kirby, some Kirby ‘experts,’ and a video tribute from Neil Gaiman.

Shellebrating 40 Years of TMNT

The first of several 40th anniversary panels, TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman reflected on four decades of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise. This panel focused on the early comic book creation, with the evolution of the characters from indie comic sensation to global multimedia phenomenon by the late 1980s.

Todd McFarlane Talks Spawn Movie, Comics, and More!

Another year of Todd McFarlane talking about the many balls he continues to juggle with “Spawn.” For those not paying attention, Spawn is now past 350 issues. He highlighted future Spawn comics such as “No Home Here,” a “Violator” miniseries, and announced surprise titles like a “She-Spawn” ongoing by Gail Simone and a “Freak” series. McFarlane also mentioned his development of six TV shows (!) and praised the script for the “King Spawn” (?) movie, expressing excitement about its potential in the wake of “Deadpool & Wolverine” (2024) showing huge box office with an R-rating.

DC’s Absolute Power Panel

DC Comics has launched the “Absolute Power” crossover event, their take on doing a Marvel Ultimate-like line (and their third reboot in less than that many years?). Creators Mark Waid, Joshua Williamson, and Daniel Sampere teased new projects, including “Justice League Unlimited” and the “Absolute Universe,” with takes on characters like Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman.

The Human Fly: 2024 Flight Path

I continue to follow the obscure (from some Australian publisher named IPI) attempted relaunch of this 1970s-era stuntman property that had a 1970s Marvel comic but that Marvel does not own. Details from their panel were sparse but further confirmed that a comic book did launch this month and that the people behind it will keep pushing for some further media opportunities.

Collider’s Producers on Producing

Streaming, streaming, streaming was the theme. Producers Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Akiva Goldsman, and Roy Lee discussed the shifting dynamics between studios and producers in a streaming-dominated industry. Di Bonaventura highlighted the erosion of trust and the corporatization of studios, leading to a more judgmental relationship with producers. Goldsman pointed out the challenges of measuring success in the streaming era, where traditional metrics like viewership are replaced by abstract subscriber counts.

2000 AD: The Galaxy’s Greatest Panel

Longtime (legend?) artist Simon Bisley (in a rare San Diego appearance) and writer Gail Simone headlined this panel celebrating the iconic British comic 2000 AD. The discussion covered new and classic comics from the publisher.

Spotlight on Jim Lee

This was the annual panel where Jim Lee does drawings in real-time on an overhead projector and takes questions from the audience. One amusing tidbit that stuck out was a remark by Lee that he didn’t enjoy drawing Spider-Man due to all of the webbing (and it’s not easy to think of times when he has featured the character).

Spotlight on Ken Steacy

Veteran comic creator Ken Steacy, interviewed by Mark Evanier, discussed his 50-year career in visual storytelling. The conversation covered Steacy’s work on various franchises (such as “Jonny Quest” in the 1980s from Comico) and his collaborations with notable authors and artists (including work with Harlan Ellison).

Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Paramount+ animated series “Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” continues from “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.” This season/series features the Turtles—Leo, Raph, Donnie, and Mikey – facing new threats while pursuing individual paths apart. They reunite to combat Bishop (voiced by Alanna Ubach), who aims to destroy all mutants with her mechazoid army. The Turtles also encounter the Purple Dragons street gang, including Hun (Carlin James) and Angel (Jamila Velazquez), and later clash with the East River Three aquatic mutants: Goldfin (Timothy Olyphant), Lee the Eel (Jillian Bell), and Mustang Sally (Danny Trejo), along with their henchmen, the sea enemies. The panel revealed main title sequences (but nothing further) featuring the Mutanimals and the Purple Dragons, with appearances by Wingnut, Ray Fillet, Genghis Toad, and Metalhead.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians

The Disney+ panel for Percy Jackson and the Olympians announced that Season 2 will begin filming in August and will adapt “The Sea of Monsters.” The main cast returns, including Walker Scobell (Percy), Aryan Simhadri (Grover), and Leah Jeffries (Annabeth). Jay Duplass hosted, with appearances from cast members and producers – notably, Daniel Diemer who joins as Tyson, Percy’s half-brother Cyclops.

Comics Arts Conference Session #4: The New Wave of Comics: When Indie Comics Went Mainstream in the 1980s

This academic panel explored the explosion of independent comics in the 1980s. Featuring TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman and Bob Burden (“Flaming Carrot,” “Mystery Men”), the discussion covered how indie creators challenged mainstream publishers and transformed the comics industry (as well as led to the later-1980s black-and-white indie ‘bust’ period).

1984: Greatest Geek Year Too: Big Brother Was Watching You!

This panel (which had a who’s-who of some podcast hosts that I follow) related to the recent “1982: Greatest Geek Year Ever” series, covering 1984’s anniversary of one of the great genre movie-going years of all time with films such as “The Terminator,” “Dune,” “Ghostbusters,” “The Last Starfighter,” “Star Trek III: The Search for Spock,” “Starman,” “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,” “Red Dawn,” “Buckaroo Banzai,” “Splash,” “Cloak & Dagger,” “Repo Man,” “Night of the Comet,” and, of course, “1984.” Panelists were Ashley E. Miller (co-host, “The 4:30 Movie” podcast), Robert Meyer Burnett (host, “The Burnettwork”), Mark A. Altman (co-host, “The 4:30 Movie” podcast), and Isaac Altman and Caden Miller (co-hosts, “The Kids Stay in The Podcast”).

60 Years of Beatles Comics and Animation

This panel explored the Beatles’ presence in comics and animation since their 1964 US debut. Featuring comics industry veterans (and music industry notable / comics historian Grant Geissman), the discussion covered famous adaptations like “Yellow Submarine” and lesser-known Beatles-related comics and cartoons.

Behind the Action of Peacock’s Gladiator Epic Those About to Die

Peacock presented “Those About to Die,” a sword-and-sandal series set in 79 CE Rome. Director Roland Emmerich, making his TV debut (seemingly no giant disasters on screen… yet?), detailed the challenge of filming the 10-hour series in just 108 days (!!) and explained the historical significance of the period. The panel, featuring stars Iwan Rheon, Sara Martins, Moe Hashim, Jojo Macari, Gabriella Pession, and Dimitri Leonidas, saw Emmerich praise Anthony Hopkins (not present) for his historical insight. Much of the panel involved the cast talking about the tasks of horse riding and the political and cerebral aspects of their roles (!?).

Spotlight on Jo Duffy

Veteran comics writer and editor Jo Duffy, interviewed by Mark Evanier, discussed her extensive career in the industry. She is not a giant ‘name’ but she had several notable titles in the 1980s into 1990s. Her tenure on “Power Man and Iron Fist” was the longest and most successful for that series. In the 1990s, she wrote the first 14 issues of “Catwoman” for DC Comics and every issue of the first “Glory” series for Rob Liefeld. She also wrote screenplays for “Puppet Master 4” (1993) and “Puppet Master 5” (1994) for Full Moon Features.

A Conversation with Ronald D. Moore

Personal favorite TV producer and writer Ronald D. Moore discussed his career, from his early work on “Star Trek: The Next Generation” to his recent successes with “Outlander” and “For All Mankind.” The panel also touched on upcoming spinoff projects from these popular series (specifically “Outlander: Blood of My Blood” and season 5 beginning filming for “For All Mankind”).

AEW’s Rise Inside the Ring and Beyond

All Elite Wrestling stars celebrated the promotion’s five-year anniversary and discussed its rapid growth. The panel also revealed cross-media projects, including a DC Comics partnership and collaborations with Adult Swim. AEW President Tony Khan used the panel to announce that Dr. Britt Baker would challenge Mercedes Moné for the TBS Championship at AEW All In on August 25th. The announcement followed a heated confrontation between Baker and Moné, who was a surprise guest.

Inglorious Treksperts Live: “The Cage” At 60 and Star Trek’s Enduring Legacy

The “Inglorious Treksperts” podcast co-hosts Mark A. Altman (author of “The Fifty-Year Mission” and showrunner of “Pandora”) and Ashley E. Miller (writer of “Thor” and “X-Men: First Class”) were joined by Marc Guggenheim (writer for IDW’s “Star Trek” comics and showrunner of “Arrow” and “Legends of Tomorrow”), Terry Matalas (showrunner of “Picard” Season 3 and “Twelve Monkeys”), and Robert Meyer Burnett (director of “Free Enterprise”) to explore the origins of “Star Trek” through its original pilot “The Cage,” including the influence of “Forbidden Planet” (1956).

Spotlight on Mike Friedrich

Comic veteran Mike Friedrich discussed his 50-year career with Paul Levitz. Friedrich is best known for his work on Marvel’s “Star Wars” comic series, where he contributed to expanding the early Star Wars universe. He co-created the superhero duo “Cloak and Dagger” at Marvel.

Star Wars: Stories from a Galaxy Far, Far Away

Patton Oswalt hosted this odd hybrid panel focusing on the upcoming game “Outlaws.” Voice actors Humberly González, Jay Rincon, and Dee Bradley Baker discussed their roles and showcased the motion capture process. The odd part about the panel was that it also featured a number of book announcements, including five (!) related to the recent “Acolyte” Disney+ series.

Jonathan Frakes Unveils Arthur C. Clarke’s Venus Prime TV Series

Jonathan Frakes (of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” fame) is set to direct (your guess is as good as mine regarding if the money is actually in place) a six-episode sci-fi miniseries adaptation of Paul Preuss’s “Arthur C. Clarke’s Venus Prime,” with filming scheduled to start in late 2024. Frakes will oversee the project alongside executive producers and showrunners David Cormican and Dwayne Hill. The series, based on Preuss’s novels inspired by Arthur C. Clarke’s short stories, follows a young woman with superhuman abilities confronting a sinister cult.

Hasbro G.I. JOE Brand Panel

HasLab (a Hasbro-run Kickstarter-like platform) launched a new project featuring the Cobra Rattler from G.I. Joe. Officially announced at this panel, the project blew past the 9,000 backer minimum goal in less than 4 days despite the toy plane costing $325 and not being available until Fall 2025.

Lady Death and Shi: 30 Years of Independence

Creators Brian Pulido and Billy Tucci celebrated three decades of their independent comics “Lady Death” and “Shi.” The panel discussed the challenges and rewards of maintaining creator-owned properties in the ever-changing comics landscape.

Fleischer Cartoons: Restoring Betty Boop!

This panel focused on the restoration of classic Betty Boop cartoons, featuring Max Fleischer’s granddaughter and restoration experts. They followed up on recent news that Seth MacFarlane’s Foundation and Martin Scorsese’s Film Foundation had recently contributed funds to the effort.

Heavy Metal Comics With Simon Bisley and Kevin Eastman

Comic legends Simon Bisley (on his second panel of the day) and Kevin Eastman (on his third panel of the day) reminisced about their time collaborating on experimental works like “The Melting Pot” and “Body Count” after Eastman purchased “Heavy Metal.” They talked about productive days working from Eastman’s home studio, enjoying gym sessions, listening to “The Jerky Boys” and Andrew Dice Clay, and drawing comics while engaging in quirky antics like talking to a cardboard cut-out of Bill Clinton. Eastman highlighted “Heavy Metal” as a pivotal influence on his career, revealing how it introduced him to more complex and varied comics.

Robotech: Comics, Toys, and So Much More

Harmony Gold presented updates on various Robotech projects, including a new comic series from Titan Comics and toy lines from several manufacturers. The panel also discussed Robotech’s streaming partnership with Crunchyroll, which included announcing the original source series for “Mospeada” now available. However, there continued to be no news regarding a big-budget feature adaptation of “Robotech.”

Mike Mignola: Drawing Monsters, The Secret Origins of Hellboy

This panel offered a preview of the documentary “Mike Mignola: Drawing Monsters,” exploring the origins of Hellboy and Mignola’s career. This had technically been developed as a Kickstarter project that came out in late 2022 but seemed to be getting a new push and more access. The trailer looked amazing, with Mignola talking about his fallout with film director Guillermo del Toro and del Toro also involved with his side.

Deadpool & Wolverine

In what was the last-minute-scheduled anchor panel of Thursday in Hall H, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman hosted a screening of “Deadpool & Wolverine,” transforming it into a movie theater with popcorn in Deadpool & Wolverine buckets. After the screening, Reynolds and Jackman, joined by Kevin Feige and director Shawn Levy, introduced actors from the film, including Dafne Keen, Chris Evans, and Wesley Snipes. Reynolds reminisced about his nervousness at his first Hall H appearance in 2015. Jackman recalled a past intense moment when he demanded the footage be replayed due to the audience’s enthusiasm. The night ended with a spectacular 11-minute drone show over Petco Park, featuring images of the heroes and a teaser for “Fantastic Four.”

Friday, July 26, 2024

Joe Jusko: A Visual Journey Through 50 Years in Comics

Joe Jusko, renowned comic book artist, presented a visual journey through his 50-year career in the industry. He discussed his iconic covers for titles like The Savage Sword of Conan and The Hulk, as well as his then-groundbreaking 1992 Marvel Masterpieces trading cards.

TMNT: Celebrating 40 Years with IDW

IDW celebrated the 40th anniversary of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with franchise co-creator Kevin Eastman and a panel of current TMNT creators including Jason Aaron, Joëlle Jones, Tom Waltz, Sarah Myer, and Fero Pe. The focus of this panel – amid a rather crowded convention of TMNT-related panels – was on the new material coming out from IDW.

That ’70s Panel

Comic book veterans Gerry Conway, Jo Duffy, Marv Wolfman, and Paul Levitz, moderated by Mark Evanier, reminisced about the transformative decade of the 1970s in the comic book industry. They shared stories about new talent entering the field and how the industry adapted to changing markets and reader tastes during that in-flux era. It was a time dominated by licensed properties and changing generational staffs at Marvel and DC.

The McFarlane Toys Multiverse

Todd McFarlane and the McFarlane Toys team provided updates on their various toy lines. The presentation covered popular brands like DC Multiverse, Marvel, Bleach, and Spawn.

70 Years of Godzilla: A Nostalgic Journey

This panel celebrated Godzilla’s 70-year history across various media. Hosted by Kaiju podcaster Jessica Tseang, it featured TJ Storm, who performed motion capture for recent Godzilla films, along with concept artists, directors, and crew members who had contributed to the franchise over the years.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

Fans (yes, there are some) saw a sneak peek at season two of “The Rings of Power,” the J.R.R. Tolkien-inspired prequel series. The new season (debuting on August 29, 2024) continues the story of a younger Galadriel’s quest for vengeance against Sauron, who has become a major threat after the elves’ recent victory over Morgoth. The Hall H audience was treated to an official trailer, highlighting Sauron’s menacing arrival and introducing Kevin Eldon as master dwarf blacksmith Narvi.

Spotlight on Gerry Conway

Comic book writer Gerry Conway, known for co-creating characters like the Punisher and writing the famous “The Night Gwen Stacy Died” storyline for “Amazing Spider-Man,” discussed his long career in comics and his transition to writing for film and TV. Conway also shared anecdotes from his time as both the youngest and oldest writer to have a run on Spider-Man.

Spotlight on Klaus Janson

Veteran comic book artist Klaus Janson held a session discussing his over 50-year career in the industry. Janson is probably best known for his inking work on “Daredevil” alongside Frank Miller, which significantly shaped the character’s modern persona. His work on Batman’s “The Dark Knight Returns” with Miller had an even bigger impact.

Image Comics: Storytelling, Genre, and Crafting Unforgettable Comics

Image Comics hosted a panel featuring creators Geoff Johns, Gerry Duggan, Erica Schultz, Sanford Greene, and Wyatt Kennedy. The discussion covered various aspects of comic book creation, including genre exploration and storytelling techniques.

Scott Dunbier: Announcing Act 4 Publishing

Scott Dunbier, known for his work at WildStorm/DC and IDW Publishing, announced the launch of his own publishing company, Act 4 Publishing. Act 4 will publish Dunbier’s signature Artist’s Editions and other works previously handled by IDW, featuring prominent creators like Walter Simonson, Will Eisner, and Dave Stevens, and will include new editions of out-of-print collections and new series such as Simonson’s “Ragnarok.”

Jim Lee and Friends

Jim Lee alongside Scott Snyder, Joshua Williamson, and Tom King discussed upcoming projects and changes in the DC Universe. Announcements included the Absolute Universe line, new stories for Superman and Wonder Woman, a relaunch of Justice League by Mark Waid and Dan Mora, and tributes to the late Tim Sale with the revival of “Batman: The Last Halloween.” Additionally, David Dastmalchian promoted “Creature Commandos,” and James Gunn revealed a trailer for the series, alongside the return of the classic DC bullet logo, set to appear on all DC comics by October and other media by January.

Rick Parker Makes his Mark

1980s and 90s Marvel jack-of-all-trades cartoonist Rick Parker discussed his graphic novel memoir “Drafted,” set to be released by Abrams ComicArts on September 24. The book humorously recounts Parker’s experiences being drafted into the army during the Vietnam War.

Gremlins: The Wild Batch

It was announced that Simu Liu will join the main cast of this “Gremlins” animated series, with John Glover returning as a guest voice. The series, previously titled “Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai,” will premiere its second season on October 3, continuing the story of Gizmo, Sam, and Elle as they journey from Shanghai to San Francisco, encountering new supernatural creatures and characters along the way. Liu will play Chang, a bootlegger and guide to the trio, while Glover’s role will offer a glimpse into the Clamp family ancestry. The main voice cast includes Ming-Na Wen, James Hong, BD Wong, and George Takei, with executive production by Steven Spielberg and showrunner Tze Chun.

Collider’s Directors on Directing

Directors Antoine Fuqua and Roland Emmerich discussed various topics, including Emmerich’s frustrations with James Cameron over a remake of “Fantastic Voyage” that never happened and Fuqua’s upcoming Michael Jackson biopic “Michael.” Emmerich described Cameron as “overbearing,” which led him to abandon his version of the sci-fi classic. Fuqua, currently editing the biopic, emphasized Michael Jackson’s significant influence on his life and the film’s exploration of Jackson’s complex legacy. “Michael,” featuring Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson, is set for release on April 18, 2025.

Terry Moore Talks Comics and Kickstarters

Comic creator Terry Moore discussed the conclusion of his series “Parker Girls” and his company’s successful transition to using Kickstarter for publishing. He highlighted a few projects on the platform involving a collection of his “Strangers in Paradise” comic strips.

Marvel Comics: Next Big Thing

Marvel’s editor-in-chief C.B. Cebulski and VP of digital media Ryan Penagos led a panel offering glimpses into the future of Marvel’s superhero universe in comics. Highlights included new Ultimate Comics story arcs, such as Ultimate Black Panther, Ultimate X-Men, and The Ultimates, all progressing in real-time. A TVA comic with Loki show characters was revealed, along with celebrations for Deathlok, Wolverine, and Iron Fist’s 50-year anniversaries. Key series announcements included “Venom War” by Al Ewing, “8 Deaths of Spider-Man,” and a new “West Coast Avengers” series by Gerry Duggan. Additionally, “Ultimate Universe: One Year In” by Deniz Camp set the stage for the next phase of the Ultimate line.

Transformers & G.I. Joe: The Energon Universe Is Here

This licensed work by Skybound continued to be the unexpected comics success of the year (and it would win Eisner awards later in the evening). Robert Kirkman, Daniel Warren Johnson, Joshua Williamson, Tom Reilly, and Sean Mackiewicz discussed the integration of these iconic franchises into the new Energon Universe. Highlights included the reveal of new G.I. Joe character “Risk,” a wealthy cage fighter living on the edge, and the unveiling of redesigned characters like Baroness and even Cobra-La. Robert Kirkman expressed his excitement about creating within this universe, mentioning “Void Rivals” success and teasing future crossovers. The panel also touched on the challenges of designing numerous characters and vehicles, the freedom of storytelling, and the long-term plans for the Energon Universe, hinting at new stories beyond the current continuity.

EC Comics Lives Again at Oni Press!

While I remained skeptical regarding how long this can last, at least for now Oni Press has successfully revived the EC Comics brand, with Epitaphs From the Abyss #1 selling over 65,000 copies. Due to this success, the horror anthology has been extended from a 5-issue run to a 12-issue maxi-series, concluding in Summer 2025. Future issues will feature contributions from notable creators like Charlie Adlard and Matthew Rosenberg, with covers by Lee Bermejo. Additionally, Oni Press will release Shiver Suspenstories #1, a holiday-themed anthology, in December 2024, featuring creators such as Jason Aaron and David Lapham. Starting January 2025, Cruel Kingdom, a dark fantasy series, will replace the sci-fi anthology Cruel Universe.

20th Century Studios Alien: Romulus

Director Fede Álvarez and actress Cailee Spaeny pushed hard on the idea of this new “Alien” work leaning into ‘dramatic theatrics.’ Backing that up, the Hall H event featured red strobe lights, a staged chest-burster, and video messages from Ridley Scott and Guillermo del Toro. Álvarez, known for “Don’t Breathe,” highlighted the film’s return to practical effects and classic designs, including input from Shane Mahan of “Aliens.” Despite the pressures of continuing the beloved series, the team aimed to deliver a compelling new chapter that honors the franchise’s past.

Shock! Gasp! Choke! Celebrating the 70th Anniversary of Comics vs. the U.S. Senate

This panel celebrated the 70th anniversary of William Gaines and EC Comics’ stand against censorship at the 1954 U.S. Senate hearings. This was more of an academic angle though (vs. the Saturday EC Fan-Addicts club panel) where as part of the con’s Comics Arts program, leaders in the California library and museum communities discussed the historical significance of this event and its relevance to modern battles against comic book censorship and bans.

Hasbro Transformers Panel

Hasbro revealed a range of new Transformers products set for Fall 2024. It was sort of ridiculous. What caught my eye for being flat-out odd? The “Transformers x Knight Rider” Autobot Agent Knight, a 6.5-inch figure inspired by the KITT car, complete with electronic sounds and light effects. Yep. Also, a ‘Studio Series Commander Class Optimus Prime’ from the 1986 film, and a Collaborative G.I. Joe x Transformers Autobot Kup Triple T set (with Sgt. Slaughter!).

J. Michael Straczynski Workshop

J. Michael Straczynski conducted a workshop for aspiring writers by ‘offering practical advice on writing for comics, novels, TV, and film.’ As best I could tell this was mostly a writing Q&A.

The 36th Annual Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards

“Transformers” was awarded Best Writer/Artist for Daniel Warren Johnson and Best Continuing Series – I know, I was as shocked as anyone and now semi-curious about the work. Voters added Klaus Janson, Jim Lee, Mike Mignola, and Jill Thompson to the hall of fame.

But for me the big award to watch was the tie win in Best Graphic Album – Reprint that landed “Hip Hop Family Tree: The Omnibus” a posthumous award for Ed Piskor. As I mentioned in my earlier remarks about Piskor, his family was in San Diego to attend the ceremony and his mother spoke, along with his brother in a call for positivity in the industry. Alex De Campi, a vocal critic of Piskor (and a woman that he described as one of his ‘murderers’) did not win in the Best Graphic Album – New category.

Saturday, July 27, 2024

Usagi Yojimbo 40th Anniversary

Usagi Yojimbo celebrated its 40th anniversary with creator Stan Sakai, who was joined on the panel by Julie Sakai, Jerry Blank, Emi Fujii, and Daniel Fujii. Julie is Stan’s wife and a fellow illustrator. The rest of the panel involved people also helping on current Usagi work. This was a big milestone panel and look back, similar to the TMNT anniversary (also on their 40th!).

Dungeons & Dragons Celebrates 50 Years

It’s crazy to think that D&D is 50 years old. This panel marked the milestone with insights from Anjali Bhimani, Kailey Bray, Luke Gygax (creator Gary Gygax’s son), Jim Zub, and Matt Forbeck, moderated by Ross Thompson. The discussion highlighted D&D’s lasting impact on pop culture, emphasizing its role in fostering creativity, boldness, and deep personal connections. The panel also celebrated Gary Gygax Day (July 27th!) and included a lively Q&A session with fans, such as an 8-year-old in a Shredder costume asking about engaging friends with short attention spans.

Unveiled Treasures: The Lost EC Comics Artist Interviews

This panel showcased rare EC Comics video interviews with legendary artists like Al Feldstein, Angelo Torres, Jack Davis, and others. Historian David Armstrong presented the footage, which included highlights from the 2000 EC Dinner at Comic-Con. The panel was moderated by Alex Grand and featured guest remarks from David Armstrong, Grant Geissman, and Bill Field.

Superman & Lois Special Video Presentation and Q&A

The CW’s “Superman & Lois” made its debut in Hall H, teasing the upcoming final season. Following a big season three finale, the panel teased the Kent family’s continued fight against their biggest enemies, including Lex Luthor and Doomsday. The event featured a special video presentation and Q&A session with the stars and producers.

The Toys That Made Us

Nacelle announced the return of “The Toys That Made Us” for two additional seasons. The new episodes, directed by company founder Brian Volk-Weiss, will feature Superhero Toys, NERF, Pokémon, American Greetings toys (including Strawberry Shortcake and Care Bears), Hot Wheels, Ghostbusters, Polly Pocket, and Fast Food Toys. Each of the two new seasons will consist of four episodes, exploring the history and cultural impact of these beloved toys. Distribution details for the new seasons will be revealed later this year.

Stan Lee: The Next 100 Years

The “Excelsior! The Life and Legacy of Stan Lee” exhibit debuted at the San Diego Comic-Con, opened in April and will run for eight months at the Comic-Con Museum. The exhibit showcases rare and historic items from Lee’s career, including original artwork, comic books, and personal artifacts. Highlights include early works from the “Golden Age” of comics, rare original art, and never-before-seen paintings by Greg Hildebrandt. Curators were Michael and David Uslan.

The Simpsons

“The Simpsons” creators revealed a first look at season 36 and this year’s “Treehouse of Horror” at San Diego Comic-Con. The “Treehouse of Horror” will feature a “Venom” parody called “Denim,” created with Stoopid Buddy Stoodios. The episode will focus on Homer’s relationship with alien symbiotic jeans. The panel also highlighted guest appearances for the upcoming season, including Conan O’Brien, Danny DeVito, John Cena, Tom Hanks, MLB players, Jorge R. Gutierrez, and Andy Serkis.

BRZRKR: The Immortal Saga Unleashed

Keanu Reeves’ comic “BRZRKR” is getting both a movie and an anime series adaptation, both set to premiere on Netflix. The anime will be showrun by Mattson Tomlin, who recently finished Netflix’s upcoming “Terminator” series. It was also announced that there will be four new special issues of the comic and a novel collaboration between Reeves and China Miéville titled “The Book of Elsewhere.” Interesting aside: Reeves received the Inkpot Award at the event for his contributions to comics and movies.

EC Fan-Addict Club

Hosts Thommy and Josh Burns, alongside EC historians, explored EC Comics’ legacy and the impact of comics censorship at Comic-Con. They highlighted the influence of EC’s horror, suspense, and satirical publications and marked the 70th anniversary of the Senate subcommittee hearings and Bill Gaines’s decision to discontinue the New Trend line. The panel featured a deep dive into this history and previewed related upcoming projects, including a Jack Davis collection featuring “Foul Play” and “Red Dupe,” both significant in the censorship campaign against comics.

Spotlight on J. Michael Straczynski

J. Michael Straczynski discussed his recent projects, including his work with the Harlan and Susan Ellison Foundation, new novels, and his takeover of the Captain America comic for Marvel. The panel also celebrated JMS’s 40th anniversary as a television writer.

Will Eisner and Harvey Kurtzman Go to College

This panel explored the teaching careers of cartoonists Will Eisner and Harvey Kurtzman at New York’s School of Visual Arts. The panel included moderator Danny Fingeroth (“Jack Ruby: The Many Faces of Oswald’s Assassin”), Patrick McDonnell (creator of “Mutts,” former SVA student under Eisner and Kurtzman), Michael Dooley (Art Center College of Design), Grant Geissman (“The History of EC Comics”), and N. C. Christopher Couch (SVA and UMass professor, “The Will Eisner Companion”).

Star Trek Universe

The big “Star Trek” panel unveiled several new developments across its series. The teaser for “Star Trek: Section 31” showcased Michelle Yeoh reprising her role as Emperor Philippa Georgiou, now joining a secret division of Starfleet. “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy” will feature Tig Notaro and Robert Picardo, alongside new cadets and a plot centered around young Starfleet recruits. “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” offered a glimpse of its third season with a clip showing crew members temporarily transforming into Vulcans. Lastly, “Star Trek: Lower Decks” announced its fifth and final season will debut on October 24, 2024, with the crew facing new challenges, including closing “space potholes” and dealing with various interstellar crises.

The Last Ronin: The Bestselling Graphic Novel

Creators Kevin Eastman, Tom Waltz, the Escorza Brothers, Ben Bishop, and Luis Antonio Delgado provided an exclusive look behind the making of the hit TMNT story, The Last Ronin. The panel discussed the graphic novel’s success and its upcoming adaptation into a live-action blockbuster movie.

Marvel Comics: X-Men: From the Ashes

Marvel’s panel focused on the new era for the X-Men following the end of the Krakoan Age. Editor-in-chief C.B. Cebulski and executive editor Tom Brevoort were moderators. Highlights included the debut of the character Jitter in “Uncanny X-Men,” who can hyper-focus for a minute, and the reveal of a new villain from “NYX.” Alyssa Wong announced she will write a new “Psylocke” series, exploring the character’s dark past and new adversaries. The panel also previewed upcoming issues for no less than 10 (!) X-Men related titles coming out seemingly in parallel.

Skybound: In Conversation with Robert Kirkman

Kirkman announced that Prime Video has greenlit “Invincible” for Season 4, promising a faster release. He discussed his current focus on “Void Rivals” and his interest in using new Transformers characters like Bulkhead. Kirkman praised J.K. Simmons’ portrayal of Omni-Man and hinted at surprising future character appearances in “Invincible.” He also touched on his interest in exploring fantasy and romance genres, noted the unlikely animated adaptation of “The Walking Dead,” and addressed his handling of writer’s block by switching projects.

Hanna-Barbera: The Recorded History

Host Mark Evanier led a panel on the legacy, voices, and music of Bill Hanna, Joe Barbera, and their collaborators. The panel featured insights from actor Tim Matheson, voice performer Katie Leigh, animator Tom Sito, and author Greg Ehrbar (who has a book coming out on this topic in August 2024).

The Penguin Panel

“The Penguin” TV series panel revealed new details about the upcoming HBO Max series, set to debut on September 19. The show, continuing the story from Matt Reeves’ “The Batman,” focuses on Colin Farrell’s Penguin as he attempts to control Gotham’s crime world. The panel, featuring Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz, and producers Reeves and Dylan Clark, noted that the character’s look was inspired partly by Harvey Weinstein. The series was intended to be an “exploration of the Penguin’s quest for his version of the American Dream amidst Gotham’s criminal landscape.”

The Horror Next Door

Storm King Comics’ latest imprint, Dark & Twisted, was the focus of this panel. CEO Sandy King and various creators discussed bringing horror closer to home by exploring the everyday monsters that walk among us. A reminder that Sandy King is John Carpenter’s wife. Carpenter, as usual, was not at the convention.

Frazetta and Conan: A Legendary Combination

Featuring Frazetta’s granddaughter Sarah, artists Liam Sharp and Dan Panosian, and Conan Properties’ Fred Malmberg, the discussion explored how Frazetta’s 1960s-70s Conan book covers popularized the character and influenced the genre. The session also covered current Conan projects and concluded with the announcement of a new Frazetta-inspired Conan statue, highlighting the artist’s enduring legacy in shaping sword-and-sorcery visuals.

Hellboy: The Crooked Man First Look

A new, lower-budget “Hellboy” film is about to come out. Set in 1950s Appalachia, the film follows Hellboy and a BPRD agent as they confront supernatural threats led by the Crooked Man. The trailer highlights the villain’s eerie look, while showing a Hellboy that closely resembling his comic book appearance, and promises a faithful adaptation of the source material. Scheduled for release on September 19, 2024, the film stars Jack Kesy as Hellboy.

The Legend of Kingdom Come: Documentary Preview

This panel discussed the upcoming documentary about the iconic 1996 DC Comics series “Kingdom Come” from writer Mark Waid and artist Alex Ross. Moderated by Mike Roe, the panel showcased the documentary’s trailer and included insights on the series’ creation, challenges, and its lasting impact. Waid and other panelists shared anecdotes about the series’ development, its characters, and its continued relevance, concluding with a Q&A session where fans posed questions about future projects and cameos in the series. The documentary is set to launch on Kickstarter this fall.

Marvel Studios

Marvel’s return to Hall H was a follow-up/re-set of sorts of their 2022 panel and largely delivered on the hype. After an introduction where a choir sang “Like a Prayer” from “Deadpool x Wolverine,” Feige went through the following movies:

“Captain America: Brave New World”: Adamantium will be a core plot point, linked to a dead Celestial body. A clip showed Harrison Ford’s President Ross transforming into Red Hulk. Giancarlo Esposito will portray Sidewinder, and Kevin Feige highlighted a return to the “grounded tone” reminiscent of “The Winter Soldier”. Tim Blake Nelson teased a significant story for The Leader. Harrison Ford expressed his excitement about joining the MCU in a manner that was more energetic than I had probably seen him in two decades of appearances, including ‘Hulking out’ on stage at age 82 (a friend later suggested that his behavior might have been drug induced).

“Thunderbolts”: The first trailer revealed a setup involving the Thunderbolts and showcased Ghost’s new costume. Florence Pugh noted the characters’ lack of cohesion (while clearly being beloved by her castmates), and Sebastian Stan praised Pugh’s standout performance. David Harbour, in costume as Red Guardian, wandered into Hall H in a comic bit.

“The Fantastic Four”: Now titled “The Fantastic Four – First Steps,” filming begins soon, set in a retro 1960s future. Early footage depicted Galactus in an ending zinger. Pedro Pascal discussed his role as Reed Richards, while Vanessa Kirby and Joseph Quinn spoke about their bond as siblings. Michael Giacchino from “The Incredibles” fame will do the score.

“Avengers” 5 and 6: Directed by the Russo Brothers, with “Avengers: Doomsday” slated for May 2026 and “Avengers: Secret Wars” for May 2027.

The biggest moment was when Robert Downey Jr. was revealed as the cast of Doctor Doom, causing a frenzy in Hall H.

A Panel with Kevin Smith

Kevin Smith’s mostly-annual Hall H panel concluded Saturday evening’s program schedule. It featured a lively Q&A session along with a trailer tease for his upcoming film, “The 4:30 Movie.” Scheduled for a mid-September release, the film is Smith’s sixteenth feature and follows three sixteen-year-old friends in the summer of 1986 who sneak into movies at their local multiplex. The movie was shot at Smith’s co-owned Smodcastle Cinemas in New Jersey.

50 Years of TROMA

The panel celebrated Troma’s 50-year legacy in the world of independent filmmaking. Lloyd Kaufman, with Justin Pearson, Chuck Tingle, and Michael Varrati, discussed the historical impact of Troma Entertainment and the importance of encouraging unique, independent voices in art.

Sunday, July 28, 2024

Star Trek: Prodigy

CBS Studios’ “Star Trek: Prodigy” panel, featuring Kate Mulgrew and Brett Gray, highlighted the upcoming Season 2 launch on Netflix. Fans saw the episode “Cracked Mirror.” A surprise panel tidbit was the return of Wesley Crusher, voiced by Wil Wheaton.

The Annual Jack Kirby Tribute Panel

This yearly gathering brought together people who knew and were inspired by “The King of the Comics,” Jack Kirby. The panel featured cartoonists Patrick McDonnell and Rick Parker, Kirby family friend Dave Schwartz, former DC Comics president Paul Levitz, Jack’s granddaughter Tracy Kirby, and was moderated by former Kirby assistant Mark Evanier.

From Big Dots to the Digital Universe

Steve Oliff, founder of Olyoptics and colorist of thousands of comic pages, looked back at his award-winning career and the evolution of comic book coloring. He discussed his work on titles like Marvel/Epic’s localization of “Akira,” “Spawn,” and “Sandman,” explaining the transition from traditional to digital coloring methods. Joe Chiodo, the notable artist and painter, also participated. The panel was moderated by Marie Javins, current editor-in-chief of DC Comics.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: From the First Issue to The Last Ronin

Yet another ‘Celebrating 40 years of TMNT’ panel, this panel brought together key figures in the franchise’s history. TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman, “The Last Ronin” collaborators Tom Waltz and Ben Bishop, “Secret of the Ooze” film star Ernie Reyes Jr., and animation director Larry Houston discussed the Turtles’ past, present, and future. The panel was moderated by Andrew Farago, author of “TMNT: The Ultimate Visual History.”

X-Men Fandom Panel Celebrating X-Men ’97

This panel brought together the X-Men fan community to celebrate the cast and creatives of the recent Disney+ “X-Men ’97.” Voice actors from the show, including Cal Dodd (Wolverine), Lenore Zann (Rogue), and Alison Sealy-Smith (Storm), among others, participated in the discussion. The panel was moderated by Chandler Poling and Chris Riley of X-Reads Podcast. This was a victory lap of sorts, as the panel included discussions about how actors found their character voices, favorite lines and scenes from the new season, and emotional stories about fan interactions. Highlights included Dodd sharing a touching story about the impact of his character on fans and excitement over the show’s Emmy nomination. The cast also reacted to a sizzle reel of memorable moments from the first season of X-Men ’97, with many praising the writing and character development. Fired showrunner Beau DeMayo was at the convention as an attendee but not at this panel.

Ultraman Rising and the New Ultraman Universe

Directors Shannon Tindle and John Aoshima, along with representatives from Tsuburaya Productions, discussed the “Ultraman Rising” film that recently hit Netflix and previewed new Ultraman content (although the panel ended in some ways being a tease for another panel at the upcoming New York Comic-Con).

Spotlight on Maggie Thompson

Longtime “Comics Buyer’s Guide” publisher Maggie Thompson was joined by her daughter Valerie Thompson and grandson Devon Jaruk to discuss ways of preserving the Comic-Con experience after the event ends. They explored various methods used across generations, from mimeographed fanzines to modern digital platforms like Zoom and Discord.

Oddities & Miscellanea

Dealer Sales & Observations

Assessing dealer sales compared to previous years proved challenging. Anecdotally, money seemed to be flowing, although the specifics of purchases remained unclear. Comics sales were likely down year over year, and the general statue market had been faltering after pandemic-era highs. However, specialty and ‘exclusive’ comics and toys were still highly desired. Flippers continued to thrive in this environment.

PSA Comics

In the weeks leading up to the convention, trading card grading company PSA announced their intention to enter the comics market in 2025. They had a booth at San Diego Comic-Con, gathering feedback on their comics holders and market entry plans, with newly-hired Head Grader Mark Wilson present. While the collectible comics market is down roughly 40% from pandemic bubble pricing, the sector seems ripe for new competition. PSA is expected to bring the reputation and resources that prior CGC-challengers have lacked.

Comic-Con Cruise?

The convention continued to market a spin-off cruise event unrelated to San Diego (departing from Tampa). The event was pushed back a full year from 2024, and the guest list so far was not particularly notable (with all due respect to Ernie Hudson).

Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman’s work had little presence at this year’s show, though he’ll be back in the spotlight soon with a second season of “Sandman” on Netflix and “Anansi Boys” being adapted to comics this year. Gaiman’s lower profile at the convention coincided with recent controversy surrounding claims of abusive relationships detailed in a podcast series.

Jennifer Garner

Jennifer Garner was trapped in an elevator for over an hour at the Hard Rock hotel while participating in what was apparently her first San Diego convention. Garner documented the ordeal on Instagram, initially joking about needing Deadpool and Wolverine to rescue her. As the elevator became hotter, she referenced survival tips from sitcoms like “The Office” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” suggesting she conserve energy by sitting. Despite trying to stay positive by singing “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall,” the situation became increasingly uncomfortable. After an hour, firefighters finally arrived to rescue her.

Hall H Line

The “Deadpool x Wolverine” panel introduced a special setup lottery for entry, a first for the convention. This could signal future changes, potentially leading to more time between panels and fewer back-to-back events per day.  That said, the event had complaints about problems for some attendees and some people sneaking inside but one assumes that kinks will get worked out for next time. For other panels, such as Saturday’s Marvel panel, attendees still had to camp out overnight.

Off-Site Activations

– Paramount+ brought back “The Lodge,” featuring franchises like “Star Trek” and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” while also celebrating “SpongeBob SquarePants'” 25th anniversary.

– Hulu’s “Animayhem” factory allowed fans to interact with characters from animated series like “Futurama” and “The Simpsons.”

– Peanuts celebrated its 75th anniversary with a booth dedicated to Charles Schulz’s comic.

– Adult Swim’s festival included previews of new series and a pro wrestling tournament.

– FX offered activations inspired by shows like “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and “American Horror Story.”  There was also a setup specific to “The Bear” but it was apparently so popular that line waits ran as much as 5 hours.

– Peacock hosted a chariot race to promote “Those About to Die.”

– Max recreated Gotham’s Iceberg Lounge from “The Penguin” series, complete with a 21+ bourbon bar.

Protestors

There has been confusion over the years regarding the church protestors seen with signs most years outside of the convention center.  While Westboro Baptist did have representatives at the convention in 2010, most other years have featured a ‘milder’ (but obviously still very conservative-leaning Baptist church.  Beyond that group again being in the area, I saw some other oddities.  There were also photos online of a cosplayer with a sign for ReformPharma with a sign about an ‘Illegal Fresno Biolab Found Producing SARS-COV2″ that I found had some truth behind it but with misleading (the lab in Fresno had been investigated for sloppy practices in fall of 2023).  On the last day of the convention, there was a modestly-large pro-Palestine protest in downtown San Diego.

Conclusions

The 2024 convention largely fulfilled the promise of a strike-free, post-pandemic return to ‘normal.’ It was perhaps fitting that the convention had risen to its height of popularity in the 2010s based on the rise of comic book films, and that Marvel would again claim the arguable crown as ‘biggest buzz’ panel. While the success of future films remains to be seen, bringing the “Avengers: Endgame” band back together managed to give the convention an old school pop as the curtain went down on Hall H.

Winners

Marvel Studios: Once again, Marvel dominated the conversation across the convention weekend with their Hall H presentations. The success of “Deadpool & Wolverine” set the tone, but it was the shocking announcement of Robert Downey Jr.’s reveal as Doctor Doom was ‘the moment’ of the convention. While this revelation has sparked both excitement and skepticism (we’ll know in 3 years how this all turns out), there’s no denying Marvel’s ability to generate hype.

Kevin Feige: He had a heck of a weekend with “Deadpool & Wolverine” becoming the sixth biggest opener ever, his receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and orchestrating the return of the Russo Brothers and Robert Downey Jr. to the MCU.

Deadpool (and Rob Liefeld?!): The character was everywhere, from cosplay to the star-studded Hall H screening, showcasing immense fan excitement for “Deadpool & Wolverine.”

Star Trek: The franchise continued to thrive at the convention across a wide range of panels, with enthusiastic fan interactions and previews of multiple upcoming show seasons and new series.

Transformers (Skybound Comics):  Robert Kirkman’s won the Transformers and G.I. Joe license by having a plan to meet Hasbro’s request to merge the universes in comics.  The execution of that plan so far has been a shocking sales success and the flagship “Transformers” title also won acclaim with 2 key Eisner award wins.

Animated TV Shows: From renewals for popular series like “Invincible” and “The Legend of Vox Machina” to packed panels for established favorites like “Futurama,” “Bob’s Burgers,” “The Simpsons,” “Lower Decks,” “TMNT,” and a victory lap panel for “X-Men ’97,” animation had a strong showing.

The “Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power”: I did not care much for the first season of this show, but I could not deny that they delivered one of the better trailers of the convention and held an oddly energetic panel that got fans excited for the upcoming second season. Maybe this has a chance.

DC Non-Film Works: Despite initial disappointment in being a no-show in Hall H, James Gunn quietly revealed the studio’s new logo, premiered the “Creature Commandos” trailer, and generated buzz for “The Penguin” with a trailer and in-person activations.  On the comics side, their Absolute line announcement was getting attention (although we would see if it had a Marvel Ultimate-like impact).

Lionsgate: Successfully promoted “Borderlands” and “The Crow” through nontraditional methods around the convention (setup experiences, Kevin Hart appearing in the Lionsgate booth, etc.), proving there are alternative ways to make an impact at Comic-Con than Hall H (it would have been nice to have had a panel though).

Ed Piskor’s Legacy: His family was brought to the convention by Fantagraphics and they ended up bringing home his posthumous Eisner award.

In-Person Attendees: After years of challenges, 2024 delivered a great on-site experience with a return to form on the usual exclusive sneak peeks and memorable in-panel moments.

Local Businesses: The Gaslamp District was bustling at full-power with activity, providing the now-usual boost to San Diego’s local economy.

Dealer Sales: Anecdotally, the cumulative sales across all categories, such as toys and other collectibles, were ‘better than ever.’

Losers (or Missed Opportunities?)

Marvel Desperation: This is just a thought after sobering up on Sunday morning, and I might get eggs thrown at me, but I am a little worried by the plan to bring back the “Avengers: Endgame” crew as a magic fix to the last 4+ years of issues with Marvel productions. There were contrary thoughts in my head that this all smelled a little too desperate. The announcement of Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom was ‘the moment’ of the convention for sure, but reaction soon did leave many fans confused and a little worried about the direction of the character. Hopefully Marvel proves any naysayers (myself included) wrong.

Warner Bros: For the second year in a row, WB’s film division was notably absent from the convention. The lack of promotion for upcoming blockbusters like “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” and “Joker: Folie à Deux” left many fans disappointed.

Marvel Comics – Their announcements were met with indifference.  Unlike past years – and across the hall at DC – there was no clear unifying theme or event.  The main push to note involved the X-Men and was not very compelling.

The Doctor Who/Star Trek Crossover Panel: In what seemed like a bad joke, expectations were built up but there failed to be any significant news, offering only a mobile game event.

Sony’s Spider-Man Universe: Sony had almost no presence at the convention, missing opportunities to promote upcoming films like “Kraven the Hunter” and “Venom: The Last Dance.”

Video Game Companies: The timing of SAG-AFTRA’s strike against major video game companies cast a shadow over gaming-related events at the con, though it did provide a platform for voice actors to discuss their concerns.

Cosplayers: While always a highlight of San Diego, this year’s intense humidity was blamed by some for what appeared to be fewer cosplayers overall.

Comics Momentum: The story of 2023 was that the convention had returned to its comic book roots, but that proved to be somewhat of a mirage. With the Hollywood panels back in town, the attention went their way. Comic book buying that spiked during the pandemic has since dwindled, and the decades-long talking point that ‘comics are dying’ popped back up as anecdotally it seemed that dealer tables dwindled. That said, comic book panels were still alive and well in the convention center.

Looking Ahead

This 2024 edition of the convention demonstrated that the magic of Comic-Con is still very much alive. Despite some challenges, the convention continues to be a celebration of pop culture that brings fans and creators together in exciting ways. The success of this year’s event bodes well for the future of large-scale fan conventions, though challenges remain, such as rising costs and evolving industry dynamics. As the convention continues to adapt and evolve, it seems poised to maintain its position as the cornerstone pop culture celebration in the USA.