STACK August 2016 Issue 142

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visit DVD&BD FEATURE
20 AUGUST 2016
DVD
&
BD
2016
T he RNC may have had Chachi from
Happy Days and a guy from Duck
Dynasty as special guests, but Comic-
Con once again attracted a who’s-who of
the film, television and gaming world, as
studios, networks and developers presented
forthcoming releases directly to their core
audience via panels, screenings, signings and
special events. Unlike trade shows, Comic-
Con really is the best marketing tool in the
galaxy in terms of promoting the slate of films,
TV series and video games scheduled for the
coming year, with subsequent buzz from fans
crucial to their success.
This year security was tight, with a
‘Costume Weapons Check’ enforced
upon entry. One concerned citizen
even called for a ban on cosplay,
but fortunately the First
Amendment protects
those who wish to
dress up, so it was
business as usual
for the thousands of
cosplayers who are
intrinsic to Comic-Con’s DNA.
San Diego was also in the grip of a summer
heatwave, which wasn’t conducive to standing
in line for long periods, nor cosplaying as
Chewbacca or Totoro. However, the
faithful were undeterred and the
attendees proved as eclectic as ever,
with Suicide Squad characters
a popular choice this year,
as well as the inevitable
heroes and villains of
Marvel, DC and Star
Wars. Unsurprisingly,
the Convention Centre
was also swarming
with Pokémon –
both physical and
virtual.
One of the joys
of Comic-Con is seeing
Downtown San Diego transformed into a
geek’s paradise, with hotels and trolley cars
adorned with artwork. You couldn’t really miss
the vampiric Statue of Liberty dominating
the Hilton Bayfront to promote the new
season of The Strain, or the building banners
featuring the Son of Zorn, an intriguing new
sitcom about an animated He-Man-like warrior
attempting to win back his live-action ex-wife
and son.
One of the joys of
Comic-Con is seeing
Downtown San Diego
transformed into a
geek's paradise
Words: Scott Hocking GEEK OUT!
Convention season was in full swing in the United States
during the last week of July. The Republican National
Convention was under way in Cleveland, but more importantly,
San Diego Comic-Con once again transformed the Californian
city into the centre of the pop culture universe and proved a
welcome diversion from the Trump campaign trail.
Comic-Con fact...
The first comic book
convention in San Diego was
held for three days in August
1970, and attracted 300
people.