STACK NZ August 2016 Issue 76

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visit EXTRAS COMIC-CON
08 AUGUST 2016
EXTRAS
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.
Attendees with a four-day badge that
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.