Well, it’s that time again, and the JoBlo.com crew is gearing up to head to San Diego and witness the pure geek insanity that is Comic Con and share it with our readers. It always seems to sneak up on us and then goes by in a flash, but the fun of it all is well worth it. Minus the long lines and crowded venues, there’s much to look forward to this year, so we thought it would be cool to give a rundown of the things we’re looking forward to the most, all of which we’ll be sharing on the site and our social media channels. As this is our 16th year covering Comic Con, we hope to bring you guys some great content that will make you feel like you’re here with us, because everyone deserves a chance to see the explosion of geek culture like no other. So, with that in mind, here are the things we’re most looking forward to at SDCC this year. Join us this week for all our panel coverage, videos, photo galleries, and more!
With nothing but a few images, a short teaser, and a flood of rumors, we’ve all been clamoring for more from Zack Snyder’s upcoming superhero epic BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE. Not only that, but WB/DC has created a buzz around its burgeoning superhero cinematic universe that has us all intrigued, but the information has been a little scant, to say the least. So, with Marvel delaying their next big MCU presentation (likely for D23), WB has a tremendous opportunity to blow the roof off Hall H with a Cinematic Universe presentation that will have fanboys and girls screaming like it’s a Michael Jackson concert in the ’80’s. Will that happen? It’s hard to say, but we still remember that simple logo reveal for BVS two year ago and if they can recapture that magic again then Marvel’s absence will hardly be felt and some genuine “Holy Shit” hype may well fill our geek veins. If there’s one panel that has the potential to bring shocks, surprises, and coolness abound, then it’s this one.
WB Presentation takes place Saturday, July 11th from 10:30 – 12:00 p.m.
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While news came yesterday that there would be no new trailer or footage from the hotly-anticipated continuation of the Star Wars saga, STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKEN, it would be pretty shocking if they brought just a slideshow. Last we checked, Disney usually knows “how to Hall H” so there’s more than likely a few cool surprises in store. If anything, we’re hoping to see the old and new cast united on stage (okay, and maybe a few droids and a wookie), which is more than enough to ignite our nostalgia and stoke the flames of our anticipation for another journey to a galaxy far, far away. J.J Abrams, Kathleen Kennedy, and Lawrence Kasdan are confirmed to be attending and are certain to bring along some friends. Regardless of who shows up or what they eventually show (or tell), we’re just happy to have something like this on the docket, especially when George Lucas told us it never would be so many years ago.
The STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS panel takes place on Friday, July 10th from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Outside of the panels, the big “show” of the Con is on the floor. From Artist’s Alley to the endless parade of vendors and exhibitors, there is so much stuff to see on the floor that it will leave your head spinning. Comics, toys, statues, apparel, art, props, costumes…the list goes on. You’ll find tons of cool products that you otherwise wouldn’t see anywhere else, including Comic Con exclusives, and it’s real easy to lose track of those finances if you aren’t careful (seriously, this is like Nerd Vegas). While it may get a little uncomfortable rubbing up against everyone in attendance as you make your way around the floor (which takes a few days to soak in at this point), it’s a small price to pay for the onslaught of coolness that surrounds the area. It’s Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory for the Geek crowd and we look forward to our swim in its madness. Don’t worry, we brought hand sanitizer.
If there’s one thing we love as film and comic nerds, it’s collecting, and there is no shortage of goods to collect at Comic Con. From Sideshow Collectibles, Hasbro, Gentle Giant, LEGO, Hot Toys, Square Enix, NECA, Funko, McFarlane, Kotobukiya, Mattel, and so many more, there’s a cavalcade of toys and statues that are ready to take up shelf space in your home, many of which can only be bought at Comic Con. Of course, you may not be able to afford each and every one of them, but this is a place where you get to see them beyond the glow of a computer screen, which certainly adds to the desire to catch ’em all. Seeing them on display and in some case, in some outrageously cool setups, makes the toys and statues of Comic Con that much more exciting and taking home even a tiny slice of what they have to offer is more than enough to fulfill your collecting needs.
There’s a couple of reasons to be excited for the Fox panel this year, but there’s one main reason that kind of trumps them all; DEADPOOL. Ever since the project was announced and the R-rating confirmed, the Ryan-Reynolds led comic adaptation has been a huge blip on our radar. With a focus on taking full advantage of the rating and the bat-shit craziness of the character, DEADPOOL is easily one of our most anticipated films of 2016 and the potential of seeing some footage from the recently wrapped flick is more than enough to have us jazzed for this panel. Toss in a possible tease of Bryan Singer’s X-MEN: APOCALYPSE, some more on THE FANTASTIC FOUR, and another peek at the upcoming Ridley Scott thriller THE MARTIAN and possibly another look at the phenomenal trailer for THE REVENANT (shown at Cinemacon this year), and maybe a few surprise to boot, we’re betting that the Fox panel will be one of the best ones in town. A can’t miss for us.
The Fox Panel takes place on Saturday, July 11th from 5:45 – 7:30 p.m.
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It’s been 23 years since Bruce Campbell waved around his boomstick in Sam Raimi’s ARMY OF DARKNESS and not once have fans let go of the rallying cry to see him take up the chainsaw again as the wild-eyed hero of the EVIL DEAD franchise. Now, the deadites have spoken and Campbell (along with Raimi and the usual suspects) is reprising the career-defining role in Starz Ash vs. the Evil Dead and we are beyond stoked to see this happen. Following the gory standards set by the original films, this new TV series is putting Ash back where he belongs, fighting the forces of darkness with all the over-the-top bloody bits, cheeky dialogue, and crazy-cool style. Well, at least that’s what we’re hoping for based on everything we’ve heard, so the chance to get a look at how this new series will play out is a welcome venture. Seeing Ash brandishing that chainsaw and spouting out some new (and old!) one liners is a decades long dream/nightmare come true. Groovy.
The Ash vs. The Evil Dead panel takes place on Friday, July 10th from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
After some stop and go, director Quentin Tarantino finally committed to directing his latest screenplay for THE HATEFUL EIGHT, gathering an as-expected awesome cast, including Kurt Russell, Samuel L. Jackson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Bruce Dern, and Walton Goggins. Having visited Comic Con before, it’s not a huge surprise that Tarantino would bring his latest effort there, but it’s certainly a welcome one. Since the script was leaked last year, folks have been building excitement for the filmmaker’s newest entry in his homage to Western’s phase. Likely filled with his usual crackling dialogue, violent showdowns, and unexpected twists, THE HATEFUL EIGHT is easily one of our most-anticipated flicks of the year and getting a sneak peek at what Tarantino and that badass cast have in store makes it all worthwhile.
THE HATEFUL EIGHT panel takes place on Saturday, July 11th at 1:30 p.m.
If you’re a fan of art, particularly comic, fantasy, and the like, then Comic Con has you covered and then some. From getting sketches done by your favorite comic artists to buying original works to hang in your home or just getting exclusive prints, posters, and everything in-between there is no shortage of absolutely awesome art at the Con. Artist sketchbooks made specifically for SDCC are a great route to go as well. From comics to movies to TV to videogames and beyond there is all different styles of art and all different mediums, so whether you’re a casual collector, purveyor, or serious buyer, there’s something for everyone and under nearly every category you can think of. While movies may seem to take center stage at Comic Con in recent years, it’s always a pleasure to see the founding medium still heavily featured throughout the convention. We can’t wait to soak our eyeballs in all of it.
Ah, the cosplay. Where you can truly let your geek flag fly and recreate your favorite characters from movies, comics, gaming, etc. The culture of cosplay has grown exponentially throughout the years, becoming a true staple in geek culture with some truly remarkable costumes being created every year (and not just at SDCC, but at all cons). There is such a massive flood of great costumes with some ingenious designs on parade at Comic Con with each day bringing a whole new set of cosplayers into the mix. From the seriously inventive to the seriously hot to the seriously strange, there is no end to the remarkable outfits that are on display from a great group of dedicated folks. We can’t wait to see what everyone brings to the table and marvel at the many creations. It’s the true essence of fans showing the love for the things we all love and it simply wouldn’t be the same without them.
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Whether its an industry party, a local throw-down, or even a gathering of like-minded friends for a night on the town, the parties at Comic Con can be a damn fine time to mingle and cool off after a long day of lines, panels, and the gauntlet that can be walking the convention floor. Meeting up with friends, peers, and the occasional celebrity at some of the bigger parties can be a great place to rub elbows and make connections, while the non-industry get-togethers can be a great place to meet new people, make new friends, and create some great Con memories. Just remember to know your limits, have a plan when heading into the city, and watch out for your fellow pals that may need a cab if things get out of control. After all, we want to be able to come back next year to enjoy the festivities, so be safe and have a blast!