San Diego Comic Con @Home begins July 22nd and will be free for all!

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

When Comic-Con International in San Diego was canceled for the first time in the show's long-standing history due to the coronavirus pandemic, fans of the annual gathering were left feeling gutted and at a loss with what to do about their latest and greatest Cosplay creations. That is until today. I'm very pleased to share that Comic-Con has unveiled details for the show's virtual replacement, titled Comic-Con@Home.

The at-home event will take place online July 22-26, 2020 and will be free for anyone who wishes to attend.

For those of you who covet the celebration's exclusive swag, fear not, because Comic-Con plans on launching an online Exhibit Hall complete with a raft of exhibitors, many of which will offer event-specific promotions, specials, and limited-edition products that are specific to the show. Furthermore, Comic-Con@Home will also host a Masquerade, gaming, and other activities that fans can participate in from the comfort of their own homes.

“For the first time in our 50-year history, we are happy to welcome virtually anyone from around the globe. Though stay-at-home conditions makes this a very difficult time, we see this as an opportunity to spread some joy and strengthen our sense of community,” said SDCC spokesperson David Glanzer.

Comic-Con's official press release is below:

San Diego – San Diego Comic Convention (SDCC), the organizers behind the annual comics and pop culture convention Comic-Con, today shared details for an initiative in the works, Comic-Con@Home, an online event that will combine aspects of the convention experience with the comforts of home. Circumstances involving the COVID-19 pandemic and California’s restrictions against large gatherings have forced SDCC to cancel their 2020 international celebration that brings fans and professionals from all over the world to San Diego. Comic-Con@Home was first teased in early May with a short video announcement and a promise of details to come. Pop culture enthusiasts will note that this initiative joins the Comic-Con Museum’s virtual endeavor, Comic-Con Museum@Home, already ongoing.

Although conditions prevent celebrating in person, the show, as they say, must go on. With Comic-Con@Home, SDCC hopes to deliver the best of the Comic-Con experience and a sense of its community to anyone with an internet connection and an interest in all aspects of pop culture. Plans for Comic-Con@Home include an online Exhibit Hall complete with everyone’s favorite exhibitors offering promotions, specials, and limited-edition products unique to the celebration. As well, Comic-Con@Home promises exclusive panels and presentations about comics, gaming, television, film, and a wide variety of topics from publishers, studios, and more. As if that weren’t enough, Comic-Con@Home will also have a Masquerade, gaming, and many other activities in which fans can participate from their own homes.

Although Comic-Con@Home will provide badges for fans to print and wear proudly, all aspects of the initiative are free and there are no limits to how many can attend. “For the first time in our 50-year history, we are happy to welcome virtually anyone from around the globe,” said SDCC spokesperson David Glanzer. “Though stay-at-home conditions makes this a very difficult time, we see this as an opportunity to spread some joy and strengthen our sense of community.” Comic-Con@Home will be held on the same dates as the previously canceled Comic-Con, July 22-26, 2020, and online attendees are encouraged to use the official #ComicConAtHome hashtag to be included in the virtual activities. Organizers and participating entities will begin providing additional details in announcements leading up to the event. Interested fans are encouraged to check Toucan, the official Comic-Con and WonderCon blog, SDCC’s website and social channels, and the official channels of their favorite pop culture creators in the weeks to come.

How Comic-Con@Home will all come together has yet to be seen, though I'm sure that countless fans, myself included, are excited that the show will go on. While this year's event will be unlike any other that has come before it, there's a small comfort in knowing that fans won't have to contend with the Con's daunting crowds or variety of smells. Granted there's nothing like interacting with your favorite comic book creators or celebrities in person, or forming a group Cosplay with your closest friends, but maybe just for this year we'll take what we can get, no?

Additional announcements related to the show are still forthcoming, though for now organizers are encouraging fans to check Toucan, the official Comic-Con and WonderCon blog, SDCC’s website and social channels, and the official channels of their favorite pop culture creators in the weeks leading up to this year's experimental show.

Oh, and before I forget, online attendees are being asked to use the official #ComicConAtHome hashtag to become a part of the event's many virtual activities and online installations.