Tips for in person Comic-Con, San Diego, 2023

  Comic-Con 2023 Great Tips--- Comic-Con welcomes you in person.

art by Rick Geary

1) Wear comfortable shoes with good padding.

2) Drink plenty of water.

3) Bring money to buy your special items. You can get some bargains at the end of the show, but you risk that the item is sold out.

4) Be ready to stand in line for many events and booths, you may need to get a get ticket prior to a signing at the Sails section on the upper floor--check the times, usually 6-9 am every morning.

5) Check the Covid status--check the SDCC website for rules.

6) You can buy SDCC merchandise online and then pick it up in person, including at the Cartoonist Across America & the World booth.

7) Look for cancelled appearances or events, pick up the update sheets or try the unofficial blog.

8) Harbor Blvd. may be closed off--plan ahead for your ride, check the site.

9) Check out the San Diego Zoo not just Comic-Con events, or maybe take a visit to the Comic-Con Museum.

10) There are many evening events, some at adjoining hotels, fields, theaters, and related areas.

11) Be kind and shower--many people everywhere. Be courteous and give folks room.

12) There is a child badge w/adult ticket, see the website for info., this is usually done onsite.

13) Bring pens and paper if you want autographs.

14) Be kind to artists, event folks, cosplayers, and each other--all here to have fun and stay safe.

15) Bring snacks--you will need them while waiting in line or sitting in halls, same with water. The coffee and snack lanes may be long.

16) Don't leave your items anywhere, including coaster, train, trolley, rooms, and convention center. Make sure to take your belongings with you--double check as you leave.

17) Do not carry big or heavy items--check them in to your hotel, or better yet, check them in at coat check at the lobby of the convention floor.

18) There are plenty of things to do outside of the convention. There are literally hundreds of giveaways, tents, and folks giving out great goodies outside the convention area. Check out the food in the Gaslamp district.

19) There are many, many panels full of actors, writers, artists, and fans. Take a look and attend a panel.

There is a panel by Emilio Soltero, Figure Drawing for Popular media---date and time to TBA. See the schedule for more info.

20) Take public transportation (Red Trolley, bus, shuttle), carpool with friends and family, walk, bike, ferry, or jog.

Bonus:

21) There is a souvenir book that you can download for free--at the Comic-Con website.

Happy birthday, Wallace, Wally, Wood--of EC Comics fame

 His birthday is June 17th. He died in 1981. He is remembered for his art.

He had an incredible run at Mad magazine.

Wood also created an early 'zine with Witzend, featuring many artists, including Frazetta and Ditko.

Alex Ross is one of the hardest working artists

His work is well crafted and he has been very prolific since the early 90s.

He is also a true fan of comics, comic artists, and pop culture.

Along with Ditko, Kevin Nowlan draws the definitive Dr. Strange

 Check out the movie....some Easter eggs in there.

Kevin has worked on major characters, and with many great writers.

A new art book by Dr. Soltero, now available, hot off the press

 A new art book from Emilio Soltero

It is filled with 64 pages of top notch images, sketches, finished art, different mediums, some in color, some B/W (but even those are scanned in full color --ala artist editions).

Comic size, card stock covers, perfect bound, signed, and includes a limited full color rare bookmark by Soltero, of Wanto, age 44, who died at the Knoxville Zoo.

Now available at Bud's Art Books, most likely under new arrivals.

But that's not all---you also get some art by Arthur Adams (of those nice Spider-Man covers), Gilbert Hernandez (Love and Rockets), Peter Kuper (Mad magazine), Thomas Yeates (of Tarzan and Prince Valiant), and Kevin Nowlan (Batman, Dr, Strange).

The theme of this book is gorillas, the book is also a fundraiser for gorilla conservation, and partial proceeds for tree planting effort as well.

Testimonials and blurbs from Frank Frazetta, Dr. Seuss, and the late great, Pop Artist, Wayne Thiebaud.

Zura from a print by Emilio Soltero, © 2020. This image also appears in the book, in a slightly different format. Zura died recently in S.F., CA.

Conan by Emilio Soltero---at San Diego Comic Fest

 By Crom, enjoy!

Read Usagi Yojimbo by Stan Sakai himself.

 There are many collections everywhere from Fantagraphics, Dark Horse and IDW.