Chapter 261: Comic-Con 1985
With what was covered… the San Diego Comic-Con of 1985 should officially start as soon as Thursday or the 1st of August came into the corner.
Even before that day… a lot has already been prepared or preparing themselves for it!
From the event organizers, to those with panels to tend to, to those that had a costume to wear, and so on… which is essentially those that want to attend it.
Of course, it is more than certain that they will all be heading to Hotel San Diego and its San Diego Convention and Performing Arts Center.
With Hotel San Diego housing the convention since 1982… it had pretty much become a hotspot for nerds, geeks, and passionate comic book and sci-fi fans to head towards… at this time of the year.
Anyways to the norms that don't fit that category or to those that don't see much of the appeal… stepping into Comic-Con must have felt like arriving on an alien world as delightfully eccentric as those he created, one full of obsessive fans, knowledgeable nerds and costumed collectors!
All in all… this was a good time and place to be weird!
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1985 Comic-Con had some highlights to look out for.
As comic-book aficionados from all over the world descended on the San Diego Convention Center. Given the event's extravagant, fantastical dress code, there are really a lot of highlights to look out for.
From DIY costumes to professional ones… there's a lot to admire and laugh about!
Of course… aside from costumes, a lot of people were noticing a different feature this time around… as feathers, talons, and beaks seem to run deep at this year's Comic-Con. In fact, the event's official logo seems to be a bird—a grinning, costume-loving toucan named Toucan.
But why?
Well… that was for a man named Rick Geary to answer. The only sure takeaway from this Toucan thing though… is that it will be a convention highlight to be remembered for sure! Having this specific logo in this event that celebrates a weird blend of concepts… is a first!
The unifying Toucan figure aside… there are different figures in this geek convention to watch out for as well.
Among the many noted guests from the world of comics… there was Jerry Siegel, who virtually started the superhero mythos in 1938 when he co-created Superman. Controversial as its inception was… a lot of people were looking forward to getting first-hand recounting from the maker of the world's most popular superhero.
Aside from Siegel, there is also Ben Bova, Jack Cummings, Jack Davis, Gil Kane, Harvey Kurtzman, Dan O'Bannon, Jerry Ordway, Alex Schomburg, Julius Schwartz, Louise Simonson, and Walt Simonson.
These are just a succession of names to some… but they are legends in their own right with achievements that are worthy to laud about. From film-making, to comic creations, to science-fiction writing…they are handpicked and stood out in their respective fields.
In fact, they are pretty much here to be awarded with the coveted Inkpot Awards, along with the newly drafted Kirby Awards to further facilitate honors that can be given to people and their works.
To be fair… these awards and awardees are amongst the things that could be considered a point of attraction at this year's Comic-Con too.
It is also important to mention that Alan Moore was amongst these awardees as well. This was considered a very rare convention appearance, not just because of his English residence and general disinterest… but also in due part to his publicized clash with Alexander Creed.
People just weren't expecting to see him here… so this Rasputin-looking fellow and his achievements could very well stand out in this crowd!
Of course… to not be forgotten… it should be noted that panels and sections dedicated to niche or major names in the comic book industry are of the majority in this event… and it is just a matter of one deciding which to choose!
Overall, it was a somewhat cozy affair with about thousands of attendees roaming around in assortments of themselves and assortments of venues and places to be in.
It wasn't all good though as the ceiling seemed almost low enough to touch people's heads and only about half was well-lighted and the other half was only dimly lit.
To be fair… the venue was bizarre, cramped, and not well-lit but that didn't stop people's enthusiasm to be a part of it!
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Suffice to say... the convention was truly in its full force and ready to continue with great strides.
In any case, it truly was an impassioned environment that would take some getting used to.
People are lined up for exclusive posters, panels, and autographs.
People are looking to trade the rare-age comic books that they got.
People are lamenting or wowed at how cheaply they bought a comic book and how much profit they could sell it now.
People are showcasing or explaining their costumes to/against each other.
People are debating their views on certain topics. It's mostly the Wars and Trek Star-ers with a splash of DC, Marvel, and Creed opinions from the side.
And some people just want to find or meet something or someone that they have yet to find or meet.
This Comic-Con was supposed to just be a convention with 'comic' on its name... but it may just truly be a convention on a lot of other things.
This may just come off as normal and not that special to some but without a doubt... it would totally be a lot to take in for a first-timer due to the many nuances it has.
Like most coping first-timers, this was what was going on from the perspective of "Fanboy" as well!
As a noticeable fanboy from Creed Store... 'Fanboy' can proudly say that he was passionate about comic books as he can be.
However, he never really took to himself to attend any of these so-called conventions until now.
And from the sights and experiences he soaked in... maybe he wasn't as passionate about comic books as he thought he was.
There were clearly a lot more people that were more passionate than him. As they say... there were truly people out there that can do a lot more better than you.
From the 'little pond' that is the San Fernando comic book community... 'Fanboy' the ignorant fish has leaped himself unto the San Diego Comic-Con, a converging sea that holds representatives of comic book communities from far and wide!
There was a lot of insight to take from this event and it made 'Fanboy' wonder why he took this long to try it out...
Of course, he had to thank the clerk from Creed Store to nudge him to finally decided to go.
As the 'mister' on the counter from Creed Store had put it... this year's San Diego Comic-Con was something that Creed had put a lot of importance to.
With "insider" news such as that... how could 'Fanboy' not go?
Of course, he had yet to truly reach his goal of attending this entire thing.
Creed seems so hard to find as he was just a little noob fish who drifted away along with the rushing waves of this entire event!
It may not take long for him to find the Creed panels though... as Creed Entertainment was said to make a big splash!
Even though he was getting swept around by the event's flowing waves... the big splash should disrupt and guide his fish-self eventually.
In any case... Comic-Con 1985 was turning out to be quite the experience!