Comic-Con Four-Day Passes Sold Out

[Zack]

Well, I'm out.

I've gotten a pass the last few years by doing the"press badge" thing, but man, Comic-Con has become a pain to attend.

If passes sell out on the first day, how much worse is it going to get if they print MORE passes? I read numbers that were something like 120,000 people last year. It just seems to get worse.

Air fare is expensive. A hotel somewhat near the con will run a ton even if you're splitting a room. The major panels fill up to the brim -- even Hall H had an overflow for WATCHMEN last year!

The con at this point is WAY overbooked. I used to enjoy going to a couple of panels and just wandering the floor to meet pros. And I had a great time -- I met people like Marty Krofft and Berke Breathed, who weren't even on the printed guest list.

But at this point, it's become something where you have to obsessively plan every aspect of your day in advance just to get in to a few panels or even a post-con restaurant. The last time I went, 2007, I was too exhausted after each day to even make the Hyatt Bar!

If you haven't been, I say Comic-Con is worth doing at least once. But it's like you need a combination of heroin and horse steroids to get through it at this point.

Cons are fun when you get to meet a few friends, hang out, maybe even buy a few comics. But Comic-Con has reached the point that every time I go, I get home feeling lucky I wasn't trampled to death.

Anyone else put off by Comic-Con?

[Ben Morgan]

I always make a point to get to the panels early, but if there's already too many people in line then I just won't go

[Henker]

The crowds at the convention are ridiculous now. Saturday used to be the only day like that, but now it's every day including Sunday. Over the past few years I've also been completely turned off by the large studio panels in Hall H. It's basically wait in line for half the day just so you can watch A-list celebrities circle jerk about how great their new movie is. The studio panels have also gotten progressively more neutered and less enjoyable as the convention has grown.

That said, I still love the convention. The comic book industry panels are still fun and rarely have lines. Even when I'm feeling completely exhausted at the end of the convention, I still start missing it a few weeks later. It helps that I actually live near the con, so many of the logistics issues aren't a worry for me.

[Jae Namkyoung]

Meh I was going to go [note see the livejournal] and then when the passes sold out I was kinda put off by it as well.

[shrike]

One day I'll attend a comic convention. One day.

[Ben Morgan]

Good thing I already got my pass sometime last month

[Briareos]

Good thing I already got my pass sometime last month

Ditto.....

[veracity]

I'll stick to Dragon*Con. It seems less crazed and more relaxed. I'm a big planner and looking at all the effort for Comic-Con? Hell no. It doesn't seem worth it, no matter how awesome it is.

[TomStillwell]

I'm lucky I can get in for free.

[NickThompson]

I've never been SDCC, but stuff like that does put me off. Plus people keep saying it's becoming less about comics, so I worry I'd go on the year it really tips one way or something.

And the cost. SDCC would cost me more than Chicago or NYCC, and I know more people who do them.

[Jae Namkyoung]

Yeah I'm up for a con, about comics, and seeing my fellow yabsters... wasnt tehre something about a yabsfest before i was lurker then but meh.

[Gail Simone]

It's bad, and it's especially bad for the people the con was started for, comic book fans.

HOWEVER, I still find a lot of fun things to do and a lot of fun people to talk to at the con. Last year, even though I was exhausted, I still had a wonderful time.

[schwamp]

It's bad, and it's especially bad for the people the con was started for, comic book fans.

HOWEVER, I still find a lot of fun things to do and a lot of fun people to talk to at the con. Last year, even though I was exhausted, I still had a wonderful time.

That's probably the best point. It's not like it was in the 80's, and the 90's saw a huge change, as the industry blew up. But even though it is almost unmanageably big now, where else are you going to go for that kind of experience? I love what is good about it, the tons of comics that are still there, the pros at the panels talking about their craft, the previews and the MASQUERADE! There is too much, I know, but I'd rather have it like it is than not at all.

[Ian Boothby]

Pia and I have gone for the last 8 years and she's gone on her own for 15 but we're talking about giving it a miss this year.

It's just at the point where the crowds crush the fun. All the panels I wanted to get into last year I would have had to spend 3 hours in line up. That kills most of your day. Then try and get around downstairs. The bars are packed to bursting, things get ugly. All the people I'd want to see I can see at smaller cons and actually have a good time.

I still love artist's alley, seeing the new stuff people come out with but again, I can get that at smaller cons.

[The Valeyard]

I haven't gone for the past two years because of the crowds. It's no longer fun squashing through masses.

I love the times I've gone and miss going every year. It's just not worth it anymore.