Tomorrow (Thursday, July 24, 2024) I am San Diego bound for the annual nerd mecca that is Comic-Con 2024! Woo-hoo!
PRO TIP: Roads between Los Angeles and San Diego are a nightmare, and parking around the convention center? It’s like that thing in a movie where the protagonist wakes up from a nightmare but discovers they’re in ANOTHER NIGHTMARE!!!
The train to San Diego, however, is a delightful ride down the coast boasting lovely views of the Pacific Ocean. I will be leaving Union Station on the Surfliner, Train 564 at 7:10AM, because I have a lovely wife who will drive me places if I ask nice.
ANOTHER PRO TIP: So I hear hotels rooms around the Con can be tricky, but I’ve never bothered with that because I stay in the extremely cheap, just four blocks away from the Con, San Diego Youth Hostel. They do have private rooms, but I usually get a dorm-style four person because I just need a place to rest my weary head. There’s also open use of the kitchen, complementary breakfast and even free coffee and sack lunches. Seriously, I love these guys.
WHERE I’LL BE
I know 100% where I will be 10AM Saturday morning, and that’s in Room 29AB to be on the COMIC CREATOR CONNECTION ALL-STAR panel. And I am on the panel for TWO projects, a story in the upcoming NIGHTMARE THEATER 3-D anthology with Don Nguyen and last year’s #MerMay novel ABYSSAL with Paige Barr. I’ve done this panel twice before, and it is always a blast, great for indie artist and anyone looking to break into comics. But be warned, it is the first panel on a Saturday morning after a full two days of Con activity, so set those alarm clocks!
OTHER PLACES, OTHER THINGS, MORE FUN
If you want to know every panel that has piqued my interest, here is my full schedule, but I can guarantee some of these I’ll be too busy hanging and networking on the Con floor.
THURSDAY STUFF
CREATORS ASSEMBLE: GOOD, EVIL, AND GRAY AREAS IN COMICS
Thursday July 25, 2024 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 10
I am a huge fan of CA founder, comic librarian, anti-book bad advocate Moni Barrette and so I’m looking forward to a panel with among others, past Comic Creator Connection All-Star David M. Booker.
COMIC CREATOR CONNECTION - THURSDAY
Thursday July 25, 2024 7:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Marina D, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Speed dating for writers and artists. Pretty much all the comics and illustrated work I’ve put out in the world is due to the artists I met here.
FRIDAY STUFF
BREAKING INTO COMICS AND STAYING IN
Friday July 26, 2024 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 11
A little miffed that a creators mixer is the same time and this, but they’ve got a murderer’s row of smart, passionate indie creators.
EC COMICS LIVES AGAIN AT ONI PRESS
Friday July 26, 2024 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 23ABC
I did a deep dive into EC Comics for my story in NIGHTMARE THEATER 3-D, which gave me a renewed appreciation for how deliciously weird and subversive these comics were, and very much of their time. So I’m eager to hear how Oni plans to adapt them to the modern age.
COMIC CREATOR CONNECTION - FRIDAY
Friday July 26, 2024 7:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Marina D, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Same deal as Thursday, but can you meet too many artists.
Friday July 26, 2024 6:00pm-10:00pm PDT
The Pool Club - Hilton San Diego Bayfront
SATURDAY STUFF
Comic Creator Connection All-Stars
Saturday July 27, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 29AB
I mean, I made a graphic for it and everything. I kind of have to go. Plus I’m genuinely interested in meeting my fellow 2024 All-Stars and hear about what they’re making.
CREATORS ASSEMBLE: COMICS CAMARADERIE, A NETWORKING EVENT
Saturday July 27, 2024 4:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Marina D, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
This is my other can’t miss event. Industry professionals take the time to meet, talk and share their experience with anyone who is lucky enough to show up.
Saturday July 27, 2024 8:30pm - 9:30pm PDT
Room 24ABC
A fun game of fool where Darren Shulman and Dan Berry challenge panelists to tell which comic are made up and which just seem too absurd to exist. I’m be cheering on my friend and collaborator Don Nguyen.
Saturday July 27, 2024 9:00pm -???
Bayfront Hilton Bar
SUNDAY STUFF
WHAT ARE COMIC BOOK EDITORS LOOKING FOR?
Sunday July 28, 2024 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 29CD
I’d probably go to any panel boasting David Avallone, Rylend Grant and Barbra Dillon, even if it wasn’t on a subject in which I am keenly interested.
Sunday July 28, 2024 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 25ABC
Anyone reading my substack will know I am currently obsessed with this. Plus I see some familiar names on the panel.
Sunday July 28, 2024 2:45pm - 4:45pm PDT
Room 6A
A Comic-Con tradition. This year with an inter-generational twist. I’ll have to catch the end because I’m also going to...
THE WRITERS BLOCK: CAREER PATHS IN COMICS
Sunday July 28, 2024 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 29AB
More David Avallone and Rylend Grant
Then, find a restaurant/cafe to rest, collect, figure out all the emails, DMs and calls I need to make next week, before I catch the 7PM train back to Los Angeles.