Confessions of a Comic-Con Virgin

By Keith Dooley, July 12, 2013

After 32 years of life, I will be doing something I’ve dreamed about for years. Something every comic book lover must do at least once during their lifetime. I am about to take a mecca to San Diego next week and have my San Diego Comic-Con virginity taken from me. In less than one week, I’ll be in an orgy of nerds, geeks, cosplayers, gamers, comic enthusiasts, writers, artists, editors, soaked in filthy comic pleasure.

I have many expectations for how it’s going to be, but above all I look forward to the fun. Like other conventions I’ve attended, I hope to be interacting with fellow lovers of comic books and the creators of my favorite books. I have gone to many excellent conventions whether they were big, like Emerald City Comic-Con in Seattle, or medium-sized, like the Long Beach Comic and Horror Con. I had a great time at all of them, but I expect this to be the mother of all conventions, a comic convention on steroids.

I’ve been told that SDCC is an overwhelming event, but well worth attending. Some say it’s too big. But I think it could never be too big (pardon the pun). I plan on staying as calm as I can and not be overwhelmed by the crowds and hustle and bustle of everything going on around me. Something this big can be just as great as something more intimate. It’s just on a different level. I see this convention as an adventure that I will learn a great deal from.

My boyfriend Don, who is a veteran of SDCC, will be there to help me through it. He’s already given me pointers on how to enjoy and consolidate my time. Besides the advice, I’ll have someone with me who loves comic books just as much as I do. We’ve been looking forward to SDCC for what seems like such a long time. Now that it’s getting closer, we can’t contain our excitement. Looking at the panel list as each day’s schedule is released is making us salivate!

I’ve heard some pessimistic people say that the convention is not the same as it used to be way back when it first began. They say the focus is less on comic books and more on other media, such as film, television, and gaming. But as Don has told me, there are so many panels on comic books and so many creators present that the criticism is not valid. I’m a naturally positive person, so I expect my enjoyment of SDCC will reflect that positive attitude.

When I attend conventions, panels are what I look forward to the most. Based on SDCC’s schedule of panels, I know it’s going to be a phenomenal time. One panel of particular interest is one on how to break into comic books. It should be highly informative because my goal is to work in some capacity for a comic book company (not on the artistic side though). Commiserating with editors and creators after the panels or on the convention floor would also be a great way to gain insight and to network.

Another fun part of panels is hearing exclusive announcements about my favorite comics and creators. DC’s Trinity War event has just began, so announcements may be plentiful. The many panels on Superman, celebrating his seventy-fifth birthday, also look exciting. And, of course, the Batman panels. I also anticipate hearing about upcoming new books from my favorite creators and publishers.

Seeing comic creators is up there with my love of panels. I have seen and heard two of my trinity of favorite writers speak at conventions before, but I’ll finally be able to see the head honcho of that trinity for the first time. Although I’ve attended panels where Scott Snyder and Jeff Lemire have spoken, I’ve never attended a panel featuring Grant Morrison. Just the idea of being in the same room as my comic book god excites me to no end. I respect these three men immensely, as well as other writers and artists, and listening to them speak is always exciting and inspiring.

Besides panels, I also enjoy going to Artist’s Alley at conventions. I expect SDCC’S Alley to be not just an alley, but a big bustling city of comic book royalty. I may forgo getting my graphic novels and collected editions signed by artists and writers and only bring a sketchbook for artists willing to sketch a little something for me in my book. Of course, I’ll make it easy on the artists and ask them to keep to the theme of my sketchbook: Batman villains and the Bat-Family.

San Diego Comic-Con will be amazing because of its sheer size. Tons of people who share my passion, a plethora of creators, panels galore, plenty of learning experiences, and, most importantly, oodles of fun losing my SDCC virginity.