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Is Comic-Con International Even About Comics, Anymore?

FOX releases their Comic-Con International schedule and the upcoming convention feels like less about comics, and more about television...

By Sara 'Babs' Lima  |  June 22, 2010

Comic-Con Logo
Comic-Con Logo
As we draw nearer to the big convention in San Diego, I can't help but get a little bit ahead of myself and look up the tentative schedule of events which will be held during the four days that span the big show. Unfortunately, I have yet to see a whole lot of comic book related scheduling, and rather a whole lot of television and movie stuff. In fact, we are a month away from the big four day event and already FOX knows what they have planned to display at the show and have already released their schedule. 
 
While on the one hand I think it is awesome that FOX is so massive and organized that they managed to get their schedule up for so many of their fans, I was still left with a very bittersweet feeling. When did Comic Con International move so far away from comic books? While it is bittersweet, I am not so sure that the majority of the audience that attend comic con are actually there for comic books. Sure, the majority of the industry saves their big announcements and future plans for the big show, but nobody that goes there is there for just comics. What do you guys think? Do you think that it is a good thing or bad thing that comic book conventions are no longer just about comic books, but about sci-fi and entertainment in general? Do you see comic books eventually being pushed out permanently, or do you feel they will always have a place at the big convention? 
Filed under: San Diego Comic-Con
26 Comments
sora_thekey moderator on June 22, 2010 at 5:29 p.m.
I don't think Comic Books will be pushed out permanently but I do agree Comic Books seem to be secondary on the importance scale for Comic-Con.
Which is really annoying just as how you put it, but as thinking positive... there is still a lot of non-panel events on the floor to look forward to. (I Hope)
ArtisticNeedhamon June 22, 2010 at 7:45 p.m.
I think its a double edged sword.  With the popularity of comics nowadays, with the movies and other media, companies are seeing the value in the convention and taking it over.  I think more people are going to the cons because of these other things that have become part of the comic con.  I think Eventually what might happen is that the comic fans will start going to the other conventions more, like the LA Comic Cons and the New York ones.  Maybe the Comics part of the Con should start its own convention.
Caligulaon June 22, 2010 at 7:50 p.m.
I think it will help introduce people to the medium. people who show up simply for the other aspects, will inevitably run across a DC, Vertigo, Marvel, Wildstorm, Aspen, Dynamite, Image ect. booth and perhaps become a new fan increasing what i consider to be the best yet most, under exposed entertainment medium in the world.
RedHurricane24on June 22, 2010 at 8:18 p.m.
Hey, no way in HELL will put more importance on a farce like Glee over my comics.
Nyogthaon June 22, 2010 at 8:40 p.m.
It seems as though the big comic cons have become Pop Cons. Whatever is popular in media is being shown put on a pedestal. A huge, stupid, dumb, idiotic, asdfgasfghfd! excuse for a con is this Florida "Battlecon." Lots of really bad bands, car shows, drag races. Yet they use covers from Civil War on their site a flyers. My prediction it'll be a huge flop. In contrast to Megacon, which has stuff that is related to comics culture but not directly comics. Like, what the heck does Glee have to do with a Comic Con? I mean I can somewhat see Bones and Sons of Anarchy, but Glee?!
@RedHurricane24: God, if I hear another word about that stupid excuse for a sitcom my head may explode.
danhimselfon June 22, 2010 at 8:55 p.m.
if I was going it would be for just comics
RedHurricane24on June 22, 2010 at 8:56 p.m.
@Nyogtha:  I hear that, man. If I wanted to be happy about a show, I'd just stop watching TV altogether. And as for comic cons not being really comic cons anymore, I believe Batman The Brave and the Bold addressed this issue in the episode "Legends of the Dark Mite", mocking the logo of the SDCC.
ecm1285on June 22, 2010 at 9:23 p.m.
I don't think comics will ever be pushed out of the conventions, but with the money I'd have to spend for the con (plane ticket, hotel fee, convention ticket, ect...), I'm gonna want a little more bang for my buck.
MrMazzon June 22, 2010 at 9:51 p.m.

Most of those show really dont belong at comic con coic con as really growqn beyong comics and more of a pop culture expo but there should be a line drawn becasue really some of these shows just dont belong are there going to really be The Middle Fanboys there for that? i do not think so
TheMess1428on June 22, 2010 at 9:56 p.m.
It's starting to be about pop culture rather than comic books. It's becoming POPCON.
froggeron June 22, 2010 at 10:24 p.m.

When I went to Comic-Com last year I got there early so decided to see the Chuck pannel. While standing in line I was talking to these people abot all the events going on and when I told them I was there for the comics they looked at me like I was a freak. I guess only losers go to Comic Con for the comics.

ComicMan24on June 22, 2010 at 10:34 p.m.

As long as it's called Comic-Con, I don't think comics will be pushed out. They might not be on the spotlight but still there. Now if the name changes, we should be afraid.
Mr. Kamikazeon June 22, 2010 at 11:10 p.m.
Remember when MTV had music videos....kinda the same thing no? 
 
When MTV tried to expand its audience, it lost a huge chunk of its initial fan base...but, they were okay cause they gained just as many new ones. I can foresee Comic-Con entering that same realm of change...
mrrpm01on June 22, 2010 at 11:13 p.m.
Well I think it's inevitable that this con would grow like it has and took a life of it's own.  I do agree that Glee makes as much since at comic con as Lil Wayne and the Oak Ridge Boys performing at the B.E.T awards.  I know that  Fox, WB and the powers that be try to sneak a show or two in on us but if thats the case how about a Glee superhero movie episode so we don't feel so slighted.  I like the different media that comes and allows us to infect them with our comiclove so I don't mind it the only problem or BEEF that I have is  THOSE DAMN TWILIGHT KIDS!!!!!
The Impersonatoron June 23, 2010 at 12:07 a.m.
It's not just about comic books, there are comic-book related stuff as in movies, games and shows.
Cosmic Sentinelon June 23, 2010 at 12:49 a.m.
I love Glee (don't judge me!), but I agree it seems odd to put it at a comic convention. It's probably because network execs look at the age demographics for Comic-con and just start putting in shows aimed at them without considering that maybe they're two different audiences not one homogeneous lump. Don't blame the network execs, it's because their creator that forgot to give them a soul.  
 
I think it's a trend that's been happening for a while, people figured that comic fans usually like sci-fi or vampires, so put in a show about that there. Vampires get more teen oriented, put in teen shows. Things get added by association. I hope the trend will reverse and comics again become the focus, but if it does it will mean a much smaller convention.
hdorman1on June 23, 2010 at 12:54 a.m.

.Mistress Redhead. is online on June 23, 2010 at 12:54 a.m.
@Babs: Very good point B, I have not been to a massive con before, but the few bits of footage I have seen of them really does seem to be less about comics and more about film and TV.
Omega Ray Jay is online on June 23, 2010 at 1:07 a.m.
It should be for comics and comic based media alone, nothing more and if anything very little. Just another sign of the corporate times. It would be good to see people get organised and set up a new con solely dedicated to comics once more and excluding the media marketing machine that has started to dominate these once very specific events.
NightFangon June 23, 2010 at 1:32 a.m.
I think it should be open to all forms of entertainment but mostly comics and anything related to comics.   

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