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I also don't know why in an era where "tv is king" both WC and SDCC dropped the ball on those. I know they tend to rely on the WB/CW properties and CW is looking like it's about to be dismantled, but there are plenty of shows on streaming platforms that would fit right in at SDCC. We shouldn't have to pay $300+ to go to what is essentially a flea market with lackluster panels. Panels is what really drew me to SDCC to begin with, but now I barely find anything worth scheduling. I did have some minor FOMO because the atmosphere and especially the weather looked great, but I didn't have any regrets about skipping it this year. Maybe I'll do every other year from now on or go explore other conventions around the country.
I usually spend a lot of time in the interactive zone and the food trucks are almost always a go-to for lunch for me and the fact they had a massive security choke point soured me to the whole thing. I went there once on Thursday and every other day I tried to go back, the line for security was basically around the block when I was looking to go in. It was extremely discouraging because it's one of my favorite parts of SDCC.
I thought I felt tremors! Everyone else slept through...my first earthquake! Yeeehah.
You do realize that SDCC, has zero influence in what panels to show right? That’s a decision for the studios and channels/streamers to make. All SDCC can do is offer the time slots and if it gets filled, it gets filled. If not, then you have a situation where they basically just had a movie screening of Lightyear and no panel for any Disney movies. I don’t disagree with your assessment that companies are using Covid as a cover, but I think It’s more economic than anything. No panels means no costs to transport in talent, no rooms to book, no real effort to make at booths or swag. A lot of marketing departments got affected, and part of me suspects that with Covid around, studios and companies will use it as cover to save money, limit their costs. Which means fewer panels or, if they do have a panel, less talent on the panels. They still filled the schedule, so it’s not like there’s a lack of things to discuss whether it’s about comics, toys, cartoons, collecting, etc.
Not to mention what COVID protocols may be like for studios, as well as in other countries.
Didn't at least one studio say they didn't send their talent because they can't risk covid shutting down production.
Comic-Con 2022, by 21st San Diego Comic-Con, was a good one: I'd say it's a better-than-average Con for me and the fam! I went to all the panels I really wanted to, a few I kind of wanted to but didn't plan on seeing, got some great swag, bought the few exclusives I really wanted + a few other things, and didn't miss anything I _really_ wanted to see. Thanks to being in a lineup group for another awesome year I only had to spend one 3 hour shift in line for Saturday Hall H (plus a few hours waiting for wristbands & a few hours Sat. morning waiting to get in) so I can't complain, really. I scored well with panel swag, and I didn't go over-budget on stuff! Plus, I kind of unexpectedly got one of my "Infinity Gauntlet" comics signed by artist Ron Lim to go with my Jim Starlin signature I got at SDCC SE (of course, I MUCH rather would've liked to have gotten one of the first couple issues signed by artist George Perez, which would've meant he was still alive, but...you know... ).One reflection this year, is that I WAS WRONG; I was told explicitly by CCI there was no special Pro Entrance into the Exhibit Hall only to see with my own eyes that there was! I had several Pros convincing us they had indeed used the Pro entrance, explained explicitly where it was, but I chose to believe CCI's information. That was absolutely wrong! I of course didn't see that entrance/sign until Thursday late morning/early afternoon when it didn't matter much, but I look forward to utilizing that entrance in 2023.
I won a few limited signings for Disney animation shows, usually done in person to meet staff and talent. But this year, all posters were pre-signed and just given to you at the signing times. Some panels did have their talent there, it was the in-person part Disney must have we forbid.