Any Comic-Con 2023 preview has to ask the question: will it be like it was before? In answer, so far, I can say that things are not back to normal, and it’s not clear at this point what normal might look like in the future.
The biggest element pushing 2023 into “not like previous Comic-Cons,” is, of course, the ongoing strike by the Writer’s Guild of America. That’s impacted the presence of the big Hollywood studios. There will be no Marvel Entertainment movies in Hall H and many creatives and performers may be skipping the con in support of the strike. If the Screen Actors Guild calls a strike in support this week, which is on the horizon, that will have an even larger impact. (I’m firmly in support of the creators, not the studios.)
I attended the last pre-pandemic Comic Con in 2019. That was an overwhelming, intense, and unforgettable experience. For Comic-Con 2023, I’m aiming for unforgettable again but that is largely due to the company I will keep. I’m rooming with two friends who I met online and do not see enough in person.
I’ve put together a schedule for myself, though I’m well aware that plans do not always survive first contact with the behemoth that is Comic-Con. These are the priorities in Comic-con 2023 preview:
Babylon 5: The Road Home Exclusive Comic-Con Screening
Babylon 5 has always been a favorite. I introduced my eldest son to it during his teenage years and he quickly became a convert. During the pandemic, B5 was our family binge-watch. The twins (24) loved it as much as the rest of us already did. I bought J. Michael Straczynski’s autobiography, Becoming Superman, and thought it was brilliant and touching. I waited, hopefully, for news of the possible Babylon 5 reboot last year.
Instead, news broke this spring about something utterly unexpected: Babylon 5: The Road Home.
It’s an animated feature, written by JMS. As much of the original B5 cast as could be assembled are in this movie, along with excellent replacements for those no longer with us. I was thrilled by the announcement of the exclusive screening at Comic-Con with a Q&A panel afterward. What are my odds of making it into the screening? That depends on how long I’m willing to wait.
I do have a confirmed press roundtable interview and there will be a writer’s panel with JMS on Sunday that I also plan to attend. Expect to hear a lot about B5 in my convention reports.
Neopets at SDCC 2023
Neopets belongs to the fandom of my twins. They grew up with the interactive game, they love it, and they lamented its’ many changes and reboots. When I attended Comic-Con in 2016, I brought them home commemorative shirts from the Neopets booth.
Now Neopets is back at Comic-Con in 2023 and they’re throwing a party. They’re at booth #1129 on the exhibit floor, with exclusive merch, appearances by members of the Neopets team, and Erinn Pascal, the editor of Neopets: The Official Cookbook.
They are also having a party and I’m going. From the press release:
For one night only, lucky fans will have an exclusive chance to experience Neopia like never before at the Neopets Era Party, an immersive community event at Deck665 on Friday, July 21st.
The fully immersive throwback bash will time warp back to an era when dial-up internet, chat rooms, and the Neoboards reigned supreme. Come party with The Neopets Team and connect with other fans in person as we celebrate the past, present, and future of Neopets with a live DJ, Neopian-themed food and drinks, photo-ops, and swag bags full of exclusive merch! General admission tickets can be picked up at the Neopets booth, but a select number of VIP Tickets will be available to win.
I’d never thought I’d be nostalgic for dial-up but yet, here I am. Sign me up!
Jurassic Park Experience Comic-Con 2023 Preview
Okay, despite the fact that I’m a little bit scared to sit on that toilet, I’m hoping to tour this. From Universal’s description:
Universal Products & Experiences and Amblin Entertainment are re-opening the park gates at Comic-Con International in San Diego to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the groundbreaking adventure, Jurassic Park.
….As fans “Step Into Jurassic Park,” they will embark on a nostalgia and adventure-filled journey through the legendary gates of Jurassic Park and be transported into an all-too-familiar place where they will encounter some of their favorite dinosaurs and thrilling moments from the original film. Visitors will be greeted by meticulously crafted scenes, bringing the 1993 prehistoric park to life right before their eyes – from the Dilophosaurus attack scene to *that* famous moment on the toilet – fans of all generations will have lots to explore in this experience. Don’t forget to stop by the Visitor’s Center for shoppable product displays, featuring 30th anniversary-inspired toys, collectibles, apparel, accessories and more.
I’ve put in a request for a press time but those do not always come through. I could wait in line to get inside but that’s going to depend entirely on how long the line might be and my patience level in the moment. I will check out the merchandise in the Visitors’ Center, crowd permitting.
Panels of 2023 Comic-Con Preview
This year, I’ve earmarked a decent amount of time for panels, less on the ‘what’s new in comic books side’ and more on the analysis of comic stories and the culture that’s grown around comic books. The most off-beat panel I spotted is “81 Years of Superhero Cereal Boxes.”
The description:
You are invited to a late-night cereal box breakfast with 3 cerealologists. Panelists will take you on a sugary cereal box tour, starting with the first 1942 Superman box to one of the coolest boxes ever made in 2022. See: how to collect cereal boxes flat, collapsed, or full. Learn: where to find these priceless pieces of cardboard. View: the first Spider-Man, Batman, Hulk, TNTs, Justice League, Iron Man, Supergirl, Wonder Woman, and more boxes. Hear: cereal bits of information (not on the web). See: beautiful graphic art. Highlighted by videos, web pages, books, and articles relating to and about superhero cereal box collecting. Featuring Mike Becker (founder Funko, artist, actor, and musician, created/made/distributed over 70 cereal boxes), MIKAL Vollmer (artist, first cereal box fanzine Free Inside, YouTube), and moderator Duane Dimock (engineer, artist, nude model, has 10, 000 cereal boxes).
Another must-see panel is the yearly Jack Kirby tribute. It’s a Comic-Con tradition to assemble on Sunday morning to remember the King, and with good reason:
The King of the Comics. His life and career will be discussed by folks who knew him or wish they did. They include writer Tom King, Jack’s grandson Jeremy Kirby, Kirby experts Bruce Simon and Mark Badger, Jon Cooke of the Jack Kirby Museum and Research Center, attorney Paul S. Levine and your moderator, former Kirby assistant Mark Evanier.
I would normally say I’d be live-tweeting but Twitter is fairly useless right now. Instead, I’ll try to update each day with quick posts that will be probably long on photos and short on text. The longer impressions will be written after I return back home to the East Coast.
If you’re going, buzz me on Twitter @corrinalawson or leave a comment on this post and we’ll see if we can meet.
It is sad to contemplate just how many of the Babylon 5 regular cast and guest stars have passed on. The footage I have seen looked great and they had me at Zathras.
It is incredibly sad that we’ve lost so many of the cast. Mira Furlan’s loss hit me especially hard.
And, yes, they had me at Zathras.
It does seem likely that the SDCC press room is going to be canceled, however, as that’s sponsored by a studio. I wonder if the cast or JMS can appear at the screening? I assume JMS can make his panels on writing and the DC panel on Superman but I guess we’ll have to see. He may pull out of them in support of the strike.
Now that the actors have gone on strike it will be an interesting con. I loved Babylon 5 but I’m wary of the animation. I haven’t been fond of the B5 stuff that has came out since the end of the regular series but I’m happy to see the franchise still has some life in it.