COVID-19 Versus COMIC-CON
The Larger Meaning of the Indefinite Hiatus of San Diego’s Beloved Convention
The Avengers film series may have concluded, but we might need earth’s mightiest heroes once again in this unprecedented world with a constant and surreal barrage of twists and turns, as if we’re living in a production right out of Marvel studios. But this is indeed our reality now. From the limited number of old showings theaters have on their websites, to the simple bittersweet announcement: “Check back for more information as we get closer to the show!” Passionate fans of film are unsure what the future holds for them, especially fans of the comic and superhero genre whose zeal for creativity, expression and community is being challenged, like so much else, by this pandemic.
I’m one of them. This past summer had proven to be yet another disappointment for thousands of people, including myself, after hearing the announcement that the 50th annual Comic-Con was being cancelled and pushed back to next July — that’s if 2021 is generous to us.
Each year, the event expects more than 100,000 attendees, according to the convention’s website, making it nearly impossible to claim a badge because of such demand. And it’s easy to see why; from the various panels that are hosted by television and movie stars, to rows of stands that offer unique merchandise, Comic-Con has virtually everything for anyone. Or, had.
Now, the country’s largest convention that has attracted people from around the world to San Diego since 1970 has its first ever zero-attendance, a devastating financial loss to surrounding businesses estimated at over $100 million. Ultimately, though, it was a big hit to the community of fans who have devoted themselves in going to the popular weekend-long event.
It’s difficult to imagine an empty San Diego Convention Center, when I could barely walk through a sea of people during my first trip to Comic-Con last year. Even more so now that social distancing has become a new way of life within a span of only eight months. It’s also puzzling to think about the resumption of Comic-Con next year because if it were to actually happen, the odds of obtaining a badge would be even lower than before due to the increased demand. The fate of Comic-Con is uncertain at this point, but what is even more unsure is if the convention will revive itself in the same energy and enthusiasm that has facilitated a passionate community of fans who have come to adore the beloved San Diego hotspot.
Travis Whiteside, a digital advertiser who currently resides in Anaheim, California, has been going to Comic-Con, as well as its smaller sister convention, WonderCon, since 2010. His initial interest was rooted in his childhood, when he actively collected action figures. This led to developing a passion for obtaining Comic-Con exclusive merchandise. He was particularly inspired by Todd McFarlane, an artist for the Spiderman comics as well as the creator of the Spawn series.
What had once started as a motivation for just getting exclusive merchandise and Spawn collectables, has grown into something else for Whiteside since his first Comic-Con. He was ultimately interested in the idea of being within a community at Comic-Con. “I was going to check out the scene, and man, it was the best learning experience,” he says. “It became more about being with people. It’s become a camaraderie with being with people I don’t see often.”
Whiteside fondly recalled he and his friends “painting the town red” as they enjoyed the attractions outside of Comic-Con, rather than just staying within the parameters of what he originally went there for. But, mostly, it’s about being around fellow travelers. “There becomes this bond with people. Everyone’s there for something different,” Whiteside explains, adding that a conversation that can transform into a “15-minute relationship or 15-year relationship.”
“It’s no longer about a 24 page comic book. It’s more than that.”
He laughs as he recounts the time when the cast of Suicide Squad walked right past him in a casual manner, “You never know who you’re standing next to.” Such unique aspects have been at the heart of Comic-Con since its beginnings 50 years ago, which is why virtual substitutes don’t translate all that well.
Although the “Comic-Con@Home” had provided a rare opportunity for everyone to attend the show, the overall disconnect between people was clear, where sitting in front of a laptop screen watching new trailers and panels with special guests couldn’t compare to the anticipation of sitting within a large crowd of other fans who are also experiencing those same emotions. Whiteside says he wasn’t a fan of the virtual show and if anything, it made him appreciate the in-person conventions even more.
“Camaraderie comes together. I hope we can get that back.”
Regarding Comic-Con’s current limbo, Whiteside isn’t overly hopefully things will get back to the way they were any time soon. Given the current rate at which the pandemic is being handled within America, with the continuously climbing number of deaths now reaching well over 200,000, the future of conventions in general remains in question. Formerly busy amusement park that are now ghost towns are an apt analogy. Orange County, home of Disneyland, is currently in the “second-most restrictive tier,” according to the Los Angeles Times, and will need to drop all the way down to the fourth tier for a wide reopening.
“If Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm are still closed, you can kiss conventions in 2021 goodbye,” says Whiteside.
If outside parks are unable to open due to concerns of widespread infections, it’s certainly less likely an inside convention open its doors to the world, which Comic-Con has been doing since its debuted. Local businesses will also suffer the consequences, losing the huge revenues from just one weekend of fans and tourists booking hotel rooms and dining out. Most importantly, it was a “bringing together” of San Diego’s community, where people not only bonded over their love for comics and film, but also explored the diverse aspects the city provided for hundreds of thousands of people every summer.
It was the celebration of San Diego in itself.
And the possibility of that disappearing would be a deep-rooted loss that will spread throughout the entire city, redefining the unification it had once brought and transforming it into something unfamiliar and unwanted.
The feeling of isolation among a community that has sustained itself by creating memories together each year: a genuine tradition that facilitated a stronger universal passion for what used to be considered exclusively for hardcore fans.
The ripple effect of the fate of Comic-Con also extends to the film industry, as the event is a major promoter of superhero and comic-book inspired films. The event is ripe with the types of teaser trailers, reveals, along with panels of actors, directors and producers that rev up anticipation for film releases. The box-office, record-breaking Avengers: Endgame, which is currently the highest grossing film of all time, was heavily hyped at Comic-Con. With the pushback of Marvel’s Black Widow film to May of next year, at best, as well as the halt of production for the new Batman movie now set to release early spring in 2022, the future of film going and records at the box office could hang in the balance as well.
The disheartening delay of Comic-Con wasn’t solely about missed opportunities on new exclusive merchandise or exciting film reveals. It was about the loss of community between old friends and new who relied on the event to share emotional moments together, celebrating how far the convention has progressed throughout its past 50 years of building wide appreciation for the creativity of comics, film, and pop culture as a whole. In essence, the uncertainty of Comic-Con’s return raises questions about how, or even if the unique identity it has imprinted onto the eclectic city of San Diego will be can make a comeback.
