Survive Comic Conventions (and SDCC)

San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) is the most massive comics convention that you’ll likely ever attend.

In 2007 there were something like 120,000 attendees, and that doesn’t even count the 9000 (!) exhibitors present.

In short, when you go to SDCC, you’re going to encounter throngs of people, piles of products, amazing displays, cos-players galore, and enough visual distractions to give you a double-migraine. It’s SO easy to miss something really cool due to exhaustion, poor planning, or by forgetting key items to bring.

Here is some free advice to help survive the chaos that is the San Diego Comic Con Exhibit Hall, and to make the most of it.

Bring Cash

Most vendors, especially the indie folks, deal in cash only. Know this, and come prepared.

The cash machines at SDCC usually have epic lines, and OFTEN run our of money. So, bring as much cash as you want to spend and avoid standing in yet another line. How much money should you bring? I can’t tell you that, but I can tell you that I’m always wishing that I had just a little more to buy that cool thing-bam. I save up for months so I can buy something really cool while the getting is so good.

Tip: Plan ahead of time how much you’d like to spend at the event. Just know that it’s full of great stuff.

Buy Now (if you really want to get it)

While you might be able to work the entire exhibit floor, and then come back to buy from the coolest vendors, it usually doesn’t happen this way. The floor is just too big, and there are too many vendors to keep track of and find again.

If you find something that you really want, I’d suggest getting it while you can. Vendors commonly run out of limited product, so get what you really want. It sucks to miss cool stuff.

That being said, just make sure that you know what kinds of things that you like. I’m not saying to buy anything… buy what you like, but be prepared to discover new stuff.

Save Your Money (for the unique stuff)

Most of you have local comic and toy stores. Don’t spend money on stuff that you can get any other day at home or online.

Save your money for the truly cool stuff that is more unique; original art, low-run indie books, exclusive toys, and the like. You can pick up that other common stuff any time. This other stuff is the special booty that you have a tough time finding again, if ever.

Wear Comfortable Shoes

You’ll likely be on your feet for 95% of the Con, so make sure that you choose comfort over looks. The lines are amazingly long, people will step on your feet, and you’re going to be doing a hell of a lot of walking, so don’t skimp. Otherwise, a blistered/battered/tired foot = hellish Con.

Bring an Empty Sketchbook

You’ll probably see someone who you admire, from a comic artist to a tv actor, and you’ll want to be able to capture a signature or sketch, and protect it. While you can sometimes buy them at the Con, they are often expensive or even unavailable. It’s also nice to have some paper available, in case you need to leave a note for someone on the note board. Tip: Choose a personal theme, and ask artists to draw their sketches in your personal theme. I’ve done sketches like this for people, and it’s pretty cool. Bonus: bring a sharpie/pen/pencil or two.

Smuggle Snacks

It sucks to pay $8.00 for a bagel, so don’t. I’d suggest bringing some snacky stuff that you can carry in your backpack. I like trail mix, dry cereal, jerky, dried pears and granola bars. It’s SO expensive to eat at the con hall, and if you bring food, you’ll be saving more cash for the good stuff. Trader Joes has lots of good snack options that are good for you. Tip: eat a solid breakfast before you get at the convention center. You’ll need it.

Drink Water (like Aqualad)

Yeah, pop is fine, but you’ll want to stay hydrated. My first SDCC, I was dehydrated from a little wine from the night before, and I literally felt like I WAS GOING TO DIE within the first hour of day one. You don’t want to do that. Drink water, and bring some with you. You’ll feel better, and will avoid headaches and premature exhaustion. Remember that coffee and pop can dehydrate you.

Backpack (bring yours)

You don’t want to carry stuff in your hands for HOURS. Bring a backpack or similar type of bag to heft your haul. Carry your sketchbook, snacks, and purchases in comfort. You’re not sure what you might discover, and it sure is nice to have a comfortable way to heft your stuff around. A good backpack is a must in my book.

Tip: Messenger bags are also fantastic, because they won’t tire your back so much.

Talk to the Artists (you’re not bugging them)

No really. Feel free to start up a conversation with people behind the tables. That’s why they’re there.

You’d be surprised how few people talk to us at shows. (It’s about 1 in 10 that will actually speak.) We want to meet you, and see what kinds of stuff you’re into. We want to tell you about our work. We want to answer your questions. It’s really a chance for you to make friends with creative people.

Tip: the Small Press area is full of people that are creative, self-motivated, and hungry to share their stuff with you.

Bonus: don’t interupt someone else, and don’t stay at one artist all day. There are lots of people to meet, and other people that want to talk to this artist too.

Bring A Distraction

You’ll very likely find yourself in a line that is crazy long at the con. Some of these lines to get into the hall, and to get into the movie premier rooms are a mile long, I swear. Bring something to keep you occupied, so you’re not just wasting time.

Suggestions: Nintendo DS or PSP, iPod, a book, a *comic* book, or any other type of portable entertainment. It will make the lines go faster for you, and that’s a big plus.

Fill Your Tube

If you like to get prints, pick up free posters, original art or such things, bring a cardboard tube. You can get these at the post office, Target, or just about anywhere. This will allow you to protect your finds, and carry a lot of them cheaply. Some people tape straps to theirs, which makes the tubes easier to carry.

Tip: the Freebies table is FULL of free stuff to fit into your tube. Use this stuff to fill your blank wall space at home, work, or school.

Program Signatures

Did you know that the autograph talent, those stars who come to sell their autograph, are required to sign the program book for free? Yep, it’s true.

While I’m not saying to avoid buying their sigs, I am suggesting that they will also sign the program book, no questions asked. It’s a cool way to make the program book a real keeper.

Tip: if you’re having people sign books for you, don’t bring 25 years of stuff for them to sign. Just bring one or two pieces, max.

Get sleep

Try to get enough sleep every night, so that you can enjoy the next day. No sleep equals exhaustion. This exhaustion piles up day after day and it guarantees burnout. If you can, try to get at least one really good night’s rest in the middle of your con week.

Don’t be a Burnout Zombie

When you finally are exhausted and burnt out, take a break.

I’ve talked to SO many people at SDCC who are so tired that they’re grumpy, edgy and mad… yet they still continue to ply the massive hall hour after hour. Don’t do it. If you’re done, go home for the day, or go back to your hotel for a nap, or go see a panel If you just continue to walk around, you’re just getting more tired, and the sensory overload is just continuing a bad thing.

Be Systematic

Try to go through the exhibit hall in a systematic way, so that you don’t miss as much. Start at one end, and slowly work your way down. Sure it’ll take time, but you’ll be able to know in the end that you didn’t miss much. If you just randomly bumble your way through the hall, you’ll likely keep missing the same places over and over again. (This happens to me when I don’t have a plan.)

Tip: make sure that you don’t miss the far end of the con hall (illustrators), and the Small Press Pavilion. These sections have loads of cool indie stuff that is too good to miss.

Don’t Rush

I know that the vibe is you-are-going-to-miss-something-cool, but many people that I see are in a constant state of overwhelmed rush. They end up not seeing anything. Don’t be them. Calm down. You probably have several days at the con. Take it easy, and enjoy the ride. Running around like a meth-head isn’t so fun.

Plan Ahead

Figure out what panels you’ve got to see, and where and when you’re going to meet your chums. Make a plan of action, and stick to it. Bonus: don’t forget to factor in long lines. I think that I spent a couple of hours in line, just trying to get into the movie rooms.

Explore the Exhibit Hall Early

Saturday, and Sunday are cramped beyond belief at SDCC. So try to explore the Exhibit Hall on Preview Night, Thursday and little on Friday. Plan for it. While you can never really “avoid the crowds”, you can avoid the ones that are tighter than quicksand.

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I don’t think that Comic-Con is going to get smaller in the near future, so you’ve got to be proactive to maximize the experience. It’s truly awesome if you just plan ahead and make sure that you take care of yourself, ahead of time.

I hope that this series of articles will help you have a better time. At the very least, they will remind me of what I need to be thinking about before jumping into the Exhibit Hall of Doom!

- Daniel
www.steamcrow.com