San Diego Comic-Con Going Virtual Again For 2021

[JayC]

It's being reported by Variety that this year's San Diego Comic Con like last year will be held virtually due to the COVID pandemic. There are indications that the con organizers will try to organize some type of in-person event in November.

Quote

“While we are buoyed by the rollout of the vaccine and the growing number of individuals being inoculated, it appears that July will still be too early to safely hold an in-person event of the magnitude of Comic-Con,” organizers said in a statement. “While we lament the postponement of the in-person Comic-Con, our commitment to this community of fans and our celebration of comics and the related popular arts endures as an important part of who we are.”

Stay-tuned for more details to be revealed on all of this in the coming days.

[SpiderS]

Not surprising, and tbh I can't imagine people being super depressed about it, everything I hear from Comic con experience is lines, crowds and crowds and also crazy expensive hotels. Yes it's cool to see events irl with other fans, but is experiencing that justifies so much wait and money, I dunno, maybe I'm bitter and jealous too because I never had opportunity to visit such events, since I'm far far away from USA and Western part of Europe. While I understand it was defining event and played role in pushing comics/nerd community into mainstream when it's no more shameful to be diehard fan. I think format is kinda dated in some way. + Another Action figure exclusive will be available on Hasbro Pulse and other sites for everyone.

[deecee4]

I've only been to nycc but from my own experience, you're pretty much stuck in a slow moving traffic jam of people and backpacks the entire time.

[Satam]

48 minutes ago, deecee4 said:

I've only been to nycc but from my own experience, you're pretty much stuck in a slow moving traffic jam of people and backpacks the entire time.

I found NYCC much more crowded and less well organized than SDCC.

[80sboy4]

It was to be expected. I kinda liked the virtual thing last year, sort of gave SDCC a different look and feel. For those disappointed I get it but I almost certainly think the event will be back in it's normal state next year.

[JayC]

The organizers of San Diego this weekend announced they will be holding a special "Comic-Con Special Edition" in-person even the weekend of November 26 to 28. This will be the first in-person event they've held since the pandemic started early last year. Both last year and this year their major SDCC and WonderCon events have had to be held virtually.

Quote

“It is our hope that by fall conditions will permit larger public gatherings,” organizers said in a statement. “Comic-Con Special Edition will be the first in-person convention produced by the organization since Comic-Con 2019, and the first since the onset of the global pandemic COVID-19."

Costs and attendance restrictions for this event will be announced at a later date. One of the reasons cited for having this event is to help shore up their financial reserves and mark a slow return to larger in-person gatherings in 2022.

 

Of course anyone expecting this special edition to be anything like the normal SDCC event, I think you will be sorely disappointed. Having the event on Thanksgiving weekend to me almost assures it likely won't have much in the way of large toy company or studio turn out as most companies allow their employee's to take off during this time to be with their families for the holiday. It's also generally one of the worst weekend's to travel which would make it more difficult for anyone who lives outside the area to get to. For those who live locally, this might be a fun time for folks to come together for things like cosplay and such, but beyond that I wouldn't really expect a return to a traditional Comic-Con until 2022.