Comic Book Guy: The Comic Cons
Apparently imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but as the summer looms the case of the transatlantic Comic Cons seems more like parody. Once described by writer/director Kevin Smith (Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back) as the place “a guy dressed as Chewbacca can see a guy dressed as Spock and say to his friend, ‘look at this f**king geek’”, San Diego Comic Con (22 – 25 July) is nevertheless a major date in not only the comic book world but also the Hollywood calendar. With just a quick jaunt in the company jet from LA to San Diego, the Con has become a hotbed of previews, promotion and viral propaganda for any vaguely comic book-esque movie or franchise from Harry Potter to True Blood. In attendance will be big names of the industries including writers and artists from Marvel and DC, a showcase from Shrek creators Dreamworks Animation, discussions with geek gods J. J. Abrams (Star Trek) and Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and much, much more. The PR machine spares no expense flying its people from all over the United States; however flying across the pond is another matter.
Happening one week before San Diego Comic Con bursts with Comic book and Hollywood legends, London Comic Con (17 and 18 July) seems to have been laboured with rather stale leftovers. Making the mistake of predating San Diego by a week, it leaves no one willing to risk exclusive announcements, or even be seen, at the wrong party. Although headlined by the ever ready presence of William ‘I was Captain Kirk’ Shatner, the guest list is less a “who’s who” than “who the hell?” This year, London Comic Con will celebrate the 30th anniversary of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back by reuniting the cast and crew of, well...the kid who played the young Boba Fett from Attack of the Clones, several indistinguishable people in the grey generals uniform synonymous with a good choking by Darth Vader and, as a possible highlight, Luke Skywalker’s stunt double. Obviously things look bad when even Mark Hamill is busy.
This probably explains why San Diego is completely sold out, with severe scalper warnings while London’s Con website clearly states that tickets will be available on the door. Sometimes the old adage applies to organisers and patrons alike, you get what you pay for.