The One & Only Comic-Con International Returns to San Diego
The One & Only Comic-Con International Returns to San Diego
If it’s July in San Diego, it’s time for the city’s very biggest festival and one of the defining expressions of pop-culture fandom in the world: Comic-Con International!
It’s the 49th annual edition of San Diego Comic-Con, and as always the stops have been thoroughly pulled out for the four-day extravaganza. The action goes down primarily at the San Diego Convention Center just a few minutes from the Sofia Hotel as well as the San Diego Central Library and a few other secondary venues.
The 49th Annual San Diego Comic-Con
As usual, perusing the schedule of events at Comic-Con International: San Diego 2018 may set your head spinning, such is the quantity and quality on offer—and, if you’re a dyed-in-the-wool fan of comics, graphic novels, movies, and TV, there’s a chance you’ll start mumbling incoherently in gleeful anticipation.
Part of the Comic-Con experience is sifting through the sheer tonnage of screenings, signings, panels, costumery, and other happenings to plan your attack, and we won’t dare try to identify the all-out highlights. But here’s a look at just some of what’s being served up at this year’s convention.
Preview Night
On Wednesday, July 18th—the eve of the convention’s official launch—Preview Night sees New Line Cinema introducing footage from its upcoming horror flicks during “Scarediego” and some exclusive screenings of the shows Manifest, The 100, and Freedom Fighters: The Ray.
Thursday, July 19th
Thursday’s offerings include a 10th anniversary celebration of Star Wars: The Clone Wars; a Doctor Who discussion with the new actor playing the 13th version of the titular character (Jodie Whittaker) as well as a few co-stars, the showrunner, and executive producer; and panels on the first 10 years of the Marvel Studios Visual Development Team, two decades of Harry Potter fandom, and the 50th anniversary of Arthur C. Clarke and Stanley Kubrick’s still-dazzling masterpiece 2001: A Space Odyssey, among others.
Friday, July 20th
On Friday, you’ve got peeks into the writer’s room at The Big Bang Theory; a discussion on beginning and growing your own YouTube and podcast channels; a behind-the-scenes look at costume designs for this year’s smash hit Black Panther; a panel on AMC’s The Walking Dead; and a 25th anniversary screening of Tim Burton’s modern classic The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Saturday, July 21st
Saturday serves up such treats as the Women Rocking Hollywood 2018 panel; a discussion of sci-fi author Ray Bradbury’s connection to comics; a screening of Deadpool 2; and what sounds like an unmissable discussion titled Genetic Mutations: Will We All Be Metahumans One Day?
Oh, and did we mention the famous Masquerade costume contest kicking off at 8:30 PM?
Sunday, July 22nd
San Diego Comic-Con’s final day includes the San Diego International Children’s Film Festival and Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival Awards; a talk with the designers of the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles board game; and a lineup of experts delving into the scientific conversations Westworld inspires.
Luxury Accommodations at the Sofia Hotel for Comic-Con International: San Diego 2018
Maybe you’ll be roaming the Convention Center floor in head-to-toe superhero (or supervillain) regalia, or perhaps you’re opting for more everyday dress as you revel in the singular ambience of this superfan’s playground. Either way, we invite you to join us here at the Sofia Hotel for San Diego Comic-Con 2018!