Comic-Con is a four-day marathon that can lead to physical and mental exhaustion and sensory overload if you're not careful. That's why Doug Kline wrote The Unauthorized San Diego Comic-Con Survival Guide.
The e-book is an insider's guide to getting the most out of the show and living to tell the tale. Here are Kline's top 5 tips for getting the most out of Comic-Con.
The e-book is an insider's guide to getting the most out of the show and living to tell the tale. Here are Kline's top 5 tips for getting the most out of Comic-Con.
- Make a schedule that conflicts with itself.
Know what you want to see or buy, and if you can't do your first choices, always have a backup plan ready. Be prepared to not do, see, or acquire everything you want this week. It's you versus 126,000 other people. The official Comic-Con site has a great tool for preparing your schedule.
- Dress comfortably or dress weird.
Shorts, a breathable shirt, comfy sneakers, etc will help you survive. Don't be a slob, but you also don't have to make a fashion statement at the expense of your comfort, especially if you're going to be standing in line or sitting in a stuffy room for hours on end. Nobody's looking at you unless you're wearing a super hero costume anyway. On the other end of the spectrum, wear a costume or just get weird. Have fun. I've seen costumes made out of nothing more than saran wrap and paper bags. This is one place where weird is expected.
- Explore the city.
This is especially for out-of-towners. San Diego doesn't just HOST Comic-Con; it BECOMES Comic-Con for a week. Walk around the city, and you'll not only find a lot of great places to eat and relax, but the studios often hide lots of interesting goodies throughout the Gaslamp Quarter, like Flynn's Arcade, the SyFy diner, the TMNT bus, etc last year.
- Find a new comic you've never read.
Preferably from an indie publisher. I try to discover at least one or two new talents a year. Always indie/small press. Support a starving artist/writer. And if you've never read a comic before, give it a try. I guarantee that there is a comic book out there for everyone, no matter what your taste.
- Don't be intimidated by the lines.
Prepare to stand in a lot of lines. They're part of the experience, and they are unavoidable. Use that time to meet fellow geeks. If you're in line for the same panel, odds are you have something in common to talk about. And more than a few romances and marriages have originated in a Comic-Con line.
