Comic Con War Journal, Day Three

Comic Con 09-2 - Images by Andrew Foulk


Another day with lines, and disappointment as far as the way things are run at Comic Con, The press is really treated like a bunch of parasites unless you have the "golden ticket" from the movie studios. I think one of the main problems with it is the sheer amount of press credentials handed out, I don't have an exact number but I believe it is near 1,800. And the biggest problem with that is a good portion of those passes are going to Bloggers ( I get the irony of complaining about bloggers in my Blog) who are not real journalist just fans with a lot of time on their hands and a computer. The people in charge of Comic Con really need to only give press credentials to people who are working press.

Aside from all the heartache with the way things are run, I tried to make today be about anything but what was happening inside the convention center, I spent some time outside at the back of the center. With a group of renaissance battle re-enactors, who were amazingly funny and great to hang out with. Then I walked around the " Gaslamp Quarter" for awhile trying to catch a super hero drinking a beer, or eating a burger, but really didn't have much luck with it. I did however get some images that showed the carnival like atmosphere of the convention.

Comic Con War Journal, Day two

Comic Con 09-1 - Images by Andrew Foulk

Can anyone say LINES? Today was spent in and around lines, and one of the biggest problems with Comic Con is, almost every single person there has spent their entire existence in lines. Lines for the next big movie, the next big video game, or the brand new limited edition "Darth Vader" bust with matte black paint on it. The bottom 'line' is your up against the pro's! when you think its too hot, they'll drink a cup of coffee, when you start to think you might need to go to the bathroom, they'll be drinking a "Big Gulp", when your legs are about to give out, they'll be doing jumping jacks. They are good and they are driven, if there is someone/thing they want to see they would cross a desert of glass, barefoot in the middle 120 degree temperatures.

Now as a member of the working press I normally don't have to stand in said lines, because I am just there to photograph the event and I am not going to even be taking a seat. Comic con is different though, with the influence of Hollywood, almost all of the panels are filled with celebs of one kind or another. So in order to gain access to the panels, other then standing in line, you have to have a special studio issued pass. So it makes getting the photos of the celebrity's you need very difficult.

Today I did manage to sneak my way into the "Robot Chicken" panel with Seth Green, and it was really great I was right up in front of the cast and was able to get some good shots of Seth. Plus it was really funny! Another way to get around the lines is to just by photographing the lines, and I spent some time today doing just that.

With one and a half days down and three more to go, all I can say is I love covering Comic Con, but thank God its only once a year.

Comic Con War Journal, Day one

Comic Con 09 - Images by Andrew Foulk



Wow, I just spent my evening surrounded by literally, thousands and thousands of people. All of whom, seem to be after the same toy, autograph, free schwag, or just the latest die cast of Doctor Who. Yes I spent my evening covering preview night at the 40th annual San Diego Comic Con "International". This is my forth year covering this event, and being a Comic book fan (nerd!) myself I really love the chance to get to be around so many people who make the industry work.

On the other hand, it seems like every year there seem to be more and more people showing up, and with he addition of Hollywood spending all their time and money promoting the next big "Comic Book" blockbuster. The convention has really changed from its roots, a small get together of around 300 comic book fans, to a massive four day festival of the avant-guard, filled with random people dressed as the "Gods" of their new religion of super hero, space captains, or even just you run of the mill Mario bother. It is still a great event that I look forward to ever year, but it has really outgrown its home, which is really the sadist part.

On the plus side, no matter how packed it gets, you'll never run out of interesting people to photograph. From kids in strollers dressed as Superman, to grown men and women dressed as Stormtroopers, to a random guy walking around dressed as Jesus. It is really a lot of fun, and can't wait till tomorrow for the first full day.