Comic-Con 2018 (July 18-22) |OT| Featuring a new online ticketing system for exclusives!

Diggeh · Jul 1, 2018

Welcome to the Comic-Con 2018 thread! The festivities kick off with Preview Night on Wednesday, July 18, and run through Sunday, July 22.

Clicking on most images, including the blue banners, will take you to the corresponding topic on their respective websites.

Got a ticket? That means you've somehow survived the bloodshed and tears of the Comic-Con ticket battlefield. I welcome you, brave soldier.

Getting a ticket to Comic-Con is a trial by fire. Not only do you need an account on the website, but you must also have your badge code from the previous year.
If you want to buy your friends and family tickets, then they also need an account with their badge code.
Fortunately the process has become smoothed out since the horrific TicketLeap FailFrog madness of 2011. You can visit the official website to find out how to prepare for next year.

Don't have a ticket? You can still enjoy the festivities in Downtown San Diego. Almost all the locals have special promotions and fun exhibits to visit outside of the Convention Center!

Prepare for next year by creating a Comic-Con Member ID for you and your friends and family today!

Follow the latest Comic-Con news, tips and tricks on the official Toucan blog!

Rather than doing ticket distribution for convention exclusives through lines in the Sails Pavilion, Comic-Con is now utilizing an online lottery via the Exclusives Portal! No longer will you have to wait outside overnight to wait for upstairs to open to run to the Sails Pavilion to wait in a line that goes back outside and wraps around the bay to hope that you get a chance to maybe come back at 4 PM for that Hasbro exclusive that you want!

In order to access the Exclusives Portal, you have to log into your Member ID and select the Exclusives tab. From there, you can choose from multiple time slots a day and submit for as many time slot requests as you would like (as long as you have a valid badge for those days). Here is the official breakdown for admissions to each company:

Hasbro: One time slot for the entire convention
Funko: One time slot for the entire convention
LEGO: One time slot per exclusive (meaning you could get a time slot for both a Marvel exclusive and a Star Wars exclusive)
UCC Distributing: One time slot per exclusive (this one is kinda vague but I assume it means one chance to purchase what you want from their booth)

Selections will be made around July 13, 2018, and you will need to login to check your exclusives request status.

Click here to read the Exclusive Merchandise Time Slot FAQ!

Here are the best news sites to follow for exclusives:

Every year, Nintendo sets up the Nintendo Gaming Lounge (more recently changed to the Play Nintendo Family Lounge) at the Marriott hotel adjacent to the Convention Center.
There are many stations set up for game demos with giveaways, freebies, live chatting with Mario, costumed friends, and more! Entry is free, so bring your gaming systems and prepare for fun!

DO:

+ Bring a portable battery charger! Your phone and other important devices will thank you.
+ Have plenty of cash on hand.
+ Have good hygiene. You'll basically be in a zoo with a bunch of smelly gross people. A shower and deodorant will save your life.
+ Bring a backpack full of snacks, a hat, phone charger/battery pack, and hand sanitizer. You also need room for those freebies!
+ HAVE A PLAN! It can get disorienting being in the huge exhibit hall. Every year I print out the list of exclusives I want and draw a path on the exhibit hall map.
+ Attend the panel before the one you want so you can get good seats! (And it might actually be something you're interested in!)
+ Attend the Masquerade. It's a fun event with a lot of amazing cosplayers.
+ Take some time to explore San Diego! It's beautiful down here.
+ KEEP YOUR BADGE AFTER THE SHOW! You must have a valid Comic-Con badge to register for next year. Don't toss it!
+ Bring your Switch, 3DS, or other electronics to keep you company in line!

DON'T:

- Don't park downtown unless you want to deal with insane traffic. Take the trolley!
- Don't spend all your money the first day.
- Don't overexert yourself. Pick your panels and signings wisely.
- Don't settle for convention hall junk. Pay a bit more for some real food.
- Don't tackle Hall H unprepared!

Messi · Jul 1, 2018

Diggeh rulz Haloid stinks

Wingfan19 · Jul 1, 2018

3rd year in a row that I get a badge, but never go... Well, I've never been to SDCC, but I also never had badges before. I want those NECA Turtles so bad.

Border · Jul 1, 2018

How much would you expect to pay for badges on the aftermarket or scalper market?

Heart_Attack · Jul 1, 2018

I'll be there Friday and Saturday. I hope it isn't as packed as years before.

HammerOfThor · Jul 1, 2018

Yay the OT is up!!! Can't wait to make my first SDCC appearance on Thursday! I was supposed to go with the wife and kids but since we closed on a new house a couple months ago it wasn't in the budget for us all to go on vacation for a week, so gonna wing it solo, which may be better when it comes to waiting in lines.

I'm really hoping I can get some Blue Fin/Bandai/DB Tour goodies.

If you attend one year, do you have guaranteed attendance for the next?

Lump · Jul 1, 2018

Heart_Attack said:
I'll be there Friday and Saturday. I hope it isn't as packed as years before.

The whole convention center has been sold out every year since 2007 or so, hasn't it? I'm not sure it can get any more or less crowded - it's just a matter of how well ComicCon manages the lines and crowds.

(If they've added capacity or fudged the numbers to allow more/less people, I'm not aware)

Diggeh · Jul 1, 2018

Messi said:
Diggeh rulz Haloid stinks

Messi knows

HammerOfThor said:
Yay the OT is up!!! Can't wait to make my first SDCC appearance on Thursday! I was supposed to go with the wife and kids but since we closed on a new house a couple months ago it wasn't in the budget for us all to go on vacation for a week, so gonna wing it solo, which may be better when it comes to waiting in lines.

I'm really hoping I can get some Blue Fin/Bandai/DB Tour goodies.

If you attend one year, do you have guaranteed attendance for the next?

Not quite. Once you get in, you'll have two chances at getting tickets for next year (preregistration and general instead of just general). It's all totally random in true SDCC fashion.

Let's do our best to get dem Bandai exclusives, Hammer!

Mindwipe · Jul 1, 2018

The first Transformers exclusive is a box set with a studio series movie Bumblebee toy (which everyone will throw in the trash) and two G1 tapes who transform in to dinosaurs, which were never released in the US and have been considered "holy grail" worthy by many collectors.

Zulith · Jul 1, 2018

Looking forward to all the news and recordings of the best panels!

Already got almost all of the merch that appeals to me pre-ordered online... thankfully that's a thing these days with these SDCC exclusives. Just waiting on Hasbro!

Diggeh · Jul 1, 2018

The GS exclusive Conan POP! and shirts are up online and orderable in stores! Finally, people can actually own a normal Conan after all the insanely expensive SDCC exclusives. There's also a Conan box coming out in November along with some more Conan POP! (and the usual SDCC exclusive versions).

Mindwipe said:
The first Transformers exclusive is a box set with a studio series movie Bumblebee toy (which everyone will throw in the trash) and two G1 tapes who transform in to dinosaurs, which were never released in the US and have been considered "holy grail" worthy by many collectors.

Yeah, they're super cool! I guess they figure they can keep up the Bumblebee-garage-retro-exclusive "theme" from the Evolutions 3-pack going because...Bumblebee?

Mindwipe · Jul 1, 2018

There's some speculation the theme is because this was originally intended to be a TRU exclusive.

ZattMurdock · Jul 1, 2018

It's like Christmas but better.

hateradio · Jul 1, 2018

I never get into these.

I just like walking around the convention center and DTSD.

In the five years I've gone (well this is the fifth), I have never actually bought a lot of stuff. Maybe one or two shirts. I also bought the Nendroid Venom Snake figurine, which I could have gotten from Amazon anyway.

ActStriker · Jul 1, 2018

Going for my second time this year. Can't wait for vacation.

-Peabody- · Jul 1, 2018

Can't wait to camp out at 11pm the night before for the Steven Universe panel again. @. @

I think I need that Kingdom Hearts lanyard, that Gengar mattel set, and maybe the lion plush.

hateradio · Jul 1, 2018

ActStriker said:
Going for my second time this year. Can't wait for vacation.

I come home more exhausted than ever, so I've never considered SDCC a vacation.

Especially after "camping" for Hall H for few nights on that hard cement. :')

Violence Jack · Jul 1, 2018

First time missing it in five years. Realized I love the city of San Diego and the Gaslamp more than actually attending the convention. Too many lines, money better spent elsewhere, and I just stopped having fun.

A tip for newbies, sign up on the Friends of Comic Con forum, and look to join a line group for those wanting to get into Hall H for Saturday.

ActStriker · Jul 2, 2018

hateradio said:
I come home more exhausted than ever, so I've never considered SDCC a vacation.

Especially after "camping" for Hall H for few nights on that hard cement. :')

I'm not only going to California for SDCC, so it works out.

HammerOfThor · Jul 2, 2018

Just to confirm, I only need to camp out if I want to attend a panel. I dont need to camp just to access the general con floor/shops?

ReAxion · Jul 2, 2018

Thur-Sun day. The OP says don't spend your money on the first day, but see if that particular vendor is metering out their products. Some things get sold out by Sunday if the vendor isn't doing that. I've ended up in several "kick yourself" situations over the years by waiting.

StreaksFox said:
Can't wait to camp out at 11pm the night before for the Steven Universe panel again. @. @

I was lucky enough to be staying in the Bayfront.

HammerOfThor said:
Just to confirm, I only need to camp out if I want to attend a panel. I dont need to camp just to access the general con floor/shops?

Correct. I use the show floor for "off time" when there's no panels to be at.

Billfisto · Jul 2, 2018

Anyone else staying/stayed at the Best Western Bayside?

I did the whole lotto thing and got it and paid my deposit and whatnot, and received an email confirmation, but I just got a weird PDF invoice email asking me to call them to give them my credit card details to guarantee it.

I checked the number online and it was actually for the hotel, but I called it and the guy there had no idea what I was talking about. :/

Katamari · Jul 2, 2018

HammerOfThor said:
Just to confirm, I only need to camp out if I want to attend a panel. I dont need to camp just to access the general con floor/shops?

People have camped out for offsite events like Conan.

I wouldn't camp out for a panel that isn't Hall H or Ballroom 20.

Diggeh · Jul 2, 2018

New Hasbro reveal: SDCC 2018 Throne of the Primes Optimal Optimus!

munky not trukk, munky is kyng

Mindwipe · Jul 2, 2018

Yeah, I'm gonna need to own that.

Diggeh · Jul 2, 2018

Comic-Con 2018 exclusive signings have been added to the Exclusives Portal!

-Peabody- · Jul 2, 2018

ReAxion said:
"

I was lucky enough to be staying in the Bayfront.

Haha we're on the other side of the convention center by the Nintendo Lounge. I just like being front row for the panel.

That being said if anyone else is planning on camping out for the panel I'd be up for a group. Sometimes the storyboard artists come out and chat even. At least, they did last year.

Diggeh · Jul 2, 2018

Just got an email from Super7 announcing that Laughing Prince Adam is going to be available for online presales from July 9 to July 22! They'll be made-to-order for shipment in October while the SDCC ones will be available on site.

Holy Moly!

HEYYEYAAEYAAAEYAEYAA! When we announced the Laughing Prince Adam 5.5-inch Figure as part of our San Diego Comic-Con exclusives we honestly were not prepared for the avalanche of interest and coverage it received! Because of all the advance love for Laughing Prince Adam we've adjusted his arrival a bit.

As previously announced, Laughing Prince Adam will be available at our Hordak's Lair pop-up event during San Diego Comic-Con. However, for those who cannot attend Comic-Con we are launching a pre-order for Laughing Prince Adam on Monday, July 9th that will close on Sunday, July 22nd. The price is $35 per figure which is the same as it will be in San Diego. A link to the pre-order site will be posted and shared next Monday.

IMPORTANT NOTE: There will NOT be a pick up option for pre-orders at Comic-Con or the Hordak's Lair Pop-Up Event. The figures that are pre-ordered online will be received in October when they are shipped from our factory. The pre-orders will be made to order and the existing Laughing Prince Adam stock will only be available during San Diego Comic-Con for in-person purchases only.

NSA · Jul 2, 2018

Haven't been in a couple years. Went from 2006-2014 and it was fun.. But getting way outta control.

Supa Necta · Jul 2, 2018

San Diego native (now in NY) here finally going again after 8 years of not getting badges in the lottery. Had a solid run from 1990-2003.

HammerOfThor · Jul 3, 2018

Yeah I need that Primal. BW is my G1. Although I can just wait until after the con on HST, I've never had an issue getting that stuff.

ReginOfFire · Jul 3, 2018

Wait isnt this the 19th?

Tom_Cody · Jul 3, 2018

Edit: wrong con

Diggeh · Jul 3, 2018

ReginOfFire said:
Wait isnt this the 19th?

Preview Night still counts, so it starts on the 18th.

Billfisto · Jul 5, 2018

Whelp, the Comic Con site is entirely down. I just want to see what happens on Thursday!

HammerOfThor · Jul 5, 2018

How bad is traffic on Thursday? I have the option to either stay at a motel that is a 25 min drive/1.5 hour walk away, or one that is a 25 min walk away but the closer one is $300 more that I would honestly rather spend on goodies. I don't mind using Lyft or Uber but I don't want that 25 min drive to wind up costing a lot of money and take long as hell. Its near sunset cliffs so at least I'm by Hodads too.

ReAxion · Jul 5, 2018

HammerOfThor said:
How bad is traffic on Thursday? I have the option to either stay at a motel that is a 25 min drive/1.5 hour walk away, or one that is a 25 min walk away but the closer one is $300 more that I would honestly rather spend on goodies. I don't mind using Lyft or Uber but I don't want that 25 min drive to wind up costing a lot of money and take long as hell. Its near sunset cliffs so at least I'm by Hodads too.

They're closing Harbor Dr this year for shuttle bus use. I don't know exactly what that's going to mean for the rest of downtown, but it seems not great for traffic. Staying closer is always my choice. Once you're downtown you can hit the Hodad's on Broadway. I'm told it has a shorter line.

Billfisto · Jul 5, 2018

Preview Night and Thursday schedules are up!

ReAxion · Jul 5, 2018

nothing jumping out for me on thurs. alright then, show floor day.

ZattMurdock · Jul 5, 2018

If Jonathan Hickman isn't announced for Uncanny X-Men on this I swear to Odin I'll storm Marvel Comics hq:

MARVEL COMICS's SDCC Panel Schedule

Press Release

In a few weeks, Marvel Comics will be blasting into San Diego Comic Con – and you won't want to miss what we've got in-store for fans! Join all-star Marvel creators such as Donny Cates, Nick Spencer, Margaret Stohl, Skottie Young, Chief Creative Officer Joe Quesada, and Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski for an exciting line-up of panels that you won't want to miss, featuring breaking news, exciting reveals, exclusive giveaways, and more!

Catch all the action later this month at San Diego Comic-Con and check out the full schedule of Marvel Comics panels below!

MARVEL: Making Comics the Marvel Way
Thursday 7/19/18, 12:00pm-1:00pm
Room 25ABC
Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski and Talent Scout Rickey Purdin join a multitude of Mighty Marvel Guests to take you behind-the-scenes and show you how a Marvel comic book is made! Learn about every aspect of production including writing, penciling, inking, coloring, lettering, editing, and more - with creators on hand to offer personal insights and anecdotes. If you're interested in the ins-and-outs of the comic book industry, this is the one panel you can't miss!

MARVEL COMICS: Spider-Man
Friday 7/20, 12:30-1:30pm
Room 5AB
Editor Nick Lowe with his Amazing Friends Nick Spencer (Amazing Spider-Man) and Donny Cates (Venom) swing into SDCC with all the hottest spider-news! Nick Spencer ushers in a new era for Spidey that takes the web-head back to basics, while all-new Venom writer Donny Cates lays out what's in store for the symbiotic hero in both the past and present in his definitive take on the character. PLUS, learn the latest about your favorite spider-heroes from across time and space as they crawl closer and closer towards the Edge of Spider-Geddon!

MARVEL: Cup O'Joe - Marvel Knights 20th Anniversary
Friday 7/20, 1:30-2:30pm
Room 5AB
Join Joe and fellow comics legend Jimmy Palmiotti as they reflect on the industry-redefining MARVEL KNIGHTS imprint as it celebrates its 20th anniversary. What was it like to pioneer this bold new storytelling style for Marvel's heroes, and how has it impacted Marvel comics, movies, and television series over the last two decades? Learn about all this and more at this must-attend retrospective – and bring your own burning questions! NOT to be missed by any fan of the Mighty Marvel Manner!

MARVEL COMICS: Next Big Thing
Saturday 7/21, 1:45-2:45pm
Room 6A
Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski and star Executive Editor Nick Lowe are joined by Donny Cates (Cosmic Ghost Rider, Death of Inhumans) and Margaret Stohl (Life of Captain Marvel) to discuss the startling stories and initiatives that are truly the NEXT BIG THINGS in the Marvel Universe! In Fantastic Four, the Richards family is heading back to Earth, but they still have one more cosmic obstacle to overcome. Meanwhile, the specter of death hangs around the Inhumans and the Ghost Rider of a dark future in Donny Cates' Death of Inhumans and Cosmic Ghost Rider. And as the Infinity Wars ignite, are any characters truly safe? All this, plus learn more about the definitive origin of Captain Marvel as Margaret Stohl opens up about Life of Captain Marvel! If you want to learn about the biggest Marvel stories of 2018, this is THE panel not to miss!

MARVEL COMICS: Meet the Editor-in-Chief!
Saturday 7/21, 3:00pm-4:00pm
Room 6A
This is your chance to meet the new head of editorial at Marvel! In this exclusive one-on-one interview led by Skottie Young (Deadpool), freshly-minted Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski will talk about anything and everything involved in what's next for Marvel. Want to know where to search for the Infinity Stones? Dying to find out what's next for Wolverine? What does Forbush Man really look like without his helmet? Ask C.B. these questions and more in the Q&A! PLUS - don't miss a surprise exclusive giveaway variant comic!

MARVEL: True Believers*
Sunday 7/22, 10:00am-11:00am
Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
Join Executive Editor Nick Lowe along with creators Ryan North (Unbeatable Squirrel Girl), Robbie Thompson (Spider-Man/Deadpool), and Jeremy Whitley (Unstoppable Wasp) for a private panel discussion of what's happening inside the Marvel Universe. Get FREE merchandise, never-before-seen sneak peeks of upcoming comics, Q&A session and more! Not to be missed! Open only to Marvel Unlimited Plus members and Marvel MasterCard cardholders.
*Panel line-up is subject to change. Free items available while supplies last. Must have valid ID and one of the following for entry: Marvel MasterCard Member - Event Invite, Marvel MasterCard, or event RSVP confirmation; Marvel Unlimited Plus Members - membership card, or MU+ order confirmation email.

MARVEL COMICS: X-Men
Sunday 7/22, 11:15am-12:15pm
Room 5AB
Editor-in-Chief C.B. Cebulski, Sina Grace (Iceman), Seanan Maguire (X-Men Gold Annual), Matthew Rosenberg (Astonishing X-Men), and Tom Taylor (X-Men Red) take you through the full spectrum of current X-Men madness! The Red, Blue, and Gold teams confront Atlanteans, uncertainty, and Extermination, and the secrets of a NEW X-team are revealed! Deadpool and X-23 both rediscover their roots, and the Astonishing team faces ever stranger challenges! PLUS- Stay for the whole panel for an exclusive giveaway variant comic!

Don't miss your chance to hear all the news and excitement from Marvel Comics at San Diego Comic Con!

Similar content

HammerOfThor · Jul 5, 2018

ReAxion said:
They're closing Harbor Dr this year for shuttle bus use. I don't know exactly what that's going to mean for the rest of downtown, but it seems not great for traffic. Staying closer is always my choice. Once you're downtown you can hit the Hodad's on Broadway. I'm told it has a shorter line.

Ah Harbor Dr would have been the driving route. Is there a list of shuttles?

xillyriax · Jul 5, 2018

Shuttle list & routes: https://www.comic-con.org/cci/shuttles

Haloid1177 · Jul 5, 2018

Harley Quinn sucks and will barely be featured at sdcc for anything worthwhile.

Good OT as usual Diggeh, where's my ticket?

JetmanJay · Jul 5, 2018

Gah, thought I could avoid Hall H on Thursday until I saw that Marvel games panel. Are we thinking they'll reveal that rumored Marvel/Square Enix Destiny-like collaboration for this or what?

Very weird for a game panel to make a showing in Hall H. Has to be something major.

-Peabody- · Jul 5, 2018

Is anyone up for potentially combining lottery drawings for exclusives? Like if I get a Hasbro spot and you get a Funko spot, etc. It's the first year they're doing it so I don't know what to expect.

HammerOfThor · Jul 6, 2018

I'll gladly give away every spot i have for a Bandai ticket lol

Billfisto · Jul 6, 2018

StreaksFox said:
Is anyone up for potentially combining lottery drawings for exclusives? Like if I get a Hasbro spot and you get a Funko spot, etc. It's the first year they're doing it so I don't know what to expect.

I'd be in for that.

Only problem is that I think I messed up on the spot-picking. I grabbed one of each slot for the days that I'm there, but I'm not sure if I was only allowed to pick one slot per company, or what.

Oh well, if I do end up getting anything I'll let y'all know. :)

-Peabody- · Jul 6, 2018

Billfisto said:
I'd be in for that.

Only problem is that I think I messed up on the spot-picking. I grabbed one of each slot for the days that I'm there, but I'm not sure if I was only allowed to pick one slot per company, or what.

Oh well, if I do end up getting anything I'll let y'all know. :)

The wording is weird on the site but you're allowed to pick as many slots as you want but you'll only get one slot for each company or exclusive. Lets say you picked all the Hasbro slots. Wel you may get one, but you don't get to choose the day. More chances, but no choices. Some companies do it by exclusive (like Lego I think?).

It just depends because if you get a slot but at a time when you have a panel you can't change it.

Billfisto · Jul 6, 2018

StreaksFox said:
The wording is weird on the site but you're allowed to pick as many slots as you want but you'll only get one slot for each company or exclusive. Lets say you picked all the Hasbro slots. Wel you may get one, but you don't get to choose the day. More chances, but no choices. Some companies do it by exclusive (like Lego I think?).

It just depends because if you get a slot but at a time when you have a panel you can't change it.

Nice! That makes me a bit more hopeful, then, thanks!

ManaByte · Jul 6, 2018

hateradio said:
I come home more exhausted than ever, so I've never considered SDCC a vacation.

Especially after "camping" for Hall H for few nights on that hard cement. :')

Good thing there's nothing in Hall H this year that's worth camping out for.

I'll try to get in for the Marvel Games Panel and then go in the press door for WB on Saturday. But without Marvel Studios there, I'm not sleeping with roaches this year.

Comic-Con 2018 (July 18-22) |OT| Featuring a new online ticketing system for exclusives!

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