San Diego Comic-Con International 2020 won’t take place this summer at the San Diego Convention Center, but an “at home,” virtual version of the beloved event is in the works.
San Diego Comic-Con International 2020 isn’t
happening in downtown San Diego this summer but fans – cosplay and all, if
they so wish – will still be able to get together virtually, at home.
Organizers of the beloved comics and pop culture expo are planning a digital gathering for fans dubbed “Comic-Con @Home.” Though few details have been released, organizers created a video teasing some of the highlights of the virtual convention – which every Comic-Con fan can relate to.
“Free Parking,” the video, set to slides and dramatic,
inspiring music states. “Comfy Chairs. Personalized Snacks. No Lines. Pets Welcome.”
And then, the most exciting part, since it’s always hard to
actually get into San Diego Comic-Con:
“Badges for all.”
The San Diego Comic-Con website hasn’t shared details just
yet on what all Comic-Con @Home will entail, but those updates are forthcoming
on this
section of its website. For now, the Comic-Con Museum has been releasing content
for fans online, including exclusive videos and its “Fun
Book” series, a downloadable PDF featuring activity sheets for fans of all
ages.
Comic-Con also plans to release a 2020 Souvenir Book as a downloadable PDF. For fans of Comic-Con, the annual program – filled with artwork, short articles, and panel schedules – is often a keepsake or even a place to collect autographs from comic book artists and celebrities. The Comic-Con website said the PDF will be released around the date that San Diego Comic-Con was supposed to start, July 23.
WonderCon Anaheim, which is organized by San Diego Comic-Con International, was supposed to take place in Anaheim, California, in March but was also canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, the event morphed into an online affair dubbed WonderCon@Home, so that might give a glimpse into what Comic-Con fans could expect from the virtual SDCC event.
This includes a virtual “Artists’ Alley” featuring the works of artists who, under normal circumstances, would’ve set up their booths inside the San Diego Convention Center’s exhibit hall during Comic-Con.
Each year, those artists sell their comic books and graphic novels at the convention and use their time on the exhibit floor to connect with fans. For many artists, Comic-Con has been a launching pad for their careers.
The SDCC Unofficial Blog’s online edition of the Artists Alley includes links to artists’ websites and social media so artists can still get that exposure and connect with their fans.
NBC 7's Audra Stafford brings us a little bit of Comic-Con which is always better than none.
Comic-Con's Cancellation
San Diego Comic-Con International was officially canceled last month due to the impact and restrictions of the coronavirus pandemic. It was the first time that's happened in the expo's 50-year history.
In a statement titled, “The Current Situation Requires Exceptional Measures,” San Diego Comic-Con International organizers said the decision was necessary to protect public health and safety, organizers said their announcement came with “deep regret.”
Comic-Con was supposed to take place from July 23 to July 26 at the San Diego Convention Center in downtown San Diego – the same venue currently being used as a temporary shelter for homeless locals during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Extraordinary times require extraordinary measures and while we are saddened to take this action, we know it is the right decision,” said David Glanzer, spokesperson for San Diego Comic-Con. “We eagerly look forward to the time when we can all meet again and share in the community we all love and enjoy.”
Extraordinary times require extraordinary measures and while we are saddened to take this action, we know it is the right decision.
David Glanzer, San Diego Comic-Con International
“Continuous monitoring of health advisories and recent statements by the Governor of California have made it clear that it would not be safe to move forward with plans for this year,” the cancellation statement read.
Organizers said the event would return to the San Diego Convention Center from July 22 to July 25, 2021.
The beloved, quirky San Diego
Comic-Con International was born in 1970 in the basement of the U.S. Grant
Hotel in the heart of San Diego. Over the decades, the “little event that
could” has grown into a behemoth, taking over the San Diego Convention Center,
neighboring hotels and spilling into the streets of downtown San Diego for a
long summer weekend every year.
Comic-Con’s devoted fans typically attend the convention in elaborate costumes, transforming the city into a metropolis straight out of the pages of fantasy and science fiction.
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A cosplayer attend 2019 Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Andrew Levy/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 20: A cosplayer attend the 2019 Comic-Con International on July 20, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 20: Cosplayers attends the 2019 Comic-Con International on July 20, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 20: A cosplayer attends the 2019 Comic-Con International on July 20, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 20: A cosplayer attends the 2019 Comic-Con International on July 20, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 20: A cosplayer dressed as Willy Wonka attends the 2019 Comic-Con International on July 20, 2019, in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 20: Cosplayers attend 2019 Comic-Con International on July 20, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 20: Cosplayers dress as Poison Ivy and Cat Woman at 2019 Comic-Con International on July 20, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 19: General view of the atmosphere at 2019 Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)
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Apex Legends Cosplayers attend 2019 Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Andrew Levy/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 19: Cosplayers attend 2019 Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Andrew Levy/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 19: A cosplayer attend 2019 Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Andrew Levy/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 19: Cosplayers pose in front of protestors at Comic Con on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Andrew Levy/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 19: Cosplayers attend 2019 Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Andrew Levy/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 19: Cosplayer Alexander Green attends 2019 Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Andrew Levy/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 19: Cosplayers attend 2019 Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Andrew Levy/Getty Images)
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A family of cosplayers at Comic-Con, July 19, 2019.
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 19: Cosplayers Ciera Hyatt (L) and Sam Henderson as vacationing Deadpools pose at 2019 Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 19: Cosplayer Michael St. Louis as a half-Superman, half-Batman character poses at 2019 Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 19: (L-R) Cosplayers Jhamillia Bowers, Wren Bowers, and Corey Bowers as characters from "Vikings" pose at 2019 Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 19: Cosplayers Mike Phillips (L) and Sean Craig pose at 2019 Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 19: A cosplayer dresses as Princess Zelda at 2019 Comic-Con International on July 17, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 19: Cosplayer Karla Sanches Cadena as Phoenix poses at 2019 Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 19: (L-R) Cosplayers Marina Ybarra-Valdivia as Barf, Joel Bingham as Lonestar, Allison Bingham as Princess Vespa, and Kenny Valdivia as Dark Helmet from "Spaceballs" pose at 2019 Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 19: 1-1/2 year old Tony Kellner cosplays as a dragon outside at 2019 Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 19: Cosplayers Alina Masquerade as Jessica Rabbit (L) and Shawn Lyman as Roger Rabbit pose at 2019 Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 19: Cosplayer Charles Hattaway as Beetlejuice poses at 2019 Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)
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Fans in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
Sophia McCullough
Fans in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
Sophia McCullough
Fans in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
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Fans in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
Sophia McCullough
Fans in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
Sophia McCullough
Fans in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
Sophia McCullough
Fans in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
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Fans in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
Sophia McCullough
Fans in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
Fans in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
Sophia McCullough
Fans in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
Sophia McCullough
Devoted fans dressed in costumes at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
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Devoted fans dressed in costumes at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
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Devoted fans dressed in costumes at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
Sophia McCullough
Devoted fans dressed in costumes at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
Sophia McCullough
Devoted fans dressed in costumes at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
Sophia McCullough
Devoted fans dressed in costumes at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
Sophia McCullough
Devoted fans dressed in costumes at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
Sophia McCullough
Devoted fans dressed in costumes at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
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Devoted fans dressed in costumes at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
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Fans decked out in costumes at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
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Fans decked out in costumes at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
Sophia McCullough
Fans decked out in costumes at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
Sophia McCullough
Fans decked out in costumes at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
Sophia McCullough
Fans decked out in costumes at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
Sophia McCullough
Fans decked out in costumes at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
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Fans decked out in costumes at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
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Fans decked out in costumes at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
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Fans in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International 2019 on July 19.
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Fans in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International 2019 on July 19.
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Fans in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International 2019 on July 19.
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A fan in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International 2019 on July 19.
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Fans in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International 2019 on July 19.
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Fans in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International 2019 on July 19.
Mezcalent
The Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego is certainly colorful this time of year.
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Fans in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International 2019 on July 19.
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A fan in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International 2019 on July 19.
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Fans in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International 2019 on July 19.
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A fan in "Stranger Things" cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International 2019 on July 19.
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A fan in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International 2019 on July 19.
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A fan in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International 2019 on July 19.
Gerardo Lopez, NBC 5 News
Every year, thousands of people descend on San Diego in costume! Take a look at some of the best and brightest we saw at San Diego Comic-Con 2019. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
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Everyone wants to work at Scoops Ahoy! And, can we just say, this is our favorite trio. "Stranger Things" costumes were some of the most popular of San Diego Comic-Con 2019. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
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Kylo Ren uses the dark side of the Force on you.
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Cosplayers stroll the convention floor of San Diego Comic-Con, ready for their close-up.
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Don't get caught in Spider Gwen's web.
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Hellboy and the Good Samaritan take SDCC 2019.
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Do not disturb. Thanos is on vacation. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
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Iron Man is never forgotten.
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SDCC is a great place for families to dress up together. (Photo by Quinn P. Smith/Getty Images)
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Baby Batman joining in on all the fun.
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Wreck-It Ralph hits the streets of San Diego ahead of San Diego Comic-Con on Wednesday. (Photo by CHRIS DELMAS/AFP/Getty Images)
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What else would Starlord be doing at SDCC 2019 but dancing in the halls of the convention center. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)
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A cosplayer in steampunk is ready for San Diego Comic-Con 2019. (Photo by Quinn P. Smith/Getty Images)
Scoops Ahoy!
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Steampunk is always a popular theme at SDCC. (Photo by CHRIS DELMAS/AFP/Getty Images)
Sophia McCullough
Spider-Man is sure enjoying his time at Comic-Con 2019.
Many like to dress up when they come to Comic-Con 2019.
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The Nun faces off with Superman. Who will come out on top? (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
Gerardo Lopez, NBC 5 News
Even Mera and Aquaman need to take a break from the convention. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
Jason Voorhees was even in attendance.
Sophia McCullough
A cosplayer in Pikachu is ready for San Diego Comic-Con 2019.
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A cosplayer is ready for San Diego Comic-Con 2019.
Sophia McCullough
Hawk Girl and Hawk Man couldn't miss out on all the fun.
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Makeup adds a finishing touch to costumes at SDCC 2019. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)
Summertime Sadness
Comic-Con is one of several tentpole summertime events canceled this summer in San Diego due to the pandemic.
Late last week, the Port of San Diego announced its Fourth of July, waterfront fireworks show, the Big Bay Boom, was canceled.
Last month, organizers of the San Diego County Fair – which was scheduled to run from June 5 to July 5 – announced that event's cancellation. The San Diego County Fair is the largest annual event in San Diego County, typically drawing 1.5 million visitors.
San Diego Pride – which was scheduled to run from July 18 to July 19 in Hillcrest – announced it was canceling all in-person, mass gatherings for this year’s event. Instead, San Diego Pride organizers said they're looking to move the celebration into the virtual world.
The decisions to cancel the tentpole San Diego events come after California Governor Gavin Newsom shared a six-step approach that he said will guide the state as it reopens its businesses, events, and daily life after the COVID-19 shutdown.
And that plan means mass gatherings
are not likely to be allowed for a while as San Diego County, California, the
U.S. and the world continue to work to slow the spread of COVID-19.
