San Diego Comic Con International is right around the corner, and the excitement is building around Southern California and beyond! This popular show continues growing each year, entertaining over 100,000 people from all around the globe. Like “The Little Engine That Could”, this Comic book Convention has certainly come a long way! The first event, (held by founder Shel Dorf back in August 1970), at The U.S. Grant Hotel, catered to about 300 people. Today, San Diego Comic Con has evolved into one of the largest comic book conventions worldwide! 

Perhaps, because of its magnitude, many people overlook the fact that Comic Con International is a non-profit organization. Industry professionals host educational forums (Comics Art Conference) each year during Comic Con, which helps to maintain it’s non-profit status. Aside from the forums, throughout the convention, you’ll discover there’s a lot to do! Panels, seminars, workshops, blood drive, portfolio reviews, Eisner award ceremonies, art show, games, autographs, Masquerade and more! The Comic Con International Independent Film Festival showcases shorts and feature length films and there are also previews of upcoming feature films, which usually draw some of the biggest celebrities in the industry!

Special guests this year include Stan Lee, Ray Bradbury, Drew Struzan, Sergio Aragones, Dave Dorman, Felicia Day, Milo Manara, Phil Jimenez, Rick Riordan, Jim Lee, Neal Adams and many more!

One of highlights at San Diego Comic Con is “Artists Alley". This is where you can observe hundreds of professional industry artists in action! Watch, and experience first hand, as artists sketch, paint, and create works of art right before your eyes! Many artists will also be signing autographs, have their work for sale, and are also available to create personalized commissioned art just for you during the convention. The convention floor also offers the exhibitors, which include comic book dealers, merchants, toy companies, movie studios, TV networks, and Indie artists.

Evident by the shows continued success, Comic Cons staff of board members, volunteers, part-time and full-time workers, work very hard throughout the year, and during the convention, to make it all come together smoothly. The convention begins on preview night July 21st from 6-9pm and runs until July 25th (Thursday-Saturday 9:30am-7:00pm and Sunday 9:30am-5:00pm). Proceeds from the event go to funding it, as well as the Alternative Press Expo and WonderCon. To learn more visit http://www.comic-con.org/