For an event that has over 100,000 attendees, Comic-Con is largely an individual experience. To some, it is a cosplay mecca, where they can find appreciation whether they dress up as a mainstream superhero or the most obscure anime character. My husband enjoys getting a first look at TV pilots and sneak previews of upcoming seasons. My artist friend Michael spends the majority of his time on the convention floor, intent on covering every square inch of it and discovering new artists along the way. Last year, I discovered a whole new Comic-Con world: Magic the Gathering. There are tournaments and panels and basically people playing all Con-long. For many of my friends, it’s an opportunity to market whatever project they’re working on and network with people they think can help their careers. For others, it’s just a gigantic Tweet-up where they can meet and greet their virtual friends IRL. Some even go down to San Diego for the four days but skip the Con entirely. With an event this large, it’s just impossible to experience all that there is to offer, so everyone goes with their own unique idea of what it will be for them.
What Comic-Con means to me can be summed up in two words: Joss Whedon.
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