SupermanHawaii.com

by Lawrence E. Pacheco

Are you planning on going to next year's San Diego Comic-Con? Then here are some helpful tips on what to do, and what not to do.

Bring a backpack and a poster tube and walking shoes

These are essential! Make sure that the backpack is comfortable, and can hold a decent amount of comicbooks and magazines. Cut a piece off of a thick cardboard box large enough to support the comics inside the backpack to prevent them from bending. Also, make sure that there's enough room left over for other stuff like food (which I'll cover next) small toys, hand-outs, fans, and any other freebies or things you may buy. The plastic bags you pick up along the way can only hold so much.

The poster tube will save you too. When you pick up that signed poster, like this year's Iron Man Teaser Poster signed by director Jon Favreau, I don't think you'd want to fold it up and stuff it in your backpack.

Bring food and drink with you

Stuff a compartment of your backpack (or fanny pack if you choose) with all types of food and snacks. Carry water or juice with you at all times. Always keep an eye on the time and schedule when you will stop and eat and drink something. Trust me, with all the excitement going on it's easy to forget to eat or drink. Before you know it, hours will have passed and you'll wonder why you're tired and irritable. Do this and your fellow convention-going buddy will thank you.

Sure, you could just pick up something at the Convention Center concession stand, but I'd bet you'd rather spend your money on Comic-Con goodies than pay $3.00 for bottled water and $6.50 for a hamburger.

Another word on food

If you think that you'll be able to just grab a cheap bite to eat outside the Convention Center and then come on back in... I have some news for you. There are no fast food outlets anywhere in walking distance of the Center. Up the street past Gaslamp Quarter there are tons of restaurants, but most are going to run you no less than 7 to 8 dollars a plate.

The moral: buy food at a grocery store and stock up your hotel room.

Bring comicbooks with you

Bring as many with you that you want signed that you can comfortably carry. Just because the artist isn't listed on the Comic-Con website or in the official program doesn't mean they won't be there. You'll be surprised and sorry when you didn't bring that Frank Miller comic and suddenly pass his booth.

If you're thinking, "That's okay. Don't they sell all kinds of comics there? Why can't I just buy one there if I see a famous artist?" Well, keep in mind that the San-Diego Convention Center hall is about four football fields in length. Artist's Alley is on one end... and the comic dealers are on the other. By the time you see an artist you'd like to get an autograph of, walk through thousands of people to the dealers section, find the exact comic you want from tons of booths, and walk back through thousands of people... the artist could be gone.

Bring film and batteries

Want to use that film camera at Comic-Con? Bring film from home! Yes, there are a few vendors who sell film, but remember that you'll pay a higher price. Even if you use a digital camera, the last thing you want to do is be standing next to a comicbook legend like Nick Cardy and realize that your battery just died. Bring extra batteries! Finding a store in the immediate area that carries these items is nearly impossible.

Don't be rude!

It can get very stressful walking through all those people. However, if someone is a bit slower than you or you aren't quite sure what the person behind the table has done in his or her career... be nice! Don't go in thinking you know everything or have a bad attitude. Smile! Remember that everyone else is there to have fun as well. (See this month's Bizarro Demerit below for an example of how not to behave, and why.)

The bottom line

Be prepared and be courteous! Cover everything that can and might happen. If your cell phone doesn't have roaming, plan a meeting area with your friends and specific times. Actually, you may wish to do this anyway due to the fact that there are thousands of people in there using cell phones. There are times when you'll find that service is unavailable.

If you plan it right, your vacation will go smooth and hitch free. This will allow you to focus on more important things like... meeting Carmine Infantino!
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Rude Fan Insults Legend

During this year's San Diego Comic-Con the legendary Carmine Infantino spent a part of his time with his fans at Artist's Alley. His sketches were amazing and his personality was even grander. His time with fans, however, was cut short due to the inexcusable act of a single, thoughtless individual.

Mr. Infantino was approached by a young man who doubted his importance in DC Comics history. The young man continued to rudely insult Carmine Infantino and had the audacity to want him to sign his comicbook anyway. Mr. Infantino was understandably upset by the matter and left the convention hall.

To the person who gave Mr. Infantino such a hard time: setting aside the fact that you have spoiled the chance for other deserving fans to meet this legend you have, more importantly, insulted one of comicdom's most prolific and creative artists. I am sorry that such talented people like Mr. Infantino have to endure such disrespect from utterly clueless people.

To that inconsiderate Comic-Con attendee... we heartily throw our Bizarro Demerit.

Please, everyone... treat these comicbook legends with the respect they deserve. They have influenced our lives in more ways than you can imagine. Show them that you care.

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