I just got back from my first San Diego Comic-Con (#SDCC) and ... that was wild! A few observations:
The fan energy is incredible. Contrasted with SXSW, where everyone thinks they're a celebrity, at SDCC, everyone is joyfully a fan.
The crowds are huge, diverse, and everywhere. I have never seen lines this long (I walked a mile around the convention center before the line for Hall H ended! There was a five hour line for Hulu Animayhem!). Unlike New York Comic-Con, SDCC really does take over that part of the city.
The event is super commercial; most things on the convention floor cost money. There's a ton of manufactured rarity and exclusivity. There's also space to meet artists and buy work from them directly, which was really cool.
Some of the marketing activations were rad; some were really disappointing. Fans know the difference.
And for someone who is there for business reasons, like me, it's a chaotic nexus of happenstance and connections. It was amazing to see so many folks in person!?Come to NYC next time. ;)
