Over the last few days, everyone has been fretting about whether this year’s San Diego Comic-Con is going to be a squib due to the WGA strike, impending SAG strike and studios pulling out. Indeed, the Hall H offerings are a bit slimmer than in year’s past, however the show floor map reveals that it’s is still going to be the Comic-Con you remembered for the most part.
All the old faves are in their familiar places, including Star Wars (even though no presentations from Disney/Marvel), Viz, Lego…and returning….DC Comics! Disney does have a smallish booth for a bunch of its company, including ABC, Hulu, FX and Disney+.
Dark Horse is back in its usual spot, with Image, IDW, Oni, Diamond, Boom and the rest in their familiar, belved places. New to the floor: DSTLRY. Image imprint Skybound will also have its own separate booth. Penguin Random House will have its big display, along with other publishers, and the small press area is still there, anchored by con guest Bob the Angry Flower, as always.
Missing: the giant Sideshow booth. The collectibles company scarpered from the con in favor of having their own online “Sideshow Con” running during the first few days of the show. The spot is taken up by what looks like several art focused booths, including one for J. Scott Campbell. You snooze, you lose.
Still, this will end up looking very much like the Comic-Con you know and love.
DC’s spot over in the 4600 aisle does tell a story, though. You’ll recall that back in 2019, DC gave up its prime spot in the middle of the comics section of the show floor to take a place in a new WB booth that was supposed to integrate all its brands.
The booth was a flop, (see the above video for a tour) and now WB has NO presence on the floor, after sitting out 2022 entirely. That space is now taken up by fashion line Tokidoki, toy company Mindstyle and other collector type booths. How the mighty have shrunken.
But let’s not let all that take away from the joy at having the DC booth back on the show floor. Having the Big Two back – and Dark Horse – is a sign that this will be COMIC-Con first and foremost.
In fact, while lamenting the loss of HBO and the MCU from Hall H – along with, it seems, all the big whoop te doo celebrity parties – maybe we should just enjoy focusing on the IP creators for a change.
One last note about the strike: while some animation actors are planned to be on hand to promote projects, the still pending SAG strike could change that. And union rules very much cover what can and can’t be done at the show, as a twitter thread revealed. The WGA FAQ on the strike specifically covers Comic-Con:
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Can I promote my project on social media?
You must refuse promoting a project at a struck company’s request. However, it is not a violation to talk about your projects on your own accord on your own social media.
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Can I promote my project at Comic-Con?
No.
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Can I attend Comic-Con?
We’re asking you not to participate in events sponsored by the companies we’re striking against.
Just to spell it out, promoting a project on a company sponsored panel is out; wandering around Comic-Con and buying comics is very much IN. Hopefully folks will be doing a lot of that.
Miss any of our earlier SDCC ’23 coverage? Find it all here!
