Comic-Con is not a scam. It's just difficult.

 17 JULY 2024

You can accurately assess the number of first-timers at any SDCC by the amount of outrage at how unfair it all is. The offsite tickets sold out and I couldn't get any! I got an error message! I may not even get a chance at my favorite Funko! I demand a do-over - this is a scam!

Yep, San Diego Comic-Con is full of disappointment and minor vexations and inevitable failures. It's one of those places where a meritocracy doesn't (fully) apply; you can do everything right, study, prepare, show up with your A game, and still get shut out. It's just really that competitive.

But here's what you don't realize, my outraged first-timers - the reason access is so limited to these offsites and offerings is because there are so many of them. Which means you're going to find plenty of equally good alternatives.

Listen, I didn't get Shaun of the Dead or Peacock tickets and I'll probably miss out on 33 other things, but I won't be thinking about them because I'll have 67 distractions. And you will too. I promise that once you are at Comic-Con, you won't even remember the things you lost out on.

For now, resist sinking into a quagmire of gloom. SDCC is supposed to be fun - not bitter. And there are plenty of things that haven't been announced yet. I haven't even seen people talking much about the Museum yet, which I'll post on shortly. So focus on positive anticipation in these final pre-Con days, because you'll be more than gratified once you arrive.