San Diego Comic-Con Preview Night always comes both to quickly and to slowly. Preview night has become filled with a few traditions for me, with a new one added this year I believe of drinks and lunch before the show. We never stand/sit in the line in the Sails Pavilion waiting for the doors to open once we have our badges, instead we usually relax out on the deck behind the Sails while everybody else stands in line. We never have to wonder when the doors open as the cheers break out once the line starts to move. We have our own path that we take to the convention floor as we aren’t rushing to snatch up exclusives, instead we are on our way to say hi to friends that have been made over the years.
The first stop is almost always the same… Broadsword Comics, booth 1715, to say hi to Jim Balent, Holly Golightly, Shara, Natasha and the other friends made there over the years. This year it seems the expectation has finally arisen that after 15 years I am to submit a Broadsword Girl photo (we shall see Jim, we shall see) Those that know me, know that I prefer to be behind the camera instead of in front of it, but maybe I will give in this time since we have been friends for so many years.
As we waited for a chance to chat with Jim (he was in the middle of a sketch when we arrived) I popped over to say hi to Billy Tucci. First time I saw Billy still setting up once the floor was open. We tried to tell him it was because his wife wasn’t there to make sure he got things done, but am not sure he went for that explanation.
Then after a chat with Jim and a stop at the Profiles in History booth to look over the props that were used in various films including Star Wars, Spaceballs and Star Trek it was finally time to start the trek across the convention floor.
With several of the comic book companies we know people at all clustered near each other we started with a stop at Dark Horse to say hi to Aub.
Then across the aisle to Top Cow Productions to say hi to Matt Hawkins, Elena, Betsy, Bryan, Scott, Linda Sejic, Stjepan Sejic, Dy, Ryan and omg I can’t even remember who else was there on Preview Night. Scott, that booth layout definitely worked better. As much as I always loved the red carpet to the backdrop for photos it was almost impossible to shoot at with the signings on either side of it. So as a photographer… thank you for the better layout. Still got some amazing shots at the booth and didn’t have to elbow my way in to get them.
A quick stop at IDW Publishing to say hi to Dirk Woods (only one I caught on Preview Night this time)… another new booth layout that definitely worked better. Bigger, more open and multiple spots to set up signings. Good job guys.
A run by Boom! Studios, busy already but the quick two second hello before continuing on the track to see another long time friend, Monte M. Moore. I must say, his booth only gets more amazing every year. It is also a great one to cool off at as it is located under a very strong vent which results in Monte being one of the few people you find at Con bundled up in layers so he doesn’t freeze (and to think he comes from a state that gets snow and ice). Nice padded flooring in his booth for those tired feet to make taking your time while you look over all the wonderful art only aids in the experience. Take a look at Monte’s photo, see if you can figure out why the cards he is holding (so carefully hiding anything that could give away what they are) have him smiling and almost giddy like any fanboy getting work on something he loves.
After a visit with Monte and just as my traditional “Preview Night Kicks My Butt” syndrome kicked in we headed off for the next tradition… dinner at the Fox Sports Grill at the San Diego Hilton Bayfront. Servers there are always great and we end up having a good time. Didn’t hurt that they had Angry Orchard so I had something to drink other than water or iced tea.
This was followed by my first experience using Lyft… I think I like it. Less expensive than a taxi and faster than the free shuttle. (Yes I tried the shuttle another time and found Lyft, even with waiting a few to be picked up, faster than the shuttle)
Like I said, for me Preview Night is tradition. It is social. It is seeing friends I may not have seen in the year since the prior San Diego Comic-Con.
