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A PICTORIAL HISTORY OF COMIC-CON

The 2000s MODERN AGE OF COMIC-CON Comic-Con exploded in the 2000s, becoming a veritable pop culture . While Comic-Con kept its focus as the “big tent” show, Hollywood movie studios and TV networks discovered the power of the Con to preview new films and shows.

COMIC-CON 50 www.comic-con.org 1 OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP ROW: Sir Ian McKellen met a friend in the Exhibit 2000 Hall while signing 2000 at the Marvel COMIC-CON 31 booth; the first COMIC-CON 31 -Men movie had just premiered the weekend of Comic- Con. NOTABLE JULY 20–23 MIDDLE ROW: GUESTS Masquerade Diego contestants include Comic writer-artist, Convention ’s Bender and Leela and a trio A Child’s Life Center of DC’s “spooky” : The Spectre, Dr. Fate, and the Attendance: . 48,500 , Julius Knipl, BOTTOM: The EC Real Estate Photographer Comics Reunion was one of the high Comic-Con celebrated the 50th points of Comic- anniversary of EC Comics by Con 2000, with (left HARRY KNOWLES bringing in as many of the still- to right) , Internet writer and critic, Adele Kurtzman, Al living artists as possible, along Feldstein, Angelo Ain’ It Cool News with Adele Kurtzman (widow Torres, , of Harvey) and Anne Gaines and (widow of Bill). The Autograph among the comics Area expanded and moved to line’s greats who the Sails Pavilion on the upper came to San Diego. writer, level. This was a big year for the : The Long Halloween Internet, with online companies taking space on the Exhibit Hall floor and participating in an TIM SALE “Online ” program- ming track. continued , to explode, prompting an “An- Batman: The Long Halloween ime Showcase” programming track. Sunday became Kids’ Day, with lots of programming geared to all ages. Hollywood started to gear up with direc- French cartoonist, tor , who talked McCloney, Dungeon about X-Men, which opened the weekend of Comic-Con. But the biggie was New Line’s showing THIS PAGE, TOP: ’s cover managed to salute a EC 50th GUESTS: of a featurette on the making lot of the Comic-Con 2000 themes, all in a piece of art that of trilogy, evoked the classic EC Comics of the 1950s. Will Elder, , complete with an unannounced ABOVE: 2000’s official T-shirt recalled a seminal moment in Anne Gaines, , appearance by Sir Ian McKellen, comic book history: Silver Age meets Golden Age Flash. Adele Kurtzman, who stopped by on his way to Marie Severin, , New Zealand to begin filming. LEFT: Comic-Con’s publications became more and more sophisticated in the 2000s and often featured new art.

COMIC-CON 50 Souvenir Book cover art © 2019 William Stout; characters TM & © 2019 respective holders • Flash and Batman TM & © DC Comics COMIC-CON 50 2 2019 Souvenir Book www.comic-con.org 3 OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP ROW: with author . 2001 Eisner was one of 2001 the influences on COMIC-CON 32 Chabon’s - COMIC-CON 32 winning novel, The of Kavalier & Clay. NOTABLE JULY 19–22 MIDDLE ROW, LEFT: GUESTS introduced his San Diego daughter, Harley Convention Quinn Smith, to the world. Center Comic book writer RIGHT: Batman and kept Comic- , Ultimate Spider-Man Attendance: Con safe for citizens 53,000 of all ages.

BOTTOM: The MICHAEL CHABON programming Author, The Amazing Adven- The San Diego Convention Center rooms became tures of Kavalier & Clay opened a gigantic new expansion more sophisticated in 2001, doubling its space. The in the 2000s in both ground floor now included exhibi- appearance and tor space in Hall (although use of technical equip- CHO the rest of the new portion—Halls ment. through —was yet to come). This Comic book writer-artist, turned out to be the last year for THIS PAGE, TOP: Liberty Meadows Comic Book Expo and ProCon, with ’s incred- ible cover for the former being folded into Comic- the Souvenir Book. Con. The big addition for 2001 was Preview Night, an advance view of RIGHT: Green the Exhibit Hall on the night before French-Canadian cartoonist, was one of DC the official opening of Comic-Con. Comics’ big books Something else new this year was for 2001, written the CCI-IFF—Comic-Con’s Indepen- by Kevin Smith dent Film Festival—which launched with covers by Matt BRIAN & as Film Fest Friday. One of the major Wagner, who did programming highlights was au- this official T-shirt British illustrators, Michael Chabon (The Amazing design. film designers, Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, which took place in the comics world) in- BELOW: and Dark , Faeries terviewing comics Will Eisner. the gang made one Hollywood programming stepped more appearance at up, with studios presenting advance the Con. looks on such films as ’s Comic book artist, Planet of the Apes, From Hell, Jet Li’s The One, and ’s Blackhawk, Crossfire of Mars. But the must-see event was a first-time appearance by to talk about Spider- Man. Because of the Masquerade’s Comic book writer-artist, popularity on Saturday night, tick- ets (issued free) were introduced for Johnny the Homicidal Maniac the event.

COMIC-CON 50 Bone © 2019 Jeff Smith • TM & © DC Comics • Archie TM & © 2019 Archie Publications COMIC-CON 50 4 2019 Souvenir Book www.comic-con.org 5 OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP: A look at the 2002 Exhibit Hall. Comic-Con began 2002 to quickly fill the 2002 new Convention COMIC-CON 33 Center expansion COMIC-CON 33 space that opened in 2001.

MIDDLE ROW: Hol- lywood came call- NOTABLE AUGUST 1–4 ing once again with (left to right) Arnold GUESTS Schwarzenegger San Diego making a surprise Convention appearance for Terminator 3; direc- Center tor promoting , Comic book writer, humorist, and movie legend Attendance: . MAD magazine 63,000 BOTTOM: The Hobbits took over Ballroom 20 with a Lord of the Rings Norwegian cartoonist, Attendance jumped an astounding panel featuring Hey, Wait, Sshhhh! 10,000 in one year. The Exhibit Hall Billy Boyd, Elijah expanded into Hall E in the new Wood, and Dominic addition of the Convention Center. Monaghan. With the increased size, areas on THIS PAGE TOP: the floor were set up to congregate The 50th anniver- Author, book designer, specific kinds of exhibitors: the In- sary of MAD was the : The Art of dependent Publishers’ Pavilion, Souvenir Book cover Gold and Silver Age Pavilion, and topic. Charles . Schulz Lord of the Rings Pavilion, plus areas RIGHT: ’s for , toy manufacturers, game Sgt. Rock took com- companies, major comics publish- mand of the official CRAIG McCRACKEN ers, and publish- T-shirt. ers. More programming rooms were Artist, , creator, added in the Convention Center, BELOW: The Death Powerpuff Girls and Ballroom 20 in the new section Star made an ap- pearance at Comic- of the Convention Center became Con, just before it home to the big media programs, was attacked by the TONY MILLIONAIRE the Eisner , and the Mas- Rebels. querade. This was the last year the Cartoonist, Inkpot Awards were given out at the Maakies, Sock Monkey Eisners, thus ending Scott Shaw!’s popular run as MC for the Inkpots. The CCI-IFF expanded to all four days. The Hollywood floodgates truly burst open, with numerous Comic book artist, big-name celebrities showing up both announced and unannounced: Batman, (Terminator 3), (Daredevil), Ron Perl- man (), and Elijah Wood with hobbits Dominic Monaghan and Billy Boyd (Lord of the Rings). Comic book artist, Incredible

COMIC-CON 50 MAD and Sgt. Rock • TM & © DC Comics COMIC-CON 50 6 2019 Souvenir Book www.comic-con.org 7 OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP LEFT: was an almost- constant presence 2003 at the show through 2003 COMIC-CON 34 the decade. COMIC-CON 34 RIGHT: and Angelina Jolie represented a new JULY 17-20 level of star power NOTABLE at Comic-Con. GUESTS MIDDLE ROW San Diego LEFT: Simpsons cre- Convention ator signed at the Bongo Center Comics Booth. Comic book writer, creator, MIDDLE ROW, Attendance: RIGHT: The new 70,000 design of the Eisner Awards was inspired by a page from Scott McCloud’s Comic book artist, The Exhibit Hall expanded to the Understanding Com- Incredible Hulk, Capt. America Convention Center’s Halls and , ics, and suggested with Artists’ Alley and the Art Auction by Will Eisner in Hall G, while the Art Show moved himself. to the opposite side, in Hall A. The PHILIPPE DUPUY & big Thursday night event was the BOTTOM: This CHARLES BERBÉRIAN Awards, hosted Masquerade entry French cartoonist team, by Jeremy Bullock (“Boba Fett”). Ma- featuring characters jor changes were made to the Eisner from Miyazaki’s Spir- Get A Life, Maybe Later Awards ceremony: the Inkpot Awards ited Away shows the were now given out at spotlight level of craftsman- panels, and a newly designed Eisner ship and hardwork STEVE JACKSON was introduced. Comic-Con contestants were received unprecedented coverage in putting into their Game designer, publisher, the mainstream press, from publica- presentations. Munchkins, Ogre, Car Wars tions such as , Variety, and USA Today as well as from CNN, CNBC, Entertainment Tonight, and Access Hollywood. came to the forefront, with programs Comic book writer from Network, Warner Bros., JSA, Flash, , , Dis- ney, ASIFA, and the traditional –presented “Cartoon Voices“ panel. Hollywood was back again in THIS PAGE TOP AND ABOVE: ’s cover art for the Souvenir Book and the official T-shirt presented his work for a even greater force with Kill Bill (Quen- Comic book writer-artist, tin Tarantino), Gothika (Halle Berry), DC , The World’s Greatest Superheroes, which (), was a compilation of his series of graphic novels written by , : (Angelina Jo- . lie), Van Helsing with Hugh Jackman LEFT: put in an appearance on the cover of the and Kate Beckinsale (also on hand KEVIN ’NEILL third Comic-Con Update magazine for 2003. for Underworld), Spider-Man 2 (Alfred Comic book artist, Molina), and the TV reboot of Battle- star Galactica, with Edward James Ol- The League of mos, and Katee Sackhoff. Extraordinary Gentlemen

COMIC-CON 50 Souvenir Book cover characters and T-shirt art TM & © DC Comics • Simpsons TM & © Twentieth Century Film Corporation COMIC-CON 50 8 2019 Souvenir Book www.comic-con.org 9 OPPOSITE PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Syndicated cartoonist Patrick Mc- 2004 Donnell sketches one 2004 of his signature COMIC-CON 35 characters. COMIC-CON 35

A giant inflatible robot standing guard near the Convention Center NOTABLE JULY 22–25 to promote Sky Captain and the World of Tomor- GUESTS row. San Diego Convention Lifelong friends Julie Schwartz and Ray Brad- Center bury, together again. DEAN producers Carlton Attendance: Cuse and Damon British fantasy 95,000 Lindeloff along with illustrator star at their first-ever panel at Comic-Con. Attendance jumped by an unbe- PATRICK McDONNELL lievable 25,000. This was the year Comic-Con’s Update Syndicated cartoonist, Hall H was added to accommodate magazine went from the huge crowds for the Hollywood Mutts digest to comics size programming, and exhibitor space with this Hellboy expanded to 460,000 square feet, ac- covered issue. It would commodating over 1,000 individual remain that size until AARON McGRUDER companies. The floor now included a 2008. Star Wars Pavilion and a special area Syndicated cartoonist, for illustrators. Programming themes Boondocks THIS PAGE, TOP: 2004 included the 75th anniversaries of marked the 10th an- Tintin, and the , , niversary of ’s and comic strips; the 40th , and Comic-Con anniversary of Creepy; and the 10th commemorated the anniversaries of ’s Hell- Author, comic book writer, occasion with this boy and ’s Supernatural cover, utilizing art Identity Crisis, Law. Michael Chabon gave an im- pencilled by Kirby’s passioned speech asking for better before his death and comics for kids. Hollywood presenta- inked by artist Michael tions continued to wow audiences, CHRISTOPHER PAOLINI Thibodeaux. It featured with sneak peeks from directors and a plethora of Kirby Fantasy author, casts of (), incredible characters (Cillian Murphy), Sin Eragon over the years. City (), (, Michael Chiklis), : MIDDLE: (Jessica Biel, ), by Lee bursts his Sky Captain and the World of Tomor- JEAN FORSYTH SCHULZ chains on the official row (, Giovanni Ribisi), T-shirt for 2004. Wife of Charles M. Schulz, The Incredibles (Brad Bird), creator of Peanuts ( and cast), and Shaun BOTTOM: of the Dead (Simon Pegg and Edgar signing in the Exhibit Wright). ABC screened the for Hall. a new series called Lost and brought CRAIG THOMPSON along stars Matthew Fox, Dominic Monaghan, and Evangeline Lilly. Comic book writer-artist,

COMIC-CON 50 Hellboy TM & © 2019 Mike Mignola Souvenir Book cover © 2019 Jack Kirby Estate, characters TM & © respective copyright holders • Superman TM & © DC Comics COMIC-CON 50 10 2019 Souvenir Book www.comic-con.org 11 OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP ROW: ’s reimagin- ing of 2005 was a big attraction 2005 in Hall H with stars COMIC-CON 36 Jack Black, Naomi COMIC-CON 36 Watts, and Adrien Brody appearing, along with Black’s JULY 14–17 band NOTABLE performing live. GUESTS MIDDLE ROW: San Diego Will Eisner died Convention in early 2005 and the Souvenir Book Center featured numer- ous tributes to him, including this piece Syndicated cartoonist, Attendance: by artist Benton Jew; La Cucaracha 103,000 Eisner’s self-portrait of himself and his signature creation DAVID . graced the cover Attendance passed the 100,000 French comic book writer- of the first 2005 mark. The Blood Drive expanded to Update magazine. artist, Epileptic three days (Friday through Sunday), and was held on the upper level of BOTTOM: Writer the Convention Center. The CCI-IFF (left) became a juried film festival, with & with artist Jim Lee. and awarded to the DEXTER TAYLOR best films in each of the categories. THIS PAGE, TOP: The Con paid tribute to Will Eisner, Comic book writer-artists, This Eisner tribute who died in January, with several cover was originally programs, including the showing of a Comic Book Expo an award-winning documentary - print given to - ries on Eisner by Brazilian film direc- ers in the 1990s. tor Marisa Furtado. Friday became a special day for programs geared Actor, author, series, RIGHT: All Star Bat- toward comics retailers. The first re- man and Robin was If Chins Could Kill cipients of the Award for the hot debut comic Excellence in Comics Writing were of 2005. Written by and . The and Hollywood juggernaut continued, drawn by Jim Lee, with advance looks at A History of this was the image Violence (with ), creator, for the official for Vendetta (with Natalie Portman), Jimbo, Pee-Wee’s Playhouse T-shirt. The Fountain (with and Rachel Weisz), (with Bryan Singer), Aeon Flux (with Charlize Theron), Peter Jackson’s BRIAN . VAUGHAN King Kong (Jack Black, Naomi Watts), Comic book writer, not to mention and : The Last Man, Ex Machina the Goblet of , War of the Worlds, Zathura, The Chronicles of Narnia, and TV shows Galactica, Bones, , Supernatural, JAMES WARREN and many more—plus a live per- formance by Tenacious D, with King Comics and magazine publisher, Kong’s Jack Black! Famous , Creepy,

COMIC-CON 50 The Spirit TM & © 2019 Will Eisner Studios, Inc. • Batman and Robin TM & © DC Comics COMIC-CON 50 12 2019 Souvenir Book www.comic-con.org 13 OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP ROW: By 2006, the Exhibit Hall was maxed out in Halls A 2006 through G. 2006 SECOND ROW LEFT: COMIC-CON 37 Manga great Yoshihiro COMIC-CON 37 Tatsumi at the Drawn & Quarterly booth. RIGHT: JULY 20–23 made a Hall H appear- NOTABLE ance for Spider-Man 3. GUESTS THIRD ROW: Noted San Diego author and New Age PETER S. BEAGLE speaker Deepak Cho- Convention pra with comics writer Fantasy author, Center . The Last BOTTOM: Frank Miller became the first re- Attendance: cipient of Comic-Con’s 123,000 Icon Award, shown here accepting it from Animator, creator, Jessica Alba and Ben Affleck on national TV Attendance went up by nearly in October. 20,000. Comic-Con had now become THIS PAGE TOP: a must-cover event by just about Comic-Con showed every entertainment TV show, pub- Movie producer, director, off its international lication, website, and blog. Daytime side with this Lone The Little Shop of Horrors programming filled 15 rooms, anime Wolf and Cub Souvenir screenings occupied 3 rooms, and Book cover by Frank games had taken over the Mezza- Miller, from the manga nine. Programs ranged from a con- reprint series. versation between Grant Morrison Manga writer, co-creator, and Deepak Chopra to a reunion of RIGHT: ’ lifelong friends Forry Ackerman, Ray iconic flag-bearing Superman was the Bradbury, and Ray Harryhausen. official T-shirt art for Hollywood-wise, fans were treated 2006. to inside info from directors and cast JEAN-CLAUDE MÉZIÉRES members of movies 300, Pan’s Laby- BOTTOM: The Events French comic book artist, rinth, Children of Men, Spider-Man 3, Guide cover poked Snakes on a Plane, Rider, and gentle fun at the 75th Valerian Hot Fuzz, plus TV series Lost, Battle- anniversary of the star Galactica, , Veronica beloved Universal Monsters with art Mars, and others, including the pilot SHAG (JOSH AGLE) screening of Heroes. A new movie by newcomer . studio called held its Illustrator first-ever Comic-Con panel and an- nounced three new films: aptainC America, , and Thor, in addi- tion to the already announced Iron Man and Incredible Hulk. Comic-Con Comic book writer, instituted the Icon Award, given to , Six an individual or organization who has been instrumental in bringing comics and/or the popular arts to a wider audience. The first recipient was Frank Miller, and the award was Japan’s “Godfather of given as part of the televised Awards in October. ”

COMIC-CON 50 Souvenir Book cover art © 2019 Futubasha Publishers Inc. • Superman TM & © DC Comics • art © 2019 Chris Samnee COMIC-CON 50 14 2019 Souvenir Book www.comic-con.org 15 OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP ROW: While Marvel Studios did their first Comic- 2007 Con panel in 2006, 2007 this was the first COMIC-CON 38 year they actually COMIC-CON 38 had something to show with Iron Man. (Left to right) Robert Downey Jr., director NOTABLE AUGUST 13–16 , Gwyn- Paltrow, and GUESTS Terrence Howard. San Diego Convention SECOND ROW: (Left to right) Lena Center Headey appeared for The Sarah Connor Chronicles; Attendance: was Cartoonist, , 125,000 there for the new Star Trek movie; and cartoonist Alison Bechdel won the 2007 once again set a record atten- for dance, and for the first time four- Best Reality-Based Golden Age comic book artist, day memberships were sold out, Work for Fun Home. as were one-day memberships for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The THIRD ROW: The Blood Drive expanded to all four cast of Heroes. days and was held at the Marriott, the new headquarters hotel. Many BOTTOM ROW programs focused on graphic novels. Comic book writer-artist, LEFT: Mark Evanier hosted a record 13 pan- The New Frontier, Parker series with his 2007 Icon els. Two new programming rooms Award. were added in the new section of the Convention Center. Attendees RIGHT: The very had the opportunity to attend free first WB bag, pro- performances of ’s Comic book writer, moting the animat- Too Much Coffee Manopera at the ed filmSuperman Transmetropolitan, Horton Grand Theatre. Star-studded Doomsday, which programs offered glimpses at Bat- created the very man: The Dark Knight, , first WB bag piece of , Movie, The In- LAURELL K. HAMILTON apparel worn by an credible Hulk, Star Trek, attendee. Fantasy author, Anita Blake and of the Crystal Skull, , and Wall•E, plus TV shows and Merry Gentry series THIS PAGE TOP Heroes, Jericho, Sarah Connor Chron- AND BOTTOM: icles, Chuck, Bionic Woman, and lots Adam Hughes’ of animation, including the world Star Wars 30th premiere of Superman Doomsday. anniversary art was But the big of the show came both the Souvenir Illustrator, from Marvel Studios’ Iron Man pre- Book cover and the Marvel Masterpieces cards view featuring director Jon Favreau official T-shirt. and actors Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow. In October, Neil Gaiman was the latest Comic-Con LILY RENÉE PHILLIPS Icon Award recipient. Pioneering Golden Age comic artist

COMIC-CON 50 Star Wars TM & © 2019 Ltd. COMIC-CON 50 16 2019 Souvenir Book www.comic-con.org 17 OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP ROW: Cartoonist was a big hit all weekend long at 2008 the Drawn & Quarterly 2008 booth.

COMIC-CON 39 MIDDLE ROW LEFT: COMIC-CON 39 Legendary MAD car- toonist made a very rare West Coast JULY 24–27 convention appear- NOTABLE ance. GUESTS MIDDLE: Comic-Con’s San Diego 30-year old got a whole Convention new look with this Artist, animator, director, design by . Center , MIDDLE ROW RIGHT: Adventures of Super- Attendance: man’s beloved Lois 126,000 Lane, was one of the first recipi- managing ents of the new award. editor for over 50 years Several weeks before Comic-Con BOTTOM LEFT: The opened its doors, all memberships stars of took were completely sold out, the para- over Hall H; Watch- JOE HILL men’s incredible - digm that exists to this day. The Horror author, show was now utilizing every inch ship was the dominant of space it could in the San Diego feature of the Warner Heart-Shaped Box Convention Center, offering over Bros. booth. 450 events, with about 60% of BOTTOM RIGHT: those devoted to comics-related Hugh Jackman AL JAFFEE programs. The Inkpot Awards got introduced MAD magazine cartoonist, an overhaul with a nifty new tro- creator from phy design by Rick Geary. Among the Hall H stage and creator of MAD Fold-Ins the anniversaries celebrated were expressed his gratitude the 75th of , King Kong, to Wein. and the ; the THIS PAGE, TOP: Alex 50th of Famous Monsters of Film- Ross helped Comic- land and Legion of Super-Heroes; Manga writer-artist, Bleach Con celebrate the 50th and the 25th of American Flagg. anniversary of the Comic-Con’s quarterly Update pub- fan-favorite Legion of lication became the larger Comic- Super-Heroes with this Con Magazine, featuring expanded Souvenir Book cover. content. Fans camped out in Hall H Israeli comics writer-artist, and Ballroom 20 for the duration of MIDDLE: The official Exit Wounds the show so they wouldn’t miss the T-shirt showcased art stars of movies such as , by . G. Jones for DC Star Trek, Twilight, The Day the Earth Comics’ Stood Still, The Spirit, Race to Witch mini-series. NOEL NEILL Mountain, Terminator Salvation, and BOTTOM: The Update Movie, TV actress, TV show presentations for Heroes, became Comic-Con on Adventures of Superman 24, True Blood, Dollhouse, Pushing Magazine, with tons of Daisies, Chuck, Fringe, and The Sarah new exclusive content Connor Chronicles. In October, vi- and nationwide distri- sionary and Star Wars bution to comic book creator was the recipi- shops. ent of Comic-Con’s Icon Award. Comic book writer-artist, The Frank Book, The Book of Jim

COMIC-CON 50 Souvenir Book cover and T-shirt art TM & © DC Comics • Fantastic Four TM & © 2019 MARVEL • The Spirit TM & © 2019 Will Eisner Studios, Inc. COMIC-CON 50 18 2019 Souvenir Book www.comic-con.org 19 OPPOSITE PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Spell- bound in darkness: 2009 This was the year the 2009 3D craze hit Hall H.

COMIC-CON 40 Comic-Con celebrated COMIC-CON 40 its 40th year with this incredible hardcover book from Chronicle NOTABLE JULY 23–26 Books. (Inset) Cover artist Sergio Aragonés GUESTS with a cover proof.

San Diego Jim Lee draws Bat- Convention man and the (while eating a soft Center pretzel) during his Spotlight panel. Attendance: Hulk meet Masquer- Humorist, satirist, ade MC . voice actor 126,000 Hulk not smash. (Another incredible costume.) Comic-Con ended the first decade of the new millennium with a sold-out An atmospheric look event and little room to expand, a at the Exhibit Hall. Illustrator, covers quandary it would find itself in for Comics Arts Confer- the foreseeable future. With Conven- ence gurus Peter tion Center space maxed out, the Coogan (left) and Con added the new Hilton Bayfront . HOPE LARSON Hotel’s Indigo Ballroom as a 2,000- seat programming venue. 2009 THIS PAGE, TOP: Comic book writer-artist, programming themes included the Rick Geary brings Chiggers, Grey Horses Con’s own 40th birthday. Comic-Con back the Toucan celebrated with a massive 208-page (and Expo Boy) to cel- history book, Comic-Con 40 Years of ebrate Comic-Con’s DWAYNE McDUFFIE Artists, Writers, Fans and Friends! pub- 40th on the Souvenir lished by Chronicle Books. Numerous Book cover; the book Comic book, animation writer, Con luminaries were invited back as was full-color for the Justice League, Static special guests and a series of pan- first time. Geary did els (Comic-Con in the ‘70s, ‘80s, etc.) a matching Events were on the programming schedule, Guide cover (middle along with a gala party. Sadly, the right). event lost two of its founding mem- MIDDLE: A detail Comic book writer, bers: and both from Sergio’s 40th passed away in 2009. Legendary Master of Kung Fu, Batman anniversary book Japanese animation director Hayao cover. Miyazaki made a rare appearance, alongside other movie program- BOTTOM: The official ming such as Iron Man 2, Twilight: T-shirt focused on BRYAN LEE O’MALLEY New Moon, , Zom- Green Lantern and Comic book writer-artist, bieland, Kick-Ass, and Avatar. TV was DC Comics’ Blackest represented by Bones, Chuck, Torch- Night event series. Scott Pilgrim series wood, and the final panel for Lost, to name but a few. Stan Lee became the fourth person to receive Comic-Con’s Icon Award on national TV as part of the Scream Awards. Comic book writer-artist, American Born Chinese

COMIC-CON 50 Green Lantern TM & © DC Comics COMIC-CON 50 20 2019 Souvenir Book www.comic-con.org 21 PUBLICATIONS THROUGH THE YEARS

Almost from the very beginning, Comic-Con issued publications cluding articles about special programming themes and interviews designed to update and inform its attendees about upcoming with comic artists and TV producers and stars. In addition to being events. These started out as Progress Reports, mailed to everyone on mailed out to everyone on the massive Comic-Con mailing list, the the mailing list. Over the years they slowly evolved into magazines. Update and Magazine issues were also distributed to comic shops The Progress Report became the Update, which became Comic-Con nationwide. As the Internet became more prevalent, Comic-Con Magazine, and finallyComic-Con Annual. Original cover art, first switched over to a regularly updated website, and reserved its by Comic-Con volunteers, many of whom—like John Pound, Scott publications to onsite books devoted to its events. In addition to Shaw!, and —went on to become comic profession- these publications that were distributed by mail to our attendees, als, was the standard from the beginning. The publications became Comic-Con also publishes the Events Guide, the Anime Guide, and more and more sophisticated, finally settling into a digest-sized, Comic-Con Today, the Onsite Newsletter, all of which are available quarterly Update in the 1990s, which soon graduated to comic-size. for free to attendees, along with the book you’re reading right now, More and more content was added with Comic-Con Magazine, in- the Souvenir Book.

COMIC-CON 50 All artwork and characters TM & © 2019 respective copyright holders COMIC-CON 50 22 2019 Souvenir Book www.comic-con.org 23 Onsite publications are essential at Comic-Con. The bottom half of this page shows the evolu- tion of the Events Guide over the years, including the Quick Guide, which spun out from it, and the onsite newsletter, Comic-Con Today.

COMIC-CON 50 All artwork and characters TM & © 2019 respective copyright holders 24 2019 Souvenir Book