sign in sign up
<<
Home , 2011 in comics, Afterlife with Archie, Alan Davis, Alex Sinclair, Andrew Aydin, Berkeley Breathed

A PICTORIAL HISTORY OF COMIC-CON

The 2010s THE NOW AGE OF COMIC-CON Comic-Con exploded around the world in the “now” age of social media. It became the show everyone wanted to go to as it expanded into other sites, including hotels and the new Central Library, creating a downtown campus.

COMIC-CON 50 www.comic-con.org 1 OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP ROW LEFT: sure was pleased to get an Eisner . 2010 RIGHT: great 2010 COMIC-CON 41 had COMIC-CON 41 request of Comic- Con: Could she please meet ? NOTABLE JULY 22–25 SECOND ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: Former GUESTS DC publisher San Diego was an Convention recipient; artist Jillian Center Tamaki; schemed. THIRD ROW, LEFT: Syndicated , Attendance: J. J. Abrams and Joss 126,000 Whedon had a meet- , ing of the minds in Hall H. Comic-Con entered the second de- RIGHT: cade of the new millennium with writer Brian Michael Comic book writer, still more expansion to the nearby Bendis with his Inkpot Award. , hotels. It added a second day of pro- gramming to the Indigo Ballroom in BOTTOM: The cast of the Hilton San Diego Bayfront, which The Theory MOTO HAGIO hosted the Eisner for the very backstage in Hall H. first . Events such as the CCI-IFF, Manga writer-artist, the fan groups meeting room, and THIS PAGE, TOP A Drunken the rooms moved offsite to the AND RIGHT: DC Comics celebrated and Other Stories Marriott Marquis Hotel and Marina their 75th anniver- next door. The CBLDF programmed sary and Comic-Con “Master Sessions” with comic art- helped with this JENETTE KAHN ists , , Paul cover and offical Pope, and Jill Thompson. Hollywood T-shirt by Ivan Reis, Former DC Comics programming included Red, The Ex- Oclair Albert, and publisher pendables, a discussion between J. J. . Abrams and , and a first BELOW: End of the look at the cast of Marvel’s , line, Bub. two years before the film debuted (see page 30 for a cast photo). On , , the TV side, attendees saw presenta- Tomb of , Avengers tions on Dexter, (its third time at the event), and Su- pernatural, among others. Entertain- ment Weekly introduced its “Women Who Kick Ass” panel for the first time Comic book artist, with female stars from movie and TV, including Anna Torv, Chloe Grace Moretz, and Mary Elizabeth Win- stead. And a new show called The Walking Dead made its first of many GERARD WAY Comic-Con appearances. Ray Brad- Musician, comic book writer, bury was the Award recipient.

COMIC-CON 50 , , TM & © DC Comics COMIC-CON 50 2 2019 Souvenir Book www.comic-con.org 3 OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP ROW: The Comics Fandom 50th Anniversary party included longtime 2011 fans and pros instru- 2011 COMIC-CON 42 mental in starting COMIC-CON 42 fandom (see the list of special guests on the lower right). NOTABLE JULY 21–24 SECOND ROW LEFT: Directors Peter Jackson and Steven GUESTS San Diego Spielberg. Convention RIGHT: Vivid colors at the Masquerade Center Party. THIRD ROW LEFT: Attendance: , , Spanish comic book artist, and 130,000 cosplay. Torpedo RIGHT: Los Bros Hernandez: Gilbert, One of the big programming Jaime, and Mario. themes for 2011 was the 50th an- Cartoonist, niversary of Comics Fandom, with BOTTOM: Cast members from a panels and a gala party saluting the The Canterbury Tales new HBO series event. Comic-Con brought together called Game of some of fandom’s founders for this Thrones, alongside momentous occasion. The Events author George R.R. Guide’s color section split off into Martin (far right). British comic book artist, a separate publication, the Quick Guide, featuring maps plus - THIS PAGE, TOP Uncanny X-Men, gram schedule grids in a full-color AND RIGHT: Jim magazine format. Comic-Con began Lee’s New 52 cover and T- to program special kids-oriented shirt art, with inked panels all four days of the event, not by just on Sundays. Morgan Spurlock’s British comic book artist, and colored by Alex documentary about the event, Com- V for Vendetta, Kickback Sinclair. ic-Con: Episode IV: A Fan’s Hope, was released. Directors BELOW: Comic and Peter Jackson appeared togeth- Creator Connection, er on the Hall H stage to present The which brings togeth- COMICS FANDOM 50th Adventures of Tintin, their er writers and artists looking for creative ANNIVERSARY GUESTS collaboration, and Spielberg was an partners, made its Inkpot Award recipient. TV shows at Jean Bails were added to Hall H on Sunday, in- Comic-Con. cluding Doctor Who with cast mem- Richard Kyle bers Matt Smith and Karen Gillan. Two new shows debuted at Comic- Con: , with Stephen Amell and Katie Cassidy, and , Richard & Pat Lupoff with Peter Dinklage, Emilia Clarke, Kit Harington, Momoa, and Lena Headey alongside creator George R.R. Martin. Voice actor Foray won the Icon Award.

COMIC-CON 50 Characters TM & © DC Comics COMIC-CON 50 4 2019 Souvenir Book www.comic-con.org 5 OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP ROW: Artists’ Al- ley from high above. SECOND ROW LEFT TO RIGHT: Author 2012 Allan Collins 2012 COMIC-CON 43 with one of the Scribe COMIC-CON 43 Awards, given out by the International Association of Media JULY 12–15 Tie-In Writers; comic NOTABLE book writer Kelly Sue DeConnick; cartoonist GUESTS San Diego Vera Brosgol with her for Convention Anya’s , the Best Center Publication for Teens winner. THIRD ROW LEFT: Attendance: Comic book writers Canadian cartoonist, 130,000 Matt Fraction and Ed Hark! A Vagrant! Brubaker at the Experience panel. Comic-Con brought together most JANSON RIGHT: of the Image Comics founders to cel- stars Martin Freeman Comic book artist-inker, ebrate the company’s 20th anniver- and Sir Ian McKellen. Daredevil, Dark Knight Returns sary, including , Jim Lee, Rob Liefeld, , Marc BOTTOM LEFT: Rob- Silvestri, and . The Gays ert Downey Jr. suits in Comics panel celebrated its 25th up for Iron Man 3. anniversary at Comic-Con, moder- RIGHT: Paul ABOVE: The Souvenir Comic book writer, creator, ated once again by founder Andy and Bryan Cranston Book cover featured The Walking Dead Mangels. Twilight made its final ap- (+fake baby) evi- the 50th anniversary pearance at the show with Breaking dently came directly of the of Dawn, Part 2. For Iron Man 3, Robert from the lab to the Comics, with art by Downey Jr. made a grand entrance Breaking Bad panel. John Romita Jr., Klaus Janson, and Dean from the back of Hall H, dancing THIS PAGE, BELOW White. Canadian comic book through the cheering crowd to the LEFT: The bird re- stage. More TV series made the turned as Comic-Con LEFT: Batman’s writer-artist, Essex County jump to Hall H on Friday, with The introduced an all-new coming at ya on the official T-shirt with art Big Bang Theory, The Walking Dead, website, featuring a by . and Game of Thrones moving to the new “Toucan” . bigger venue. was RIGHT: Comic book writer-artist, the Icon Award recipient. Comic-Con gave one lucky at- relaunched its website on 12/12/12 tendee Swallow Me Whole, Any Empire with a whole new look and the re- piece he drew during turn of ’s Toucan as the a DC Comics panel. namesake of the official blog. Blog- gers included Maggie Thompson, , , and Comic book writer, Katie Cook, who provided new American , Batman weekly content, along with all the latest information on the company’s three shows at the time: WonderCon, the (APE), and MICHAEL USLAN Comic-Con. Co-founder Movie producer, passed away. Batman films

COMIC-CON 50 Characters TM & © 2019 MARVEL • Batman TM & © DC Comics COMIC-CON 50 6 2019 Souvenir Book www.comic-con.org 7 OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP ROW: One of the massive cosplay meet-ups that gather on the steps in the back of the San Diego Convention Center each year. This one featured DC Com- 2013 ics characters. 2013 COMIC-CON 44 SECOND ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: Comic book COMIC-CON 44 artist ; cosplay; and comics legend .

THIRD ROW, LEFT: Scott McCloud (Under- NOTABLE JULY 18–21 standing Comics) and ( ) on the “ and the ” panel. GUESTS

San Diego RIGHT: X-Men assemble! , Convention Patrick Stewart, and Sir Ian McKellen on stage in Hall H. Center BOTTOM: (Tom Hiddleston) held Hall H in his thrall for an hour. Attendance: Comic book writer-editor, 130,000 THIS PAGE TOP AND MIDDLE: Amazing Spider-Man, JLA Dave McKean’s compelling and spooky Sand- man painting was both the Souvenir Book cover and one of the official T-shirts; the other Comic-Con added the Lyceum The- was for Superman’s 75th, featuring art by Tony atre in Horton Plaza on Friday and Daniel. Comic writer-artist, Saturday. Billed as a “small, intimate, Marbles, Monkey Food theatre-like atmosphere,” the Lyce- BELOW: Matt Groening draws Fry live onstage um hosted ticketed panels on topics at the panel, long a staple in Ball- such as the popular Nerdist website room 20, in tandem with . and the 20th anniversary of Pinky and . Meanwhile, back at the BOTTOM: An atmospheric photo from on- British comic book artist, Convention Center, Loki (Tom Hid- stage at the Masquerade. Gen13, Superman dleston) took control of Hall H with a sneer: “Humanity. Look how far you’ve fallen, lining up in the swelter- ing heat for hours, cowering in dark- TOM GAULD ness.” The audience ate it up, along Scottish cartoonist, with Karen Gillan’s bald-head reveal Times, as in . Marvel and Joss Whedon introduced the new show Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. The creators of —Rep. John REP. Lewis, co-author , and Comic book writer, artist Nate Powell—talked about their new graphic novel. Superman’s March 75th anniversary was celebrated with classic and new writers and art- ists, TV’s , , and Man of movie star Henry Cavill. Jennifer Lawrence made her Film historian, author, first Comic-Con appearance forThe Leonard Maltin’s Movie Guide Games, and Breaking Bad joined the Sunday Hall H schedule. The Quick Guide added the popular CHRIS SAMNEE “Restaurant Guide” section, featur- ing listings for over 150 downtown Comic book artist, eating and drinking establishments. Mighty , Daredevil

COMIC-CON 50 Sandman and Superman TM & © DC Comics COMIC-CON 50 8 2019 Souvenir Book www.comic-con.org 9 OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP ROW: Too little, too late? Robert Downey Jr. offered a as a peace offering to Josh Brolin at the Marvel Studios panel in Hall H, but was 2014 already wearing the Gauntlet. 2014 COMIC-CON 45 SECOND ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: YA author COMIC-CON 45 Veronica Roth (the Divergent series); Sergio Aragonés ready to go at Quick Draw!; writer Brian K. Vaughan. NOTABLE JULY 24–27 THIRD ROW, LEFT: The “Homerdome” was one of the many outside activations at Comic-Con. GUESTS

San Diego RIGHT: Benedict Cumberbatch made his first Convention Comic-Con appearance for the animated film of Madagascar. Center BOTTOM LEFT: guards the Sails COLLEEN COOVER Pavilion. Attendance: Comic book artist, 130,000 RIGHT: The wildly colorful booth Bandette drew fans like moths to a .

THIS PAGE TOP AND MIDDLE: Jim Lee and Comic-Con started a series of Graph- Alex Sinclair’s art for the Souvenir Book and ic Novel Book clubs early in 2014, at official T-shirt celebrated Batman’s 75th -an Comic book artist, the Downtown and Mission Valley niversary. Detective, Afterlife with libraries. The 75th anniversary of Batman was a programming high- BELOW: A Batman panel celebrating the 75th light, along with a posthumous Ink- anniversary of the character discussed writer pot Award for , widely re- Bill Finger’s contributions to the Batverse. DREW FRIEDMAN garded as the character’s co-creator. (Left to right) movie producer Michael Uslan, Cartoonist, illustrator, Warner Bros. continued their Preview , Finger’s great- of the Comics Night screenings with looks at grandson Benjamin, Finger’s grandaughter , , and iZombie, Athena (who accepted Comic-Con’s Inkpot all based on DC Comics series. The Award on Finger’s behalf), and . Horton Grand Theatre became the LUCY KNISLEY newest offsite programming venue, Comic book writer-artist, with panels featuring Outlander and Weird Al Yankovic. Just about the Relish, An Age of License entire Game of Thrones cast filled the Hall H stage. announced Batman v Superman and introduced VERONICA ROTH the world to Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman. The menace of Thanos was author, given a new —actor Josh Brolin, Divergent series complete with Infinity Gauntlet—at the Marvel Studios panel, which also included the cast of Avengers: Age of . Samuel L. Jackson said this Comic book writer, about Comic-Con: “Seems like every year I come here and it validates the , fact that I belong and I get all this Spider-Man energy and love from everybody . . . it makes me feel like going out and making movies for the rest of the year.” ‘Nuff said, Nick! Comic book artist,

COMIC-CON 50 Batman TM & © DC Comics COMIC-CON 50 10 2019 Souvenir Book www.comic-con.org 11 OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP ROW LEFT: One of the most popu- lar in the world, Raina Telgemeier. 2015 RIGHT: A Spongebob a day . . . 2015 COMIC-CON 46 SECOND ROW: , COMIC-CON 46 , and made a Comic-Con appear- ance for : The Force Awakens. NOTABLE JULY 9–12 THIRD ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: Jennifer Lawrence with GUESTS backstage in Hall H, before ’s San Diego giant X-Men panel; Stephen Convention Amell shows off the new Arrow suit; Batman superstars Scott Center Snyder (left) and . BOTTOM: Quite possibly the GREG CAPULLO Attendance: most stars ever on the Hall H Comic book artist, stage; Fox brought the casts 135,000+ of X-Men: , Dead- Batman, pool, and along with Stan Lee. Comic-Con continued to grow in THIS PAGE TOP: Michael MICHAEL CHO 2015, as the event added more off- Cho’s Souvenir Book cover Comic book writer-artist, site venues. The Manchester Grand saluted the 75th anniversary Shoplifter Hyatt became the home for the of Will Eisner’s The Spirit and CCI-IFF and the Blood Drive, and in- nailed that Eisner feel, too. troduced the Her Universe Fashion RIGHT The Flash adorned KELLY SUE DeCONNICK Show on Thursday night. The big the official Comic-Con T-shirt, addition was the beautiful new San with art by . Comic book writer, Diego Central Library, a state-of-the- BOTTOM LEFT: O’Brien Marvel, Pretty Deadly art facility that offered educational began his run of Comic-Con programs along with comics and shows at the Spreckles Theatre fandom podcast and series pro- downtown, and even had his grams. The addition of the library own Funko POPs! was a commitment on the part Spanish comic book artist, of Comic-Con to provide educational BOTTOM RIGHT: The promo programming for teachers and li- art for The Art of Comic-Con co-creator, Judge brarians. Also at the library: the first- gallery show at the San Diego ever “Art of Comic-Con” gallery show, Central Library. featuring original art, sketches, and REGINALD HUDLIN more from the 46-year history of the event. returned with Writer-producer-director, a Hall H panel devoted to The Force comic book writer, Black Panther Awakens, featuring Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Daisy Rid- ley, Adam Driver, and ending with ED PISKOR a gala march to the Embarcadero stage behind the Center for a full Star Comic book writer-artist, Wars concert! The new Doctor, Peter Hip Hop Family Tree Capaldi, made his first Comic-Con appearance, alongside co-star Jenna Coleman at the Doctor Who panel. Writer-producer-director Reginald RAINA TELGEMEIER Hudlin was the Icon Award recipient. Comic book writer-artist, Smile, Drama

COMIC-CON 50 The Spirit TM & © 2019 Will Eisner Studios • Flash, JLA, TM & © DC Comics • Kurtzman art © 2019 Estate • Conan POP! TM & © 2019 Team Coco Digital LLC and Funko COMIC-CON 50 12 2019 Souvenir Book www.comic-con.org 13 OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP ROW: ’s booth showcased the return of the Powerpuff Girls.

SECOND ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: Car- toonists and Kate Beaton 2016 signed at the Drawn & Quarterly booth; 2016 COMIC-CON 47 film critic, historian and author Leonard COMIC-CON 47 Maltin was a Comic-Con guest; Neegan from The Walking Dead (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) made his Hall H debut, com- NOTABLE JULY 21–24 plete with Lucille, his ever-present bat. BOTTOM LEFT: Brie Larson was intro- GUESTS duced as , three years San Diego before her movie debuted.

Convention BOTTOM RIGHT: Comic creators Center Jamie McKelvie and were Inkpot Award winners; the March tril- ROBERTO ogy creators Rep. John Lewis, Andrew AGUIRRE-SACASA Attendance: Aydin, and Nate Powell came back 135,000+ to Comic-Con; comic creators Babs Comic book writer, Tarr, , and G. Willow TV producer, Riverdale .

Actor John Barrowman hosted the THIS PAGE TOP AND MIDDLE: Babs Eisner Awards and went full cosplay, Tarr’s Souvenir Book cover celebrated LISA HANAWALT the 75th anniversary of Wonder Wom- with three costume changes. The an and was also the official T-shirt. Cartoonist, writer-producer, educational panels at the San Diego BoJack Horseman Central Library, now officially called BELOW: The casts of Black Panther the “Comic Conference for Educators (Daniel Kaluuya, Danai Gurira, Chad- and Librarians,” grew to three com- wick Boseman, Letitia Wright, and plete days and were open to people Michael B. Jordan) and Justice League KEITH KNIGHT without . Hall H attendees (Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, and Ray Cartoonist, Fisher) at their Hall H presentations. got free wands to wield in Warner The K Chronicles Bros. Fantastic Beasts panel. WB also presented Justice League with stars Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck, and Gal Gadot, plus Chris Pine joined Gal for ED McGUINNESS Wonder Woman, and the cast of Sui- Comic book artist, cide Squad, including and Superman/Batman, Margot Robbie, appeared. Marvel Studios announced Black Panther and (both with cast members), and introduced Brie Lar- PATRICK ROTHFUSS son as the star of Captain Marvel, author, making Comic-Con once again THE Kingkiller Chronicle series place to be for Marvel movie news and stars. Sherlock with Benedict Cumberbatch made its Hall H de- but, and the Arrowverse domi- BABS TARR nated Ballroom 20 on Saturday, Comic book artist, with Arrow, The Flash, , and of Tomorrow all taking the Batgirl stage. Comic-Con introduced its first- ever official app, sponsored by NBC, which enabled attendees to have the G. WILLOW WILSON complete, updated schedule in their Author, comic book writer, pockets at all times. Alif the Unseen, Ms. Marvel

COMIC-CON 50 Wonder Woman TM & © DC Comics COMIC-CON 50 14 2019 Souvenir Book www.comic-con.org 15 OPPOSITE PAGE,TOP ROW: A bird’s-eye view of the Exhibit Hall circa 2017.

SECOND ROW, LEFT TO 2017 RIGHT: Supergirl star Melissa 2017 COMIC-CON 48 Benoist; artist COMIC-CON 48 and British talk show host Jonathan Ross at the Eisner Awards; Marvel Studios presi- JULY 20–23 dent received an NOTABLE Inkpot Award in Hall H. GUESTS THIRD ROW, LEFT: Davos and San Diego Sansa (Liam Cunningham and Convention Sophie Turner) together again at the Game of Thrones panel. Center RIGHT: great was the ROXANE GAY Attendance: recipient of the Comic-Con Author, comic book writer, 135,000+ Icon Award. Black Panther: World of Wakanda BOTTOM: Cast members from Thor: Ragnarok leave the stage Comic-Con saluted both in Hall H. Left to right: Chris ERICA HENDERSON and Will Eisner on their 100th birth- Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, days. Both artists were part of the Mark Ruffalo, and Cate Blanchett. Comic book artist, Comic-Con family for many years. Unbeatable The celebration included lengthy THIS PAGE, TOP: Comic-Con saluted the tributes in the Souvenir Book and 100th birthday of Jack Kirby with this Souve- panels with both Kirby and Eisner nir Book cover by , which united family members in attendance. Kir- DC and Marvel Comics characters co-created TOM KING by was awarded a posthumous Icon by the King. Comic book writer, Award. The Marriott Marquis Hotel Batman, Mister Miracle opened a new facility, which Comic- BELOW: Cartoonist signs at Con took over with an expanded An- the booth. ime suite of four rooms. The CCI-IFF moved there, along with the popular Fan Culture room and a new Pinball Comic book writer-artist, Lounge was opened. At the Library, the educational program schedule The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye expanded to Wednesday through Sunday, once again allowing any- one to attend. Hall H programs on MARJORIE LIU Friday were taken over by TV pro- Author, comic book writer, grams, with and Marvel’s joining Big Bang Theory, co-creator, Game of Thrones, and both Walking Dead series. Warner Bros. presented Justice League, Runner 2049 and Ready Player One, while Marvel Studios offeredThor: Ragnarok and Author, illustrator, Avengers: Infinity .On Sunday, Invention of Hugo Cabret fans said goodbye to Peter Capaldi as The Doctor. Marvel Comics great ABOVE: The official T-shirt celebrated Batgirl’s Marie Severin was the Icon Award 50th anniversary with art by Rafael Albuquerque; R. L. STINE Recipient. a Comic-Con logo T-shirt used “Kirby Crackle” to salute Jack’s 100th; this design also appeared on a Author, creator, tote bag. Goosebumps series

COMIC-CON 50 , Thor TM & © 2019 MARVEL • Mister Miracle, , Batgirl TM & © DC Comics COMIC-CON 50 16 2019 Souvenir Book www.comic-con.org 17 OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP ROW: DC Comics cosplay at the DC Comics 2018 booth. 2018 COMIC-CON 49 SECOND ROW COMIC-CON 49 LEFT: The Walking Dead cast mem- bers in Hall H (left to right): Andrew NOTABLE July 19–22 Lincoln, , Danai GUESTS Gurira, Lauren Co- San Diego han, and Jeffrey Convention Dean Morgan.

Center RIGHT: Writer- artist Emil Ferris RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE signed her new Attendance: graphic novel, Comic book artist, 135,000+ My Favorite Thing , Batgirl Is Monsters, at the Fantagraph- ics booth. She Comic-Con partnered with Mondo EMIL FERRIS went on to win to produce this year’s Souvenir Book three 2018 Eisner Comic book writer-artist, cover by British illustrator Matt Tay- Awards, includ- My Favorite Thing Is Monsters lor, celebrating the 10th anniversary ing Best Graphic of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Album—New. The cover art was also offered as a limited-edition -screen print to THIRD ROW LEFT: Comic-Con attendees. The Eisner creator Fantasy author, Awards celebrated their 30th anni- . versary. For the first time, Comic-Con All Souls trilogy and the city of San Diego shut down RIGHT: There’s Harbor Drive, allowing only badged always something members on Convention Center fun going on in the R. C. HARVEY Games rooms. property. This reduced crowding Comics historian, cartoonist, and helped augment show security. First announced in 2017, the Comic- BOTTOM LEFT: The Art of the Funnies Con Museum had its first-ever booth Jodie Whittaker in the Exhibit Hall, offering made her first memberships, and also held its first appearance at Comic-Con for RANDY REYNALDO panel. (For more on the Museum, see Doctor Who. page 174.) Programming grew to 28 Comic book writer-artist, separate rooms scattered between RIGHT: Comic-Con Rob Hanes Adventures the Convention Center, nearby ho- president John tels, Horton Grand Theatre, and the Rogers at a “Comic- Downtown Library, with more than Con Talkback” MATT TAYLOR 850 programs. Fans got their first panel. look at the new Doctor, Jodie Whit- British illustrator, taker, in her Hall H debut. Sadly, 2018 THIS PAGE TOP: Matt Taylor’s stunning Souvenir Book cover, Mondo posters and pins ended with the of Comic-Con produced in conjunction with Mondo, celebrated the 10th an- president John Rogers, whose - niversary of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. ary leadership propelled the show’s ABOVE: Jöelle Jones’s Catwoman was the official T-shirt. rising success from the mid- PETER J. TOMASI through the 2010s. It was the end of LEFT: One of the enamel pins available to Comic-Con attend- ees, which were included in the boxes mailed out to Comic book writer, an era. people who pre-registered. Batman and , Superman

COMIC-CON 50 Souvenir Book cover art TM & © 2018 MARVEL• Catwoman TM & © DC Comics COMIC-CON 50 18 2019 Souvenir Book www.comic-con.org 19 Obviously we have no photos from Comic-Con 2019 (the De- Lorean is in the shop AGAIN), so please enjoy this look at Rick Geary’s special 50th anniversary Toucan from sketch to final SPECIAL art, and turn the page to see “Cover Story,” the story behind Jim THANKS 2019 Lee’s amazing cover for this year’s Souvenir Book! COMIC-CON 50 Comic-Con has been fortunate over the years to have a dedi- cated team of photog- raphers who recorded JULY 18–21 the event for us. While we don’t have space for individual photo San Diego credits or to mention Convention everyone who has ever taken a photo for us, Center we do want to thank the following for their contributions in docu- Attendance: menting the history of ??? the event. 2019 dawned with the first new JACKIE president of Comic-Con in over three ESTRADA decades. Long-time volunteer and VP of Events, Robin Donlan, took TONY AMAT over as president. Fae Desmond, in BARRY BROWN charge of the corporation’s day-to- day business, continued in her role as JODY CORTES executive director. Comic-Con added PATRICK four more Graphic Novel Book Clubs: CRISTOBAL an additional one at the Escondido Public Library, and new ones at the TOM DELEON Comic-Con Museum in Balboa Park, CHUK GAWLIK the Chula Vista Public library, and a special club for educators at the TINA GILL San Diego Office of Education. This brought the total number of Book KEVIN GREEN Clubs up to 11, scattered around TOM GURNEE San Diego County and all meeting monthly (for more info on the Book FRITZ HARMON Clubs and to see what they’re read- HENRY LEE ing in 2019, turn to page 236). This is the 50th consecutive San RUDY Diego Comic-Con, and we’re mark- MANAHAN ing the occasion with a special “Com- ERIC OLAES ic-Con 50” celebration. This special edition of the Souvenir Book is just a ALBERT part of that, with panels, parties, and ORTEGA special merchandise commemorat- ing the event. As we close another MAYA ORTEGA decade and hurtle toward the once- SCOTTY OSON seemingly far-in-the-future world of 2020, Comic-Con remains commit- JOHNAKIN ted to bringing you, our attendees, RANDOLPH the best possible show we can pro- DANIEL SAKOW duce. We sincerely hope you enjoy—or For more of Rick Geary’s enjoyed—Comic-Con 2019! Toucan art for Comic-Con, see pages 116-118. BILL WATTERS

COMIC-CON 50 20 2019 Souvenir Book