We are in the middle of Comic Con season! Whilst that is great to hear all the news about my favourite TV shows, or see trailers for upcoming movies. Watch the live stream of panels and see all the amazing photos on social media. It also means Con Envy! You know the feeling dreaming that you too could be in Southern California experiencing the wonder that is San Diego Comic Con (SDCC).
Whilst I had always been aware of SDCC and wanted to go, it wasn’t until about twelve years ago con envy set in. It was still in the early days of social media, so there wasn’t a lot of places to see the delights of SDCC. That year, I was obsessed with Lost, it was just after the first season had ended and I was eager for news of season two. I found a recording of the panel from “Hall H” and soon after that my infatuation with SDCC began.
Over the years, social media had increased my con envy. I have watched countless panels youtube, seen hundred of photos on Instagram, seen all the breaking news via Twitter. The weeks after SDCC I read numerous blog posts about other peoples experiences all dreaming that one day I will get to go! But this year I am going to try to be a little more realistic in an attempt to control my con envy.
First of all, you spend a lot of time at cons queuing. Yes I know lining up all night can be fun and that you make friends in the queue. But let’s be realistic, you have to queue to enter the convention centre, queue for the panels, queue for the shops and even queue for the toilets! It gets a bit much.
Secondly, even if you are at the Con you will have FOMO. Have you seen the timetable for SDCC, it’s full. There would be a lot of events on at the same time. I know from previous experience you have to make decisions which panels or events you want to attend. Then there are all the unexpected moments that you hear about after all. When you are not in line you are rushing about to get somewhere.
Finally, you would spend a lot of money! Cons are expensive, not just the tickets, travel and accommodation. There is also the merchandise. Funko, Hasbro and Her Universe are all teasing their SDCC exclusives online plus all the figures or comics you would buy to fill in your collection. Then there is the artist’s alley and official merchandise. It all adds up. Oh who am I kidding, we all know I will end up buying the Con exclusives from eBay for twice the price.
Recommend reading if you are going to SDCC
Geeks Who Eat – Not Getting Hangry At A Con
My Geek Parade – How To Budget For A Con
The Nerdy Girlie – Comic Con Survival Bag
Featured Image: Credit Gage Skidmore