Saturday at Comic-Con brought out some of the biggest names in TV and film, as well as lots of fans and attendees who couldn’t make it to the San Diego Convention Center during the work week.
It’s typically the biggest day for Hollywood news and celebrity sightings, and this year was no different, with the cast and creators from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Apple TV and other major studios giving their presentations. Hall H was expected to have the biggest celebrity sightings, but it takes a lot of hours of waiting in line and an exclusive wristband to get inside.
The San Diego Union-Tribune’s writers, photographers and editors were in downtown San Diego looking for the most interesting moments to share. Here’s what they saw.
Audible’s Level Up Lounge
Conner Lyon, 23, of Temecula, participates in a photo opportunity at the Level Up Lounge by Audible. (Abby Hamblin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Visitors to the Level Up Lounge by Audible can listen to samples of “Dungeon Crawler Carl” and “Bobiverse.” (Abby Hamblin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Visitors to the Level Up Lounge by Audible could sample various themed foods such as Homer’s Halo Donut. (Abby Hamblin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Patrick McKinley, 57, from San Marcos, creates a Crawler Report based on the popular book series “Dungeon Crawler Carl” at the Level Up Lounge by Audible. (Abby Hamblin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Visitors to the Level Up Lounge by Audible share their advice for surviving Comic-Con and the words are displayed on the wall. (Abby Hamblin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Visitors to the Level Up Lounge by Audible are given a class pin based on their self-assessed strengths. (Abby Hamblin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Roxana Rosales and Janna Wilzen Martinez help participants trade in their XP for prizes at Audible’s Level Up Lounge. (Abby Hamblin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Conner Lyon, 23, of Temecula, participates in a photo opportunity at the Level Up Lounge by Audible. (Abby Hamblin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Audible hosted a Level Up Lounge promoting “Dungeon Crawler Carl” and “Bobiverse.” Fans participated in various activities to collect XP that could be turned in for prizes. Swing Social, 527 Fifth Ave.
— Abby Hamblin
A giant robot
A giant robot, not based on any specific character in pop culture, was seen roaming the exhibit hall Saturday. (Madeleine Kashkooli / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
A giant robot roamed the exhibit hall Friday morning. “Make way! Make way!” he boomed before agreeing to take photos with several little kids. The crowd buzzed with excitement — and confusion, with many asking who he was supposed to be. In fact, the robot was made up from scratch and is not based on an existing character.
— Madeleine Kashkooli
An update on the Latverian witch
The Latverian Witch, seen in three different colored robes the past three days of Comic-Con, has now been replaced by Dr. Doom. (Madeleine Kashkooli / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
The Latverian witch, seen in three different colored robes the past three days of Comic-Con, has now been replaced by Dr. Doom himself at the Marvel booth in promotion of “Avengers: Doomsday.” The panel for the upcoming movie took place Satuday at 5:30 p.m. Hall H. No. 2329. Exhibit Hall.
— Madeleine Kashkooli
The Onion
Visitors to downtown San Diego during Comic-Con Saturday could grab an edition of The Onion. (Madeleine Kashkooli / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
A group of Captain Americas-turned-paperboys handed out copies of “The Onion” in the Gaslamp Quarter. Their costumes honored the spirit of Comic-Con while also matching the patriotic issue of the satiric newspaper, which claimed to be celebrating America’s 250th. Corner of Fifth Avenue and L Street.
— Madeleine Kashkooli
Super Man and a super prop
Gregory W. Harris cosplays as Superman Saturday at Comic-Con. (Maya Santiago / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Gregory W. Harris cosplays as Superman Saturday at Comic-Con. (Maya Santiago / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Gregory W. Harris cosplays as Superman Saturday at Comic-Con. (Maya Santiago / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Flanked by eager fans, Gregory W. Harris hauls an inflatable “Daily Planet” earth prop around the convention center for his Superman costume. An Arkansas native, it’s his 10th year at San Diego Comic-Con.
— Maya Santiago
A winter scene in the Gaslamp Quarter
A promotional scene for the move “Ebenezer,” at 235 Fifth Ave. in the Gaslamp Quarter. (Abby Hamblin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
A promotional scene for the move “Ebenezer,” at 235 Fifth Ave. in the Gaslamp Quarter. (Abby Hamblin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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A promotional scene for the move “Ebenezer,” at 235 Fifth Ave. in the Gaslamp Quarter. (Abby Hamblin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
A storefront in the Gaslamp Quarter has been renovated to look like a snow-covered historic building. The scene is to promote the upcoming film, “Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol.” A QR code next to the front door sends fans to Johnny Depp’s Instagram account. He’s starring in the film alongside Daisy Ridley, Sam Claflin, Jacob Marley and Rupert Grint. 235 Fifth Ave.
— Abby Hamblin
“Widow’s Bay” visitor’s center
A visitor’s center for Widow’s Bay was set up Saturday in downtown San Diego near the Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade. (Abby Hamblin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
A visitor’s center for Widow’s Bay was set up Saturday in downtown San Diego near the Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade. (Abby Hamblin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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A visitor’s center for Widow’s Bay was set up Saturday in downtown San Diego near the Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade. (Abby Hamblin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
New Saturday in the Gaslamp Quarter was a display to promote the TV show “Widow’s Bay.” Fans could take a photo and grab a souvenir at the same time that an Apple TV panel inside the San Diego Convention Center hosted the cast of the show.
— Abby Hamblin
The Hall H line reached nearly to Seaport Village
Lazarick Whitlock and Mike Rodriguez, who became friends after meeting at a previous Comic-Con, waited in line behind the San Diego Convention Center on Saturday after getting a wristband for Hall H. (Abby Hamblin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Lazarick Whitlock and Mike Rodriguez, who became friends after meeting at a previous Comic-Con, waited in line behind the San Diego Convention Center on Saturday after getting a wristband for Hall H. (Abby Hamblin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Fans looking to have a seat in Comic-Con’s largest hall for the Marvel Studios presentation and other panels Saturday had to plan out their strategy and logistics in advance for a process requiring hours of waiting in line and a coveted wrist band. Lazarick Whitlock, 35, and Mike Rodriguez, 44, were among the last few dozen people in a line stretching behind the San Diego Convention Center to nearly Seaport Village. The friends, both from LA, met at a previous Comic-Con and bonded over their love of the X-Men franchise. “It’s not unique to the line, I think it’s unique to Comic-Con, there’s just massive community,” Rodriguez said. “It doesn’t matter what you’re nerdy about, everyone is just happy that you’re here celebrating here celebrating what you like and what you love. We’re all happy that the other person is happy and living their best life.”
— Abby Hamblin
An expensive figurine
A $3,758 figurine of the Jungle Hunter from the 1987 science action movie “Predator.” (Maya Santiago / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
A $3,758 figurine of the Jungle Hunter from the 1987 science action movie “Predator” is on display at the Premium Collectibles Studio (PCS) booth in the exhibition hall. Around 200 limited edition figurines will be pre-ordered and shipped during Comic-Con weekend, according to Ant Adams, CEO and creative director of PCS. Each hair is hand placed and painted with lighting fixtures on the head mask and canon prop, contributing to the high cost. No. 329. Exhibit Hall.
— Maya Santiago
Patton Oswalt
Comedian and voice actor Patton Oswalt signs comic books Saturday at Comic-Con. (Maya Santiago / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Comedian and voice actor Patton Oswalt signs comic books Saturday at Comic-Con. (Maya Santiago / The San Diego Union-Tribune)Comedian and voice actor Patton Oswalt signed comic books at the Dark Horse Comics booth as a long line of fans snaked around the signing. He is well-known for voicing Remy in “Ratatouille” and Max in “The Secret Life of Pets.” TV and film writers Jordan Blum and Heath Corson were also in attendance. No. 2615.
— Maya Santiago
The Ecksteins
Ashley Eckstein and her husband David Eckstein at a panel in 29AB about the HypeFriend podcast and the each of their upcoming books. (Abby Hamblin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
When Michael James Scott was unable to join Ashley Eckstein for a panel about their podcast HypeFriend, her husband, David, a former San Diego Padres player and two-time MLB champion, no less, was called in the pinch hit. The couple was also able to talk about both of their upcoming books: “Lucky 22” and “Just Enough.” Ashley Eckstein is also a voice actress and the founder of the Her Universe fashion label.
— Abby Hamblin
A surprise performance
Brothers Brenden and Sean Mehafy busk on the street in the Gaslamp Quarter. (Maya Santiago / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Brothers Brenden and Sean Mehafy busk on the street in the Gaslamp Quarter. (Maya Santiago / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Brothers Brenden and Sean Mehafy busk on the street in the Gaslamp Quarter dressed as characters from Pokémon while drawing a small crowd of pedestrians. They first attended Comic-Con in 2017 and finally worked up the courage this year to start performing near the convention center. In addition to acapella, they incorporated the accordion into their songs and play soundtracks from Star Wars, Legends of Zelda and more. “We’re just geeky brothers doing geeky stuff,” said Brenden Mehafay.
— Maya Santiago
Classic comics
Cool Lines Art is selling comic book art covers and pages from the 1930s to the present. (Madeleine Kashkooli / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
“The Amazing Spider-Man #203” signed cover by Frank Miller for $225,000. (Madeleine Kashkooli / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
“Spider Man vs Daredevil” portfolio plate with finished pencils for $125,000. (Madeleine Kashkooli / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
“Jungle Jests” artwork by John Samuel Pughe from an 1890s issue of Puck magazine. (Madeleine Kashkooli / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
A double cover of “Elektra #3” by Frank Miller from 1983 for $295,000. (Madeleine Kashkooli / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Cool Lines Art is selling comic book art covers and pages from the 1930s to the present. (Madeleine Kashkooli / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Cool Lines Art is selling comic book art covers and pages from the 1930s to the present. They also have newspaper comic strips and art from as early as the 19th century. Covers by acclaimed creators like Frank Miller are on sale for hundreds of thousands of dollars, with one from “The Elektra Saga” from 1983 priced at $295,000. Exhibitor Stephen Donnelly said he hopes the booth highlights the connections between different mediums, like how art in 19th century newspapers paved the way for the comic books of today. No. 5112. Exhibit Hall.
— Madeleine Kashkooli