By Luis Monteagudo Jr.
Comic-Con 2016 wrapped up on Sunday, so it’s time to a look back at the sights, sounds and observations of another crazy year.
“The crazy thing is this is the nice and quiet day.”
— A man to his friend as they tried to navigate the crowded convention center floor during Preview Night on Wednesday.
“Comic-Con is one never-ending line. Sometimes you’re not even sure what you’re in line for.”
– A woman the next morning, trying to get into a “Thunderbirds Are Go” exhibit outside the convention center.
“The Klingons are a little bit more rough and ready in their way.”
— It’s not unusual for fans to engage in arguments and deep discussions about their favorite television shows or movies. But that quote came from former federal judge Paul Grewal in a discussion with several lawyers, including a state Supreme Court judge, about justice and the law on Star Trek.
“You could either be a nerd or be black. You couldn’t be both. I grew up reading Tolkien. No one from the ‘hood read Tolkien.”
– San Bernardino English teacher Vannee Matsalla-Smith in a panel focusing on “Women of Color” in comics.
“I punched him in the face, but luckily he’s Australian so it didn’t hurt.”
— Actor Alan Tudyk, talking about punching one of his co-stars in the television show “Con Man.”
Our unofficial poll on the most popular costumes of Comic-Con found a tie this year between the new-look Harley Quinn from the upcoming “Suicide Squad” movie and Rey from “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
Andrew Lincoln, star of one of TV’s “The Walking Dead,” sported gold glitter on his beard due to a prank that backfired during the highly anticipated panel for the show.
Comic-Con’s impact on San Diego has been discussed and analyzed many times over. But just walk through the Gaslamp near the convention center on Saturday night, arguably the Con’s craziest night, with hordes or people dressed up as zombies or superheroes and locals and out-of-towners lining both sides of Fifth Avenue and you’ll see that Comic-Con has become San Diego’s Mardi Gras.
Finally, we’ll leave you with this image: a fan proposing to his girlfriend during the “Supernatural” panel, saying he wanted her by his side slaying zombies for the rest of their lives. Only at Comic-Con!
See you next year.
Luis Monteagudo Jr. is a freelance writer and pop culture enthusiast who has attended Comic-Con for more than 20 years. He was written for The San Diego Union-Tribune, USA Today and numerous other publications.
