In April, San Diego Comic-Con 2020 was canceled due to the coronovirus pandemic. But Comic Con International is still planning on running a version of their annual pop culture event, moving it online.
Comic-Con@Home
After teasing the concept in May, Comic-Con International announced the first details for “Comic-Con@Home,” an online event that will combine aspects of the convention experience with the comforts and safety of home. According to the release, SDCC hopes “to deliver the best of the Comic-Con experience and a sense of its community to anyone with an internet connection and an interest in all aspects of pop culture.” Comic-Con@Home will be held on the same dates as the canceled Comic-Con, July 22-26, 2020.
According to the announcement, the plans for Comic-Con@Home include an online Exhibit Hall which will include exhibitors offering promotions, specials, and limited edition products. San Diego Comic-Con is often where merchandisers show off or announce new products or exclusives, so even without a con this year, this could mean there will be something new for Star Trek fans. In fact, TrekMovie recently reported on an SDCC exclusive, the new Picard facepalm bust from Icon Heroes.
Comic-Con@Home also promises “exclusive panels and presentations about comics, gaming, television, film, and a wide variety of topics from publishers, studios, and more.” In recent years CBS has used SDCC to announce new Star Trek projects as well as hold panels and release new images and videos. It has also hosted news-making panels and events on Star Trek comics, merchandise and documentaries, meaning it’s likely we’ll still see Star Trek-related announcements or releases, even though the convention is online. Comic-Con International already has done some of this with WonderCon@Home. After that April event had to be canceled, a few panels were done online, including one by IDW for Star Trek comics.
Sir Patrick Stewart introduced at the Star Trek: Picard panel by moderator, with Alex Kurtzman and Isa Briones looking on, at San Diego Comic-Con 2019
Comic-Con@Home is also planning virtual fan-inclusive events including an online version of the Masquerade fashion show, gaming, and many other activities. Perhaps the best news is that the con will be entirely free, although they will also provide badges for fans to print and wear proudly to show off their geek cred. Online attendees are encouraged to use the official #ComicConAtHome hashtag to be included in the virtual activities.
“For the first time in our 50-year history, we are happy to welcome virtually anyone from around the globe,” said SDCC spokesperson David Glanzer. “Though stay-at-home conditions makes this a very difficult time, we see this as an opportunity to spread some joy and strengthen our sense of community.”
Organizers and participating entities will begin providing additional details in announcements leading up to the event. Hopefully this will include CBS and others involved in Star Trek. TrekMovie will continue to monitor all updates as well as report on Star Trek-related news that happens during Comic-Con@Home.
This Icon Heroes Picard bust was the first announced Star Trek SDCC 2020 exclusive
Keep up with all the Star Trek event news and reports at TrekMovie.com.
I thought Comic-Con was dead this year.
Star Trek, Star Wars, and Marvel news are what I love about San Diego Comic-Con every year. Being a geek and embracing nerd culture is what I do.
Virtual conventions are the future. Staying at home is not so bad. My parents are not that annoying LOL.
Virtual Cons are PART of the future, but in-person cons will be back.
I guess that this means we can all get to “be at” SDCC without getting beat out of a ticket or have to wait in line to wait in line for a pass. I love this idea, THANK YOU SDCC.
But will Comic-Con@Home be available Globally, or is this a US-only thing? Like most things when it comes to entertainment from Hollywood.
Probably be available globally. Mike you don’t have to be harsh. Hollywood cares about the world. From Russia to Tajikistan.
Hollywood cares about the world only in the sense that it is a market they can sell their products to.
Checkmate. That’s my point
There’s this quote in the article:
“For the first time in our 50-year history, we are happy to welcome virtually anyone from around the globe,” said SDCC spokesperson David Glanzer.
That sounds like it should be open to people from outside the US.
Apologies for reacting prematurely, and not reading the full article. Thank you.
Interesting, thank you.
Wow for the very first time in my life I’M GOING TO COMIC CON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is so EXCITING! I guess now I can probably wear my cosplay Sisko Starfleet uniform!!! Yes, yes, I know I’m only going to be wearing it in front of a computer, but it’s to get into the spirit. I mean I wear it every time I’m on Trekmovie, so it would be exactly like that! ;D
Quote: “I mean I wear it every time I’m on Trekmovie”
Given how much time you seem to be spending here is there any time to wash it or do you just take full advantage of social distancing? ;-)
I wash it before bed! :)