Comic-Con returns in full force with costumes, crowds

The pop culture extravaganza, Comic-Con International is back to its old extravagance. For the first time since 2019, stars, cosplayers, and hordes of fans are filling the San Diego Convention Center in full force. Here’s a look at this year’s version of the four-day festival.

Comic-Crowds

The pandemic forced the virtual versions of Comic-Con in 2020 and 2021 and a scaled-back in-person version in November but none were anything like the usual spectacle, with lovers of all things geeky descending from around the globe and arena-sized panels on films and TV shows that resemble sporting events.

It’s not yet clear whether the convention will draw the estimated 135,000 people who flooded San Diego before the pandemic. Notably, the fans came in droves, mobbing the floor when the doors of the Convention Center opened for Wednesday’s preview night. As required, nearly all wore masks, and the excitement amid the crowd was palpable.

“Everybody’s just been cooped up for a while, and they’ve been anticipating this,” said Dinh Truong. He came to Comic-Con for the second time from his hometown of Minneapolis. “It’s nice to see everybody in the same atmosphere. I’m excited to see the program, see what’s going on, see everybody cosplaying and all that, and just getting back to what we used to be.”

The organizers expect far bigger crowds till Thursday when the events begin in earnest.

About Comic-Cosplay

It’s likely no one has missed the in-person convention more than the cosplay captains, queens and connoisseurs. Comic-Con is their Met Gala, and no getup is too elaborate for this event.

Lorelei McKelvey, who is from San Diego but now lives in Yokosuka, Japan, was dressed as Captain Carter, Captain America’s British, World War II-era counterpart. “I had to do one that I could authentically replicate,” McKelvey said. “I went and did my research and found out what were the authentic British officer leathers worn in World War II, and I found manufacturers to actually make those leathers.”

She walked the Convention Center floor in real-as-possible officer cavalry boots and Royal Air Force gauntlets. Moreover, she carried a 5-pound steel shield with her.

McKelvey came to Comic-Con and worked at a booth for 20 straight years. This is her first time coming as a cosplayer, and her second time coming as a trans woman, and she’s excited to be reunited with the cherished friends she’s made here.

“My last convention is the first time they’ve seen me as Lorelei,” McKelvey said. “This is their first time to see me four years later and to see how much I’ve grown since then.”

Other attractions

Comic-Con makes most of its news as a venue to show off trailers and footage from forthcoming films and TV shows. This takes place during star-studded mega-panels held in Hall H, which hosts some 6,000 people. Announced panels include Warner Bros. and the DC Universe’s “Black Adam.” It will include Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. He played the titular antihero, director Jaume Collet-Serra, and the stars played Hawkman. It also includes Dr. Fate and other members of the Justice Society.