Best Episode Ever: Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan’s hope

As most of you know, San Diego Comic Con (SDCC) holds a special place in my heart. I’ve been attending for 13 years and have really seen the convention grow from focused on comics to the pop culture convention it is today. With that growth we’ve seen changes. Changes in the audience that attends, changes in how we get our tickets, and yes even the changes in the hotel reservation. Even as the convention grows, I have never felt anger toward the new audience. San Diego Comic Con is now the place to go for movie and television studios to get initial hype for their product. I’ve observed as people attend SDCC for different reasons now, and watched the showroom floor clear up when you get near the comics section. But through all the growth there has been hope that for whatever reasons that brought someone there, that maybe they’ll get exposed to something new and enjoy it.

Because of the growth of SDCC, media foams at the mouth to cover the event. To be honest, it’s great for us because we get access to stars and directors that would be difficult otherwise. Some of the coverage has been good and some of it has been distasteful. Anyone remember the article about Girls Guide to Comic Con? The article basically insinuated that women only go to the con for the hot actors. When I heard that Stan Lee and Morgan Spurlock were making a documentary, I was worried.

I was invited to see a screening of Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan’s Hope. I had to attend to see if it would be different than how I expected. It was. The documentary covers about four different stories which I believe captures a good cross section of the reasons people attend the convention. You have the cosplayers, the collectors, the artists, fans and a comic book store. The team behind this documentary could not have picked better people to highlight. The documentary did not go out of their way to make these individuals look bad or along some stereotype. Instead, it is an honest portrayal of their stories. The cosplayers do an amazing job at their Mass Effect cosplay. The collector made me laugh as I am very familiar with “running” to the Hasbro booth to be able to buy an item before it sells out. (Thank goodness for Preview Night!) It’s an interesting look at the artists going through portfolio feedback. I’ve never seen that part of SDCC before. The documentary follows Mile High Comics through the journey of the convention for a vendor. I found it interesting, because I shop at that booth yearly. I actually know exactly where on the floor Mile High Comics is located. The fans that the documentary followed can be cringe worthy, but an interesting look at their story since I was actually at the Hall H panel where the fans are. (I don’t want to give anything away!)

The documentary is sprinkled with statements from various professionals at the con. I thought these were spectacular. Although would have loved to see more women featured. Maybe next time.

I have to admit at times I cried. Alot. SDCC has a special place in my heart and Stan Lee with Morgan Spurlock definitely captured that. I think this documentary can be enjoyed by SDCC fans and people that wonder what SDCC is all about. I know I’ll be showing my parents because they’ve always been interested in what SDCC is like. I’m also convinced that I have to be in one of the crowd shots at some point! haha

Whether you are a fan of cosplay, comics or just general geekery, you really should watch this documentary. It’s amazing. I only wish that the same team works on a look at the gaming industry.