It was announced today that Comic Con will be staying in San Diego. At least for a few more years. The new contract keep the convention in San Diego until 2015. Both Los Angeles and Anaheim aggressively bid on the largest pop culture convention.

Comic-Con Director of Marketing and Public Relations David Glanzer said after the announcement, “We are grateful for the tireless efforts all three cities put into their proposals. In the end, we feel this decision is the best for all those who attend Comic-Con and for the organization itself. WE are happy that the community has worked with us to ensure that we remain here.”

The city of San Diego has a love hate relationship with the conference. The city probably hates the intrusion but loves the money. San Diego was talking about expanding the Convention center which hopefully they will do since they have outgrown the space. Hopefully since it’s staying in San Diego, the way they do Hotel reservations will change. I will try to get ahold of them about that in the meantime.

So who’s joining me next year?

Going to SDCC this week? GamingAngels will be a media sponsor for the Geek Girls & Friends Tweet-Up hosted by @geekgirls @thenerdybird and @geekgirldiva. If you’re in San Diego join us at the biggest Geek Tweet-Up event of all time on Friday July 23 from 8pm-11pm at Jolt ‘N Joes (Gaslamp location) in San Diego. Meet fellow lady geeks and listen to the DJ beats of @aboynamedart (co-host of Hour42). We’ll be giving away games and other prizes so be sure to stop by!

And make sure to say hello to @gamingangel when you see her!

RSVP at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=335537440666

For more information, check out http://geekgirlsnetwork.com/blog/events/

In the last four years, San Diego Comic Con badges have sold out so far in advance that if you didn’t buy them early enough, you were out of luck. SDCC keeps growing and growing which causes people to have to plan early for the next year just to be able to go. This is my 11th year going to SDCC and I’m already set with my badge and hotel, but in case you aren’t SDCC has some good news for you.

From the SDCC Twitter this afternoon:
2 BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS! #1: MON. 6/28 10am PDT Additional Hotel/Badge packages go on sale! More info on Monday

ANNOUNCEMENT #2: MON. 6/28, 12pm PDT Additional badges will go on sale! More info on Monday #SDCC

The Hotels in the Hotel/Badge packages are in Mission Valley on the shuttle route.

Looks like we’ll find out Monday when the badges go on sale! Good luck to those that are going to try again! Maybe next year they will actually fix the hotel reservation system.

1. Simon Görtzen (Aachen, Germany)
2. Kyle Boggemes (Waterford, Michigan)
3. Luis Scott-Vargas (Oakland, California)
4. Craige Wescoe (Cincinnati, Ohio)
5. Daniel Gräfensteiner (Nürnberg, Germany)
6. Niels Viaene (Gent, Belgium)
7. Yoshihiko Ikawa (Nishitokyo, Japan)
8. Jeroen Kanis (Rotterdam, Netherlands)

I am especially proud to see Luis Scott-Vargas’ name grace this list as I had the chance to see his games at Grand Prix Oakland. It’s great to see players representing so many countries, proving that this is definitely a worldwide past time. Next stop on the professional circuit is Pro Tour—San Juan in Puerto Rico, May 28 to 30.

I don’t know really what to think about this. San Diego Comic Con is already close to selling out it’s four day passes. Last month, SDCC sold out of the four day passes with preview night and now have 25% left of regular four day passes.

This year is my eleventh year attending San Diego Comic Con and to say it has grown is an understatement. The crowds get bigger and bigger and it appears that SDCC has had to learn to cap it’s audience. Probably due to safety violations.

It’s almost shocking to think of four day passes selling out eight months in advance of the convention. Hotels are typically listed in February or March. People could be buying a ticket to attend and have no idea if they will actually obtain a hotel room when that time comes.

If you want to make sure you get a pass to SDCC, you really should buy it now. You can purchase a ticket here. Four day passes are $100 for an adult and $50 for kids 12-17. Remember tickets cannot be transferred.

San Diego Comic Con has definitely become the place to go for all things geek (just like GamingAngels). I just hope that more attention gets placed on Comics this year. Last year there were quite a few complaints from Comic Book Publishers that their fans couldn’t attend their panel due to people going early for a panel on a tv show. That needs to be fixed so that Comic Con can celebrate Hollywood but really be about Comics for the rest of us.

The Tester

A couple weeks ago we wrote about a brand new reality show for the Playstation Network, The Tester.

The Tester is a unique reality show where the winner won’t get money but instead will win a contract position in the Quality Assurance department in San Diego, CA.

We recently sat with Scott, a casting director for The Tester to find out what they are looking for turns out it’s you! They are looking for more females to apply! The week before had only 3 women apply while they had tons of men. Scott stated they are looking for women that can kick some butt and are passionate about a career in the game industry.

The contest opens a door into the gaming industry. At many conferences, I’ve heard panels say that Q&A is the good way to start a career in the game industry.

Scott told us that they are looking for gamers that have an outgoing personality and has actual skills. They aren’t just looking for a pretty face, they are looking for someone that can play.

The form to enter is up here. But if you are really interested and are over 21, you can email Scott directly at, scott@iconiccasting.com. Email Scott with the following information:
First and last name
Age
Contact information
Games you excel at
Why you want to be on the show
Two pictures

If you can’t do a video, don’t worry, the casting department is willing to talk to women over aim or skype about the show. You don’t have to live in Southern California to enter either.

Good luck and let us know if you decide to apply for the show! We’d love to help you get on any way we can!

Alice in Wonderland at SDCC

Disney made a huge statement at San Diego Comic Con this year with their viral exhibits held outside of the Convention center. We took you through Floyd’s Arcade but now it’s time to go through the rabbit hole and visit Alice in Wonderland.

I’m ecstatic to see Tim Burton take the reigns and show us what his Alice and his Wonderland would be like. But not only did we get to see a trailer and talk to Tim Burton at SDCC (that’s coming soon), but Disney set up an exhibit where visitors can see all the props used in Tim Burton’s film.

First they greeted you with a key attached to a card that had the details of the tour written on it. The setup is a touring exhibition but I was told that it will only be open to the public at San Diego Comic Con. Otherwise it’s an invite only type event.

As you walk through the rabbit hole, you come out to Alice’s area. We are shown the actual props that she used for Drink me or Eat me as well as the key. They also have the smaller door that was used when Alice shrunk.

Alice door

From there we went to the Mad Hatter’s tea party where they had the actual tea party table set up. In this room was the Mad Hatter’s costume, wig, and even the flowers from the flower garden.

Tea Party

The Red Queen’s room is next where we saw the costume they used along with the various props. I believe she had more props in that room than any other room. From her glasses to the wig and the boots to the mace, the room featured everything the Red Queen used. Even the chair she sat in. Here I have to get a little bitter. The tour guide tells us we can take pictures in the chair. One girl jumps in the chair and takes her picture, all of a sudden we’re surrounded by security who say we can’t take pictures in the chair. So here’s a picture of the chair and you’ll just have to imagine me in it.

Red Queen throne

The last room was the White Queen’s room which contained the costume for the White Queen but also the armor that Alice wore in the fight with the Jabberwocky. The room also showed the weapons they used. The last wall showed the picture of the White Kingdom and hung in the hallway as we walked out were various movie posters.

It was an amazing exhibit and as a fan it just made me even more excited for the upcoming film. March 2010 can’t get here fast enough! The flickr slideshow below has more pictures of the event. Look for my Tim Burton coverage to be posted in a few days.

San Diego Comic Con by GamingAngels

San Diego Comic Con may be known to mass media as the place where Hollywood goes to sell it’s latest tv shows and movies. But those of us that are regulars to SDCC know that the exclusives are where it’s at.

The first rule to San Diego Comic Con exclusives is to pre-map out what you are interested in. At the SDCC website, they have started to accumulate a list of exclusives. The list will probably go, so you’ll want to check again before you leave for SDCC.

With each post you’ll typically get a picture, a description of the item, the price and the run. It’s very important to look at the production run. This will determine how difficult it will be to get an item. While making your list, make sure to list the studio that way you can look the studio up and get the booth number. I like to do “targeted shopping”. I know what I want and go and get it.

For the majority, most of the items will be extremely difficult to buy. There will be long lines, and some booths make customers get a ticket first. Those booths will start offering tickets when SDCC opens. They will give out the tickets until they are gone. A ticket does not secure an item though. Later in the afternoon, they will post random ticket numbers and those winning numbers will be able to purchase the exclusive.

Going through the list there are some interesting items. Acme Archives Limited will have a good looking Tron print. Diamond Select Toys has a minimate of the StayPuft Marshmellow and Venkman. Hasbro has the Transformers: 25th Anniversary Soundwave Special Edition which will include four of the cassettes : BUZZSAW, LASERBEAK, RATBAT and RAVAGE.

What I really want is the Mezco Mez-Itz Comic Book Hellboy shown below:

Hellboy SDCC exclusive

Remember with planning, you can beat the crowds and come home with the exclusives you want.

Wonder Woman from DC Universe Online

DC Universe Online wants to know who your favorite hero or villain is in the DC Comics Universe. From the picture you can tell that mine is Wonder Woman. Sony Online Entertainment want fans to submit videos on the official MySpace site (http://www.myspace.com/dcuo) or at SOE’s booth #5201 at San Diego Comic-Con.

The videos should be up to 30 seconds about why they would like to virtually meet, fight and become BFFs with their chosen character.

“Whether it’s a song-and-dance tribute to the Pied Piper, or your diabolical plans to trick Mr. Mxyzptlk into saying his name backward, this is a chance to have fun and show just how creative fans can be,” said Debysue Wolfcale, global senior brand manager, Sony Online Entertainment.

Now what rhymes with Wonder Woman?

Twilight Manga

Most Twilight fans can’t get enough of Edward and Bella’s story. Now there will be a new way to enjoy their story. Yen Press will be publishing Twilight in graphic-novel form. The publication date has not been announced, so we’ll be waiting to hear that announcement at San Diego Comic Con.

EW got the exclusive of the picture and the information. Turns out that Meyer is heavily involved in the project and the project is not a mere drawn version of the movie. The artist is creating characters from the literary imagination instead.

“The description of Edward from biology class: “His dazzling face was friendly; open, a slight smile on his flawless lips. But his eyes were cautious.” And Bella: “I was ivory-skinned …. I had always been slender, but soft somehow, obviously not an athlete…”

We’ll be waiting for the announcements at SDCC to bring to you about the new Twilight Manga.