SDCC 2024 - Day 2
After an exhausting and action packed Day 1, I ventured into Day 2 of San Diego Comic Con 2024 with a new but very familiar companion: my wife. Having her join me for a couple of days over the weekend was fantastic. I was glad to have an extra pair of eyes, ears, and arms to help take in all the sights, sounds (and swag) that Friday at SDCC had to offer!
Morning at Bandai Namco
Our day started off with a visit to the Bandai Namco booth, where I conducted an interview with AJ Velasco, their Assistant Manager for Marketing and Communications. AJ provided insights into some of their latest products, as well as his personal approach to collecting. You can read more about our conversation in my detailed interview here.
Exploring Atsuko
Next, we headed over to Atsuko, an apparel company known for high-quality merchandise tailored for various body types. I had an engaging conversation with Jonathan Smith about their design philosophy and commitment to inclusivity. He even treated me to some awesome Berserk-themed apparel! Don’t miss out on our Twitter giveaway for a chance to win a Berserk hat, and stay tuned for our in-depth spotlight article on Atsuko and my chat with Jonathan.
A Trip to The Lodge
SDCC’s magic extends beyond the convention hall into San Diego's historic Gaslamp Quarter. One of the most popular activations this year was Paramount’s The Lodge, our next destination. The Lodge featured interactive sections like a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles pizzeria, a spray-on tattoo parlor, a Victorian-themed bar highlighting the upcoming Ghosts series, a Spongebob Squarepants activity where visitors could capture jellyfish, and a Tulsa King-themed bar providing a cozy retreat.
With a complimentary slice of pizza and a couple of free drinks, our visit to The Lodge was a delightful and refreshing break from the bustling convention.
Visiting Funkoville
After our relaxing detour, we navigated back to the hall and headed to one of the busiest areas: Funkoville! Funko's massive booth near Artists Alley was a hive of activity. Affiliated vendors like Mondo and Loungefly were crowded with enthusiastic buyers all weekend long. In celebration of the Deadpool & Wolverine movie, Funko offered a unique “Pop Yourself!” experience, allowing us to create custom Funko Pops that resembled Deadpool and Wolverine, but with our own likenesses. Look out for my interview with Marisa Dabney about this fun experience!
The Energon Universe Panel
The highlight of the afternoon was all about the Energon Universe. It started with a roundtable interview featuring industry heavyweights Robert Kirkman, Josh Williamson, Tom Reilly, Daniel Warren Johnson, and Sean Mackiewicz. They discussed the intricacies of building a captivating multiverse across multiple titles. DWJ shared how his ongoing Transformers run appeals to younger fans, making for an engaging and insightful conversation.
Following the roundtable, we attended the Energon Universe panel, where we were treated to sneak peeks of the upcoming GI Joe series and received an exclusive ashcan. The panel ramped up excitement for what's coming later this year, showcasing the talents of Williamson and Reilly as the Energon Universe moves into its second year with no signs of slowing down.
Evening at the Eisner Awards
After another stroll through the exhibit hall and a relaxing dinner break, it was time to soak in the biggest award show in comics: The Eisners! Although I was delayed for about 20 minutes, I arrived just in time to see Daniel Warren Johnson win his first of two Eisner Awards that night for Transformers, taking home the Best Writer/Artist award.
The Eisner Awards were a fantastic culmination of a day filled with interviews and comic revelations. Celebrating amazing creators—from writers and artists to letterers and retailers—the event honored the incredible machinery that brings fantastic stories to life for eager readers. It was an honor to be in the room where such talent was recognized and celebrated.
Wrapping Up Day 2
With that, Day 2 came to a close. It was a day packed with unforgettable moments and amazing connections…but the biggest day of the show was yet to come: Saturday! Day 3 delivered plenty of amazing experiences, and I can't wait to share them with you. Stay tuned for the next installment of my SDCC recap!
