If you are like myself and are not with the estimated 126,000+ people packed into the San Diego Convention Center presently; you may not fully understand this thing called “Comic-Con”.  Well, pull up here on ol’ DD’s lap, and get ready for a little learnin.’

Sheldon “Shel” Dorf, who passed last year and may THOR rest his soul, started out as a comic book “letterer” after graduating from the Art Institute of Chicago.  Shel helped run a smaller fan gathering in his native Detroit before moving to sunny San Diego in 1970. The move is rumored to have something to do with his affinity for whales [sic].  I digress, that same year he held his first 3-day convention featuring Mr. Forrest J. Ackerman at which almost 300 people attended.

The convention grew from these humble roots into today’s Comic-Con, a massive event organized by a panel of 13 board members, 16 to 20 full-time and part-time workers, and 80 volunteers who assist via committees.  One can now attend events and panels ranging from, “Retailing in the Digital Age,” a panel discussion helping owners of comic book stores survive the new medium, to “Klingon Lifestyles: IKV Stranglehold,” an experience where all involved can learn what life is like on a Klingon vessel, or a more polished “The 22nd annual Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards,” the “Oscars” of the comic industry. The annual event is so huge now that Hollywood blockbusters are regularly premiered (with their star studded cast in attendance), and off shoot conventions are held in more than 10 cities world wide.

For me though, it’s the “crap” and it’s the crowd. I am amazed at all of the merchandise available for purchase. You can find everything from $1 “Convention Only” Hot Wheels stickers to the oddly porn-ish, but tasteful, $1,500 painting of a green chick with a phallic apple in her mouth. But the people watching, used loosely, is my favorite part and would be yours no matter a comic fan or not. They come dressed in all manner of costume from a simple lil’ Smurf to some outlandish robot-type shit that had to take eons to craft. All are ready to pose and snap photos with the crowd no matter how many times harassed through out the day.  Note: Keep an eye out over the next couple days for all the galleries I post here of my own harassing.

In summation your Honor, don’t miss San Diego Comic-Con 2011!

Words and photos by Dustin Downing