CHU was in the house for San Diego Comic-Con 2025. This is the big show that brings it all together from both Hollywood and all the big publishers.
First off, kudos to Mark Spears and his rise to fame. The guy’s the Momoko of this year, and the books were flying off his table. Keenspot announced that Monsters has been optioned, sure to drive more sales and aftermarket prices. It was also announced that Something is Killing the Children is contracted for 100 issues! That’s a massive milestone and a huge vote of confidence from Boom! It screams “major IP in the making” and look forward to seeing this in live action as a movie or series.
Speaking of series, we finally have the live production of Revival, I can remember when that was all the rage. The panel included Tim Seeley and the star cast including Melanie Scrofano from Wynonna Earp, so she is a SDCC veteran.
Keep your head on a swivel on the exhibit floor, so you don’t run into Wonder Woman’s sword!
Exhibit floor is filled with goodness from DC, Bandai’s huge imprint including many new Godzilla figures, and vibrant red display to promote Tron Ares with NIN soundtrack. The show exclusive Gold Godzilla is wild!
Resellers crowded Funko, Thrilljoy, and Rokimoto booths. I question if the profit is still there to make the multi-hour waits worth it, but the figures are cool.
But who wins between Funko, Thrilljoy, and Rokimoto? Labubu! Popmart is absolutely on fire, they were stationed on the complete opposite corner of the con. The line was packed all day, daily sellouts, even their self service machine was getting ransacked.
Outside the con was Crunchyroll’s 2-day Anime Fest. Anime has fully arrived, it’s as big as any superhero, fantasy, or Star Wars fandom. Both in booth space and outside activations. I had a great time in my visit to Anime Fest. They had some fun trash diving games plus multiple bands playing all day at The Shell. I saw metal act Magnolia Park, and the first ever mosh pit I have seen at Comic-con!
So impressed with Magic the Gathering offsite for their Spider-Man based card set. This had it all – elaborate Spider-Man sets for photo ops, stations to play MTG, and free giveaways. The event was ticketed but every attendee received free Spider starter packs and a MTG branded facsimile of Amazing Spider-Man 1. Both of which have strong secondary sales.
One of toughest to get into is the Paramount Plus Lodge. Fans enjoyed the variety of themed activations from shows like Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Dexter: Resurrection, and Landman. The Starfleet holodeck was a particular hit. You also got free food and alcoholic drinks with swag. Worth the trip if you are local and don’t have con badges.
Attended the inaugural Dreams event by Mike Becker, founder of Funko. This had similar energy to Funko Fundays. A few celeb appearances plus several announcements including Godzilla figures coming out. I haven’t been crazy over their figures so far but all-in for completing the Godzilla set! Hope they return next year and work out the kinks from this year.
And if you haven’t heard, George Lucas in Hall H. The man himself. Hard to believe it was his first ever visit to Comic-Con. But it wasn’t about a new movie; it was about his new Museum of Narrative Art. He spoke with Guillermo del Toro and a few others about the museum’s mission to celebrate storytelling through comics and film. A powerful reminder of where all this started.
Don’t ask me why I continue this madness, but I will be back next year!