Tales From A Retro Gamer – Amazing San Diego Comic-Con!

As many of you know, the 2020 San Diego Comic-Con has been cancelled for the first time in its 50-year history. This is unsurprising and a smart decision, but it’s nevertheless sad for creators, fans, exhibitors and other comic book, movie, and pop culture junkies. The show began in 1970 with just 300 people in attendance and has blossomed into one of the biggest pop culture celebrations in the world.

I’ve only been to Comic Con International: San Diego, as it’s been official called since the mid-1990s, once, but it was a doozy. It was the 2006 iteration of the show, and it featured celebrations of many of my favorite things, including the 50th anniversary of the Silver Age Flash, the 50th anniversary of Forbidden Planet, and the 75th anniversary of Universal Monsters. Plus, I met Cassandra “Elvira” Peterson, Ray Bradbury, Forrest J Ackerman, Ray Harryhausen, Basil Gogos, Mark Waid, Forbidden Planet cast members, and Maggie Thompson (my Comics Buyer’s Guide editor). Better yet, I made connections with McFarland Publishers, and the next year my first book was published: Classic Home Video Games: 1972-1984. I also met Back Issue Magazine publisher Michael Eury and started writing for them shortly thereafter.

I didn’t buy a ton of stuff, but I did get some Flash prints autographed by the great Carmine Infantino, as well as his autobiography. I saw some amazing panels and in general had a great time. One highlight was watching the great Ray Bradbury discuss his love for King Kong and how he cried during the Peter Jackson remake of the film.

I’ve been wanting to go back to San Diego ever since, but so far that hasn’t happened. Obviously, it won’t happen this year, but it’s been fun reminiscing about the one time I got to go. I hope you enjoy my fond memories of the show!

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