[Gorwingel]

Comic-Con International is a convention that happens during the summer in San Diego California. It started out in the beginning as a comic book convention (everything basically revolves around that) but recently it has expanded into movies (because it was found that many comic book fans were also into films) and into other kinds of pop culture. It is a place where basically all the fans of comic books, films that have a large following (such as LOTR, Matrix, Star Wars, etc...), and anime come together, but there is much more than that. Additionally because of the close proxmity of the location of the convention to L.A., it has become a stop for movie studios to shop their future projects and get feedback about them from the fans.<P>I came especially for LOTR because of all of the reports about it on the internet. I had never heard of it before. It dosn't move around though, and it has always been in San Diego.<P>LOTR has such a great presence there, much more than any other film series (yes, even more than Star Wars, in my opinion). In the center of the expo floor they have a LOTR pavillion. This is where the booths for TheOneRing.net, EA games, New Line, Houghton Mifflin, Sideshow Weta, Decipher, Games Workshop, and The Noble Collection are all located. <P>After the convention ended I kind of had mixed emotions about it. There was a part of me that was revolted at the behavior of humans (and security guards), but then there was another part of me that was like that was a blast! I have to go through that again. There is going to be changes though because it has grown so big. I think for some of the movie studios presentations the only way that they could have fit all of the people who wanted to see them was if we had moved over to a sports stadium. On Saturday there was over 65,000 people registered for that one day!<P>I felt sorry for some of the people who had only gone on Saturday, because they really did not get to experience the convention. Thursday, Friday, and Sunday were really great.<P>Maybe chucks888 can add on some more about it since he has been to it more than once.<P>Oh and just remember if any of you decide to go, post on the site. It will be impossible for me to find anyone in the crowds, but I will try. The LOTR fans tend to get to know eachother because we are always at the same panels and events.<P>Additionally if you want to learn more there is many sites who have done great reports about it. They also have a website: <A HREF="http://www.comic-con.org" TARGET=_blank>www.comic-con.org</A><p>[ August 07, 2003: Message edited by: Gorwingel ]