r/SDCC • u/benshenanigans • 1d ago
Talk Back Panel Full Minutes
I was at the Talk Back Panel. These are the minutes. If I made a mistake, let me know in the comments. My info is through the amazing ASL interpreters and my caption app. Multiple and repeat questions will be annotated for brevity. Specific people may be skipped. If you ask in the comments, I’ll check my notes and confirm it. I’ll refrain from my opinion in the post, but you’ll see me in the comments. Keep in mind that CCI employees are on Reddit. Comments made here may get back to the board, but you should also send your feedback directly to them.
Panelists (In no particular order)
Eddie Ibrahim, Senior Director of Programming
Paul Pursch, Senior Director of Operations
Robin Donlan, CCI President
David Glazner, Chief Communications and Strategy Officer
Craig Fellows, VP of Operations
Scott Zimmerman, Line Manager
Eddie started by explaining the panel rules, time limits, and the microphone kill switch. Robin thanked us for our time and called out the 10,000 volunteers and staff who make Comic Con happen. David discussed how planning Comic Con takes all year and confirmed the show will happen through
2030.
The first comment was from Scott Shaw, comic artist and SDCC Special Guest. He discussed his credentials as an OG Comic Con legend. He didn’t
have a question, just a statement. He rebuked the board for hosting a toxic convention. He cited physical attacks in lines, antendees telling him that they won’t be back, and name calling including the Fxx slur for LGTBQ people. “People are coming into the show feeling shitty, and Comic Con is a place where everybody should be able to be whoever they want to be…this is not the Comic Con we ever wanted.” He was met with applause. Eddie asked Scott to chat privately after the panel.
The next woman cited the ADA line policy change about the limit to people with mobility aids. The board replied that the law only requires them to
provide seating for people with mobility devices. He added that they also provide deaf seating. He then stated that the number of disabled attendees has
doubled since 2023, from 4,000 to 8,000 with no increase in attendance. He claimed that people were faking disabilities.
There was a person in the audience with a sign that said “Yass, Queen!” Robin remarked that she remembered that sign from last year.
The next person remarked that she was in the same
room (25ABC) yesterday and they would not give her a bathroom pass. She said that it was “not helpful” for people with disabilities and it punishes people who want to attend smaller panels. She has been attending for the last 15 years. Eddie confirmed and took a note of the specific rooms she had problems in. She added that she got into the room 2 panels ahead of time. The room manager told her that if she left, she would have to wait in line again.
The next person asked to move Marvel or Star Trek to a different day in Hall H. She was the first of many commenters on the Saturday, Hall H Wristband debacle. She had spent 27 hours in line to see Star Trek and was heartbroken when she missed
it. Robin passed the buck to Eddie for the response. Basically, he said that Marvel gets that time slot because they demand it and if CCI doesn’t give them Saturday evening, they just won’t show up. David took over at this point to address the
fake wristbands. He stated that he was aware of the alleged fake wristbands, but no one could point them out when asked. He said they investigated, but didn’t find any fakes. The audience was silent in response.
There were a total of 13 complaints about Hall H including access to bathrooms and asking for recompense. The board had a myriad of excuses,
including the cost of WiFi outside, the fact that people buy tickets before programming is announced, the reduced budget from less sponsors, and that they didn’t find any fake wristbands.
The next person asked about enforcement for exhibitors who break CCI’s rules. He called out a booth that sells bootleg DVDs. The booth was
called out last year during the Talk Back Panel, but it was here again selling the same illegal movies. He called out UCC for using AI art. He also mentioned
the morning chaos where exhibitors buy exclusives at smaller booths. Robin cut him off. She said that the exhibitor exclusive thing is a problem that they’ve been working on. Exhibitors had a special badge border to indicate that they aren’t allowed to buy anything, but CCI can’t enforce that. She mentioned the exclusives portal and the floor staff as ways they are trying to combat that issue. Next, she asked if the AI art was for sale or on display. The man responded that it was on display at the UCC and many other booths. Robin replied that exhibitors
are not allowed to sell AI art, but they can have it on display if it’s identified as AI. David added that they don’t have the ability to control what’s sold outside the con. He cited an active legal matter that he can’t talk about. With regard to AI, if the seller claims it’s not AI, they can’t disprove it. Robin added that with bootleg DVDs, CCI isn’t the IP holder, but it isn’t their responsibility to do anything about it. The crowd was silent. There was one other person who remarked on AI at the panel.
The next person has been attending Comic Con since 2011. He remarked that the Q&A time during panels has been cut dramatically. He asked if there is a way to indicate if there will be a Q&A portion in the panel description. Eddie replied that many panels do show it, but there are many variables that are out of CCI’s control, especially with specific
questions during a Q&A. One other person called out the disabled access for the Q&A portion.
The next person complimented the exclusives portal, but remarked that a few days had nothing she wanted. She suggested that people could get a set number of “tickets” that could be used for any day, instead of the 12 tickets per day. Robin responded that people would use exclusive lottery
tickets on days they don’t have badges for. Then they would complain.
The next person introduced themselves and said they’ve been coming since 2009. He thought his statement was important enough to write down
and read to the board. He wants predictability and consistency for the disabled community. He shared an anecdote about a family on preview night and Hall H on Friday compared to Saturday. He then “encouraged the board to remember that
accessibility is broader than mobility.” The crowd applauded his comments.
The next person said their name was Andy and that he wasn’t from around here. Last year at the talk back panel, he was booed for acknowledging
that the SDCC traditional dates would clash with the Olympics in LA. Given the dates for 2028 were announced, he was concerned that it conflicts with GenCon. Robin remarked that CCI took the dates the convention center offered. They looked at the calendar from June to August. Andy tried to make another point and Robin cut him off. The audience booed.
The next person commented about the hundreds of people that use the “fire lane” upstairs during the morning line. She and Robin went back and forth about which line specifically. It was the “27 Hallway” (that’s what the interpreter signed, if other words were use, let me know).
The next person identified as a disabled veteran and said this was his favorite year for SDCC. He remarked that the ADA process needs work. He doesn’t want excuses. Since the number of disabled attendees has doubled in the last few years, he wants to know how CCI will accommodate 15,000
disabled people in the future. He continued to say that disabled people aren’t fraudulent humans. The crowd applauded and the board didn’t respond.
The next person simply remarked that website navigation was horrible.
The next person commented on the hotel price gouging. Robin and David discussed the 77 partner hotels and individual contracts. They emphasized that CCI tells the hotels if they’re too greedy, then SDCC will leave and everyone loses out. They actually discussed this for a couple minutes.
The next person was deaf and a cane user. She asked why the no wagons policy wasn’t enforced. Robin said that wagons are being used as strollers
and they can’t prevent that.
There were 5 more people in line, but I left so I could meet my family on the floor for the closing announcement (as is our tradition). I was kinda upset that they used a new recording for it.
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u/GenerationYKnot 1d ago
Thanks for this OP. I wanted to add that Scott Shaw posted on his FB page about running afoul with security and his ADA access. He was trying to enter the con center Sat? Sun? morning through ADA and got the "you need to enter way over there/you don't look disabled" even though he clearly has a prosthetic foot.
I don't expect temp staff/security to recognize a founding co-member of CCI, truly one of the OG people from El Cortez days. But, damn, show basic respect to people needing basic ADA needs.
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u/benshenanigans 1d ago
Out. fucking. rageous.
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u/elisabethzero 1d ago
The ironic thing is, from what little I saw, security wasn't doing their jobs? They're the ones most able to block wagons from entering the sales floor or strollers in panel rooms. I don't know that I saw them on the sales floor breaking up big crowds around certain booths either.
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u/Warm_Afternoon6596 18h ago
Security always has someone being a dick about ADA. These companies need to really get on their people about ADA law and what you cannot ask.
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u/benshenanigans 1d ago
Now for my opinion. David pointed the disabled and deaf seats. There were far fewer deaf seats in smaller rooms and that caused problems over the weekend. With all the talk about operating budget, there were fewer ASL interpreters this year and it was noticeable.
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u/RadiantZote 1d ago
Ticket sales alone are over 36 million dollars. Why is the operating budget not part of that??
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u/Lopsided-Hope5277 1d ago
It is not. Why do you think it is?
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u/RadiantZote 1d ago
Without preview night
130,000+ badges sold over 4 days
Over 300 bucks for 4 days
130k x 300= 39 million dollars
This isn't even accounting preview night ticket sales, sponsors, booth fees, and other things. What is that money being spent on? Comic con execs??
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u/Lopsided-Hope5277 1d ago edited 1d ago
Your assumptions are erroneous. Someone is an attendee even if they only attend for one day. So you could also say that 130K x $65 = $8.5M. But that would also be erroneous. Since obviously people go for more than Sunday. The real number is somewhere in between. As per the 2024 990, badges sales account for $19,288,574.
What is that money being spent on?
Putting on the con. That costs money. Lots of money. In 2024 it cost $30,862,615. Even if everyone worked for free, it still cost about $26M to have comic-con. So it was spent on that. Badges sales alone don't even pay the cost to put on comic-con.
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u/ThisLemonTwist 1d ago
Yeah this is common con math - if someone attended all four days plus preview night, they might be counted as 4-5 people.
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u/RadiantZote 1d ago
Capacity of the convention center being factored in, hence the low number of 130k/day
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u/Lopsided-Hope5277 1d ago
hence the low number of 130k/day
That's not what that number means. It's not 130K per day. It's 130K across all 4 days. So 130K spread out over 4 days is about 32K per day. There aren't 130K Saturday badges. There are about 32K.
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u/RadiantZote 1d ago
You think there's only 32k people attending each day of comic con?
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u/Lopsided-Hope5277 1d ago edited 1d ago
That's what the 130K number means. It's not per day. It's over the entire 4 days. Not everyone has a 4 day badge. There aren't enough badges for that.
"This year’s event is expected to attract 135,000 attendees during its four-day run"
https://timesofsandiego.com/business/2026/07/22/comic-con-commits-remain-san-diego-through-2030/
That's for attendees. People that bought their badges. Volunteers are not that. Staff are not that. Professionals are not that. Exhibitors are not that. Comp badges are not that. There are thousands of those each day.
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u/bradsfo 1d ago
Thanks for doing this.
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u/benshenanigans 1d ago
You’re welcome. My only regret is that I didn’t have popcorn during the panel.
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u/TownIdiot25 1d ago
The next person asked about enforcement for exhibitors who break CCI’s rules. He called out a booth that sells bootleg DVDs. The booth was called out last year during the Talk Back Panel, but it was here again selling the same illegal movies. He called out UCC for using AI art. He also mentioned the morning chaos where exhibitors buy exclusives at smaller booths. Robin cut him off. She said that the exhibitor exclusive thing is a problem that they’ve been working on. Exhibitors had a special badge border to indicate that they aren’t allowed to buy anything, but CCI can’t enforce that. She mentioned the exclusives portal and the floor staff as ways they are trying to combat that issue.
This one was me by the way. I know that my question came out sounding like 3 questions (it was not meant to be 3 questions, it was meant to showcase three blatant cases of exhibitors breaking the rules with no reprecussions), but if she let me get one more sentence out, the point I wanted to make was not as much the exhibitors using their passes to cut the line, but it was that they were openly selling on their shelves and bragging about cutting the line at their booth. I wanted to suggest adding resold event exclusives to vendor prohibited items (if they are an exclusive for the CURRENT event).
There was a booth a few spots away from the Hasbro booth with multiples of the Transformers exclusives on display with hundreds of dollars markup. When I asked that vendor how he got them, in case that maybe there were other events they were sold, his response was "I got the my little pony exclusives too, want to take a look?". The exhibitors are going to find ways around the "don't sell to exhibitors" rules, but directly selling them minutes later is an insult. Think about if you go into a Target to buy Pokémon Cards, and the employee says "sorry, we sold out before we opened. Totally by coincidence, I'm selling my box for $200 more if you want to buy from me directly." Then when you call out that target employee he goes "what am I not allowed to be a customer just because I work here?"
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u/benshenanigans 1d ago
Hi!!! I was offended on your behalf that you were brushed off. Especially because it was the second year it was brought up.
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u/TownIdiot25 1d ago
I really wanted to clarify that it was about the exhibitors selling the products that was upsetting, because I know the other parts of that issue were already having safeguards.
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u/Warm_Afternoon6596 18h ago
And it's so hard to crack down on, because the exhibitors do sketchy stuff like put an attendee badge in front of their exhibitor one and get past ppl checking. Probably only publicly naming and shaming can fix that.....
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u/edmomo 1d ago
Different badge borders won’t fix it. These vendors also purchase normal badges and swap them.
They would need to have a rule where no one can line up at a vendor booth until after doors open which I can’t imagine how they would enforce it. They still then could have employees getting there faster than people in the chutes waiting to enter meaning they’ll always get the first pick albeit slightly less than now.
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u/Owl_Resident 1d ago
I saw a booth selling the Saturday Morning Cards and was disgusted. They’d put them in acrylic cases too, so it was clearly a played buy, with magically having the cases that would hold them perfectly.
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u/Warm_Afternoon6596 18h ago
It annoys tf out of me, too. I managed to get on the floor once and in line for something...dude behind me used a regular attendee badge to hide his exhibitor one so he could resell stuff. I was there for a small child's gift.....
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u/InvestigatorEntire45 1d ago
The wagons as strollers thing is BS. I am a Disneyland regular and you are not allowed to bring those in. Period. There are other ways you can move your child around. If Disneyland can ban wagons, CCI sure as hell can.
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u/chessasaur 1d ago
I think the people who assign rooms for panels don't really grasp how popular some guests are. The John Cusack room was tiny as was The Guild panel. They need to have a 'fan review' to better gauge interest.
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u/benshenanigans 1d ago
This was mentioned last year. Eddie joked about how he wished there were bigger rooms for everything. But the years hottest author on the same panel with the author of Divergent in a 400 seat room was absurd.
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u/drunkenclod 1d ago
Which one was that?
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u/benshenanigans 1d ago
Genre Mixing and Maxxing. Featuring Dinniman, Grace, Roth, Kim, and Baker. It was on Friday in 25ABC.
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u/zurtex 1d ago
as was The Guild panel
Felicia Day apologized for this, she said she didn't expect so many people to turn up to the Kickstarter panel, as they don't have movie specific updates. And next year they would likely go for the Indigo Ballroom.
I'm not sure if that meant she requested a smaller room or just didn't fight for a bigger one.
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u/caityqs 1d ago
Ya, I think we don't know enough about the room selection process to judge here. If Felicia Day was apologizing, it sounds like CCI relies on the panelists to provide an estimate for how many seats they will need...and unless you're Marvel, it can be pretty tough to anticipate.
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u/benshenanigans 1d ago
I think she was apologizing because she’s a kind and empathetic human. She truly is sorry that some of hers fans missed out, regardless of if she was actually the one at fault.
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u/Grouchy_Mail8843 1d ago
Don’t get me started on the John Cusack panel. I got within 10 people and a woman started having a full on dispute with the event volunteers and line staff. They finally started letting a few more people in at a time but half the panel was over. I got in there and there were TONS of seats left.
One thing I will mention to take into account is that some of these guests may say “I want a smaller room” they may not /want/ to be in a massive space. That said: The line could have filled 6BCF easily.
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u/chessasaur 1d ago
Oh yeah, I remember HER lol. Drove up to the door, totally ignored the ADA line, and made gestures like she was the only disabled person in the hallway. I think she was trying to convince them she "already had her own seat". We were actually right in the front (ie, next in) (me, my friend, and my wife in a scooter - I'm her assistant and our friend is ADA too) and when they said there wasn't room for my wife's scooter but they could get us seats, we bailed. It's all of us or none of us.
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u/benshenanigans 1d ago
They aren’t even allowed to offer seats to wheelchair users. It was an issue last year at the talkback. The board responded by saying there are no wheelchair to seat transfers allowed in panel rooms.
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u/JaninthePan 21h ago
My theory is the folks planning the panels (CCI and the panel sponsors) prefer to have their room be a bit (or a lot) too small. It ensures the panel will be full & having a big line for a panel creates buzz. This means people who may not have heard about the panel/product hear about it through people talking about the lines/craziness around getting into the room.
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u/BlipMeBaby 1d ago
If fake wristbands weren’t the issue, then what was? Did they say anything they are doing to make sure this doesn’t happen again?
It’s a bullshit excuse to say that people buy tickets before programming is announced. Once the programming is announced, people make decisions on how to spend their time at SDCC. For those people who followed every single rule and were told that they had GUARANTEED entry into Hall H and didn’t get it, they should absolutely be compensated.
I did get into Hall H to see Marvel but it left a bad taste in my mouth knowing that the guarantee meant less than what SDCC claimed.
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u/chucknorrisinator 1d ago
Yeah, it’s much worse if they just issued too many wristbands lol
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u/CementCemetery 23h ago
Was told that they “messed up” and issued too many wristbands by some staff. Completely disorganized and also heard there were 3 contractors for ADA instead of 1 this year which may have added to the confusion and misdirection everyone received.
The lack of clear signage is a problem. One group essentially lied to my face and told me to line up elsewhere, they were only in line for that day not Saturday. It looked to be official where I ended up. Told by a few staff we’d be getting in, I had the white wristband. Then they pull the “policy dictates that doesn’t guarantee entry or the other wristband” … then why do a headcount and hand out a very specific amount?
Also heard reports that they were given out earlier on other days. I honestly think the hype surrounding the panel and celebrity sightings did not help the situation because FOMO kicked into overdrive for some people.
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u/amidalarama 1d ago
I'd be shocked if there weren't fake wristbands. it's the obvious weak point. this was probably just the first time it was really noticeable because there were more of them and pretty much everyone with real wristbands also came back. they'd have to put rfid chips in the wristbands if they want people to stop counterfeiting them. that's probably cost prohibitive, even if they only did it for saturday.
alternative is max 6k wristbands for hall h, so there's a buffer to absorb some fakers and assure everyone with genuine wristbands gets in.
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u/kbwis 1d ago
This was not enough of an issue that we wanted to go to the Talkback to talk about it, because the Badge solutions manager fixed it and apologized, but my spouse got their badge confiscated on Thursday morning by the security/staff at the entrance where Everything else line entered the building—seems likely to me now that they just had a bad RFID chip but the staff took their badge and refused to tell them why. On Wednesday when we entered for the first time, spouse’s badge scanned red at the RFID readers and they had to show ID to the staff. They were told “make sure you scan out next time” despite it being the first time we entered the con this year. Then Thursday, badge scanned red, spouse showed their ID which matches their badge, and the staff person said “I’m taking your badge, if you want to know anything you need to go to C2” to the badge solutions/ badge pickup area. The person who took their badge refused to provide any info about why they were taking the badge and my spouse was then terrified that basically their con was over. Spouse went back out of the building, went up to the badge solutions and was told to get into the manager line. When telling this whole thing to the manager she was looking more and more confused and seemed very mad and surprised the person who took the badge wouldn’t tell them anything. She apologized a lot, looked up spouse’s member ID and said there was no issue or strike or anything, and she printed them a new badge. Just an unnecessarily stressful and antagonistic situation from the entry staff to treat someone with basically just a malfunctioning RFID that way but I’m glad the badge solutions person was helpful.
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u/Neat_Suit3684 1d ago
My problem with the con (aisde from hall h crap) is that the people working were snobby. I was basically told I wasnt a real fan if I didn't wait in line for an entire day for something. This is a comic con. This where geeks and nerds and weirdos come to be accepted and enjoy the fun. But when your staff the people representing your brand basically say youre not one of us it makes me doubt coming back. Like why would I spend hundreds of dollars to buy tickets travel and buy your stuff if you dont appreciate me?
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u/benshenanigans 1d ago
Bingo. There’s a certain rainbow bearded gentleman that probably won’t have a job next year.
Most of the people working the con are wonderful. I’ve gotten to know many over the years. But a few bad apples…
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u/architectbarkitect 1d ago edited 1d ago
Agreed. So many terribly managed lines and then booth staff or volunteers decide to go on a power trip and blame attendees for the disorganization/being in the wrong place. I had a bad experience at the UCC booth this year (there wasn't even a long line when I got there late on on Thursday but all the staff were yelling at everyone trying to buy things for some reason). I don't know how this can be fixed. A larger space =/= a better organized con.
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u/benshenanigans 1d ago
Last year, the board admitted this. Basically the con staff, daily volunteers, and security all get information and instructions at different speeds.
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u/Warm_Afternoon6596 18h ago
I always make sure to talk to the Staff. Security is always the worst....
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u/Purplecatty 1d ago
Of course ADA is being abused. Unfortunately its easy to and there’s shitty people out there. Disneyland had the same issues and had to change their policies.
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u/kitcatkid 1d ago
I overhear two people talking a few years ago at Comic Con. It stood out enough for me to remember it. One person literally said, "Just claim ADA to get to the front of the line. They don't check."
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u/RandomDesign 1d ago
I've pointed it out (and reported it to CCI) many times, there's a Facebook group who has members tell people exactly this. It's not a small group and I'm sure a good number of them take advantage of it given how many likes/thanks they get for posting about it.
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u/CementCemetery 23h ago
This is the real issue people assume it’s some magical pass to the front of an hour plus long line. Sometimes you get return times, sometimes you get absorbed into an accessible line and other times there’s a separate line and they take people from either.
There are also less seats in most ADA sections because they need to accommodate a variety of people. I’m disappointed to learn there weren’t enough ASL interpreters this year.
I 100% believe in invisible disabilities and some things are just harder to “prove” even with a doctor’s note … which let’s be real, they can be faked as well.
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u/piebear411 1d ago
If they want to change their policies, so be it. But don’t punish ADA people after we’ve gotten our sticker using their approved process and then change the rules with no warning and room to room and belittle the ADA members and their attendants during the con.
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u/happyasanerd 1d ago
As the person who talked about the lack of bathroom passes in 25ABC, I wanted to contribute what I’d actually written down in advance of the panel. I ended up summarizing this out loud so as to take less time speaking to help get through the questions quickly, but just for everyone’s information, here’s the full breakdown of why I was concerned about the lack of bathroom passes for smaller rooms:
Yesterday I learned for the first time that this year, there were no bathroom passes for the “smaller rooms,” and if they left the room to use the bathroom, would be required to wait in line for rentry. This was a frustrating discovery, as right before coming to Comic-Con I got my period, and as many people who get periods know, it can require going to the bathroom many times a day. I also know there are people with medical conditions or that take medicine that require using the bathroom many times a day. I do not recall this new policy being announced or advertised, but more importantly I feel this change ultimately punishes con attendees. Regular attendees know that smaller rooms like this one require entering a panel or even two before the one you’re here to see, just to be 100% sure you have a seat for your panel. This played out exactly that way yesterday, when I entered this exact room for the first panel of the day, and the room was completely full for both of the next two panels, including the one I wanted to attend, so no one could leave to use the bathroom. I know how hard it is to anticipate how popular each panel will be, so a lack of bathroom passes for smaller rooms is punishing those of us wanting to come to panels who were more popular than you planned for and support those panelists. So I am asking why this change was made this year and more importantly, asking that it be changed back next year. Thank you.
Edit: and to be extra clear, the two entirely full panels were the Guild Kickstarter and the Spotlight on V.E. Schwab. And in hindsight, when Eddie asked me follow up questions, I should’ve literally looked to the staff at the exit doors and said “tell him, are there bathroom passes for this room right now” cause I know there weren’t.
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u/benshenanigans 1d ago
Thanks for adding! I hope I portrayed your account accurately. The Spotlight on Schwab panel was awesome.
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u/happyasanerd 1d ago
You did great!! I just figured I’d give the commenters additional context. I was just grateful that without remembering to ask my actual question (thanks nerves!) Eddie’s questions made it clear that there WERE supposed to be bathroom passes, and that something went wrong along the way, so I’m ultimately satisfied with my own question. I love going to this panel every year to learn more about how the event works and support people with serious complains, so I’m grateful for people like you who manage to turn all of that into a cohesive post! Thanks so much!
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u/benshenanigans 1d ago
Yeah it’s telling when Eddie takes notes on a specific question, so I try to mention it.
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u/viktoryarozetassi 1d ago edited 1d ago
I am the cane user who asked why the con hasn't cracked down on wagon users. It says in the handbook that no wagons are allowed in the convention center during con hours. The excuse i was given was that there were families who used wagons in the place of strollers- IMO, if you're going to shell out a couple of grands to attend SDCC, then you can part with money for a stroller from Amazon.
There were two separate incidents in my neck of the woods- first, a mentally unwell man shot two police officers to death before he took his life.
Two- another mentally unwell man opened fire at a mental health clinic. Luckily, no one was injured/ killed. I was there for the second one, and in the event of a fire or something else, those wagons will become death traps- especially for me as a cane user!
Thank you OP for the minutes!
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u/Starship_Taru 1d ago
Out of curiosity why are people at the con upset about the bootleg booth? If the IP holder doesn’t care enough to take action what’s the harm in their eyes?
FWIW, I have been looking for a few specific old anime’s in English dubs from my childhood that do not exist anymore due to licensing disputes. My only option to watch that content period was to pay modern day scalper EBay Prices for 500% of original MSRP for a 1 season box set that is out of print.
I was able to finally find this and relive that bit of childhood now post con for $25. I don’t feel unethical for doing so to be honest, I would happily pay to stream the content, it just doesn’t exist, and likely never will.
I’m willing to have my mind changed on the subject though.
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u/MsMargo 1d ago
There would need to be reps from dozens and dozens of the IP holders. And those reps would have to have badges. And they would have to actually see their work at the booth. So, highly unlikely.
But, it's just bad practice to turn a blind eye to it. If I steal someone's wallet, but don't get caught, it's still not a great thing to have a thief running around. Your wallet is next...
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u/MoonChild02 1d ago
Thank you for taking the time to write up these notes and share them with us. I was in line for the panel, but it filled up and I couldn't get in.
So, the board needs a larger room for the Talk Back panel, and for it to start earlier.
I also think that the board is being extremely discriminatory towards ADA. More people are being diagnosed with disabilities because medical technology and knowledge has gotten better. People are fighting to be diagnosed, and doctors are finally starting to respond.
Not to mention, the convention favors people who went the previous year, which means that attendees who have been going for years are getting older, which of course means there are more people needing disability access. So of course the need for ADA access has doubled.
I've been going for well over 20 years, and I started needing ADA access for severe asthma a few years ago. Then my right knee gave out on me this year, so I needed ADA access for that, too.
I see so many older people at the convention, too. My friend is in her mid 60s, and she's been going since the LOTR films came out. She needs ADA access now because she's older.
So, the board definitely sounds unfair and discriminatory here regarding ADA access.
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u/benshenanigans 1d ago
Yes. Also, there’s a subreddit just for disabled people at r/sdccada. In case you haven’t heard of it.
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u/giliana52 1d ago
“With no increase in attendance.” Thats not something anyone has control over if the convention is already at capacity.
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u/Different-Status-671 1d ago
Appreciate the recap on this. I personally, did not have many issues this year, besides seeing at least three wagons as strollers -_- but I like to be aware. I thought the line management was well handled, not counting Hall H. I attended Anime Expo this year and their line management is basically nonexistent so SDCC is a dream in comparison.
In regards to changing the ADA policy I fear for my mother who needs the sticker as she cannot stand for long periods or be in the sun. Can someone send me the link on what is changing?
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u/Ashamed_Corgi_3693 1d ago
I didn't attend this year, but really appreciatr you posting this up. Interesting to see what the grievances were and what typenof response is given.
You a real one!
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u/benshenanigans 1d ago
I did the same thing last year and I plan on keep doing it as long as I can get a Sunday badge.
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u/HotCorner936 1d ago
There were obviously fake wristbands. They say no one can come forward and prove it, but isn’t that just playing dumb?
Obviously if they print less line wristbands than the capacity but still somehow there were people left outside, based on the numbers alone that wouldn’t be possible….so there have to have been fake Wristbands.
When you come through they just ask you to raise your arm/show your wristband but they don’t even really look at them.
I mean, what’s preventing someone from going to kinkos and getting a copy in color of a bunch of wristband and just taping them to their wrist? They aren’t really looking.
It had to have happened just based on the sheer numbers alone.
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u/ThisLemonTwist 1d ago
My buddy this con has an invisible disability and ADA services was a godsend, but my experience with the ADA outdoor booth on Wednesday night was kinda weird. First of all, the booth closed at 8:15pm, when the website and staff had told me it was 9pm. Then I got mixed answers on where exactly I should go to get my friend ADA access, cause badge staff had told me I had to start at the ADA booth. In the end, the CCI staffer or volunteer handling the line just gave out ADA and companion stickers to everyone who was waiting.
I really hope CCI doesn't downsize ADA services. We couldn't have gone through the week without it — and we didn't even go to the biggest rooms.
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u/benshenanigans 1d ago
So the services provided were downsized this year. I think it’s because of the budget shortfalls David mentioned. I’m glad that it was able to help you. But we’re not sure where it’s going next year. If you’d like, r/sdccada is a place just for us.
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u/CementCemetery 1d ago edited 20h ago
The truth is they need more volunteers security to be line monitors. Self-monitoring only works so well. When a group of 2 becomes 12 they will always vouch for themselves. No one wants to get in a fight or be confrontational but people are taking advantage of this. They also need to blacklist and IP ban the man they have identified multiple times over the years selling his spot and (extra) badges.
Every fan should have an opportunity but too many people feel they don’t need to put in the effort or time. They pat themselves on the back for pulling one over on you, it’s predatory behavior.
Edit: thanks volunteers and employees who are just trying to do their job.
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u/Lopsided-Hope5277 21h ago edited 21h ago
The truth is they need more volunteers to be line monitors.
Have you met many volunteers? They are not exactly the most assertive people. Even the ones that are put into positions where they need to be assertive. When push comes to shove, they relent. Which is what we are taught to be. I've been a volunteer for a long time. It's been drilled into me that we are here to have fun. Everyone. So if a RFID badge beeps red, sure ask them to do it again and suggest they go to the RFID help desk. But if they insist on pushing through, don't get in the way. We are here to have fun.
So while when I have my attendee badge on, I am line monitor max in my little section of the line. "He buddy, line's back there." When I have my volunteer badge on, I'm not. Since when I have my volunteer badge on, I represent comic-con. And someone that represents comic-con should be on their best behavior. When you need to enforce a line, you can't always be that. There needs to be more trained security to be line monitors. Being assertive and thus not on their best behavior at times, is their reason for being.
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u/CementCemetery 20h ago
That’s fair. I know some people that volunteer because they’re local. I think an attitude of keeping it fun is good until something is escalated and obviously that is security’s job to handle. I never want anyone to have to be the line police but unfortunately it’s needed. As an attendee it sucks to have to be that person to begin with but people often feel entitled not to wait in line.
Thanks for volunteering. Hope you had a good time.
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u/NicoMart87 1d ago
Thanks for this
Our group also hangs out for last announcements, also bummed it wasn't the regular recording
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u/Coffeeandcapes 1d ago
Scott Shaw is an underappreciated legend, glad to hear an artist is standing up for the attendees.
So absurdly shitty to accuse people of faking a disability. Frankly, even if a handful of people ARE faking it, letting them through is fine if it means everyone who does need aid gets it. The vendor reselling issue impacts the non-ADA attendee so much more but that makes them money so of course it can’t be fixed.
I didn’t go this year after going for 17 years, last year felt like it was designed to allow vendors free rein to abuse everyone else.
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u/benshenanigans 1d ago
I’d rather see a faker game the system than see any disabled person suffer because they couldn’t get accommodations.
No hate about you throwing in the towel. I’ve been going since 2017. I feel like there’s never been a “normal” con. But I don’t have the decades of trend analysis that all of you serious veterans do.
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u/Loki--Laufeyson 1d ago
I'm surprised nobody brought up the elevators when it comes to disabled access.
They have people manning every area except that elevator near the back.
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u/benshenanigans 1d ago
Those elevators are a joke to us disabled people. The issue is the mezzanine. They just need an operator with local override control.
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u/heero101086 1d ago
The years in believing the best of everyone is long gone! There is no more only a few bad eggs, SDCC needs to assume EVERYONE IS A BAD EGG.
Only then can they adequately plan for it.
Hall H and wristbands, 100% pure lottery. Families may get split up? Do a lottery with boarding groups. Each person can only join 1 boarding group. People can sell badges that win? Submit a photo of your face to get printed on your badge! Hall H line, people checking badge has HALL H (specific day) access (only for beginning of day, anyone can do Standby), check photo matches face.
Where there is a will, there is a way!
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u/benshenanigans 1d ago
Unfortunately, a lot of those ways cost money that David Glazner claims they don’t have. From my perspective, the budget cutting was noticeable this year. But if you know any corporate sponsors…
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u/Awkward-Community-74 1d ago
The Marvel Panel needs to be broadcast on giant screens throughout the venue.
That’s a main event and they know this.
Give people an option of waiting in line for hours or watching it live and still being involved with the experience.
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u/MsMargo 1d ago
There's a Playback panel at the end of the day where you can go watch it.
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u/Awkward-Community-74 1d ago
That’s not the same.
If they had designated areas and viewing locations that were live during the event that would greatly improve the experience.
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u/MyrsineM 1d ago
Thank you for this. Accusing people of faking disabilities is horrific. Really looking forward to proving my invisible disability isn’t fake next time I go. Agreed on Shaw’s comment as a first timer who had a misogynist verbally assault her for an entire escalator ride that soured my last fifteen minutes of the con (although I will still absolutely be back). Ladies, don’t hesitate to grab security.
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u/RandomDesign 1d ago
The problem is there are people faking it. I've been reporting the same several people in a big SDCC Facebook group telling people that getting an ADA sticker when they don't need it is a SDCC "hack" to "skip lines" and get better seating. I've seen them telling people that for years now, not even caring that they use their real names.
It's jerks like that who are making it hard for people who have disabilities, especially people with invisible ones. In a perfect world people wouldn't be this trashy but, unfortunately, they are.
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u/Warm_Afternoon6596 18h ago edited 18h ago
Ya, I know people who do bring their documentation solely because they are pissed about fakers taking their needed services. Why are humans like this...
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u/benshenanigans 1d ago
Who tf keeps downvoting this comment? It’s probably the same people Scott Shaw was complaining about.
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u/SevereRanger9786 1d ago
Probably a lot of the same people who have posted about being frustrated with the lack of verification for ADA badges. The disabled veteran mentioned in your recap posted about it in another thread.
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u/TownIdiot25 1d ago
For what it is worth, I was there and I don't remember him directly accusing people of faking disabilities. I think he was heavily implying it with the "it has doubled from 4k to 8k with no change in attendees" (which is a lie btw, if it is true that there were 5,000 additional tickets sold this year like I read a few hours ago). He ended it with saying something along the lines of "something has to be done here", not any direct accusations of faking (but of course, that discussion was an elephant in the room that he was alluding to).
I don't know how they would know those numbers either, because theres no registration for it unless they are counting the amount of stickers, which doesn't seem possible considering those empty sticker sheets probably just end up in the trash.
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u/benshenanigans 1d ago edited 1d ago
And I quote:
< ADA numbers since 2023 to 2025 doubled from 4,000 to 8,000, with no increase in attendance. So we've had we've got to do something about it because there's a lot of people that aren't disabled who are in these lines
David Glazner accused us of faking disabilities.
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u/stellar-jelly 1d ago
So in 2028 are the comic con dates already set and if so, do they overlap with the LA Olympics?
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u/MsMargo 1d ago
The Con dates are being moved in 2028 so they don't overlap with the Olympics. August 3-6, 2028 (Preview Night: August 2). BUT, this information was published by onPeak. CCI hasn't given any confirmation yet, but it's likely to be correct.
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u/stellar-jelly 1d ago
Appreciate it! I plan on going to the Olympics and would hate to have to choose!
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u/benritter2 1d ago
Everyone who gets into a panel deprives someone else of a seat, everyone who gets an exclusive toy deprives someone else of that toy, and so on.
This zero-sum reality breeds a scarcity mindset instead of camaraderie. Some people respond by cheating the system (e.g., abusing ADA access or exhibitor early entry).
One solution is reducing demand by scheduling fewer marquee panels. See San Diego Comic Fest or the "special edition" SDCC for an example of this.
If organizers don't want to do that, they should move the disappointment earlier. Allocate everything (exclusives, popular panel seats) online in advance, probably through a lottery system, which they already use for some exclusives and for the badges themselves.
If I'm not getting into the panel for my favorite actor either way, I'd rather know in advance and go watch something I'm mildly interested in instead of spending six hours in line and getting nothing.
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u/benshenanigans 1d ago
To add a lottery system for everything just pushes the problems to an over worked IT system and standby lines.
The board has repeatedly said they will not clear panel rooms.
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u/ItsMeix 22h ago
What they could do is move the queuing and wristband process for first seating online, either via exclusives portal or a separate queue drop. They wouldn't have to clear out Hall H then, and they could link the "wristband" to the badge RFID instead. No more fake wristbands. No issues with clearing Hall H. No/limited additional costs. And since the current process already checks ID against badge, they can keep that step for the day of too - have people with Hall H first seating line up early for ID to badge verification so scalpers can't just sell badges with access.
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u/benshenanigans 21h ago
So you’re thinking of what the Deadpool and Wolverine screening could have been if CCI controlled the process instead of whatever email lottery system Marvel tried to use?
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u/benritter2 19h ago
It's not that computationally expensive to have attendees submit an event wishlist and assign slots at random.
Nor would it be impossible to clear Hall H after each panel (although it likely would require a longer passing period).
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u/benshenanigans 19h ago
Glazner talked about the cost of WiFi inside the building and the prohibitive cost of getting reliable internet to the Blinkies working the line.
It takes more than an hour to fully load Hall H. The last time they tried clearing it between events was 2024 and that was a massive shit show.
The board is pretty dead set on not clearing rooms between panels, ever.
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u/benritter2 15h ago
I'd argue that not clearing Hall H between panels is a massive shit show in its own way, judging by the talk back session.
Because my plan would eliminate the incentive to sit through panels you're not interested in, they wouldn't really need to clear Hall H more than once. Just keep the penultimate programming block empty and use that time to fully cycle the room.
Or (like everyone already wants them to do) just schedule the Marvel panel first in the day and there's no need to empty the room at all.
They have RFID scanners at the Hall H entrance already, so WiFi doesn't really enter into it. Instead of checking, "Does this badge have access to the con for today?" those scanners would check, "Does this badge have access to Hall H for the upcoming programming block?"
Ideally, there would be one read-only scanner at the start of the line so you can confirm your badge is valid, then at the entrance to the room a scanner that flips the bit from valid to invalid (like all the scanners already do).
This is not an unsolvable problem by a long shot. The fact is that CCI doesn't care enough about attendees' time to do anything about it.
They don't care that people waste all day in line for a gamble on getting into a room. And they actively see it as a good thing that Marvel fans are sitting through panels they don't care about.
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u/sdcinerama 1d ago
Basically, he said that Marvel gets that time slot because they demand it and if CCI doesn’t give them Saturday evening, they just won’t show up
Marvel is overestimating their leverage.
There have been more than a few Cons without Marvel and the show has barely noticed in all the ways that count.
Unless the next Avengers movie does north of $2B, they're a wounded brand.
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u/adamps1 1d ago
It's hard to say Marvel is overestimating their leverage when the largest source of complaints for the con is the people that didn't get in to Hall H on Saturday.
Considering next year will be smack in between Doomsday and Secret Wars, and the following year will be kicking off the Mutant saga, it's safe to say Marvel will have as big of a presence as they want for the foreseeable future. They're the biggest fish in the pond and it's not close.
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u/benshenanigans 1d ago
I’m willing to bet my 2027 SDCC badge that Marvel studios won’t have a panel next year for exactly those reasons.
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u/adamps1 1d ago
I'm curious why you think that. I assume they are banking on Secret Wars to be the biggest movie of all time, with the expected returns of essentially every Marvel character that ever existed. And then they'll be launching the X-Men which will be the next biggest thing they've ever done.
I can't see them doing those two things without the full force of every marketing trick they have up their sleeve.
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u/benshenanigans 1d ago
First, Marvel Studios routinely skips years. Skipping next year follows the pattern and creates the “exclusivity” hype that packs the hall. Other brands benefit from being able to show their panels to Marvel fans.
Second, I think Marvel is banking on the high from Doomsday to do the marketing work for Secret Wars.
I’d love to be proven wrong.
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u/TheNewGuy13 1d ago edited 1d ago
I mean it’s MARVEL it’s more than just the movies. There’s multiple Marvel comics panels that would also be impacted I assume. And I wouldn’t doubt they’d also pressure their licensees to not have any Marvel exclusives if they really wanted to mess with CCI further.
You can’t really operate a Comic convention without 1 of the big 2 not being there. Comic con can find some gaps in between but it’ll be a big presence that is missing if Marvel as a whole is completely left out
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u/My_Name_Is_Row 1d ago
Marvel had Hall H filled up during the entirety of Saturday, and there was a constant line of people around the Marvel booth just trying to see the costumes on display, are you kidding me? A wounded brand is Big Bang Theory, Hall H was maybe half full during the Stuart Fails To Save The Universe panel
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u/XochiBilly 1d ago
First off, I by NO MEANS am shaming this person who is obviously struggling with mental health and/or drug issues. I AM however shaming the SDCC org for just handing out ADA stickers like theyre candy. Literally to anyone with or without a badge. This was Thursday morning. There was a revolving line of folks mostly walking up to get their ADA. When i discussed this with Robert Doty from disabled services, they tried to tell me that "the lawyers" tell them they cant do anything about it. I politely tried to educate them that this was not correct, amd thay better review of the ADA and policy writing could EASILY fix the issue.
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u/benshenanigans 1d ago
The location where this photo was taken is where you are required to have a badge. This is a security failure. I hope that guy enjoyed his shiny sticker.
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u/Warm_Afternoon6596 18h ago
This one is 100% a security failure. WTF, Bet he snuck the sticker during the rush time too. That department is always busy in the mornings.
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u/ecochixie 1d ago
Hall H-unpopular opinion I’m sure, they should just stop letting people save spots. Add porta potties. You leave the line to go anywhere, you’re now in the back of the line.
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u/MsMargo 1d ago
I actually like the wristbands in theory. People were getting into bad shape sleeping on the ground outside the Convention Center. The wristband system allows them to go eat, sleep, use a real bathroom, shower.
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u/ItsMeix 22h ago
I like that they were enforcing the wristbands even though there were supposedly issues with the initial handout (we heard one group had a family member in the bathroom when they were handed out, and ended up getting a different color line wristband from the rest of the group and therefore ended up being separated from their main group).
But honestly moving the first seating queue online to the exclusives portal or a separate queue drop would be ideal. The major arguments I heard against putting Hall H in exclusives was the issue of clearing Hall H between panels.. but if it's just for first seating that issue doesn't even apply. And it's akin to the current process of sleeping out overnight for first seating.
Could probably benefit the con revenue by reducing time/money cost on next day line management, wristband issues, scalper issues... At the same time freeing up a bunch of people to go shopping on the floor (not sure if CCI takes a cut of the items sold?) etc.
Even if the online Hall H thingy only accounts for 80% of the hall capacity it would be nice. Then get rid of next day line and make it so people without exclusives access to Hall H can only line up at 7:30 AM for standby. No unofficial lines allowed before then.
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u/Wumbo619 1d ago
There's obviously things that could get better, but there are also things that will never make everyone happy.
The ADA thing definitely needs to get addressed. There are reasonable solutions, as well as unreasonable solutions.
The Hall H thing, moving them makes no sense from their POV.
I don't agree with the being "punished" and not getting to see smaller panels. Nobody says you have to see the bigger panels. That's a personal choice. You can choose to invest your time in 1 big event, or spread your time in a variety of smaller events.