History of San Diego Comic-Con in Timeline

San Diego Comic-Con is an annual multi-genre entertainment event held in San Diego, California, at the San Diego Convention Center. Founded in 1970, it initially focused on comic books and science fiction/fantasy. However, Comic-Con has expanded significantly to encompass a broad spectrum of pop culture and entertainment genres, attracting a diverse audience and becoming a major event for movie, TV show, and other media announcements and previews.

1960: Actors and writers have concurrently been on strike

On July 13, 2023, SAG-AFTRA approved a strike after failing to renew its contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), marking the first time that both actors and writers have concurrently been on strike since 1960.

March 21, 1970: San Diego's Golden State Comic-Minicon

On March 21, 1970, Shel Dorf organized San Diego's Golden State Comic-Minicon, a one-day convention, as a trial run for the larger convention he planned to stage.

1970: San Diego Comic-Con Founded

In 1970, San Diego Comic-Con was founded as a comic book convention and multi-genre entertainment event in San Diego, California. Initially focused on comic books and science fiction/fantasy, it has since expanded to include a wide array of pop culture elements.

1970: First Three-Day San Diego Comic Convention

The first three-day San Diego comic convention, known as San Diego Golden State Comic-Con, took place from August 1–3, 1970, in the basement of the U.S. Grant Hotel and drew 300 people.

1971: Richard Alf became chairman

In 1971, Richard Alf became the chairman of the convention, succeeding as co-chair from the first convention with Ken Krueger.

1971: Expansion of the Comic-Con Committee

In 1971, Richard Alf, the chairman, made an effort to expand the Comic-Con committee base by networking with other fandoms such as the Society for Creative Anachronism and the Mythopoeic Society.

1973: Name Change to San Diego Comic-Con

In 1973, the convention's name was changed from San Diego West Coast Comic Convention to San Diego Comic-Con.

August 1974: Invincible Iron Man No. 72

Issue No. 72 of The Invincible Iron Man (January 1975) was set at the July–August 1974 Comic-Con at the El Cortez Hotel and featured cameos by a few of the special guests.

January 1975: Invincible Iron Man No. 72

Issue No. 72 of The Invincible Iron Man (January 1975) was set at the July–August 1974 Comic-Con at the El Cortez Hotel and featured cameos by a few of the special guests.

1976: Release of 'The Spirit' One-Shot Issue

In 1976, a one-shot issue of 'The Spirit,' based on Comic-Con, was sold exclusively at Comic-Con. This one-shot issue was the seed of Comic-Con Magazine.

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1983: The Comic-Con Heist graphic novel

January 1984: Dazzler No. 30

Dazzler No. 30 (January 1984) set at the convention.

1984: San Diego Comic Book Expo

In 1984, a trade fair called the "San Diego Comic Book Expo" was held in association with San Diego Comic-Con; David Scroggy was the organizer.

1987: The Comic-Con Heist graphic novel

October 1989: Archie Giant Series No. 601

Archie Giant Series No. 601 (October 1989) set at the convention.

October 1991: Archie Giant Series No. 624

Archie Giant Series No. 624 (October 1991) set at the convention.

1991: Move to San Diego Convention Center

In 1991, the convention was moved to the San Diego Convention Center.

1992: San Diego Comic Con Comics giveaway to attendees spotlighting characters published by Dark Horse

1992–1995 the Con partnered with Dark Horse Comics for an annual San Diego Comic Con Comics giveaway to attendees spotlighting characters published by Dark Horse.

1993: Lobo Convention Special

Lobo Convention Special ([September] 1993) set at the convention

1994: San Diego Comic Book Expo

In 1994, a trade fair called the "San Diego Comic Book Expo" was held in association with San Diego Comic-Con; David Scroggy was the organizer.

1995: San Diego Comic Con Comics giveaway to attendees spotlighting characters published by Dark Horse

1992–1995 the Con partnered with Dark Horse Comics for an annual San Diego Comic Con Comics giveaway to attendees spotlighting characters published by Dark Horse.

1995: Convention logo designed

In 1995, the convention logo was designed by Richard Bruning and Josh Beatman.

1995: Name Change to Comic-Con International: San Diego

In 1995, the convention's official name was changed to Comic-Con International: San Diego.

September 2003: Archie No. 538

Archie No. 538 (September 2003) set at the convention.

July 2005: Debut of Comic-Con Magazine as 'Update'

In July 2005, Comic-Con Magazine debuted as 'Update,' focusing on the winners of the Eisner Awards. It is the official magazine of Comic-Con, WonderCon, and SAM: Storytelling Across Media, published free by San Diego Comic-Con International in the United States.

2006: Comic-Con Closes Registration Due to Crowding

In 2006, Comic-Con had to close registration for a few hours on Saturday for the first time due to capacity attendance and crowding issues.

2007: Attendance Cap

Due to overcrowding, organizers of the event capped attendance. This cap has been in place since 2007.

2007: Introduction of Three-Day Membership and Sell-Out of Memberships

In 2007, Comic-Con introduced a new three-day membership that did not include Saturday, in response to crowding issues. The 2007 show sold out Saturday, as well as Friday and Sunday for the first time. Additionally, both the four-day and three-day memberships sold out for the first time.

April 2008: Comic-Con's Desire to Remain in San Diego

In April 2008, David Glanzer, Comic-Con's director of marketing and public relations, commented on the organization's desire to remain in San Diego.

July 2008: Last Issue of Comic-Con Magazine as 'Update'

In July 2008, the last issue of Comic-Con Magazine appeared as 'Update' before going on hiatus and eventually returning as 'Comic-Con Magazine'.

2008: Abandonment of Three-Day Memberships and Advance-Only Sales

In 2008, the three-day memberships were abandoned and the convention decided to sell memberships only in advance, with no on-site registration. All memberships were sold out before the convention for the first time.

2008: Preview Night Attendance Limit Set

In 2010, organizers limited the number of badges for Preview Night to the number of those who attended in 2008.

October 7, 2009: Preview Night for 2010 Show Already Sold Out

As of October 7, 2009, Heidi McDonald reported that Preview Night for the 2010 show had already sold out. Glazner explained the early sell-out.

November 9, 2009: 4-Day Passes for 2010 Show Sold Out

As of November 9, 2009, Mark Evanier noted that all 4-day passes for the 2010 show had already been sold out.

2009: Criticism of Economic Impact

In 2009, the estimated economic impact of Comic-Con was criticized for allegedly negatively impacting seasonal businesses, low individual spending estimates, a large number of local attendees, and its cultural impact outweighing its financial impact.

2009: Comic-Con in Weeds

In season 5, episode six, of the Showtime show Weeds, attendees from Comic-Con 2009 are seen in Silas and Doug's medicinal marijuana club.

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February 23, 2010: Anaheim Convention Center Bid to Host Comic-Con

On February 23, 2010, The Orange County Register reported that the larger Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim would be making a bid to become the new home of Comic-Con starting in 2013.

July 26, 2010: 4-Day Passes with Preview Night Access for 2011 Convention Sold Out

On July 26, 2010, The North County Times reported that 4-day passes with access to Preview night for the 2011 Convention had sold out two hours before the 2010 convention closed.

September 30, 2010: Comic-Con Extended Stay to 2015

On September 30, 2010, Comic Con announced that they had extended their stay up to 2015 in San Diego.

2010: Preview Night Sells Out

Heidi McDonald reported on October 7, 2009, that Preview Night for the 2010 show had already sold out.

2010: Option to Attend Preview Night Offered to Four-Day Badge Holders

In 2010, those who pre-registered for four-day badges were given the option of attending Preview Night. The number of badges for Preview Night was limited to the number of attendees in 2008.

2010: Comic-Con attendance fills the San Diego Convention Center to capacity

Since 2010, Comic-Con has filled the San Diego Convention Center to capacity with over 130,000 attendees. The Eisner Awards, which recognizes creative achievement in American comic books, are also held at Comic-Con.

2011: Comic-Con featured in Paul movie

Comic-Con featured at some length in the 2011 movie Paul which stars Simon Pegg and Nick Frost.

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2011: TV Shows Outnumber Film Promotions

During the 2011 convention, at least 80 TV shows were represented, compared to about 35 films, indicating a trend of increased television show promotion at Comic-Con.

2011: The Real World: San Diego

In "It's My Party and I'll Bang If I Want To", an episode of the 2011 season of The Real World: San Diego, the cast attends Comic-Con made up as zombies in order to pass out promotional flyers for the House of Blues.

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2011: Sale of Passes

On July 26, 2010, The North County Times reported that 4-day passes with access to Preview night for the 2011 Convention had sold out two hours before the 2010 convention closed.

July 2012: G.I. Joe No. 180

G.I. Joe No. 180 (July 2012) set at the convention.

2012: Fatal Pedestrian Accident Near Convention Center

In 2012, a 53-year-old woman was struck and killed by a motorist as she tried to cross the street in front of the San Diego Convention Center. She had been part of the crowd camping out for the Twilight panel. The woman tripped and hit the car while crossing at the intersection of 5th and Harbor.

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October 2013: Approval of Proposed Expansion to San Diego Convention Center

In October 2013, a $520 million proposed expansion to the San Diego Convention Center received approval from the California Coastal Commission.

2013: Attempted Suicide Prevented by Stuntmen

In 2013, a young woman attempted to jump off the balcony of a local high-rise, but nearby stuntmen prevented it.

2013: Panel Statistics

In 2013, there were 1075 total panels held during the convention, the plurality of which were anime-focused (29%), followed by comic-focused panels (26%). There were 1036 vendors.

2013: Anaheim Convention Center Bid

On February 23, 2010, The Orange County Register reported that the larger Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim would be making a bid to become the new home of Comic-Con starting in 2013.

2014: Availability of Single-Day Passes Only

Comic-Con International announced that 4-day passes for the 2014 convention (July 24–27) would no longer be available, and only single days would be sold.

2014: Cease and Desist Order Sent to Salt Lake Comic Con

In 2014, San Diego Comic-Con sent a cease and desist order to the organizers of Salt Lake Comic Con, asserting trademark infringement. A U.S. court ruled in favor of San Diego Comic-Con and awarded $20,000 in damages.

2014: Convention Center Expansion Halted

In 2014, convention center expansion was halted due to a lawsuit.

2014: Pedestrians Struck by Car During ZombieWalk

In 2014, multiple pedestrians marching in an off-site ZombieWalk were struck by a car forcing its way through an intersection. A 64-year-old woman sustained serious injuries to her arm; two others had minor injuries.

2014: Estimated Economic Impact

In 2014, the estimated economic impact of Comic-Con was $177.8 million.

2014: Comic-Con Ownership of APE Ended

Through 2014, Comic-Con owned the Alternative Press Expo, more commonly known as APE. Comic-Con Magazine covered San Diego Comic-Con, WonderCon and the Alternative Press Expo.

July 2015: Convention Center Expansion Frozen

As of July 2015, convention center expansion is effectively frozen, partly because the city no longer has financing lined up for it, and partly because the city lost the rights to the only contiguous parcel of land where expansion could occur.

2015: Conan O'Brien Live Shows

From 2015 to 2019, Conan O'Brien recorded a week of live shows from Comic-Con at the nearby Spreckels Theatre.

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2015: Cake Masters Episode at Comic-Con

In 2015, the Food Network series Cake Masters had an episode where Duff Goldman presented a cake at Comic-Con to the cast of Fantastic Four.

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2015: Video channel created

In 2015, working with Lionsgate, a video channel was created to host Comic-Con related content.

2015: Comic-Con Extended Stay to 2015

On September 30, 2010, Comic Con announced that they had extended their stay up to 2015 in San Diego.

2016: Estimated Economic Impact

In 2016, the estimated economic impact of Comic-Con decreased to $150 million.

2016: Target Completion Date of Expansion

In October 2013, The proposed expansion to the San Diego Convention Center had a target completion date of early 2016. Due to the proposed expansion, Comic Con extended its contract for San Diego to 2016.

2016: Collection of The Comic-Con Heist in English

The fifth Kelly Green graphic novel The Comic-Con Heist (1987) written by Leonard Starr and drawn by Stan Drake was set at the 1983 con and depicted such regulars as Will Eisner, Milton Caniff, Burne Hogarth and Jack Kirby along with Shel Dorf; it initially only appeared in French until Classic Comics Press issued a collection of all five volumes of the series in English in 2016.

October 2017: Hiring Staff for Comic-Con Museum

In October 2017, the Comic-Con organization began hiring staff for the Comic-Con Museum, which will be located in the Federal Building in Balboa Park.

2017: Salt Lake Comic Con Renamed to FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention

In 2017, Salt Lake Comic Con changed its name to FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention (or just FanX) as a proactive move to avoid possible legal issues in the wake of the trademark ruling.

2017: Virtual Reality and Immersive Set Based on Blade Runner 2049

In 2017, an example of an offsite exhibit was a virtual reality and immersive set based on the movie Blade Runner 2049. This type of exhibit is located outside the convention center.

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January 16, 2018: Salt Lake Comic Con Filed Motion for New Trial

On January 16, 2018, Salt Lake Comic Con filed a motion for a new trial regarding the trademark dispute with San Diego Comic-Con.

2018: Contract Extended to 2018

As a result of negotiations in 2015, Comic-Con entered into a contract to stay in San Diego through 2018.

2018: Increased Competition from Other Conventions

By 2018, San Diego Comic-Con faced increasing competition from other comic conventions in cities such as New York City and Washington, D.C.

2018: Museum Delayed Due to Funding

During the 2018 Comic-Con, it was stated that the opening of the Comic-Con Museum was delayed due to the need for additional funds.

2018: Office Purchased in Little Italy

In 2018, Comic-Con International purchased a 29,000-square-foot office in San Diego's Little Italy neighborhood.

2018: Pop-Up Restaurants: Taco Bell Demolition Man and Shake Shack Bob's Burgers

In 2018, offsite events included a Taco Bell 'Demolition Man' themed pop-up restaurant in the Gaslamp Quarter and a Shake Shack 'Bob's Burgers' themed pop-up restaurant in Mission Valley during Comic-Con.

2019: Conan O'Brien Live Shows

From 2015 to 2019, Conan O'Brien recorded a week of live shows from Comic-Con at the nearby Spreckels Theatre.

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April 17, 2020: Cancellation of 53rd Convention Due to COVID-19

On April 17, 2020, the 53rd convention was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in California. An "SDCC@Home" digital streaming event was held as a replacement.

2020: Roll over their badge to 2021

Although plans were made for the convention to possibly return in 2021 (with 2020 badge holders given the option to receive a full refund or to roll over their badge to 2021).

2020: Production of COMIC-CON BEGINS: Origin Stories of the San Diego Comic-Con and the Rise of Modern Fandom

In 2020, SiriusXM and Stitcher began producing 'COMIC-CON BEGINS: Origin Stories of the San Diego Comic-Con and the Rise of Modern Fandom,' a six-part podcast mini-series. It chronicles the history of San Diego Comic-Con through interviews with over 50 original contributors and celebrities. The Podcast was hosted by Brinke Stevens.

2020: Target opening date of Comic-Con Museum

Organizers are hoping to raise $25 million with a target opening date of late 2020 or 2022 for the Comic-Con Museum.

March 1, 2021: Cancellation of 2021 Convention

On March 1, 2021, it was announced that the convention would be cancelled again due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The organizers assessed that it was still premature and unsafe to hold an in-person event at Comic-Con's full scale. SDCC@Home would again be held in a downsized form.

November 2021: San Diego Comic-Con Special Edition

In November 2021, a smaller in-person event, "San Diego Comic-Con Special Edition," was hosted, with proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a recent negative test required for admission, and face masks being mandatory.

2021: 2020 Summer Olympics Postponement

In 2020, the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, which Comic-Con was scheduled to coincide with, were postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021: Contract Extended to 2021

The commitment to San Diego was extended to 2021.

July 2022: Return of Full-Scale Convention

In July 2022, the full-scale convention returned, with face masks and proof of full COVID-19 vaccination required.

September 6, 2022: Publication of 'See You at San Diego: An Oral History of Comic-Con, Fandom, and the Triumph of Geek Culture'

On September 6, 2022, the book 'See You at San Diego: An Oral History of Comic-Con, Fandom, and the Triumph of Geek Culture' by Mathew Klickstein was published by Fantagraphics. It features forewords by Stan Sakai and Jeff Smith, and an afterword by Wu-Tang Clan's RZA. The audiobook version was also released on September 6, 2022, by Blackstone Audio.

2022: Target opening date of Comic-Con Museum

Organizers are hoping to raise $25 million with a target opening date of late 2020 or 2022 for the Comic-Con Museum.

July 13, 2023: SAG-AFTRA Strike and Media Company Pullouts

On July 13, 2023, SAG-AFTRA approved a strike, leading multiple major media companies, including Disney, Netflix, Sony Pictures, and Universal Pictures, to preemptively pull out of Comic-Con. Despite this, the convention occurred as scheduled with approximately 135,000 attendees and an economic impact of $161.1 million.

March 28, 2024: Announcement of Comic-Con Documentary

On March 28, 2024, it was announced that David Permut and Oscar Boyson will produce a feature-length documentary about Comic-Con based on the book and podcast series.

July 2024: Installation of Smart Streetlights and License Plate Readers

In July 2024, San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl cited Comic-Con as an exigent circumstance to bypass a privacy law and fast-track the installation of "smart streetlights" and automated license plate readers in the convention's vicinity.

December 2024: Lawsuit Filed Against SDPD

In December 2024, a lawsuit was filed against the SDPD for improperly deploying surveillance systems at Comic-Con without disclosing their locations or the nature of the "exigent circumstances", in violation of the law.

2024: Fire, Elevator Incident, and Human Trafficking Arrests

In 2024, a kitchen fire caused the evacuation of attendees at a promotional event for 'The Penguin'. Jennifer Garner got stuck in an elevator. The "San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force" arrested 14 and rescued 10 victims, citing Comic-Con as a venue for sex buyers.

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2024: Contract Extended to 2024

The commitment to San Diego was extended to 2024.

2024: San Diego Convention Center to be Comic-Con's Home

Through at least 2024, the San Diego Convention Center has been Comic-Con's home. Concerns have been raised that the event is possibly too large for the San Diego Convention Center.