The streets around San Diego's convention center are empty — no zombies are shambling through the streets and no impromptu campsites have sprung up in the massive line outside Hall H (where all the best s are), because there are no lines this year. For the second year in a row, San Diego Comic-Con has gone online only.
The convention officially kicks off Friday, though some events have gone live already. s, the art show, the dealers' hall and the Eisner Awards — generally described as the Oscars of comics — will all be available through what organizers are calling Comic-Con@Home.
There are a few notable absences — both Marvel Studios and DC are staying away; as it did last year, DC is again directing its resources towards its own event, DC FanDome, set for mid-October. But fans of shows like Doctor Who, Dexter and Comic-Con stalwart The Walking Dead will have lots to look forward to.
Animation fans in particular can expect some treats, with s on the new limited sequel to classic '80s cartoon He-Man, the revived version of Tuca & Bertie and — very exciting for comics nerds — Netflix's Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles, an adaptation of Stan Sakai's beloved, long-running comic series Usagi Yojimbo.
And like every year, there are plenty of convention-exclusive toys and collectibles to snag, though for some of the hottest toys, you may have to try your luck in a lottery for the chance to buy.
Convention organizers also say they're planning a smaller, in-person event, called Comic-Con Special Edition, which will take place in late November, so don't give up on your cosplay ideas just yet.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
