Thursday was the first full day of Comic-Con, and the exhibit hall was packed with fans, more cosplayers and seemingly endless displays of intriguing art and merchandise.
FULL COMIC-CON COVERAGE: Comic-Con 2023
Outside the San Diego Convention Center, activities were available throughout the Gaslamp Quarter. Our reporters and photographers were roving in and around the convention center to take it all in.
Here are some of the best things they saw.
A Deirdre Beaubeirdre cosplayer
Andrea J. Seale was dressed as the character Deirdre Beaubeirdre from the movie “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”
Casa Mexico celebrates art and pop culture from Mexico
Casa Mexico at is back at Comic-Con. The pop-up hospitality lounge, located in Seaport Village, opened Thursday to celebrate Mexican pop culture through exhibitions, live music and food tastings. ission is free and badges are not required.
Casa Mexico features an exhibition of late Mexican cartoonist Eduardo Humberto del Río García, better known as Rius. Last year, the first Casa Mexico attracted around 5,000 guests.
Local leaders from both sides of the border attended the ribbon cutting ceremony, where free samples of Tijuana’s famous Caesar salad and Baja California wines were offered, and of course there was mariachi music. The Mexican states of Baja California and Nayarit are this year’s guests. The complete program is available at mexicogotme.com.
— Alexandra Mendoza
Super doughnuts
San Diego doughnut company Donut Bar set up shop in the Pendry Hotel, showing off a collection of Comic-Con-exclusive confections. The company is serving up doughnuts inspired by Wonder Woman, Super Man and the golden Mario coin.
— Cameron Fozi
The tallest creatures at Comic-Con
Outside the Marriott Marquis can be seen two 20-foot-tall inflated sculptures of Dragon Ball characters: Cell Max, left, and Super Piccolo. At the foot of the two large inflatables is a smaller Super Vegeta, also from Dragon Ball. The sculptures are propped up right by the Embarcadero Marina Park.
— Cameron Fozi
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in Hall H
Fans of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles gathered in Hall H to see exclusive clips along with behind the scenes content from the film, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,” in theaters Aug. 2. The film’s director, Jeff Rowe, was also there and chatted about his own love of the series, which began when he’d play with the toys as a kid.
— Maura Fox
One of the creepiest creatures in the exhibit hall
“Final Fantasy XVI” aficionados can take a snapshot with Ifrit, a major character in the franchise’s newest role-playing video game at booth 3829 at Comic-Con. The booth also had collectibles, merchandise and figurines from the video game for sale.
— Carlos Rico
WWE superstars take the spotlight
WWE superstars made a special appearance at the Mattel Creations booth to promote new action figures, toys and collectibles. The meet and greet included WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins, WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley, Women’s Tag Team Champion Chelsea Green, Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae.
— Carlos Rico
‘Death Note’ cosplayers
Lauren Deerinck from Del Mar, and her partner, Michael Kennedy, of Lakeside, dressed up as Ryuk and Light from Death Note, a Japanese anime, on Thursday. Deerinck’s elaborate look was complete with white face paint and feathers throughout the costume to resemble the series’ villainous character.
— Maura Fox
Free pinball for all (with a badge)
Comic-Con attendees spent some time gaming at the convention’s pinball pop-up arcade in the Marriot Marquis Hotel. Entirely free, the experience features dozens of Foo Fighters and Venom machines. To bring some competition to the space, the room also has a scoreboard so participants can compete or try to beat their own high score.
— Maura Fox
Three Transformers have rolled into a parking lot across from Petco Park — including the gorilla-like Optimus Primal. Each statue is more than 10 feet tall.
— Cameron Fozi
Toad on the road
Rory, 19, traveled from out of town to bring this costume of Toad from Super Mario Brothers to San Diego’s Comic-Con. The character’s hat, which Rory made from paper mache, took a week to construct.
— Maura Fox
Yacht party
Docked on the San Diego Marina behind the convention center is the IMDb Boat Experience. The public can climb aboard this three deck yacht that has an interactive Lego installation, games, drinks, snacks and more. It is free and available on a first come basis on Friday from 1 to 7 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
— Carlos Rico
A menace with a message
“Attack of the Metallic Menace” is a 10-foot tall creation at the Petco Park Interactive Zone, designed to raise awareness about the dangers of vaping. The monster, which stands in front of a backdrop that represents lungs, was inspired by films like Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster. The project is part of a campaign collaboration between Fandom, the Federal Drug istration and The Real Cost. Visitors can bring the monster to life with an Instagram filter that makes it “breathe out” toxins.
— Maura Fox
