10 Ways to Keep SDCC 2012 Alive Until SDCC 2013

Whether you had the opportunity to attend last week’s San Diego Comic-Con or not, we all lament the end of the event. While some of us battled in lines to get near our favorite creators, others watched closely from the comfort of their own homes via sources like G4, Spike, Twitter, YouTube, etc. Wherever you were during the “King of Cons,” it’s safe to say that the end of SDCC is a sad day for us all. So, with SDCC 2013 so far away, what are we left to do to keep the spirit and excitement alive? Here are 10 ideas to keep a little bit of that SDCC feeling alive:

 

1. Listen to Geek Podcasts:  Several podcasts cover SDCC and can be listened to throughout the year. In fact, one of the ways I prepare for SDCC in June is by going back and listening to podcasters that covered the event from the year prior. Some of my favorite SDCC podcasts include Cape Town Community, Comic Geek Speak, Geeks Shall Inherit, Marvelicous, SDConCast and Star Wars Action News.

2. Watch Nerd Television:   G4 and Spike provided hours of coverage of SDCC this year. Although they many not be everyone’s cup of tea, it’s undeniable that there is an awesome energy found in being able to re-live the events of the SDCC floor. Each year I keep those hours of coverage on my DVR until after Christmas and watch them anytime I start to long for the craziness of SDCC.

 

3. Watch the Stars on YouTube:  Although nothing can beat the experience of actually sitting in the room with your favorite stars and creators, the coverage of panels on YouTube can still be a very enjoyable way to embrace the nostalgia of the event.

 

4. Peruse Episode IV: A Fan’s Hope:  Morgan Spurlock and Alba Tull teamed together to provide the perfect fix of SDCC goodness within their coffee table book. Flipping through its pages, it is impossible for someone to not be re-introduced into the wonderful world of Comic-Con.

 

5. Plan SDCC 2013:   Anyone that has ever attended an SDCC can verify that it is the type of event where planning is crucial. So, why not enjoy SDCC now by planning for next July? What do you want to do at SDCC differently than this year? When will you arrive? How will you save money for all of those exclusives? Are you going to cosplay?

 

6. Attend Cons:  There’s nothing that can satiate the appetite for SDCC better than attending another convention. Although there is nothing out there that is the same as SDCC, there are many tremendous shows that display a great deal of heart and deliver an awesome amount of fun. Living inSouthern California, shows like Star Trek Las Vegas, Comikaze Expo, Long Beach Comic-Con, and Amazing Arizona Comic-Con will all play large roles in me getting my “fix” for the SDCC world.

 

7. Visit Local Comic Book Shops, Toy Stores & Antique Stores:  Again, a visit to your local comic shop or antique store isn’t the same as being in the center of the pop cultural universe, but they both provide reminders of that world. How can you not think of Comic-Con when you’re holding a vintage Star Wars figure in your hand?

 

8. Visit the Gaslamp:  This one is exclusively for those of us that live close enough toSan Diego to be able to do so. But if you are, it can be a fun way to remember SDCC. Sure, it’s missing the cosplayers and free handouts, but it does give you the opportunity to be the very first person in line for Hall H…for that one moment in late September.

 

9. Twitter:  Utilizing Twitter to reminisce with your SDCC friends can be the perfect way to re-capture those moments of craziness and fun. Although the topic of SDCC on Twitter really blows up in June and July, there’s no reason to wait that long to share in the fun. I know I’ll be posting pics (Twitter: @The_Con_Fluence) from SDCC 2012 all the way up until we get to SDCC 2013.

 

10. Look Through Your Pictures:  Even more valuable than the swag and exclusives, your own personal pictures of SDCC can be one of the best ways to celebrate the event. Often after my toughest days of work I’ll re-visit the pictures I’ve taken and find that they always bring a smile to my face.

 

Although nothing on this list takes the place of SDCC, they are all ways to bring a glimmer of that spectacular event into your day-to-day life. So, the next time you’re feeling those post-SDCC blues, give one of these a try and see if it brings you back to that special place at the center of the geek universe.