We know we've made a lot of grand proclamations over what San Diego Comic Con is "about" during the course of this article. Please forget all of our previous answers, however, because at its very core - despite the growing size, shifting focus and pricey tickets - SDCC is still about fans all meeting up in one safe space, to celebrate their nerdy interests without fear of judgement, and just to be amongst their "people". It's not likely you'll get the chance to spend the weekend with so many like minded people again, so you should really make the most of it. People at Comic Con are pretty friendly. We mean, when it isn't the Sunday and they're on the shuttle to the airport and they're totally drained of both life force and funds. Before that, however, it's incredibly easy to strike up conversations with people on the con floor, at parties and your hotel bar. We mean, you know you're gonna have stuff in common right from the off, right? It's a nice way to pass the time in the queues, too, by getting to know those around you. Slightly more cynically it also means they might hold your place in line while you run off to get food or pee, if you agree to do the same for them. Really, though, this is what it's all about: fully immersing yourself in whatever your fandom of choice is, putting faces to the names of people you follow online, and bonding with people over the strongest possible shared interest: pop culture. You will be struggling to fit all of your physical purchases from San Diego Comic Con into your luggage, but the most valuable thing you'll have upon returning home is friendship. And the complete run of ROM Spaceknight.
Tom Baker is the Comics Editor at WhatCulture! He's heard all the Doctor Who jokes, but not many about Randall and Hopkirk. He also blogs at http://communibearsilostate.wordpress.com/
