Comic-Con teases fans with plans for a virtual pop culture fest this summer

For Comic-Con fans still distraught over the cancellation of the July convention, take heart. Organizers are hatching a virtual version for this summer.

In a video that is deliberately vague, Comic-Con teases what it’s calling Comic-Con@Home, complete with no parking, “comfy chairs, personalized snacks, no lines, and badges for all.”

Originally scheduled for late July, Comic-Con was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic and the social-distancing restrictions that will likely remain in place for some time in order to combat the spread of the coronavirus. Organizers at the time of the April announcement talked about rebooting for next year but did not say what might take Comic-Con’s place this year.

The convention had been slated to start July 23, but no specific time frame has been offered for the start of Comic-Con@Home. A tweet by organizers last Friday said simply, “See you this summer.”

Asked about what fans might expect from the virtual Con, spokesman David Glanzer said Tuesday that there currently are no more details to provide.

“Unfortunately there really isn’t anything I can add,” he said. “As I mentioned, we are in the early discussion stages. And yes it is fast approaching so we do have our work cut out for us.”

When Comic-Con announced its decision to withdraw from this year’s gathering, Glanzer noted that guidance from Gov. Gavin Newsom had made it clear to organizers that there was no safe way to move forward with plans this year.

Even though Glanzer was unable to offer details, the current at-home version of sister convention WonderCon may offer a clue as to what’s to come. Offerings have included panel discussions that would have been scheduled for the live event, an online exhibit hall and a link to an online store that includes exclusive WonderCon merchandise.

“Over the coming weeks, we’ll be uploading new and exclusive videos, featuring special guests and panels that would have been featured at WonderCon Anaheim 2020. These videos have been specially created for our WonderCon@Home section. It’s the next best thing to being there,” reads a WonderCon post.

Multiple videos of panel discussions are posted, including, for example, one called “Mental Health and the Power of Comics Featuring ‘Dark Agents.’”

In the meantime, Comic-Con staff have been busy processing badge refunds. In the alternative, ticket holders have the option of transferring their badges to Comic-Con 2021.