I love July in San Diego.
It’s a month where locals and visitors (and there’s a whole lot of them in town) alike can truly feel free to be who they are thanks to two major events in town: Pride and Comic-Con.
First up, on July 14-15 is San Diego Pride — San Diego’s most colorful weekend of the year. Did you know that the original parade, then dubbed the Lesbian and Gay Parade, has been taking place in San Diego since 1974?
The current two-day festival attracts more than 40,000 people to Balboa Park, and this year more than 100 entertainers will be on hand ready to raise the crowd up. This year’s festival headliners include JoJo on Saturday and TLC on Sunday. Check out more about the weekend’s event and other Pride-related events on pages 20 + 22. And keep in mind, the “Pride Festival is open to everyone with an open heart and open mind!”
As the rainbows retreat, Tinseltown arrives along with scores of comic, sci-fi, fantasy, film and TV fans for the annual Comic-Con International, which runs July 19-22 with a preview night on July 18.
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Darth Lexii dressed as vacationing Harley Quinn at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Christina Garcia of San Diego dressed as Lady Deadpool at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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LIta Clinger of Trona dressed as Syren from the Wasteland Festival at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Tomi Baur of San Diego dressed a Khaleesi from Game of Thrones at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Rachael Flanigan of Philadelphia dressed as Harley Quinn at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Emma Skies of San Diego dressed as Bombshell Batwoman at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Mia Storer of Burbank dressed as Psycho from Borderlands at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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David Perez of Sacramento dressed as Beetle Jack at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Raven Roth of San Diego dressed as Black Canary at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Ruth Rodriguez of San Diego dressed as Harley Quinn at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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James Cherry of Redlands dressed as Darth Trump at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 21, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Lisa Middleton of Tulsa dressed as Gamora from Guardians of the Galaxy at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Emily Richardson of Riverside dressed as a character from Fallout at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Partick Jorque of Hayward dressed HIM from Power Puff Girls at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Destiny Sotello of Los Angeles dressed as Goldfinger at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Lavinia Lenza, visiting from Italy, dresses as Christmas Harley Quinn at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Aggie Barraza of San Diego dressed as Poison Ivy at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Alina Bartolini of Tijuana dressed as Raven at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Haley Permenter of Los Angeles drew as Sailor Moon at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Cassy Green dressed as Sally from the Nightmare before Christmas at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Amy Perez of San Diego dressed as the Joker at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Bam Bam dressed of Vista dressed as a Batdog at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Zack Baur of San Diego dressed as Khal Drogo from Game of Thrones at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Steamroller Jim dressed as vacationing Batman at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Matt Haddon of Los Angeles dressed as Capt. Jack Sparrow at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Paige Doyle of Washington D.C. dressed as Wonder Woman at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Kaitlyn Willison of Temecula dressed as Elias the Ancient Magus’ Bride at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Jacob Smith of San Diego dressed as Commander Shepard from Mass Effect at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Amanda Silver of Burbank dressed as Pearl from Steven Universe at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Joel Lanzaga of San Francisco dressed as Caliban from Logan at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Vana Ellison of Las Vegas dressed as Smaug from The Hobbit at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Christopher Smith of New York dressed as a Borg from the Star Trek: Discovery show at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Tokka Oroku of Denver dressed as Casey Jones at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Jackie Barajas of Chula Vista dressed as Loki at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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David McClow of Oceanside dressed as Jack Scllington at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Daniel Mendez of San Diego dressed as Spiderman at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Jessa Weiner of San Diego dressed as Nidalee from League of Legends at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Jazmen Day of Rancho Cucamonga dressed as Twintelle at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Reynisha Day Ballinger of Morena Valley dressed as Ursula the Sea Witch at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Bruce Stedwell of Phoenix dressed as Legion from Mass Effect at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Grant Young of San Luis Obispo dressed as Mistah Jay at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Tiffeny Reed of San Luis Obispo dressed as Quinn Bey at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Aiden McGuire of Ireland dressed as Captain America at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Destiny Sotello and Steve Stewart of Los Angeles dressed as Goldfinger and James Bond at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Darren Scholtz of Los Angeles dressed as Batman at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Hunter Layson of Los Angeles dressed as Mavik 1.0 at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Ricardo Alvarez of San Diego dressed as Gender Bending Harley Quinn at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Mikki Lim of Pleasanton dressed as Domino at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Shayla Jennings of Walnut dressed as Jinx from League of Legends.
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Kay Townsend of Phoenix dressed as Punk Mr. Freeze at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 21, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Emily Richardson of Riverside dressed as a Apocalypse LARP character at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 21, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Emily Anderson of Los Angeles dressed as Apple from Turbo Kid at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 21, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Maureen Dawson of Arlington, VA dressed Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones.
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Sheila Noseworthy of Oceanside dressed as Ghost Rider at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 21, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Reb Risty of San Diego dressed as Wonder Woman at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 21, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Russell Arons of Los Angeles dressed as Bombshell Katana at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 21, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Jose Urias of Chula Vista dressed as the Clown from Pennywise at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 21, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Genesis Prizmic of Anaheim dressed as a Harley Bunny.
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Jessica Gerritsen of San Diego Undyne from Undertale at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 21, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Priscilla Valle of San Diego dressed as Raven from Teen Titans at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 21, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Eddie Holly of San Diego dressed as Michael Jackson in casual phasma at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 21, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Gianluca Fanti of Rome dressed as Redhood from Batman at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 21, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Cristina Fanti of Los Angeles dressed as Batgirl of Burnside at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 21, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Addie Cannizzaro of Baltimore dressed as Harley Quinn.
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Mac McAlistar of Los Angeles dressed as Typhoid Mary from Deadpool at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 21, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Tamara Sherwin dressed as Wonder Woman at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 21, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Oz Kraus of Phoenix dressed as a punk Riddler at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 21, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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James Cherry of Redlands dressed as Darth Trump.
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Kizzy Mansi, left, and Annamae Mansi of San Diego dressed as Ninja Turtles at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 21, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Kat Stryker of Oceanside dressed as Princess Zya at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 21, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Megan Wiltse of San Marcos dressed as a Warlock.
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Shayla Jennings of Walnut dressed as Jinx from League of Legends.
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Reina Maxine of Danville dressed as the Evil Queen from Snow White at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 21, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Richard Delgado of San Diego dressed as Berserko the Clown.
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Silvia Corona of Chula Vista dressed as Raven from Teen Titan at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 21, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Mitchell Boldt of San Diego dressed as Mavik 2.0 at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Robert Meyers of Tampa dressed as a Storm Trooper.
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Alexander Albright of Los Angeles dressed as a Apocalypse LARP character at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 21, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Matt Ashcraft of Irvine dressed as Mordecai from Borderlands II.
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Oliver Pineda and Aria Brossett dressed as Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi.
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Twin brothers Cesar Corona, left, and Javier Corona of Chula Vista dressed as Menos from Teen Titons at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 21, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Michelle Norris of Washington DC dressed Arya Stark from Game of Thrones.
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Manual Garcia of Chula Vista dressed as Michael Myers from Halloween.
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Sheila Marler of Woodlands, TX dressed as a steampunk.
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Jay Voltage of Los Angeles dressed as Harley Quinn.
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Francisco Bramblia of San Diego dressed as Harley Quinn.
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Sabrina Bloch dressed as Te Fiti from Moana at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 20, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Kaite Samuel of Santa Barbara dressed as Ariel.
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Cash Branson of Pittsburgh dressed as Yondi and Guardians of the Galaxy at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 20, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Misty Orzechowski of Los Angeles dressed as Harley Quinn.
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Nicole Baker of San Diego dressed as the Mad Hatter at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 20, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Tom Kelly of Phoenix dressed as a Joker from Suicide Squad at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 20, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Rachel Hollon of Los Angeles was body painted as Harley Quinn.
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John Pina of San Diego dressed as the Silver Surfer at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 20, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Michelle Nash of San Diego dressed as the Red Queen from Alice in Wonderland at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 20, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Kelsey Endter of Lake Tahoe and boyfriend Matt Mullis of San Diego dressed as Scarlet Witch and Captain America.
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Tiffany Knight of New York City dressed as Death.
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Tiffany Kellbach of San Diego dressed as The Widow from Into the Badlands at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 20, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Kehlen Scott and Gordon Scott of Houston dressed as Lolita Catwoman and Black Mask at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 20, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Monica Lopez of Brazil dressed as Sally from the Nightmare Before Christmas at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 20, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Milley Paris dressed as Miss Marvel at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 20, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Michelle Pina of San Diego dressed as the wife Silver Surfer at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 20, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Jessica Elyse of San Diego dressed as Chipolte at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 20, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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James Frazier of Nashville dressed as Yondu - Mary Poppins combination at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 20, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Brian Teifer of San Diego dressed as the White Rabbit at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 20, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Hendo Art of Los Angeles dressed a Zatanna from Justice League.
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Nicole Baker of San Diego dressed as the Mad Hatter at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 20, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Mel Pistor of Cincinnati dress as Tim the Enchanter from Monty Python at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 20, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Duncan Stewart of Chino Hills dressed as Steam Punk Deadpool at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 20, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Alberto Hurtado dressed as Iris the Bearded Lady Freakshw and Ron Majji was Capt. Jack Sparrow at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 20, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Sabrina Welke of Simi Valley dressed as Peridot at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 20, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Angel Mendoza of San Diego dressed as Iron Patriot at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 20, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Jeanne Justice of San Diego dressed as Boushh from Star Wars at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 20, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Sam Welke of Simi Valley dressed as Lapis lazuli at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 20, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Luke Cantero of San Jose, left, and Nicolas Kupinstzky of Palm Coast, FL, dressed as Jay and Silent Bob at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 20, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Chris Canole of San Diego dressed as Dude Vader.
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Andrea Seale of Burbank dresses as Teka from Moana at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 20, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Dawn Richardon of Vancouver dressed Robb Stark from Game of Thrones.
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Sam Demangate of Santa Barbara dressed as Genderbent Boone.
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Siblings Itzel Becerra, left, Uriel Becerra, and Elfego Becerra dressed as Rey, Darth Vader, and a Storm Trooper from Star Wars.
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Giselle Lopez of San Diego dressed as a Space Disco Babe.
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Dawn Abbott off San Diego dressed as a Storm Trooper and her daughter Kendra Abbott dressed as R2-D2 at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 20, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Bill Craig of San Jacinto was dressed as Odin from Asgard Trailer Park.
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Nicholas Prior of San Diego dressed as Crossbones at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 20, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Reagan Kathryn of Santa Ana dresses as Bombshell Meka.
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Dean LeCrone of San Diego dressed as Dr. Artemus Peepers at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 20, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Cami Sylvester dressed as Moana and Sabrina Bloch dressed as Te Fiti (both of Los Angeles) at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 20, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
(K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Michelle Nash of San Diego dressed as the Red Queen from Alice in Wonderland at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 20, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
(K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune)
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Mark Zyzyck of San Diego dressed as Santa Claus at Comic-Con in San Diego on July 20, 2017. (Photo by K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
(K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune)
Whereas Pride is all about being free to be who you are, Comic-Con is a bit of that, but in reality it’s more about being anything you want to be. Cosplayers of all sizes, shapes, genders, superhero teams, fairy forests or anime worlds rule the streets here. Even if you don’t have tickets to the actual convention, the people watching around downtown is unrivaled.
Grabbing a drink at one of the Gaslamp’s many outdoor patios and watching the cosplayers stroll by is one of my favorite things to do each year — even after spending all day and weekend behind a computer editing Comic-Con coverage. And, who knows, there may even be a celeb sighting or two — fingers crossed for our cover man, Jason Momoa, this year!
To pique your curiosity about Comic-Con, you can find some tidbits about Momoa and this year’s expected blockbuster and Comic-Con reveal, Aquaman, go here. And don’t forget to follow along with PACIFIC’s pre-event and live coverage at pacificsandiego.com/comic-con.
Be the you you are, San Diego.
Leslie Hackett
leslie@pacificsandiego.com
“There is so much power in expressing yourself without fear. We hope all LGBTQ people will stand pround and be exactly who they are. Persist with pride!” — Tionne Watkins, aka T-Boz of TLC
