The scene is out of something you might find only, in, well a comic book.
There was Batman, Captain America and Superman. Several Supermans, in fact.
As well as the most authentic-looking Spock you could find outside of Star Trek, a bunch of Ghostbusters and even a Ghostbusters ambulance coming out of the roof of a bar.
It is Comic-Con in San Diego, a celebration of comic book superheroes. The 2023 event is July 20-23 and it takes over San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter and the Gaslamp’s bars. And don’t worry; it is still a big deal even with the Hollywood strikes.
And you don’t even need to have a ticket to join the 150,000 or so at the Convention Center. That’s because a lot of the real action is on 5th Ave., in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter.
The street is blocked off from Island to the Convention Center and on the peak day of Saturday, is elbow-to-elbow crowded with “superheroes” and gawkers. Those in costume revel in posing for photos.
My first year was just the last one before the pandemic and I kept marveling at Spock, who looked identical to the TV character. I mean identical. He could even do the Vulcan finger split. He was accompanied by a Captain Kirk who was so old, I thought for a second he might actually be William Shatner. (He wasn’t, I realized upon closer inspection). Trekkies from Star Trek would have loved it.
In addition to the street scene, the bars really get into the act. Some are “wrapped” with advertising and turn into Comic Con-themed parties. Bartenders and waitresses all dress up in superhero costumes.
And people drink, dance and party in their costumes.
It is quite the scene and one I recommend for a different kind of nightlife in San Diego.
#ComicCon
#ComicCon2022
#SanDiego
#Gaslamp
#nightlife
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