Batman Pop-Up to Give San Diego a Glimpse Into Comic-Con Museum's Future
On Thursay through Sunday, the pop-up Comic-Con Museum will be open to the public for free and will not require a ticket to San Diego Comic-Con
By Christina Bravo and Andrew Johnson ••
San Diego becomes the epicenter of pop culture for one week of every year but there will soon be a museum in Balboa Park that will allow fans and San Diegans alike to be inspired by comic book culture year-around.
The Comic-Con Center for Popular Culture is still years away from officially opening to the public -- in May 2021, Museum director Adam Smith hopes -- but he sees San Diego Comic-Con 2019 as a sort of "dry run," a chance to test how a museum filled with comic art exhibits, classes, panels, movie screenings and more can operate.
"The idea behind the museum is to extend the magic and the impact of Comic-Con beyond the four-day event that it is right now, to be a 365-day-a-year impact on the community of San Diego," Smith said.
Getty Images for DC
Various SDCC museum activities and displays during “The Gathering” ahead of the induction ceremony during The Batman Experience powered by AT&T and Comic-Con Museum character Hall Of Fame induction at Comic Con Museum on July 17, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for DC)
A full lineup of events is planned for this week, starting with the museum's first major fundraising event on Wednesday. "The Gathering," is a Batman-themed night that will induct the Dark Night as the inaugural member into the Character Hall of Fame, plus give the public access to one of the biggest Batman memorabilia exhibits ever created by DC.
On Thursay through Sunday, the museum will be open to the public for free and will not require a ticket to San Diego Comic-Con, though once the museum reaches capacity, a line will form on a first-come-first-served basis.
Guests can experience "The Dark Knight Dive," which will combine skydiving with virtual reality for a unique experience; "The Batcave," which will give guests a chance to experience generations of Batman video games; plus, hundreds of pieces of DC memorabilia will be on display.
President Donald Trump on Sunday again ripped into four Democratic congresswomen of color who've been the target of his sustained attacks, calling them "weak" and "insecure" minutes after blasting a Washington Post story on the fallout over his initial comments about the members a week earlier, NBC News reports. "I don't believe the four Congresswomen are capable of loving our Country," Trump tweeted. "They should apologize to America (and Israel) for the horrible (hateful) things they have said. They are destroying the Democrat Party, but are weak & insecure people who can never destroy our great Nation!" The Washington Post reported Saturday that Trump's own top aides did not think he fully understood what he had done in posting racist rhetoric about the four congresswomen of color, nicknamed "The Squad," on Twitter before a golf outing last weekend. Last Sunday, Trump touched off an uproar when he tweeted that the four lawmakers — who are citizens and, except for one, were born in the United States — should "go back" and try to fix the "crime infested places" they "originally came from" before telling the U.S. government how to handle its problems.
But the center is meant to be more than a place for Batman lovers and hardcore comic book fans. Smith sees the center as a space to encourage creativity and fandom within the San Diego community.
This week's lineup of other activities at the museum -- A "Paint Like Bob Ross" class and a Geek Couture exhibit, for example -- are a preview of what can be expected year-round when the museum officially opens.
"I feel it’s worth doing because we can demonstrate to everyone, the fans of comic con and the community of San Diego just what the potential of the museum is," he said.
Getty Images for DC
Various SDCC museum activities and displays during “The Gathering” ahead of the induction ceremony during The Batman Experience powered by AT&T and Comic-Con Museum character Hall Of Fame induction at Comic Con Museum on July 17, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for DC)
Comic-Con International, the non-profit organization behind one of the biggest pop culture conventions in the world, has invested about $11 million into the museum, about a third of what's needed to get the museum opened by 2021.
The city has offered the 68,000-square-foot Federal Building in Balboa Park, which housed the San Diego Hall of Champions until 2016, as the museum's permanent home.
Despite the contributions, there's still plenty of work to be done on the three-story facility. Smith said the building will need to be remodeled to better serve their needs for the next 20 to 30 years; that includes creating classrooms that can serve as youth education spaces and adding a theater where they can screen movies and host panels.
Theatre Box
Downtown San Diego’s swanky movie theater, Theatre Box (701 Fifth Ave.), plans to offer a meaty lineup of specials inspired by 2019 San Diego Comic-Con International, including the Captain America Burger, from July 18 through July 21. This dish features black angus beef topped with Vermont white cheddar, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, crispy onions, and Sugar Factory sauce, all between a blue brioche bun. The Captain America Burger costs $21 and will be available in Sugar Factory American Brasserie – the restaurant at the movie theater – and at TCL Chinese Theatre at Theatre Box, meaning patrons can eat it from the comfort of their luxury recliner, while watching a movie. By the way, other Comic-Con items on the menu at Theatre Box include The Deadpool Wrap (a tomato tortilla filled with crispy chicken, romaine lettuce, parmesan, croutons, and buffalo dressing), The Wonder Woman Salad (quinoa, kale, tomato, cucumber, carrots, mint, basil and lemon vinaigrette); The Shazam! Hot Dog (topped with aged cheddar cheese and relish, served on a brioche bun) and the Hulk Sliders (Sugar Factory’s classic mini burgers served on green-colored buns with American cheese, crispy onions, and Sugar Factory sauce).
The Cravory
The Cravory, a beloved bakery in Point Loma and Carlsbad, will roll out special cookies just in time for Comic-Con, bringing them to a special pop-up shop outside The Cat Café on Third Avenue in downtown San Diego. The Cravory spokesperson Collin Smith told NBC 7 fans can expect best-sellers with a superhero twist (and boasting cool wrappers), including the “Red Flash Red Velvet,” the “Choc-Tham City Ultimate Chocolate Chip,” and the “Kryptonite Cookie Monster.” Smith said while the Comic-Con cookies will be sold at The Cravory shops during the convention, the best place to snag the sweets will be on the patio in front of The Cat Café from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., July 18 through July 21. The café is less than a half-mile away from the San Diego Convention Center. Smith said the cookies will sell for $2.50 each; anyone wearing a Comic-Con costume will be treated to a buy one/get one deal. Smith said Comic-Con is always big business for The Cravory. He’s been baking Comic-Con cookies for the past 10 years and told NBC 7 he enjoys being a small part of San Diego’s biggest event.
Theatre Box
Downtown San Diego’s swanky movie theater, Theatre Box (701 Fifth Ave.), plans to offer a meaty lineup of specials inspired by 2019 San Diego Comic-Con International, including the Captain America Burger, from July 18 through July 21. This dish features black angus beef topped with Vermont white cheddar, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, crispy onions, and Sugar Factory sauce, all between a blue brioche bun. The Captain America Burger costs $21 and will be available in Sugar Factory American Brasserie – the restaurant at the movie theater – and at TCL Chinese Theatre at Theatre Box, meaning patrons can eat it from the comfort of their luxury recliner, while watching a movie. By the way, other Comic-Con items on the menu at Theatre Box include The Deadpool Wrap (a tomato tortilla filled with crispy chicken, romaine lettuce, parmesan, croutons, and buffalo dressing), The Wonder Woman Salad (quinoa, kale, tomato, cucumber, carrots, mint, basil and lemon vinaigrette); The Shazam! Hot Dog (topped with aged cheddar cheese and relish, served on a brioche bun) and the Hulk Sliders (Sugar Factory’s classic mini burgers served on green-colored buns with American cheese, crispy onions, and Sugar Factory sauce).
Tocaya Organica
There’s really nothing more San Diego than tacos. Over at Tocaya Organica’s Gaslamp location (755 Fifth Ave.), Comic-Con fans can snag several specials now through July 22, including the Comic-Con Combo: two tacos, one side and one agua fresca for $9.95.
The Blind Burro
The Blind Burro (639 J St.) in downtown San Diego will usher in Comic-Con with a couple of special cocktails. The “Avengers”-themed Pomegranate Power Stone Margarita features Partida Blanco tequila, Pama liqueur, lime juice, pomegranate agave syrup and a salted rim garnished with a lime wedge and pomegranate seeds.
Brew30
Hulk smash! Manchester Grand Hyatt, located on Harbor Drive just to the north of the Comic-Con action at the convention center, is joining in the celebration with cuisine and drink themed after pop-culture characters. The Incredible Hulk Burger can be found at Brew30.
Brew30
When "Hulk hungry" this is the burger he goes for. A green bun is stacked high with two beef patties, lettuce, two slices of cheese, guacamole and more glorious toppings. To try out the Hulk Smash Burger, visit Brew30 in the Manchester Grand Hyatt from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. from July 18 to 21.
Bleu Bohème
In uptown San Diego’s Kensington community, Bleu Bohème (4090 Adams Ave.) will offer a superhero-inspired cocktail dubbed the “Femme d'Araignée,” or Spider-Woman. The $14 drink is made with rye whisky, Ramos Pinto fine ruby port, lemon juice and simple syrup, and is topped with soda water.
Bibigo Kitchen
Bibigo Kitchen (7007 Friars Rd., #357B) in Fashion Valley will be pouring an “Iron Man”-themed cocktail in honor of Comic-Con from July 19 through July 21. The $8 “E.D.I.T.H.” (Even Dead I Am The Hero) is described as Korean cocktail featuring chilled tropical soju sunrise, pineapple and grapefruit juice.
The Blind Burro
The Blind Burro will also mix up this “Star Wars”-themed margarita for Comic-Con: Finn’s F’in Spicy Margarita made with Partida Blanco tequila, Ancho Reyes Verde, lime juice, jalapeno syrup, serrano chiles and a tajin rim garnished with a lime wedge and half of a serrano chile.
Primavera Ristorante
Over in Coronado, Primavera Ristorante (932 Orange Ave.) is drawing on inspiration from the classic “Super Mario” characters for its Comic-Con offerings. The Italian restaurant will offer Mario-themed dishes including Super Mario Brothers Meatballs: house-made pork and beef meatballs stuffed with creamy ricotta and served with house-made marinara, available for $12. Also on the menu: Mario Marsala featuring sautéed chicken breast with fresh mushrooms in Marsala wine sauce, priced at $28. At the bar, patrons will find the $14 Luigi Martini mixed with gin, dry vermouth, Cointreau, grenadine and orange juice.
Death by Tequila!
Up in San Diego’s North County, Death by Tequila! (569 S. Coast Hwy 101) will offer patrons a cocktail inspired by “Avengers” supervillain Thanos. The drink is made with lime, mezcal, Ancho Reyes and citrus dragonfruit purée, garnished with an orange peel.
Sally's Fish House & Bar
Jedis need a break from the con, too. Enjoy some seaside views of the San Diego Bay at Sally's Fish House & Bar and enjoy some Star Wars-themed sushi using lightsaber chopsticks. Diners can catch the special menu from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. from Thursday to Sunday. The restaurant is closed from 3 to 5 p.m. as the kitchen switches from lunch to dinner.
El Chingon
El Chingon, the Mexican restaurant located at 560 Fifth Ave. will be mixing up three cocktails inspired by “Star Wars” and available from July 18 to July 21. First up: the $25 Vader-rita, made with agave blanco tequila, fresh lime juice and organic agave nectar, topped with a paleta ice cream and served in a goblet. There’s also the Palpatine’s Paloma featuring El Jimador blanco tequila, fresh lime, salt and choice of Jarritos, and Kylo’s Kooler, made with Azuñia blanco tequila, house-made watermelon cordial, lime and tajin. Both of those drinks cost $12.
Mezé Greek Fusion
Mezé Greek Fusion (345 Sixth Ave.) in downtown’s Gaslamp Quarter will offer the “Darth Revan Cooler,” a $13 cocktail made with RumHaven coconut rum, fresh lime, pineapple, mint, vanilla and allspice. Also on the menu: “Grey Jedi Jungle Juice” made with Dobel Diamanta GBOD single-barrel tequila, mango purée, Ancho Reyes verde, fresh lime and R&D fire bitters.
Prohibition
Downtown’s Prohibition (548 Fifth Ave.) plans to mix up a few Jedi-inspired cocktails for Comic-Con including “Use the Force Luke!” a combination of Dobel añejo tequila, lime, honey and R&D bitters. The drink costs $14.
Himmelberg's
One of the East Village’s newest restaurants, Himmelberg’s, a rock-and-roll style eatery at 10th Street and J Avenue, will feature four SDCC-inspired cocktails starting on July 15 and through the convention’s run. nThe Stay Puft is a chocolatey concoction that pays homage to “Ghostbusters” on its 35th anniversary. This cocktail is made with Screwball whiskey and crown royal, butterscotch and Godiva chocolate. It is served with a delicious graham cracker and chocolate-dipped rim and, of course, a toasted marshmallow.
Himmelberg's
The bar’s three other cocktails are inspired by Marvel characters. First, the green-colored World Breaker is inspired by Hulk’s ultra-powerful transformation. It’s fitting for this strong drink, made with vodka, rum and Midori-based cocktail topped with pineapple juice.nIs Hulk any match for Thanos, though? The purple Mad Titan cocktail based on the Marvel supervillain is made with blackberry-infused bourbon, Demerara syrup, lime juice and orange bitters. Himmelberg’s next drink pays its respects to a legendary man in the Marvel Universe, Mr. Tony Stark. The Tony Stark Eulogy is fittingly served in a glass of champagne for a toast goodbye to the character who started 10 years of Marvel movies. It is made with Rittenhouse rye whiskey and orange liqueur and topped with champagne.
Grant Grill
The Grant Grill has stirred up six other delectable concoctions, inspired by the seven kingdoms. One is Cersei’s Scottish Egg, which is topped with a mini crown fit for the queen of King’s Landing. Other cocktails include The Imp and the Mountain, which is two drinks in one; The Red Wedding; the White Walker; the King of the North; and the Red Wedding.
The Grant Grill
Want to know what it’s like to drink like Queen Daenerys Stormborn of the House Targaryen, First of Her Name, the Unburnt, Queen of the Andals and the First Men, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Breaker of Chains, and Mother of Dragons? Then you’ll want to try The Mother of Dragon’s cocktail at the Grant Grill at the U.S. Grant Hotel (326 Broadway). This steamy concoction is served from a dragon’s egg.
Rustic Root
You’ve been on many quests this Comic-Con but how about the quest for relaxation? Unwind from a busy day at the convention center with some Infinity Stone cocktails at Rustic Root, in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter and just steps away from the action (535 5th Ave.)
Le Parfait Paris
The French Bakery, Le Parfait Paris, is getting a little nerdy this Comic-Con. Each day, The confectioner will be making by hand superhero-shaped dark chocolates topped with a dusting of edible gold powder. The chocolates will be used to adorn some of the bakery’s pastries throughout the convention’s run.
He hopes this week's events will give San Diego a glimpse of what's to come and encourage locals to support the endeavor. He has only been in San Diego for two years -- since he was hired on to work on the museum project -- but he already feels the city's warm welcome.
"This is the first new museum in Balboa Park in a generation and I think people understand that will bring new audiences, it will bring some excitement and attention to Balboa Park," Smith said. "For such a big city, there’s almost a small community feel about it and I really appreciate that."
The Comic-Con Museum sits at 2131 Pan American Plaza in Balboa Park, about a mile-and-a-half from the San Diego Convention Center, where the annual pop-culture convention is held.
It will open from 9:30 a.m. each day and close at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 5 p.m. on Sunday. Shuttle service will not be available to the Comic-Con Museum during The Gathering.
Here are some other events happening at the pop-up Comic-Con Center for Popular Culture this year:
Cover Story: The Art of Comic-Con 50 The acclaimed original art exploring 50 years of Comic-Con program book covers will be displayed. First unveiled in March, the exhibit will have an exciting new addition: the original Jim Lee artwork that graces the milestone 50th anniversary cover.
Mondo Gallery: 80 Years of Batman The first ever traveling exhibit from the Mondo Gallery in Austin, Texas, will stop in Balboa Park, celebrating the history of Batman through 19 iconic and fan-favorite comic book covers, reproduced as screen-printed posters.
Paint Like Bob Ross In collaboration with Bob Ross, Inc., a make-and-take art class will be held where visitors can learn to paint like TV’s Bob Ross, under the supervision of a Certified Ross Instructor.
Geek Couture: Designs from the Her Universe Fashion Show For the first time ever, an exhibition featuring more than a dozen designs that have graced the Her Universe Fashion Show runway over the past five years. The exhibit will be expanded following the conclusion of the 2019 Fashion Show on Thursday night to include this year’s winning designs and select gowns worn by Her Universe founder Ashley Eckstein.
Daily Panels in the Museum Theater Four panels per day will give the broader community a taste of the great variety and depth of Comic-Con programming. Full details will be announced as we reveal the complete Comic-Con programming schedule.
Getty Images for DC
Various SDCC museum activities and displays during “The Gathering” ahead of the induction ceremony during The Batman Experience powered by AT&T and Comic-Con Museum character Hall Of Fame induction at Comic Con Museum on July 17, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for DC)
Getty Images for DC
Various SDCC museum activities and displays during “The Gathering” ahead of the induction ceremony during The Batman Experience powered by AT&T and Comic-Con Museum character Hall Of Fame induction at Comic Con Museum on July 17, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for DC)
Getty Images for DC
DC fans pose at “The Gathering” ahead of the induction ceremony during The Batman Experience powered by AT&T and Comic-Con Museum character Hall Of Fame induction at Comic Con Museum on July 17, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for DC)
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