We’re just days away from the biggest entertainment and pop culture event in the country, and arguably the world. San Diego Comic-Con kicks off with a special media preview on Wednesday for select attendees and all ticket holders can join in the fun on Thursday.
Before you get too overwhelmed with the amount of places you can get your geek on, here’s a few of the must-see events SYFY is bringing to the Con. With 10 panels, two fan parties, roving interactive activations, mystery boxes galore, pop-up fan awards, and branded buses, trains and gear featuring art created by fans – SYFY’s ‘Con presence is designed to be the year’s ultimate celebration of fandom.
And make sure you follow NBC4 on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to catch Heather Brooker as she take us along to experience Comic-Con like never before!
PANELS
SYFY will bring the biggest genre stars together for 10 official panels, including eight show panels and two panels from SYFY WIRE that dissect and celebrate genre and geekdom.
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“SYFY WIRE’s The Great Debate,” one of last year’s hottest panels, will return with host Aisha Tyler and celebrity panelists debating the genre’s most hotly contested topics. Also from SYFY WIRE, Fangrrls managing editor Cher Martinetti will host “SYFY WIRE Fangrrls: Women Changing the Game,” an in-depth discussion with women leading the charge in sci-fi, fantasy and horror.
SYFY show panels include upcoming new series NIGHTFLYERS, the George R.R. Martin space novella adaptation, and DEADLY CLASS, the eagerly anticipated graphic novel adaptation from The Russo Brothers (“Avengers: Infinity War”). Additionally, SYFY will host panels for current hits KRYPTON and THE MAGICIANS (with Universal Cable Productions). Panels for fan favorites -- hosted by their respective studios -- include WYNONNA EARP (IDW Entertainment), SHARKNADO (The Asylum), VAN HELSING(Dynamic) and Z NATION (The Asylum).
FAN PARTIES
SYFY’s epic fan parties will return to The New Children’s Museum for two nights on Friday and Saturday at 9PM. “You don’t have to be a celeb to get on our guest list,” said Shapiro. “If you’re a fan, we want you to come party with us – just RSVP, of course!”
MYSTERY BOXES
SYFY will partner with hip, high-profile collaborators to create limited edition merchandise, each featuring an original, custom genre-themed design by a famed artist. Limited quantities will be released each Thursday through Saturday mornings at 10AM at the Children’s Museum.
LET THE FAN GAMES BEGIN
Those with a competitive edge will be able to square off for mystery box prizes in a few different ways:
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The Human Claw Machine! The all-you-can-grab extravaganza, located at the Children’s Museum, features a life-size claw machine that will lower players into a pit of prizes
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Genre-themed bingo trolleys roaming the Gaslamp
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The SYFY karaoke bus – one of last year’s fan favorites -- for those who love to sing their hearts out
POP-UP FAN AWARDS WITH ORLANDO JONES
Throughout the Gaslamp, Orlando Jones will preside over pop-up awards that honor the best in cosplay, art and more -- complete with drumline and SYFY’s very own “Fan Creator Award” medals.
BAGS, BUSES AND TRAINS FEATURING INCREDIBLE FAN ART
SYFY’s swag bags, branded buses and trains will proudly tout fan-made art and designs.
SYFY WIRE
San Diego Comic-Con will also be the launch pad for the SYFY WIRE Fan Creators initiative – the next phase of SYFY’s “It’s a Fan Thing” positioning. The multi-platform program will celebrate, nurture and support the makers, artists and creators at the heart of genre fandom. Beginning with an online hub dedicated to showcasing the latest and greatest in fan creations, the SYFY WIRE Fan Creators initiative will prove “It’s a Fan (Made) Thing” with year-round contests, partnerships and recognition for the best in class when it comes to being a participating fan.
“At SYFY, we know that genre fans are not mere observers, they’re passionate participants,” said Alexandra Shapiro, Executive Vice President, Marketing and Digital for SYFY and USA Network. “And so everything we do at SDCC will include remarkable creative work from fan artists and creators, from the designs on our sought-after swag bags to the décor and food at our parties.”