In an acknowledgement of continued concerns about public health, Comic-Con International announced that it will once again replace WonderCon, its annual spring convention in Anaheim, and the San Diego Comic-Con in the summer, with free virtual events. However, in a step towards a return to in-person events, Comic-Con International plans to hold a special three-day, in-person pop culture event in November 2021.
The virtual WonderCon@Home is scheduled for March 26 and 27, 2021; the online Comic-Con@Home will take place over three days, July 23-25, 2021. Comic-Con 2022 has been set for July 20-24.
There are no details available yet about the unnamed in-person November event. In a release CCI said, “As the timing and scope of our larger event factored greatly into our decision to postpone, we believe that launching a smaller in-person event at a later time may be a safe alternative. At this time, we are still working on specific details as to attendance capacity, badge cost, and related information, and those details will be forthcoming.” Additional information on the new event will be released to the public via the Comic-Con website.
In its announcement, CCI, which oversees WonderCon (which typically attracts about 60,000 fans) and San Diego Comic-Con (which attracts about 150,000 fans), said “while we are buoyed by the rollout of the vaccine and the growing number of individuals being inoculated, it appears that July will still be too early to safely hold an in-person event of the magnitude of Comic-Con.”
Fans who purchased 2020 badges that were rolled over to 2021, can once again roll over their tickets to 2022 or request a refund. Exhibitors will receive a separate email about rollovers for 2022 or requests for refunds. For fans or exhibitors interested in the in-person November show more information will be coming. Information on refunds can be found on the Comic-Con website.
The CCI release said, “The past several months have taken a great toll on both families and friends, and we hope this effort is a small move toward a return to gathering as a community to not only celebrate popular art, but also friendship, education, and the enduring spirit of the fandom that is so much a part of Comic-Con. We thank you all for your continued and unwavering support during these most challenging times. We look forward to seeing you in November!”
