PH gets a day in the sun at San Diego Comic Con

San Diego, California: The 52nd Comic Con International was different from the San Diego comic cons of the recent past — the actors and writers’ strike is ongoing with no end in sight, leaving a minimal Hollywood presence. Hall H is no longer “the worst line in fandom.” Gone is the overnight “camping” out to see the cast, showrunners and directors of the biggest movies and TV shows.

For years, I sat, stood, kept vigil and ate breakfast in that line. I was regularly rewarded by very exciting panels in a highly packed and charged room of 6,500 eager fans.

The ‘Voltes V’ panel at SDCC was a successful first for GMA, the production, the cast — Filipino actors (from left) Ysabel Ortega, Gabby Eigenmann and Miguel Tanfelix — and Dogu Publishing, an imprint of Dark Horse Comics. PHOTO COURTESY OF GMA 

I would then run off to do press work arranged by the studios. I also missed on what this is event is really about—the world, the art, the aficionados, the culture and the impact of comics.

I got to spend more time in the exhibit hall. According to the SDCC blog, for 2023 there are 550 exhibitors on the floor.

If you include all other areas, that number is over 900. I personally got to meet and talk to creators from Los Angeles, England and Brazil — and I probably only got to see a small fraction of what the place had to offer.

At booth 4503 — Manix Abrera, Harvey Tolibao and more artists from the Philippines were busy taking commissions.

They did such brisk business, Jiggy Aquino Cruz who runs the booth said, he already reserved and made arrangements for next year! Not too far away was Whilce Portacio who is planning a trip to the Philippines in December if all goes well.

On Saturday morning, Dogu Publishing and GMA 7 had a 10 a.m. “Voltes V: Legacy” panel at the Marriott Grand Rooms 10 and 11. By 9:30 a.m. the room was full.

I got one of the last few seats and many fans were left outside. There are very strict rules here about room capacity to maintain a level of safety.

Among the panelists were director Mark Reyes and cast members Miguel Tanfelix (Steve Armstrong), Ysabel Ortega (Jamie Robinson) and a very animated Gabby Eigenmann (Commander Robinson) who warmed up the crowd even before the panel officially began.

The audience was so happy to welcome the first TV show from the Philippines to get a panel at SDCC. Not only that, they attracted long lines for autographs on the floor later in the day.

As you read this, the second season of “Good Omens” will be out on Amazon Prime.

The audience at Ballroom 20 on Friday afternoon were treated with a screening of the first episode of show. Michael Sheen (Aziraphale) and David Tennant (Crowley) are as delightful as ever.

Several cast members return — but in different roles. The panel aired pre-recorded interviews done before the strike.

I kept running into Chris Cantada of Chris Cantada Force on YouTube who kept getting recognized by one of his 1.53 million subscribers.

Right before the convention closed, we both agreed we had a great time even without the blockbuster panels which many thought would put a damper on the event.

In a few months, badges for next year will be battled over once again.