In two weeks, we will see the Gas Lamp
transformed into Hollywood fandom.
The official first night of Comic Con
International kicks off on Thursday,
July 20th, and the lineup for that
night was just released today. But
with an ongoing writers strike and
potential actors strike looming,
we already know it won't
have the same star power.
CBS8's Abby Black is live at the
Convention Center where Comic
Con says the show must go on,
and it will, Abby.
Carlo and Marcella. As history has shown,
the Comic Con International takes
over every 615,000 square feet
here at the Convention Center,
and leaders say they plan
to do that again this year.
For the people that I've talked
to that are impacted by Comic Con,
they say they are downplaying that
the strike could impact the crowds.
As per tradition,
Comic Con releases the lineup of
that day two weeks from that day.
So let's take a look at Thursday night,
the official kickoff to the country's
largest comic and pop culture event.
The countdown is on, and Comic Con
just released the lineup for the first
official night for one of pop culture's
biggest phantom events of the year.
I know that if you're a fan of.
The TV show Ghosts Thursday is
a great day to be at the show.
CBS has hit comedy series
Ghosts will be in Ballroom 20,
and the ever so popular Hall H
will feature Marvel's Spiderman 2,
Symbiotic Relationships,
Insomniac Games and the animated film
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mutant Mayhem.
Comic Con has evolved over the years
from film and TV shows to costumes,
video games and educational programming.
The art of the Holocaust.
And I think that features a
survivor of the Holocaust.
So there's a lot of educational
stuff that goes in a Comic Con.
These one-of-a-kind experiences
are felt throughout Comic Con.
They are sold each morning of
Comic Con while supply lasts.
The Convention Center just announced
there for limited and exclusive
chocolate bars that they sell
the concession stand for $10.
It's absolutely so unique.
But the writers strike and potential
actors strike are looming over the
four day event some studios such as
DC Comics and Marvel have announced.
Are skilling back their appearances.
Comic Con spokesperson David Glancer
says there will be a Hollywood presence,
but may not be at the level
as them years past.
So it isn't as if that somebody pulled
out or the show or anything like that.
They probably just were never scheduled.
It's something that is ever changing
and and even when we publish the list,
that's subject to change too.
And it may have absolutely
nothing to do with what's going
on in the public.
Glancer says despite the strike,
he's still expecting that 135,000
people to attend the convention.
He says tickets are sold out
eight months in advance,
long before the lineup is announced. They
know overall it's going to be a great show.
Comic Con announced Wednesday's lineup
last night and it's preview night.
They it will be much smaller like usual,
but there are two events and that includes
the teaching and learning comics as
well as Warner Brothers TV screens.
But for a full list and a deeper
look at Comic Con schedule,
go to cbsa.com and click on the help button.
Marcella
Abby Do we have any idea how this
strike could affect Comic Con's
economic impact in San Diego?
We usually see a huge boost.
That's right, Marcella.
And again, the people that I've talked
to that are impacted by the Comic Con,
they are downplaying this.
So let's just say it's as big as years past.
The San Diego Tourism Authority says
that Comic Con has that $160 million
economic impact and it generates
$3,000,000 in sales and hotel taxes.
I think still a great excuse
to come to San Diego if you're
visiting from out of town,
which a lot of Comic Con attendees are,
and also maybe a chance to check
out some of the things you might
not otherwise have checked out.
So we'll be looking forward
to it two weeks from today.
Thanks Abby. And so many of those
tickets are already purchased,
people already committed,
so hard to see how much of an impact
it will really have this time.
But for the people who go there,
it will have an impact,
not being able to see some of
their favorites coming up.