Author: Richard Schulte

Downtown San Diego has been my home for many years. My online activities reflect my love for writing, blogging, walking and photography.

Comic-Con craziness is back in full gear!

Look at these photographs! I took them this Friday afternoon! It’s obvious that the usual craziness outside Comic-Con is back in full gear! And it’s not even Saturday–typically the wildest day of all!

In 2020 and 2021 Comic-Con was cancelled due to the COVID pandemic. In 2022 lingering worries about the pandemic reduced the crowds noticeably. But look at 2023! Even while the writers and actors in Hollywood are on strike, it’s apparent that the love for Comic-Con and all that it represents is as strong as ever. Stronger, perhaps?

I saw a passion for creativity and good-natured fun. I saw dreams made real. I saw sudden smiles and many people coming together.

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I’m covering Comic-Con again this year. To see all my current and past blog posts concerning Comic-Con, click here and scroll down!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Funny characters runs amok inside the Omni!

Dozens of funny characters are running amok inside the Omni San Diego hotel. They’re swarming up the columns near the front desk and crowding about the elevators in the lobby. They’re even inside the elevators! Amused hotel guests can’t avoid them!

But what do you expect when it’s Comic-Con 2023, and FOX’s Animation Domination has taken over the Omni?

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I’m covering Comic-Con again this year. To see all my current and past blog posts concerning Comic-Con, click here and scroll down!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Cool photos of Dragon Ball at Comic-Con!

Enjoy a cool batch of Dragon Ball photographs! This year’s Dragon Ball offsite at San Diego Comic-Con is just as impressive as ever!

I took these photos in the morning shortly after the activation opened at 9:30. The line was moderately long but moved quickly. You can find all this coolness behind the Marriott Marquis hotel, on the outdoor Marina Terrace.

Many people stood in a separate line to purchase Dragon Ball exclusives. Make sure you queue in the correct place! (Those who simply walk through the exhibit are given a really great swag bag.)

If you can’t make it to San Diego Comic-Con this year, check this out…

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I’m covering Comic-Con again this year. To see all my current and past blog posts concerning Comic-Con, click here and scroll down!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Witches and wizards invade San Diego!

A magical army of witches and wizards has invaded San Diego.

Those attending Comic-Con 2023 should be advised that a powerful group of witches and wizards has descended upon San Diego. They arrived this morning, most likely from the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

I was able to capture these photos before they could flick their wands and Expelliarmus my camera.

Comic-Con attendees heading for the San Diego Convention Center were surprised to encounter several witches, wizards, and Dobby the house-elf.

Professor Trelawney must have peered into her crystal ball and seen the Grim.

Did Hagrid ditch his motorcycle and ride the San Diego Trolley instead? It’s really not all that different from the Hogwarts Express.

Professor Sprout might have a friendly smile, but she’s a witch. Are deadly mandrakes nearby? Those two nearby Dumbledores seem unconcerned.

There are two Mad-Eye Moody’s! Which one is the imposter? Is Polyjuice Potion in that flask?

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I’m covering Comic-Con again this year. To see all my current and past blog posts concerning Comic-Con, click here and scroll down!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Roseanne scenes reenacted, and free lunch!

Yesterday I had so much fun at the Lanford Days activation at Comic-Con 2023 that I think I might swing by again today! If you’re a fan of the Roseanne TV show, you should check this out!

I’ve learned that today–Friday, July 21–many favorite Roseanne scenes will be acted out all day, from 10 am to 6 pm. You’ll be able to enjoy a new live performance about every 15 minutes. You can watch Dan get a job, watch him sell a hot tub, relive Dan’s rough day at work and more.

At noon, free “loose meat” sandwiches–made famous on the TV show–can be enjoyed while supplies last! Lunch, anyone?

The Lanford Days Festival also features carnival games where you can win great prizes. It’s all located in the Gaslamp Quarter at Sixth Avenue and E Street.

Lovers of the classic Roseanne sitcom absolutely should not miss this!

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I’m covering Comic-Con again this year. To see all my current and past blog posts concerning Comic-Con, click here and scroll down!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Smiles at Camp Snoopy during Comic-Con!

Comic-Con might be a little too intense for some very young people. The big crowds . . . sometimes scary costumes . . . monsters, aliens, weird stuff . . . But there’s one place that is certain to delight everyone, from the very youngest to old-timers like myself. Camp Snoopy!

Every year Peanuts has a great activation outside the San Diego Convention Center. This year, Camp Snoopy can be found along Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade–exact same place where the Peanuts offsite was located last year. The theme for 2023? The 50th Anniversary of the Beagle Scouts, a favorite recurring theme of the Charles M. Schulz’s beloved comic strip.

Visitors get a passport that can be stamped, can pose at a campfire and marshmallow roasting photo-op, learn how to use a compass, watch Beagle Scouts cartoons featuring Snoopy, Woodstock and other bird friends, and buy themed goodies. There are also fun displays outside that will put a smile on your face!

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I’m covering Comic-Con again this year. To see all my current and past blog posts concerning Comic-Con, click here and scroll down!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

The stunning Tekken activation at Comic-Con!

One of the most visually stunning activations I’ve seen outside Comic-Con 2023 so far was put together by Bandai Namco Entertainment. They are showcasing their ever popular Tekken fighting video games.

I didn’t even know this Comic-Con offsite existed until I walked down MLK Promenade a day or two ago. Well, today it is open. I stepped inside and my eyes almost popped out of my head!

Right as you enter, four actors portraying classic Tekken characters pose on a platform, and the lighting inside the darkened room makes them look unbelievably awesome–almost unreal. They slowly shifted their poses as I took several photos.

Nearby, visitors could play Tekken at many stations. There are also cool photo ops like the one you see above, free refreshments (thank you for the cold can of Sprite on a hot day), and face painting!

Keep your eyes peeled as you walk down Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade across from the San Diego Convention Center. This small but very cool Tekken activation is not far from Camp Snoopy.

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I’m covering Comic-Con again this year. To see all my current and past blog posts concerning Comic-Con, click here and scroll down!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Cosplay pics outside Comic-Con on Thursday!

What If’s Captain Carter cosplay.

Enjoy these photographs of cosplay spotted outside Comic-Con 2023 on Thursday!

Every year San Diego’s epic Comic-Con has some of the best costume play to be found anywhere. I’m sure I’ll see many, many examples the next several days…

Davy Jones cosplay.

Star Wars dark side cosplay.

Victorian era Starfleet officer cosplay.

Peter Parker and Miles Morales cosplay.

Batwoman cosplay.

Dragon Ball cosplay.

Marge Simpson cosplay.

Cobra cosplay.

My tired brain is drawing a blank. Leave a comment!

Roronoa Zoro cosplay.

Harry Potter cosplay.

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I’m covering Comic-Con again this year. To see all my current and past blog posts concerning Comic-Con, click here and scroll down!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

All sorts of fun photos from a Comic-Con walk!

I took jillions of photographs today while walking near the San Diego Convention Center and Gaslamp Quarter. It’s the first day of Comic-Con 2023!

I’ve already posted blogs about two different Comic-Con offsite activations. More of that is coming. However, my little camera captured so many miscellaneous images today I thought I’d present some of them now. Most of these were taken while walking along Harbor Drive. I started near the Interactive Zone at Petco Park.

There are smiles, creativity, cosplay, and plenty of people seeking attention. Comic-Con is not only a fun pop culture convention, but it’s a humongous marketing opportunity for those who are shrewd. (Feel free to follow my blog. Wink-wink. Oh wait, I gain nothing but an inflated ego!)

Ready? Here we go. No captions. Just absorb all the wonderful craziness!

Incidentally, this morning I also enjoyed a very special two-hour tour at the San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park. Busy day!

I’ll blog about some truly famous and amazing art at the museum right after Comic-Con concludes.

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I’m covering Comic-Con again this year. To see all my current and past blog posts concerning Comic-Con, click here and scroll down!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Cool stuff inside the Comic-Con Interactive Zone!

The Comic-Con Interactive Zone is worth checking out this year!

The lines this morning weren’t too horribly long to get into what is officially called the Interactive Zone at Petco Park. It’s called that because a variety of activations are set up in one of the ballpark’s nearby parking lots. I waited maybe 15 minutes to get in.

Once inside the Interactive Zone, fans will be met with three huge, completely awesome sculptures based on characters in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. On the other side of the entrance is another super cool sculpture, called Attack of the Metallic Menace, that was created to raise awareness about the harm of vaping.

That guy vying with Captain America for weightlifting prowess was posing inside a GNC activation, where I got a sample of a scrumptious muscle-building milk shake. (Watch out Captain America! I’m feeling stronger already!)

What else did I find? A fun activation that celebrates the 30th Anniversary of the coming-of-age movie Dazed and Confused. There’s pinball game and a pool table where you can play. Of course, there’s a photo opportunity, with the expected reference to rockers KISS!

And, as you might hope and expect, there’s plenty to eat from several food trucks and stands, and shady picnic benches galore. It’s a fine place to rest and get a bite while exploring all the cool stuff outside Comic-Con!

You might spot some cosplay, too!

The Interactive Zone at Petco Park, located near the Harbor Drive pedestrian bridge, will be open right through Sunday.

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I’m covering Comic-Con again this year. To see all my current and past blog posts concerning Comic-Con, click here and scroll down!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!