Famous Mexican cartoonist Rius exhibit during Comic-Con!

Eduardo del Rio was one of the most influential Mexican cartoonists of the 20th century. During Comic-Con 2023 an exhibit at Seaport Village celebrates the work of this important artist, who is more popularly known as Rius.

Anyone interested in the history and evolution of art–political cartoons in particular–should swing by to view RIUS Para Principiantes. You’ll see how Rius effectively created humorous small satires that called for social progress and attacked corruption in Mexico.

I was interested to learn Rius influenced another more contemporary Mexican cartoonist, Trino. An exhibit at the Comic-Con Museum earlier this year concerned Trino. I blogged about that here.

Where can you see this exhibition? Walk just beyond the Manchester Grand Hyatt into Seaport Village, then look for Casa Mexico. You’ll find it!

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!

Thursday morning fun outside Comic-Con!

Enjoy some fun photos!

Early this morning, I took a long walk through downtown San Diego this first day of Comic-Con 2023. As the minutes passed, I noticed more and more Comic-Con attendees arriving by bus and by foot. Most were lining up outside the San Diego Convention Center.

I spotted some cosplay and captured other fun pics!

Putting up barriers in the Gaslamp Quarter in anticipation of huge crowds later on.

Ed Lenderman of KUSI News gives a silly blogger a smile!

Lines forming outside the San Diego Convention Center early Thursday morning.

Dedicated fans make their way down MLK Promenade toward Comic-Con.

The standby line for the Interview With the Vampire offsite was beginning to grow.

Almost ready!

Many wait for the opening of the Dragon Ball offsite.

Obi-Wan Kenobi is ready to take me down!

A line has formed for the FX offsite.

One Piece cosplay on the Harbor Drive pedestrian bridge.

More fans heading to Comic-Con early Thursday morning.

Shuttle buses are arriving from San Diego hotels.

Getting a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles activation ready.

Seems I’ve arrived at Grand Central-42 Street Station!

It’s the 25th Anniversary of That 70s Show.

We had a station wagon similar to this when I was a kid.

A street artist was displaying his cool artwork on the Fifth Avenue sidewalk.

Not sure what this is, but looks like fun!

Lots of Comic-Con related donuts can be found at the Donut Bar Pop-Up Shop inside the Pendry hotel.

Witcher cosplay in the Gaslamp Quarter!

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!

My Hero Academia at the Comic-Con Museum!

Check out the above very cool sculpture. It represents an epic battle from My Hero Academia, the “Historical Battle in Kamino.”

This sculpture is the centerpiece of a new exhibition that opened today, just in time for Comic-Con 2023!

I’m not all that familiar with this manga series, but the colorful displays definitely caught my attention this morning as I wandered about the lower level of the museum. Around the statue are action-packed graphics that depict various characters and scenes that fans love from My Hero Academia.

If you’re a fan of manga or anime, and you’re going to Comic-Con this year, jump on the shuttle from the San Diego Convention Center to Balboa Park. It stops a very short distance from the Comic-Con Museum!

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!

Stan Lee celebrated at the Comic-Con Museum!

Spider-Man, Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Scarlet Witch, Black Panther, Black Widow, Doctor Strange…

Given the immense popularity of the Marvel Cinematic Universe films in the past 15 years, who on the planet doesn’t recognize at least a few of those names?

What do these iconic superheroes all have in common? Their famous co-creator, Stan Lee.

An excellent new exhibit opened today at the Comic-Con Museum in San Diego. It’s titled Excelsior! The Life and Legacy of Stan Lee. Those attending Comic-Con 2023 this week have the opportunity to jump onto a shuttle at the San Diego Convention Center and head to Balboa Park to enjoy this exclusive exhibition!

Visitors to the Comic-Con Museum will see how Stan Lee, over the course of his 78-year career, not only influenced the evolution of comic books, but as the creative leader of Marvel Comics, helped build the company into an international multimedia powerhouse. Fans can view rare comic books, original art and paintings that were born from his seemingly inexhaustible imagination.

Many of the used comic books on display, including dozens of superhero origin and Marvel landmark stories, come courtesy of exhibit co-curator Michael Uslan, originator and Executive Producer of the Batman movie franchise! They have been selected from his vast boyhood collection. You can tell how his comic books were well read! Michael was a good friend of Stan Lee, who was described as endlessly energetic. (I learned Michael is the one who suggested to Stan that he write alternative stories concerning DC Comics characters!)

Stan Lee‘s enormous accomplishments merited induction into the comic book industry’s Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Jack Kirby Hall of Fame in 1995. He received the NEA’s National Medal of Arts in 2008.

Personally, I loved viewing the exhibit with its many decades of artwork. It revived pleasant memories from my own past–particularly those years long ago when I collected comic books. I amassed hundreds of issues in several long boxes, which to me were vaults filled with treasure.

Fans of anime visiting the museum might also enjoy two other exhibits that opened today just in time for Comic-Con: the Cowboy Bebop 25th Anniversary Art Exhibition and an incredible sculpture inspired by My Hero Academia.

If you haven’t already experienced the Comic-Con Museum’s ongoing exhibit The Animation Academy – from Pencils to Pixels, that is also a definite must-see. From animation’s rather crude beginnings to today’s high-tech computer generated graphics, you’ll experience it all. You even have the opportunity to create your own animated stories!

Learn more about Excelsior! The Life and Legacy of Stan Lee and the many other wonders that await you at the Comic-Con Museum by visiting their website here!

An extensive new exhibit on the bottom floor of the Comic-Con Museum celebrates the life and legacy of legendary Stan Lee.

Today’s huge Marvel Universe was co-created by Stan Lee. The name “Marvel Universe” was suggested by a fan in 1966. This year Stan Lee would have celebrated his 100th birthday.

Marvel Tales Annual, No. 1, published in September 1964, features the artists and writers who comprised The Marvel Bullpen back then.

Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby, co-creators of many iconic Marvel characters, pictured together at different times.

Captain America, No. 3, 1941. 19-year-old Stan Lee’s first writing in comic books and first use of the pen name “Stan Lee.”

The Marvel Age dawned in 1956, with the resurgence of superheroes. In an increasingly stressful modern world, readers enjoyed escapism, much as they do today. As time went on, characters became more complex and believable, displaying ordinary human emotions.

One of many iconic comic books on display. The first appearance of the Fantastic Four, November 1961, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

Just Imagine, by Stan Lee with Chris Bachalo. A reimagining of DC character Catwoman in 2002.

A new Stan Lee Universe is soon to appear! It’s called Stan Lee’s Workforce. A major announcement is forthcoming!

Kill-Switch by artist Greg Hildebrandt. Part of the upcoming Stan Lee’s Workforce!

Stan Infinity, by artist Rob Prior. Very cool!

Members of the media get a first look at the new Comic-Con Museum exhibit, Excelsior! The Life and Legacy of Stan Lee. It opens to the public today, July 18, 2023

If you’re attending Comic-Con 2023 in San Diego, you don’t dare miss this!

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!

Fun photos of Comic-Con preparation in San Diego!

With one week to go in San Diego until the start of Comic-Con 2023, preparations around downtown are accelerating!

More building wraps are appearing in the Gaslamp Quarter and near the San Diego Convention Center. Glimpses of outside pop ups and other fun stuff can now be observed, such as the above smiling chicken . . . or is that someone trying out a Cluckin’ Bell costume?

You might remember Cluckin’ Bell from the Grand Theft Auto video games. You’ll be able to visit a living replica of the fast food joint during Comic-Con. Cluckin’ Bell will be taking over Smokin J’s barbeque restaurant at 751 Fourth Avenue.

Please enjoy photographs I took today during a very long walk around Comic-Con’s outdoor “campus” in San Diego.

First up, I learned that internationally renowned graffiti artist RISK will be showing his artwork at Exclusive Collections Gallery in the Gaslamp at 621 Fifth Avenue. You can meet the artist the Friday and Saturday of Comic-Con week, from 5-9 pm. Here’s a photo of RISK’s Taz…

Posters advertising Twisted Metal on peacock are now all over the Gaslamp Quarter…

The Super Mario Bros. Movie art on the windows of Sweet Things Frozen Yogurt becomes ever more colorful…

Workers getting ready for Comic-Con 2023 clean up trash near the trolley tracks along Harbor Drive…

So many San Diego Trolley cars now have Comic-Con wraps that entire 3-car trains often display the same fun graphics…

Multiple building wraps can now be viewed in the Gaslamp…

The stylish Interview With The Vampire building wrap on the Hilton Gaslamp is pretty awesome…

A big wrap promoting Paramount+ show Yellowjackets is being applied to one side of the Hard Rock Hotel…

Look what has appeared on the Omni Hotel! That looks like Stewie of Family Guy!

And on another side of the Omni, I see Lisa of The Simpsons playing sax!

The Good Omens 2 building wrap I blogged about yesterday appears about done…

Right next to it another wrap is going up. Probably another Amazon Prime Video show…

Finally, here’s a new building wrap being applied to the Pendry San Diego hotel…

What show is this?

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!

Super Mario art appears outside Comic-Con!

Comic-Con 2023 is almost here! Fun art has begun to appear in the windows of Sweet Things Frozen Yogurt at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront, near the San Diego Convention Center!

Shirish Villaseñor (@shirishtheartist) started sketching Super Mario characters on the Sweet Things Frozen Yogurt shop windows today. She’ll be adding color and detail in the days ahead. I’ll post updates as I capture new photos!

The Super Mario Bros. Movie was a blockbuster earlier this year, so this artwork outside the world’s most amazing pop culture event is timely! Is that Bowser playing the piano? How many characters do you recognize?

Because Comic-Con is ten days away, my blog will now switch into 100% “Comic-Con mode.” I’ll post photos as I discover new Comic-Con stuff while walking around downtown San Diego.

If Comic-Con isn’t your cup of tea, fear not. More typical Cool San Diego Sights blog posts will resume when the big international event concludes!

UPDATE!

A couple days later, I found Shirish at work!

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!

San Diego kids paint Little Portugal street art!

At the corner of Shafter Street and Avenida de Portugal, in San Diego’s historic Little Portugal neighborhood, you’ll find this delightful street art. Four electrical boxes were painted last year by students attending Warren-Walker Middle School.

Colorful images on the boxes include dancers in traditional Portuguese folk costume and the Portuguese Rooster of Barcelos, symbol of Portugal.

A few steps from this street art (and visible in the next photo) is the S.E.S. Portuguese Hall of San Diego. Every year Festa do Espírito Santo is celebrated at the hall.

Just up the street one can visit the Portuguese Historical Center. I took a peek inside the small museum four years ago. See those photos and learn more here!

Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

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!

Four more cool murals in Escondido!

Over the years, I’ve photographed a variety of outdoor murals in Escondido. During my latest walk through downtown Escondido, I took pictures of more cool murals that I hadn’t previously seen!

All four of these colorful murals can be viewed from the alley between Grand Avenue and East 2nd Avenue, a few steps on either side of Juniper Street. Walk about with curious eyes and you’ll find them, too!

The first mural on the rear of the ArtHatch Arts Complex building appears to be titled Pieces Of Us. It’s by local artist Zane Kingcade, 2014:

On another wall of the same building is a big amazing mural called Seasons of Change. It’s by artist Amanda Lynn, painted in 2016:

The third mural I spotted is on one side of Best Little Hair House, by artist Zane in 2013:

Finally, I really like this fun mural painted on one side of Mexico Lindo restaurant. It appears to be signed Flores:

Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

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!

Stan Lee and more coming to Comic-Con Museum!

The Comic-Con Museum in San Diego’s Balboa Park will be opening several new exhibits during the week of Comic-Con 2023!

The exhibit I’m most excited about is titled Excelsior! The Life and Legacy of Stan Lee. The Comic-Con Museum and Kartoon Studios will celebrate 100 amazing years of Stan Lee’s legacy by showcasing rare comic books, original art, and paintings, including some never-seen-before items! One part of the exhibit will feature other co-creators of the Marvel Universe, including legendary artists Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko. You know it’s going to be awesome. ‘Nuff said!

Those attending Comic-Con who love anime and manga shouldn’t miss the Comic-Con Museum’s coming Cowboy Bebop 25th Anniversary Art Exhibition, presented in partnership with Crunchyroll and Mondo, and a special My Hero Academia installation: a Historical Battle in Kamino statue that depicts the epic fight between All Might and All For One.

All three of these new exhibits will open Tuesday, July 18.

By the way, visitors to the museum will also enjoy the currently running Animation Academy – from Pencils to Pixels interactive exhibit. I blogged about it here!

A shuttle bus will be running during Comic-Con between the San Diego Convention Center and the Comic-Con Museum in Balboa Park, much as it has in recent years. For your ride, you’ll need a museum ticket and Comic-Con badge.

Courtesy Crunchyroll.

Courtesy Crunchyroll.

I’ll be 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!

City Heights inaugural art exhibit this weekend!

Image courtesy of Jim Bliesner.

A groundbreaking, free cultural event in City Heights is coming this weekend!

The Columbus Club of San Diego, at 4425 Home Avenue, will host its inaugural art exhibition on Saturday, July 1. A free-style, eclectic collection of work will be on display in the Columbus Hall gallery from 1 pm to 1 am for everyone to enjoy.

Dialogue of Disparate Visions will include the work of artists Jim Bliesner, Spencer Little, Tarrah Aronoskool, Dorothy Annette and Gmonikart.

In addition to this gallery exhibit, the artists will be on site to discuss their emerging installation work on the concept “Beyond the Anthropocene” which is under construction throughout the grounds of Columbus Hall. The installation will include work by noted East Coast artist Lionel Delevingne.

It is hoped that Columbus Hall will evolve into a dynamic City Heights cultural venue. Your attendance at this weekend’s event can help make that positive vision happen!

Here are just a few examples of the art you will experience…

Image courtesy Jim Bliesner.
Image courtesy Jim Bliesner.
Image courtesy Jim Bliesner.

Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

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!