Update: The Tick…Midnight, Texas…Blade Runner 2049!

The positively huge Blade Runner 2049 Experience is under construction on First Avenue for 2017 San Diego Comic-Con!
The positively huge Blade Runner 2049 Experience is under construction on First Avenue for 2017 San Diego Comic-Con!

I was wrong! In a previous post, I thought the huge structure being built on First Avenue just north of Harbor Drive was for a private party. Wrong! It’s going to house the Blade Runner 2049 Experience. And it’s positively enormous! I also learned it will be free to the public–no Comic-Con badge required. You can bet I’ll be checking that out!

Today I also saw that progress has been made at Amazon’s The Tick Takeover site at the corner of First Avenue and Harbor Drive, and at the Midnight, Texas site near the Tin Fish. Here are some photos. Six days to go until Comic-Con!

A cool 4D experience being built near the Tin Fish promotes the upcoming NBC show Midnight, Texas.
A cool 4D experience being built near the Tin Fish promotes the upcoming NBC show Midnight, Texas.
It appears to me this old motorhome will be part of the spooky Midnight, Texas attraction at Comic-Con.
It appears to me this old motorhome will be part of a spooky Midnight, Texas attraction at Comic-Con.
A building with broken windows and a big gaping hole has appeared along MLK Promenade for Amazon's The Tick Takeover.
A building with broken windows and a big gaping hole has appeared along MLK Promenade for Amazon’s The Tick Takeover.
Every hero must face their destiny. Are you ready to face yours? The Tick.
And attached to the building is this. Every hero must face their destiny. Are you ready to face yours? The Tick.

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!

A look inside the Laika Experience at Comic-Con!

Models of characters in the stop motion animated film ParaNorman displayed inside the Laika Experience San Diego for Comic-Con.
Models of characters in the stop motion animated film ParaNorman displayed inside the Laika Experience San Diego for 2017 Comic-Con.

The Laika Experience San Diego opened this afternoon! This very cool exhibit created in the Gaslamp by Laika Entertainment runs through the end of Comic-Con. It’s free to the public and well worth checking out! You can find it at 520 Fifth Avenue.

Here are a few photos I took of the many highly detailed models, props, sets and puppets used by Laika in making their four films: Coraline, ParaNorman, The Boxtrolls, and Kubo and the Two Strings.

Laika still uses the stop motion method to create their awesome animation. I learned they only use CGI sparingly, for things that are difficult to animate, like fire and water. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and the kids in our small group had a blast. There are lots of amazing models from each of their four movies, and a video and informative displays that explain the stop motion animation process.

Kubo greets passersby in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter. A free exhibit by Laika Entertainment demonstrates their animation process and includes puppets, sets and props.
Kubo greets passersby in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. A free exhibit by Laika Entertainment demonstrates their stop motion animation and includes puppets, sets and props.
This cool artwork, made of LED lights, is from Laika's acclaimed first movie Coraline.
This cool artwork, made of LED lights, is from Laika’s acclaimed first movie Coraline.
Detailed model of Beldam from the movie Coraline.
Detailed model of Beldam from the movie Coraline.
Awesome model of the crooked house from ParaNorman!
Awesome model of the crooked house from ParaNorman!
Cool models of characters from ParaNorman.
Cool models of characters from ParaNorman.
From a hallway locker scene in ParaNorman!
From that hallway locker scene in ParaNorman!
Archibald Snatcher in his giant robot in the movie The Boxtrolls. Amazing detail!
Archibald Snatcher in his giant robot in the movie The Boxtrolls. Amazing detail!
A miniature set from Kubo and the Two Strings.
A miniature set from Kubo and the Two Strings.
The model of The Moon Beast from Kubo and the Two Strings was made using 3-D printing.
This model of the Moon Beast from Kubo and the Two Strings was made using 3-D printing then pieced together.
Norman is out on a San Diego sidewalk! You can meet him during Comic-Con and see a very cool exhibit created by Laika!
Norman is out on a San Diego sidewalk! You can meet him during Comic-Con and see a very cool free exhibit created by the stop motion animation wizards at Laika!
Shoe and Fish of the Boxtrolls wave hello!
Shoe and Fish of the Boxtrolls wave hello!

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!

Comic-Con: Netflix wraps in the Gaslamp and more!

A cool wrap promoting The Defenders on Netflix has been applied to a Gaslamp building for 2017 San Diego Comic-Con.
A cool wrap promoting The Defenders on Netflix has been applied to a Gaslamp building for 2017 San Diego Comic-Con.

This morning there’s some Comic-Con preparation going on in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. Three Netflix wraps are already up and construction has just begun on the Midnight Texas outdoor experience by the Tin Fish!

I got some photos!

A large Comic-Con wrap in the Gaslamp promotes Stranger Things 2, the second season for the series about the supernatural on Netflix.
A Comic-Con wrap in the Gaslamp promotes the second season of Stranger Things. The supernatural series thrills audiences on Netflix.
Construction has begun on the Midnight Texas outdoor experience near the Tin Fish, across from the San Diego Convention Center. The show is coming to NBC.
Construction has begun on the Midnight, Texas 4D experience near the Tin Fish, across from the San Diego Convention Center. The show is coming to NBC.
A third Netflix wrap on a Gaslamp building for Comic-Con. This one promotes upcoming fantasy film Bright, starring Will Smith and Joel Edgerton.
A third Netflix wrap on a Gaslamp building for Comic-Con. This one promotes upcoming fantasy film Bright, starring Will Smith and Joel Edgerton.

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!

Syfy trolley wrap, and more new stuff for Comic-Con!

The fifth trolley wrap for 2017 San Diego Comic-Con promotes the Syfy channel. Because you're a pro at cons. It's a fan thing.
The fifth trolley wrap for 2017 San Diego Comic-Con promotes the Syfy channel. Because you’re a pro at cons. Check in. Geek out. It’s a fan thing.

There’s a fifth trolley wrap debuting for 2017 San Diego Comic-Con! I don’t recall there being as many as five different wraps before!

I got lucky and got some pics this morning. This new wrap promotes the Syfy channel and appeals to real fans of science fiction and pop culture entertainment. The graphics don’t appear to be all that fancy, but the words flashing by might turn out to be effective.

I also saw a couple other new sights. Some Game of Thrones banners were hung today along the trolley tracks near the convention center. And a gigantic structure is being built north of The Tick Takeover. A guy watching Amazon’s smaller areas along MLK Promenade thought it was for NBC. During past Comic-Con’s that parking lot has been utilized for private studio parties, if I recall correctly. (Of course, if you know more than me, please leave a comment!)

Syfy appeals to diehard fans of science fiction and pop culture entertainment.
Syfy appeals to diehard fans of science fiction and highly imaginative entertainment.
Don't judge a book by its movie. Which came first: The dragon or the egg?
Don’t judge a book by its movie. Which came first: The dragon or the egg?
Along the trolley tracks near the San Diego Convention Center some Game of Thrones banners were hung today. Winter is here.
Along the trolley tracks near the San Diego Convention Center some Game of Thrones banners were hung today. Winter is here.
A huge structure being built just north of Amazon's The Tick venue, on First Avenue south of Island Avenue. I believe it's for a private party. A security guy thinks it's for NBC--but I'm not sure.
A huge structure being built just north of Amazon’s The Tick venue, on First Avenue, south of Island Avenue… UPDATE! I learned this will be the site of the Blade Runner 2049 Experience!
One more quick shot of the new Syfy trolley wrap. Only amateurs stand up when the credits roll. It's a fan thing.
One more quick shot of the new Syfy trolley wrap. Only amateurs stand up when the credits roll. It’s a fan thing.

Here are two more pics that I took later. Several different San Diego Trolley cars feature different sayings!

Don't call it a costume.
Don’t call it a costume.
Free swag equals social currency.
Free swag equals social currency.

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!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of fun photos for you to share and enjoy!

A collection of past Comic-Con cosplay photos!

I’m starting to get excited about upcoming 2017 San Diego Comic-Con! It begins in less than two weeks!

Now that I’m beginning to think again about Comic-Con, I’ve been remembering some of the cool cosplay photos I’ve taken the past few years. Just for fun I’ve collected links to old blog posts that contain lots of cosplay photos!

Click the links to see everything!

 

From 2016 San Diego Comic-Con:

Photographs of cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con!

More photos of super creative cosplay at Comic-Con!

Cool cosplay and crazy fun outside Comic-Con!

 

From 2015 San Diego Comic-Con:

Super cool awesome cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con!

More super awesome Comic-Con cosplay photos!

Cool cosplay and fun outside San Diego Comic-Con.

Insane Comic-Con: crowds, hype, fun and firemen!

 

From 2014 San Diego Comic-Con:

Cosplay and Comic-Con craziness in the Gaslamp!

Comic-Con morning near the convention center.

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera. This year I’m going to photograph lots more Comic-Con stuff! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Star Wars cosplay at Independence Day parade!

Star Wars stormtroopers on Segways patrol the parade route during the Fourth of July in Coronado.
Star Wars stormtroopers riding Segways patrol the parade route during the Fourth of July in Coronado.

Check out these cool Star Wars cosplay photos! During today’s Independence Day parade in Coronado, a group of Star Wars enthusiasts strutted their stuff to the delight of the huge crowd lining Orange Avenue! It seemed to me the adults were just as excited as the kids! I was able to snap a few quick photographs. Enjoy!

A TIE fighter heads down Orange Avenue! Has the Galactic Empire taken over Coronado? Is there no hope?
A TIE fighter heads down Orange Avenue! Has the Galactic Empire taken over Coronado? Is there no hope?
Uh, oh. Look who I spotted. Darth Vader! Let's hope it's just a guy enjoying Star Wars cosplay.
Uh, oh. Look who I spotted. Darth Vader! Let’s hope it’s just a guy enjoying Star Wars cosplay.
Fear not! Rey is here to fight against the dark side of the Force!
Fear not! Rey is here to fight against the dark side of the Force!
And here comes Princess Leia, too! I don't think that TIE fighter has a chance.
And here comes Princess Leia in some sort of futuristic vehicle! I don’t think that TIE fighter has a chance.
I believe that one of the Rebel Alliance's ace pilots.
I believe that is one of the Rebel Alliance’s ace pilots.
Are those a bunch of clones? No, just young kids who've turned into Star Wars fans!
Are those a bunch of clones? No, just young kids who’ve turned into Star Wars fans!

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!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of fun photos for you to share and enjoy!

Thor and Black Panther banners for 2017 Comic-Con!

Banner for 2017 San Diego Comic-Con promotes the upcoming Marvel movie Black Panther.
Banner for 2017 San Diego Comic-Con promotes the upcoming Marvel movie Black Panther.

Another cool discovery! A few banners for 2017 San Diego Comic-Con have already been hung along Harbor Drive near the convention center. For 2017, the promotional banners depict Thor and Black Panther, Marvel superheroes who have highly-anticipated movies coming up!

Thor, one of Marvel Comics' Mighty Avengers, appears on a banner for 2017 San Diego Comic-Con. I depicts a scene from the upcoming movie Thor: Ragnarok.
Thor, one of Marvel Comics’ Mighty Avengers, appears on a banner for 2017 San Diego Comic-Con. It depicts a scene from the upcoming movie Thor: Ragnarok.

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!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of fun photos for you to share and enjoy!

Cool–and funny–Star Wars street art!

Join me, says Darth Vader. Never, replies Luke Skywalker. An epic lightsaber battle commences.
Join me, says Darth Vader. Never, replies Luke Skywalker. An epic lightsaber battle commences.

Here’s more super cool street art!  A classic battle between the dark and the light, and iconic movie characters recognized around the world are painted on two utility boxes in National City!  You can spot them near the intersection of 8th Street and National City Boulevard.

This bold street art is an homage to the original Star Wars trilogy.  The final four images might make you laugh!

The right side of this utility box is painted with two more panels of cool Star Wars street art. I see good old R2-D2 and the white helmet of a Stormtrooper.
Like a comic book or graphic novel, the right side of this utility box is painted with two more panels of Star Wars street art. I see good old R2-D2 and the white helmet of an Imperial Stormtrooper.
Bounty hunter Boba Fett, a popular Star Wars character, makes for some very cool street art! I photographed this on the left side of the utility box.
Bounty hunter Boba Fett, a popular Star Wars character, makes for some super cool street art! I photographed this image on the left side of the same utility box.
Pop culture icon C-3PO from Star Wars movies, television and other media has been painted on the left side of a National City utility box.
Pop culture icon C-3PO from Star Wars movies, television and other media has also been painted on the side of this utility box.
Wannabe Stormtrooper on a second utility box seems to idolize Darth Vader and his mastery of the Dark Force.
Wannabe Stormtrooper on a second National City utility box seems to idolize Darth Vader and his mastery of the Dark Force.
Live Set Stormtrooper likes listening to tunes while battling the Rebel Alliance. Perhaps that's why those lasers never seem to hit anything.
Live Set Stormtrooper likes listening to tunes while battling the Rebel Alliance. Perhaps that’s why those lasers never seem to hit anything.
Poker Face Stormtrooper has beer hoses entering his helmet and a hand of cards.
Poker Face Stormtrooper has beer hoses entering his helmet and a hand of cards.
Selfie Stormtrooper thinks he looks good. Funny street art in National City!
Selfie Stormtrooper thinks he looks good. Some funny Star Wars street art in National City!

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!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of fun photos for you to share and enjoy!

Japanese video game characters in fun street art!

Blanka of Capcom's Street Fighter video games. Fun street art in National City.
Blanka of Capcom’s Street Fighter video games. Fun street art in National City.

A bunch of fun, colorful Japanese video game characters have been painted on several utility boxes near the center of National City. I spotted them while walking near the intersection of National City Boulevard and East 8th Street.

A whole universe of video game characters created over the years in Japan have contributed in a very big way to our popular culture. From Sonic the Hedgehog to Mario to the magical creatures of Pokémon, they populate video games, television shows, movies, comic books, toys . . and, as you can see, even some really fun street art!

Painted utility boxes near the corner of National CIty Boulevard and East 8th Street feature a variety of colorful Japanese video game characters.
Painted utility and transformer boxes near the corner of National CIty Boulevard and East 8th Street feature a variety of colorful Japanese video game characters.
Sonic the Hedgehog of Sega Games has been painted on a utility box in National City.
Sonic the Hedgehog of Sega Games has been painted on a utility box in National City.
Bub and Bob originally from the 1980s Taito video game Bubble Bobble.
Bub and Bob originally from the 1980s Taito video game Bubble Bobble.
Street art depicts Link of The Legend of Zelda video game series.
Street art depicts Link of The Legend of Zelda video game series.
A cute street art rendition of Princess Peach from the Mario video games.
A cute street art rendition of Princess Peach from the Mario video games.
Pikachu sits atop a Pokémon Poké Ball. Fun street art in National City.
Pikachu sits atop a Pokémon Poké Ball. Fun street art in National City.
Okay, the character beneath the Poké Ball looks somehow familiar, but I can't figure this one out. If you know who that is, please leave a comment!
The character beneath the Poké Ball looks somehow familiar, but I can’t figure this one out… Okay, a coworker identified him!  It’s Finn the Human from the animated television show Adventure Time.  Not of Japanese origin, apparently, but he has appeared in video games!
Chocobo from the Final Fantasy video games. Happy street art painted on a utility box.
Chocobo from the Final Fantasy video games. Happy street art painted on a utility box.
Luna from the popular Japanese manga series Sailor Moon. I'm not sure if Luna appeared in any video games.
Luna from the popular Japanese manga series Sailor Moon. I’m not sure if Luna appeared in any video games.
Nintendo's pop culture icon Mario fights Gooper Blooper in this fun, nostalgic street art.
Nintendo’s pop culture icon Mario fights Gooper Blooper in this fun, nostalgic street art.
A green Super Mario Koopa Paratroopa flies over a castle while our leaping hero steps on a Goomba!
A green Super Mario Koopa Paratroopa flies over a castle while our leaping hero steps on a Goomba!
A villainous Rocky Wrench pops out of a hole to attack Mario in this video game street art!
A villainous Rocky Wrench pops out of a hole to attack Mario in this video game street art!
I believe these are various images of enemies from the Mario video game franchise on top of the transformer.
I believe these are various images of enemies from the Mario video game franchise on top of the transformer.
Super Mario Galaxy has our hero capturing Power Stars in Outer Space! More street art in National City!
Super Mario Galaxy has our hero capturing Power Stars in Outer Space! More street art in National City!

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!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of fun photos for you to share and enjoy!

A cool Star Wars character created by local artist!

Vernell Jones III, also known as Machinecore, creates a very cool, completely new Star Wars character in Balboa Park.
Vernell Jones III, also known as Machinecore, creates a very cool, completely new Star Wars character in Balboa Park.

I was walking through Balboa Park’s lively Plaza de Balboa, not far from the Bea Evenson Fountain, when my eyes suddenly fell upon a truly fantastic work of art.

I learned from the artist, Vernell Jones III, also known as Machinecore, that the unusual Star Wars character he’d created was some sort of futuristic Stormtrooper. My first thought was that the helmet kind of resembled General Grievous. My second thought was that this great artwork should be on the cover of a graphic novel. It’s that good.

Check it out! Then check out Vernell’s Facebook page!

Check out this Star Wars-inspired artwork. Looks pretty amazing to me!
Check out this Star Wars-inspired artwork. Looks pretty amazing to me!
More colorful, fantastic works of art by Vernell Jones III.
More colorful, fantastic works of art by Vernell Jones III.

To see even more Star Wars art on my blog, click here!

To see lots of cosplay photos on my blog, click here!

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!