Avengers: Endgame banners appear in Gaslamp!

2019 Comic-Con is about a month away and cool banners celebrating the 50th Anniversary of San Diego Comic-Con have suddenly appeared in the Gaslamp Quarter!

The streetlamp banners feature popular Marvel characters from the recent blockbuster movie Avengers: Endgame!

This morning I spotted Captain America, Hulk, Black Widow and Iron Man!

UPDATE!

After work I had more time to walk around downtown and the Gaslamp Quarter. And I found more Marvel Avengers banners!

One banner depicts Thor. The other is a twist on what might be the most powerful words in Avengers: Endgame. WE LOVE YOU 3000.

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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!

Animation Domination, and other signs of Comic-Con!

Characters from The Simpsons appear on a trolley wrap for 2019 San Diego Comic-Con.
Characters from The Simpsons appear on a trolley wrap for 2019 San Diego Comic-Con.

More signs that 2019 Comic-Con is fast approaching are popping up in San Diego!

Today I spotted a new FOX television trolley wrap promoting their popular animated shows which air on Sunday. It boasts of Animation Domination!

I’ve also noticed the appearance of a few other things around downtown!

Tony Stark's favorite glasses can be purchased in the Gaslamp Quarter at Eyes on Fifth.
Tony Stark’s favorite glasses can be purchased in the Gaslamp Quarter at Eyes on Fifth.
At Copley Symphony Hall, I spotted this sign promoting Galaxy Quest in Concert during 2019 Comic-Con.
At Copley Symphony Hall, I spotted this sign promoting Galaxy Quest in Concert during 2019 Comic-Con.
The 2019 Lindley Lecture on Law and Comics will take place at the San Diego Public Library on the Tuesday of Comic-Con week.
Sign in a window of the San Diego Law Library. The 2019 Lindley Lecture on Law and Comics will take place at the San Diego Public Library on the Tuesday of Comic-Con week.
Family Guy characters on one side of the Animation Domination trolley wrap.
Family Guy characters on one side of the Animation Domination trolley wrap, which I saw today at the Courthouse station.
Animation Domination. FOX Sundays.
Animation Domination. FOX Sundays.
Marge and Maggie Simpson on the other side of the trolley.
Marge and Maggie Simpson on the other side of the Animation Domination trolley.
Lisa Simpson.
Lisa Simpson.
Homer and Bart Simpson on a 2019 Comic-Con trolley!
Homer and Bart Simpson on a 2019 Comic-Con trolley!

UPDATE!

I got better pics of the Family Guy side and more pics of The Simpsons’ side while one 2019 Comic-Con trolley was waiting at America Plaza…

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UPDATE!

I spotted a second FOX Animation Domination trolley design! This one features characters from the shows Bless the Harts and Bob’s Burgers…

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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 photos for you to enjoy!

Wearable art at San Diego Pin and Patch Con!

Today I enjoyed walking through the San Diego Pin and Patch Con! This relatively new annual event–billed as the world’s first wearable art convention–was held in Montezuma Hall at San Diego State University.

I love visual art and its infinite potential. As I strolled about the convention floor, my eyes were intrigued by all sorts of cool designs–and I was pleased to find far more than pins and patches! I saw shirts and hats and stickers and greeting cards and bookmarks and colorful prints and much more . . . even crocheted voodoo dolls!

The theme of the 2019 San Diego Pin and Patch Con was cartoon classic Popeye. Much of the inspiration for these unique collectibles, created by entrepreneurial artists, is drawn from the popular culture.

As I walked about, I saw that convention attendees had the opportunity to trade pins with other collectors. I also enjoyed watching a group of Platt College digital media design students as they created their own original artwork.

If you love to collect pins or patches, or would like to join a legion of people who are passionate about creativity, make sure to attend the San Diego Pin and Patch Con next year!

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!

Here come the 2019 Comic-Con trolleys!

Look what I spotted early this morning at the MTS trolley yard! It’s the first 2019 San Diego Comic-Con trolley that I’ve seen so far! I recognize characters from Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants!

Right about now a whole bunch of cool Comic-Con designs should start appearing as wraps are applied to trolley cars. I learned from one trolley driver that teams of six people apply each wrap, three per side. Every car takes about a day or so.

I’ll keep my eyes wide open in the days ahead and will post more Comic-Con wraps as I see them. Stay tuned!

UPDATE!

I spotted a SpongeBob SquarePants trolley after work and got some good photos of both sides!

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UPDATE!

I got pics of a completely different SpongeBob SquarePants design on a second trolley car! Unfortunately, I didn’t have much time and was only able to get one side…

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UPDATE!

I got the other side of the second trolley!

(I also believe a third SpongeBob design was being applied to one of the older trolleys this morning. I’ll watch for it!)

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ANOTHER UPDATE!

I took pics of a third new SpongeBob design! This wrap was applied to an older-style trolley car!

What other fun Comic-Con wraps will appear in the days ahead?

Stay tuned!

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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 photos for you to enjoy!

Conan reappears on Spreckels Theatre marquee!

This morning I noticed Conan O’Brien’s name has reappeared on the marquee of San Diego’s Spreckels Theatre. That means Comic-Con can’t be too far away!

Conan O’Brien late-night talk show on TBS is returning to San Diego for 2019, and audiences will have the opportunity to enjoy his wry humor from July 17 to July 20.

With less than two months to go until San Diego Comic-Con, I also noticed a couple of shops in the Gaslamp Quarter seem to be getting ready!

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!

Images from Witches’ Night in San Diego!

It’s April 30. Tonight is Witches’ Night!

Certain witches in San Diego haven’t gathered on a dark mountaintop or in a deep forest to work their magic, however. I know this because I spotted them this evening in Balboa Park’s Federal Building, future home of the Comic-Con Museum!

For an enjoyable hour and a half I listened to San Diego State University history professor Elizabeth Pollard and Beth Accomando of KPBS discuss the ancient belief in witchcraft, what distinguishes it from superstition, religion and science, and how witches have been characterized and dealt with by the people of different eras.

Fictional witches discussed ranged from Erichtho and Meroe of ancient Roman literature, to the three witches of Macbeth, to Circe as envisioned by the Pre-Raphaelites, right up to the Wicked Witch of the West, Maleficent, and others we readily recognize today in our popular culture.

Before sitting down in the Comic-Con Museum’s auditorium, those in attendance were able to look at some cultural artifacts, a chilling video loop of Häxan from 1922, and several rare books in the collection of the San Diego State University Library. The main attraction under glass was a scarce early edition of Malleus Maleficarum (Hammer of Witches) printed in 1494–only fifty years after the Gutenberg press!

Here are a few images from tonight. But please excuse me–I have to go make sure my door is locked, because it’s getting close to midnight!

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!

150 Favorite cool photos of Comic-Con cosplay!

Adam Warlock
Adam Warlock

I’ve covered San Diego Comic-Con for many years. Cool San Diego Sights now includes hundreds of cosplay photos that were taken around the Convention Center and Gaslamp Quarter.

While we impatiently wait three months for 2019 Comic-Con, I thought I’d share 150 of my favorite photographs. These include some of the weirdest, funniest, most jaw-dropping examples of cosplay that my roving camera has happily recorded.

Enjoy!

Adora Belle Dearheart and Moist von Lipwig
Adora Belle Dearheart and Moist von Lipwig
Ahmanet of The Mummy
Ahmanet of The Mummy
Alice and Mad Hatter
Alice and Mad Hatter
Ant-Man and the Wasp
Ant-Man and the Wasp
Aquaman
Aquaman
Aquaman
Aquaman
Aquaman, Mera and cosplay friends
Aquaman, Mera and cosplay friends
Assassin's Creed
Assassin’s Creed
Azog and a Nazgûl
Azog and a Nazgûl
Azrael Batman
Azrael Batman
Batman and Bane
Batman and Bane
Batman looking grim
Batman looking grim
Batman, Robin and supervillains ready for the beach
Batman, Robin and evil supervillains ready for a pool party
Baymax
Baymax
Black Mage encircled by Supergirl and friends
Black Mage encircled by Supergirl and dancing friends
Black Widow and Ant-Man
Black Widow and Ant-Man
Black Widow, Captain America and friend
Black Widow, Captain America and smiling friend
Bombshell Batwoman
Bombshell Batwoman
Bumblebee and barbarian friend boarding a trolley in San Diego
Bumblebee and barbarian friend boarding a trolley in San Diego
Cable
Cable
Captain America
Captain America strikes a pose
Catwoman and Jane Doe of Blindspot
Catwoman and Jane Doe of Blindspot
Cloud Strife
Cloud Strife
Cobra Commander
Cobra Commander
Coneheads
Coneheads
Cyclops
Cyclops
Cylon from Battlestar Galactica
Cylon Centurion from Battlestar Galactica
Dark Angel Olivia
Dark Angel Olivia
Darth Maul
Darth Maul
Darth Vader in cool sunglasses
Darth Vader in cool sunglasses
Dayman
Dayman
Deadpool takes many forms, including a hot dog
Deadpool takes many forms, including a hot dog
Deathstroke and Batgirl
Deathstroke and Batgirl
Disco Darth Vader
Disco Darth Vader
Doc Brown
Doc Brown
Dragon Slayer Ornstein
Dragon Slayer Ornstein
Dragon Ball Z
Dragon Ball Z
Electro
Electro
Elemental Hero Avian
Elemental Hero Avian
Fast food superheroes
Fast food superheroes
Ferengi from Star Trek
Ferengi from Star Trek
Fire Archangel Velajuel
Fire Archangel Velajuel
Frog Glenn with Batman and two Robins
Frog Glenn with Batman and two Robins
Frozone
Frozone
Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones
Gamora
Gamora
Garden gnomes
Garden gnomes
Ghostbusters
Ghostbusters
Goku
Goku
Green Arrow
Green Arrow
Guardians of the Galaxy
Guardians of the Galaxy
Gumby and Pokey
Gumby and Pokey
Gurren Lagann
Gurren Lagann
Harley Quinn and Deathstroke
Harley Quinn and Deathstroke
Harley Quinn
Harley Quinn
Haru of The Cat Returns
Haru of The Cat Returns
Hawkman and Hawkgirl
Hawkman and Hawkgirl
Henchman 21
Henchman 21
Hermione Granger, Daredevil and American Maid
Hermione Granger, Daredevil and American Maid
Homestuck
Homestuck
Immortan Joe
Immortan Joe
Jawa from Star Wars
Jawa from Star Wars
Jay Garrick version of Flash
Jay Garrick version of Flash
Judge Dredd and Judge Death
Judge Dredd and Judge Death
Kevin Flynn from Tron
Kevin Flynn from Tron
Kevin from Up
Kevin from Up
Klingons
Klingons
Krieg the Psycho
Krieg the Psycho
Kuato from Total Recall
Kuato from Total Recall
Lady Sif
Lady Sif
LEGO Cyborg
LEGO Cyborg
Liliana Vess
Liliana Vess
Little Mermaid
Little Mermaid
Loki and Thor
Loki and Thor
Loki
Loki
Lord Hater
Lord Hater
Lovecraftian steampunk Cthulhu-like character
Lovecraftian steampunk Cthulhu-like character
Mad Hatters
Mad Hatters
Mad Max duo
Mad Max duo
Mad Max trio
Mad Max trio
Madame Vastra
Madame Vastra
Madder Red of Bedlam
Madder Red of Bedlam
Madoka Magica
Madoka Magica
Mercy and Reaper of Overwatch
Mercy and Reaper of Overwatch
Ming the Merciless
Ming the Merciless
MOBA Legends
MOBA Legends
Mouth of Sauron
Mouth of Sauron
Mystery Science Theater 3000
Mystery Science Theater 3000
Nightmare Before Christmas
Nightmare Before Christmas
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Opera Bugs Bunny
Opera Bugs Bunny
Orange Vader and friends
Orange Vader and friends
Pac-Man
Pac-Man
Pepsiman
Pepsiman
Pikachu
Pikachu
Poison Ivy
Poison Ivy
Post-apocalyptic Super Mario Bros.
Post-apocalyptic Super Mario Bros.
Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore
Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore
Quidditch players for the Montrose Magpies
Quidditch players for the Montrose Magpies
R2-D2
R2-D2
Riddler
Riddler
Robin
Robin
Rocksteady and Bebop
Rocksteady and Bebop
Salsa Picante
Salsa Picante
Samurai Jack
Samurai Jack
Sans from Undertale
Sans from Undertale
Satsuki Kiryuin
Satsuki Kiryuin
Scarecrow
Scarecrow
Sharknado victims
Sharknado victims
She-Hulk and Raven
She-Hulk and Raven
She-Ra has arrived to save the day. Her friend looks like a messed-up Phoenix, but I'm not sure.
She-Ra has arrived to save the day. Her friend looks like a messed-up Phoenix, but I’m not sure…
Sheriff Deputy Rick Grimes
Sheriff Deputy Rick Grimes
Silk
Silk
Silver Surfer
Silver Surfer
Silverware
Silverware
Snow White
Snow White
Society For Creative Anachronism
Society For Creative Anachronism
Some sort of astronaut
Some sort of astronaut
Sora from Kingdom Hearts
Sora from Kingdom Hearts
Speed Racer and Mario characters
Speed Racer and Mario characters
Spiderman and Venom
Spiderman and Venom
Spiderman driving a pedicab outside San Diego Comic-Con
Spiderman driving a pedicab outside San Diego Comic-Con
Spock
Spock
Star Trek Barbee
Star Trek Barbee
Star Wars
Star Wars
Star-Lord and Thor
Star-Lord and Thor
Steampunk Ghostbuster with proton pack
Steampunk Ghostbuster with proton pack
Steampunk lady
Steampunk lady
Steampunk version of Batman
Steampunk version of Batman
Steven Universe
Steven Universe
Storm
Storm
Super Shredder
Super Shredder
TARDIS
TARDIS
The Addams Family
The Addams Family
The Venture Bros.
The Venture Bros.
The Witcher character
The Witcher character
Thor
Thor
Transformer in the Gaslamp
Transformer in the Gaslamp
Tweedledum and Tweedledee
Tweedledum and Tweedledee
Undead running amok inside the San Diego Convention Center
Undead zombie running amok inside the San Diego Convention Center
Unknown
Unknown
Venom
Venom
WALL-E and Cruella de Vil
WALL-E and Cruella de Vil
Warlock from Destiny
Warlock from Destiny
Wolverine
Wolverine
Wonder Woman and a Golden Age enemy
Wonder Woman and a Golden Age enemy
Wonder Woman and Maleficent
Wonder Woman and Maleficent
Wonder Woman and Superman
Wonder Woman and Superman

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 photos for you to enjoy!

See the Comic-Con Museum’s first exhibition!

If you happen to be in San Diego the next few weeks, you have an awesome opportunity to see the Comic-Con Museum’s very first exhibition! It’s titled Cover Story: The Art of Comic-Con 50. Why that name? This year will be the 50th Anniversary of San Diego Comic-Con!

Today I enjoyed the big opening of the exhibition, which can be viewed in one room of the Federal Building in Balboa Park, future home of the Comic-Con Museum. Lots of other excited people were in attendance. After listening to a few words by those who are shaping the museum’s future, we all headed into the temporary gallery.

My photos provide a hint of what you’ll find. It’s a bit like the Art of Comic-Con exhibition several years ago at the San Diego Central Library, but the emphasis this time is on original art used for the covers of Comic-Con souvenir program books. You’ll see everything from thumbnail sketches to pencil and ink art to stunning colored finished pieces.

You’ll enjoy the work of many top artists, including names like Jack Kirby, Bruce Timm, Matt Taylor, Babs Tarr, Michael Cho, Jim Lee, John Romita, Jr., William Stout, Adam Hughes, Frank Miller, Bill Sienkiewicz, and Will Eisner.

You’ll also smile at the work of creative children, who have a fun table in the gallery where they can draw their own covers!

Finally, in several glass display cases you’ll find all sorts of souvenir program book interior artwork: original drawings by renowned artists, cartoonists and illustrators, who over the years have sent their greetings to Comic-Con!

According to the Comic-Con Museum: “The exhibit will be open Saturday March 16 and Saturday, March 23 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and on select dates through August 4, 2019. Check our Facebook page for future open dates as they are announced.”

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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 photos for you to enjoy!

Before the Horizon, Beyond the Sea.

A colorful new mural decorates the AV8 Apartments in Little Italy.
A colorful new mural decorates the AV8 Apartments in Little Italy.

A large, very colorful mural has appeared in Little Italy! You can find it on the east wall of the brand new AV8 Aparments, overlooking a small parking lot. The public art is titled Before the Horizon, Beyond the Sea.

Artists David Leavitt and David Torres of CYRCLE created the mural, which honors the unique history of Little Italy–its many Italian and Portuguese tuna fishermen and their families, and the presence of an aviation factory years ago at this location.

Words in the mural trail an airplane, up there in the sky like the many commercial airliners today that fly over Little Italy as they approach San Diego International Airport. PRIMA DELL’ORIZZONTE is Italian for BEFORE THE HORIZON, and ALÉM DA COSTA is Portuguese for BEYOND THE COAST.

Before the Horizon, Beyond the Sea, a 2018 mural by David Leavitt and David Torres, celebrates the unique history of Little Italy.
Before the Horizon, Beyond the Sea, a 2018 mural by David Leavitt and David Torres of CYRCLE, celebrates the unique history of Little Italy.

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 photos for you to enjoy!

Three cool murals in Hillcrest by Fizix!

During my long walk through Hillcrest today I spotted three cool murals by prolific local street artist Fizix!

The first mural is on the parking lot wall of Hillcrest Athletic Club and depicts various colorful, very fit people!

The second mural is on the west entrance of Cigar Cave. The black and white image has a noir feel to it, as if the pictured setting is a seedy bar in the 20s or 30s.

The third mural is in the narrow alley next to East Coast Pizza. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and their diabolical enemies all seem to have one thing in common: a love for pizza!

Fizix is actually Alex Julian, a San Diego artist whose murals can be seen all over the city. Many of his spray painted images have a sort of bold comic book style. You might remember his huge mural in Logan Heights that depicts lots of superheroes and other comic book characters.

You can see that awesome superhero mural and learn a bit more about Alex Julian here!

BE FEARLESS IN PURSUIT OF WHAT SETS YOUR SOUL ON FIRE
BE FEARLESS IN PURSUIT OF WHAT SETS YOUR SOUL ON FIRE

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 photos for you to enjoy!