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.
Wile E. Coyote in a business suit disguise. He secretly peers out of a window at the Chuck Jones Gallery. He’s hoping The Road Runner might zoom on by.
Wile E. Coyote was spotted this morning peering secretly from a window in downtown San Diego. Dressed in business attire, which was almost certainly a clever disguise, the patient cartoon character seemed to be waiting for his breakfast: The Road Runner.
As I walked down Fifth Avenue by the window in question Wile E. Coyote remained perfectly still. Like a cat. He appeared ready to activate another of his diabolical schemes. For a moment I hesitated with vague fear, searching the sidewalk and building above for a dangling anvil, a rocket or a large spring. Nothing.
And so, breathing a sigh of relief, I safely walked past the Chuck Jones Gallery in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter.
It’s a cosplay of Lego Venom in the middle of the 2016 San Diego Comic-Con crowd!
Here’s another large collection of cosplay photographs! I took these Saturday outside 2016 San Diego Comic-Con!
Seeing so many super creative costumes is one reason I love walking around during Comic-Con. It’s an opportunity for individuals to find unabashed joy in their own personal creativity. It’s all about fantasy and imagination come to life. People young and old can choose to be whatever they choose to be. It’s all good. And it’s all fun!
This cosplay of a Cylon from the original Battlestar Galactica had a moving red light in its helmet and cool Cylon sound effects!A great cosplay of Marvel’s famous superhero couple, Ant-Man and the Wasp.A truly great Addams Family cosplay on the street outside Comic-Con!I was told these ladies are characters from Alice in Wonderland. It appears to me one is the Queen of Hearts and the other is Alice.This cuddly killer is Unipool. He’s even got his own hashtag!I recognize Green Arrow, but the other cosplay I didn’t hear properly when I asked. Does someone out there know? Leave a comment if you do.I learned the cosplay on the right is Mega Man, but I didn’t catch the identity of the fellow on the left. Help!Cosplay of Raven of the Teen Titans.A very cool cosplay of a Jawa from Star Wars.This funny guy combined Joker and Donald Trump!A zombie walks through the Gaslamp with a big pink ribbon. Even the undead can fight for life!It took a moment, but then I realized these little guys were familiar. That’s Crow T. Robot from Mystery Science Theater on the right, and Tom Servo on the left!Menacing cosplay of Cobra Commander.It’s Pac-Man and a small Blinky!A super creative cosplay of a steampunk Batman.I hope the zombies rampaging through the Gaslamp Saturday night were careful. Because these guys wanna kill zombies.This cosplayer seemed a bit surprised that I recognized he was the Mouth of Sauron. I guess I’ve read and watched Lord of the Rings too many times.I learned these guys are cosplaying characters from the video game Fallout.A fun, creative cosplay of characters from The Nightmare Before Christmas.Here comes Spidey!These nice ladies were cosplaying Toriel and Frisk from Undertale.I think I heard this is a Pokemon cosplay. I might be wrong.These Medieval period enthusiasts hail from the Barony of Calafia. They are members of the Society for Creative Anachronism.Incredible cosplay of Ornstein the Dragon Slayer, from Dark Souls.Another super good cosplay. It’s Cable of the X-Men.Some really great costumes–all characters from Game of Thrones.Hey, Cap! What’s up?I was told this cosplay is Tyson Rios, of Army of Two.Super creative cosplay of Marvel’s Lady Sif, Asgardian warrior. Looks like the Jack Kirby version.This cosplay, I believe, is Victarion Greyjoy, from Game of Thrones.The Suicide Squad movie is coming up. This is the original Harley Quinn with an absurdly huge hammer. A little more humor in this version, perhaps.Cosplay of long-time movie hero Zorro!Cosplay from the original Tron. He thought the first movie was best.I was informed this is just a purple fuzzy creature with long ears! Even so, it looks somehow familiar.Cosplay of Liliana Vess, from Magic: The Gathering.This Poison Ivy cosplayer must’ve mistaken me for Batman, because she’s blowing a lethal kiss my way!Now a cosplay Catwoman is about to strike me with her whip! Ouch!These musicians in wild Mexican outfits were simply having fun entertaining 2016 San Diego Comic-Con fans in the Gaslamp.Here comes a cool cosplay of Cyclops. Don’t activate your visor! I’m a good guy!
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Post-Apocalyptic Super Mario Brothers cosplay at 2016 San Diego Comic-Con.
The tradition of cosplay–costume play– during San Diego Comic-Con is alive and well! As proof, I offer these cool photos that I took today!
I was completely blown away by the lengths fans will go to create the fantastic likeness of a favorite fictional character. How many of these characters do you recognize?
I see Iron Fist coming up the stairs! Many pop culture fans attending San Diego Comic-Con engage in cosplay–wearing costumes depicting characters from comic books, movies, television shows and video games.A fantastic cosplay of Elemental HERO Avian of Yu-Gi-Oh!Cosplay of an armored player in the popular video game Halo.Ghostbusters cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con.Cosplay of a sinister character from the Star Wars universe, Darth Revan.Cosplay enthusiasts stand by during a local television interview outside 2016 San Diego Comic-Con.As I sauntered down a Gaslamp sidewalk, Bane refused to let me pass! Just some of the fun at 2016 Comic-Con.Hulk must be hungry, because now he’ll smash for food!Cosplay of Bombshell Batwoman, from a line of new comic books published by DC Comics. The stories take place during World War II.An elaborate cosplay of Loki, a favorite Marvel supervillain.While I can’t identify many of the characters that walk by during Comic-Con, I definitely enjoy the creativity.This guy informed me his cosplay is the Borderlands character Krieg the Psycho.Krypto, Superman’s faithful super dog, has made a new friend at San Diego Comic-Con!People engaged in fun cosplay pose for a photo. They are characters from the game Moba Legends.This guy just decided to invent a unique character with creepy steampunk elements for Comic-Con.Cosplay outside 2016 San Diego Comic-Con, depicting characters from the blockbuster television show Game of Thrones.Cosplay of Storm, a fan favorite member of the X-Men.Cosplay of Green Arrow, DC superhero and member of the Justice League.An awesome, very elaborate cosplay of Super Shredder, from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!I learned these elegant ladies are the Clowns of the Galaxy, with their red-haired Robot. Never heard of them! Looks to me like they were simply having a great time at Comic-Con!A big smile. Cosplay of Gamora, of the Guardians of the Galaxy.
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! 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 enjoy!
This is one of the Batmobiles used in the filming of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. It’s on display across Harbor Drive from the convention center at 2016 San Diego Comic-Con.
Here comes yet another batch of cool photos!
2016 San Diego Comic-Con begins tomorrow, and I walked today–Wednesday–all over downtown to see what is rising outside for San Diego’s internationally famous pop culture event!
The answer: tons of cool stuff is popping up!
You might notice in some photos that many fans have arrived in San Diego already. Tonight is Preview Night inside the convention center. And tonight is also the world premiere of Star Trek Beyond, outside beside the water behind the convention center!
(To any of my blog’s readers who aren’t really into Comic-Con, hang on for a few more days! After Sunday, it’s on to other cool sights around San Diego! And as usual, I mostly don’t know what those sights will be! Walking randomly about results in many unexpected adventures!)
Conan O’Brien’s talk show is in San Diego for Comic-Con again. It starts tonight!Hundreds of people were in line early Wednesday morning to watch Conan perform at the Spreckels Theater.Most downtown businesses are now ready for Comic-Con fans. Here’s a window painting of Harley Quinn I spotted at Lolita’s near Petco Park.Various double-decker buses are going around decorated with big flashy wraps. This one promotes Impractical Jokers on the truTV channel.The Interactive Zone at Petco Park was still a work in progress on Wednesday–one day before the official start of 2016 San Diego Comic-Con.These rustic buildings in the Interactive Zone promote Ash vs Evil Dead on STARZ. I was impressed at how detailed and elaborate they appear!Another photo of the Ash vs Evil Dead setting in the 2016 San Diego Comic-Con Interactive Zone at Petco Park.These crane operators were putting up a gruesome banner next to the Suicide Squad movie venue, which remains unseen behind a wall at the Hard Rock Hotel.In the Gaslamp Quarter, Rock The Vote is encouraging people to register. Who would you prefer for president–Snoopy or Charlie Brown?A guy presses Wonder Woman’s feet to the window of a yogurt shop.Perhaps real superheroes will eat this week at Kansas City Barbeque, where scenes from the movie Top Gun were filmed.The Chuck Jones Gallery in the Gaslamp scored some big guests! Stan Lee and William Shatner!Two of the Powerpuff Girls were hovering mid-afternoon above the water at Children’s Park.Looks like a school bus pulled into San Diego from South Park, Colorado. I think I recognize some faces.These smiling ladies were out on the MLK Promenade promoting Hello Kitty!The video screen near the Tin Fish and the center of Comic-Con outdoor action is now operating.Here’s another look at the Batmobile on display near the Omni Hotel. It’s one of several that were used in the filming of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.Okay, I headed over the Harbor Drive pedestrian bridge and now I’m near the Bayfront Hilton.A number of promotional signs are arranged along the walkway where thousands of Comic-Con fans will pass in the next four days.FX is present again in 2016 with their show Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll. This is as close as I could approach the big red electric guitar.A huge stage is being built in the park behind the San Diego Convention Center, right in front of the Bayfront Hilton.Looks like IMDb is hosting a Comic-Con party on this big mega yacht behind the convention center!Not much cosplay spotted today, but I did catch a guy with Captain America’s shield waiting in line for some soft serve ice cream!The huge event today, Wednesday, is the world premiere of Star Trek Beyond. It’s taking place tonight right here in San Diego at Embarcadero Marina Park South.Looks like the red carpet was almost ready this afternoon for the world premiere of Star Trek Beyond!I assume this is just some boat owner having fun. I took this photo walking along the Marriott Marina.Entertainment Weekly will debut their unique Con-X tomorrow at Embarcadero Marina Park North. It’s billed as a place for Comic-Con goers to just chill and relax.Looks like Con-X has some huge comic book artist and animation guests. I see Jim Lee and Paul Dini! (Click to enlarge.)This blue guy made of Legos is sitting on a bench inside Con-X. I also spotted the back of a huge Jabba the Hutt sculpture. Wish I could’ve entered the event area. Looks cool!Is it Fire Lad of the Legion of Substitute Superheroes? No. It’s Murrugan the Mystic performing at Seaport Village. That flame is coming from his mouth! You might remember him on AMC’s Freakshow. He’s working to keep the carnival sideshow–an important part of Americana–alive.
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A huge graphic on the Hard Rock Hotel that includes video is nearly ready for 2016 San Diego Comic-Con. It promotes the show Incorporated, coming this fall on Syfy.
Check out these photos! Many cool sights outside the convention center are taking shape for 2016 San Diego Comic-Con! I walked around today to see what’s going on. It looks like everyone is quickly getting ready! See for yourself!
The time machine ride which has been set up near the Tin Fish for Timeless is almost ready to go. The fight for all time begins!The Tin Fish has all sorts of Emerald City graphics on it.Emerald City coming to NBC. A new Oz rises.I was a bit surprised to see this area by the Omni Hotel dedicated to Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice.A cool little stage has Batmobile schematics for the backdrop. Not sure if a Batmobile will be displayed here… That would be cool!Poster at the Gaslamp trolley station advertises Blindspot. Trust no one.Another poster at the Gaslamp station advertises Midnight, Texas. Only outsiders fit in.The South Park 20 Interactive Fan Experience is slowly being assembled on Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade. It appears lots of classic scenes and characters will be included.A peek at some South Park characters on the grass.South Park The Fractured But Whole is a Ubisoft video game coming out in December.Cartman and his politically incorrect hand puppet.Stan and Kyle of South Park are hanging out in San Diego for Comic-Con!Graphics now adorn Amazon’s Thunderbirds Are Go pavilion.A photo of the unfinished interior of Thunderbirds Are Go at Comic-Con.Amazon’s other pavilion promotes their original series The Man in the High Castle.Like in years past, a big Vikings wrap has been applied to the west wall of Petco Park. I snapped this photo half in shadow, half in bright sunlight.Another huge wrap being applied to a section of Petco Park promotes Once Upon A Time.And another wrap on Petco Park concerns Designated Survivor, a new series on ABC this fall starring Kiefer Sutherland.Not much has been set up yet in the parking lot just east of Petco Park. They’ve got one day to go! Better hurry up!At least somebody got this Ferris wheel up in time!The park in front of the Hilton will feature The Comic-Con HQ Live Stage, FOX Television, and FX. Not much has been erected here yet, either!The Adult Swim play area is nearly completed. It appears much like it did last year.The entrance to Adult Swim’s outdoor venue will look just like last year, if my memory is to be trusted.As you can see, The Strain building wrap on the Hilton San Diego Bayfront hotel is now finished.Even the Comic-Con hotel buses seem ready! (I got this photo in Mission Valley walking to work.)Finally, some fun comic book art has been painted on the windows of the Hilton’s Starbucks. A giant, menacing Thanos has smashed Captain America! Ouch!Artist puts finishing touches on a sinister Joker. 2016 San Diego Comic-Con is almost here!
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The Statue of Liberty has become a vampire. Either that, or it’s not feeling very well. The Strain building wrap on the Hilton San Diego Bayfront appears more than halfway finished.
What new stuff is being prepared for 2016 San Diego Comic-Con?
Today, like yesterday, I circled all over the downtown and managed to capture a few fun photos that should give Comic-Con fans a little more insight into what’s coming up! Watch out for diseased vampires and aliens! Read the captions!
It’s a good thing these canopies are being erected today for 2016 San Diego Comic-Con and its long lines, because the weather is supposed to warm up a bit later this week.The Conan Live From Comic-Con wrap on the Marriott Marquis hotel is just about done. I’ve seen no graphics yet on Petco Park, the Hard Rock Hotel, or elsewhere.What I referred to as a stage under construction in yesterday’s blog post is actually a small enclosed structure for Amazon’s Thunderbirds Are Go.Private businesses and gathering spots around downtown are just starting to prepare for Comic-Con. I see Fat Man is going to do some standup comedy about Batman.This merchant in the Gaslamp Quarter is betting lots of Comic-Con fans will be on Team Wonder Woman.Good grief! Even a clear skin concoction vendor in the Horton Plaza shopping mall is ready for Comic-Con customers!Lastly, I spotted a very cool venue going up where the Assassin’s Creed obstacle course was the last couple years. This is going to be South Park 20 Interactive Fan Experience! Looks to me like it’s going to be epic!Spread all over the grass, and stacked in crates, an absolutely huge amount of fun artwork is waiting to be installed at the South Park 20 Interactive Fan Experience. A large backdrop is being assembled by workers this very moment.I’ve spotted an alien among those idyllic Rocky Mountain pine trees in South Park!
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
You can 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 unique photos (including many that concern past and present Comic-Cons) for you to enjoy!
A cool Conan O’Brien building wrap is going up on the Marriott Marquis for 2016 San Diego Comic-Con, even as the MLB All-Star Game wrap hasn’t been completely removed!
Preparation in downtown San Diego for 2016 Comic-Con has finally begun in earnest today, now that the MLB All-Star Game has concluded. Late this morning I walked all over the place–through the Gaslamp, behind the convention center, down the MLK Promenade, around Petco Park–just to see what might have popped up so far.
Talking to some people, I learned a little bit about what we’ll see outside 2016 San Diego Comic-Con! I learned that Timeless and Thunderbirds Are Go will be a center of attention. So will virtual reality, sponsored by Amazon. And I could see the huge presence of Conan O’Brien with my own eyes!
Of course, the massive undertaking required to prepare for San Diego Comic-Con has barely gotten started. Many more wraps and outdoor activities should begin popping up in the days ahead. I’ll keep a sharp lookout!
Read the photo captions, where I describe what I learned about a couple of venues being built outside Comic-Con…
Next to the Tin Fish, directly across from the convention center, an attraction is being built for 2016 San Diego Comic-Con. This will promote the upcoming NBC television series Timeless. It appears to be a huge time machine!It appears to me Comic-Con fans will be able to take a wild spin in a time machine in this Timeless amusement ride.Beyond the construction, I spotted this year’s big new Funko Pop! Conan O’Brien building wrap.Several banners along the trolley tracks promote the newest season of Game of Thrones.Banners along Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade promote Outcast on Cinemax and Vice Principals on HBO.I learned this venue along Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade will have something to do with Amazon’s digital exclusive reboot of an old favorite, Thunderbirds Are Go!Workers get the Thunderbirds Are Go stage ready across Harbor Drive from the San Diego Convention Center.I was told this Amazon pavilion will be the scene of a virtual reality activity. I’m guessing lots of Comic-Con fans will be bumping around inside wearing VR headsets.Like last year, the Hilton San Diego Bayfront will feature a huge The Strain building wrap. This one already looks spooky, even through it’s far from completed.Preparations for 2016 San Diego Comic-Con have finally begun in earnest, now that the MLB All-Star Game has wrapped up!
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Display cases in San Diego’s Central Library feature cool comic books and original art with a baseball theme! Perfect for both San Diego’s MLB All-Star Game and Comic-Con!
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game and San Diego Comic-Con are taking place at nearly the same time! They are separated by only one week. So a very cool exhibit related to both events has been created in the downtown San Diego library. You can find this exhibit on the first floor, just beyond the lobby.
Lots of baseball-related comic books and original comic artwork is on display, taken from the vast baseball collection of Andy Strasberg, who once was Vice President of Marketing for the San Diego Padres.
It was hard to take photos without reflections on the glass display cases. Seeing these comics in person is so, so much better!
This comic book art will remain on public display through San Diego Comic-Con and long after–until August 26. Since the Central Library is just a couple blocks from the San Diego Convention Center, and across the street from Petco Park, where other fun activities are planned–why not head over to check it out!
Comics Team Up With Baseball. Selections from the collection of Andy Strasberg. On view through August 26.Pages from It Really Happened, 1946.The Amazing Willie Mays, 1954. Famous Funnies Publications.Babe Ruth As I Knew Him, 1948. Dell Publishing.Original artwork for the satirical Motley’s Crew comic strip.The Legend of the Blue Knight, 1997. Jackie Robinson’s 50th Anniversary commemorative comic book.Gil Thorp, 1963. Dell Publishing.A funny Beetle Bailey comic strip, titled Star of The Team.Yogi Berra Baseball Hero, 1951. Fawcett Publications.Richie Rich, Casper and Wendy–National League, 1976. Harvey Publications.Treasure Chest of Fun and Fact, 1964. George A. Pflaum.Vintage comic book explains how pitchers apply spin to a baseball, making a ball move differently as it approaches the batter.How the Automatic Umpire Works. Unknown date and publisher.Baseball Facts and Fun Book, 1956. Post Sugar Crisp.Original comic artwork for Archie’s Girls Betty and Veronica. Batter On, 1974.A real classic. Tip Top Comics, 1955. United Features.Walt Disney’s Donald Duck, 1978. The baseball flew down his sleeve!One of several Looney Tunes Merrie Melodies baseball comic books on display. Bugs Bunny is about to pitch a tomato to his arch-nemesis Elmer Fudd!Comic book cover features Bugs Bunny angrily calling a baseball umpire out!Even when at bat, Bugs Bunny likes to chomp on his carrot. What’s up, doc?Bugs Bunny’s ears nimbly catch a pitched ball! Elmer Fudd is not amused.
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! 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 enjoy!
A new 2016 San Diego Comic-Con trolley wrap promotes Dead of Summer on the Freeform cable channel, from the Executive Producers of Once Upon a Time and Lost.
I was wrong! There’s a fourth San Diego Comic-Con trolley wrap for 2016, and I got photos of it this morning!
This brand new San Diego trolley wrap advertises the television show Dead of Summer, which premiered today on the Freeform cable channel! The images are a bit creepy and suggest death in the hot, languid summer. It seems this new horror show, created by the Executive Producers of Once Upon a Time and Lost, concerns a Midwestern summer camp called Camp Stillwater, and is set in the 1980s. Has anyone seen the first episode yet?
This body in the tire swing has no top half visible! Which effectively produces a double-take and horrified reaction!A dead bee lying on the tongue of an open drooling mouth. Not sure about the meaning, but the image is memorable and disturbing!
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
Heads up! Lots of Comic-Con related photos should appear on my blog this year! It’s going to be a load of fun!
Cool San Diego Sights! 