For many years, a mighty team of superheroes has stood guard at the entrance to El Cajon. As I walked past the motley, costumed group on Saturday, I noticed they were fending off a variety of dangerous supervillains and otherworldly menaces!
I immediately recognized some of the universe’s most powerful heroes. I saw Thor, Spider-Man, Hellboy, Yoda, Batman, Superman, Hulk and Wolverine. Together they were engaged in an epic battle against evil on the wall of Comics-N-Stuff, on El Cajon Boulevard!
A clerk at the comic book store told me this huge, fun mural was painted about 14 years ago by a local artist. It has really faded in El Cajon’s sunshine over time, so I’ve increased the contrast of various photographs.
Will Doc Ock and Venom get past Spidey and invade the city of El Cajon? I doubt it!
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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!
Superman, Loki and Catwoman cosplay during Halloween in Balboa Park!
I walked through Balboa Park late this Halloween afternoon and spotted a number of people and pooches dressed up for the occasion!
I saw creative costumes, superhero (and villain) cosplay, and lots of people simply walking about the park enjoying the day. Unfortunately, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was no park-wide event scheduled this year for Halloween.
But people still couldn’t resist having a bit of fun!
Does that skull belong to Yorick? Where’s the gravedigger?The Little Mermaid poses outside the House of Hospitality.It’s a plague doctor! Unfortunately, this year the costume seems less preposterous.A nice skeleton family was walking down El Prado.A pumpkin pooch and one with a mounted cowboy!This dog just got his Bad Pet mug shot. Now it’s off to the pet-itentiary.I didn’t quite catch the name of this group cosplay at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion, but it’s bloody good!
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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!
Another super cool exhibition opened this evening in Balboa Park at the future home of the Comic-Con Museum!
Sense of Wonder: The Art of WonderCon Anaheim features a gallery full of original artwork used for the covers of WonderCon program books. Many top comic artists have created these covers over the years, and visitors this evening were admiring sketches, thumbnails and finished pieces by the likes of Jim Lee, Dan Jurgens, and many others.
Before everyone filtered into the gallery, the 2020 WonderCon program book cover by artist Jen Bartel, winner in 2019 of an Eisner Award, was revealed: a stunning rendition of Wonder Woman with her golden Lasso of Truth! There was applause all around!
This great exhibition will be open to public on select dates through May 31, 2020. If you’re in San Diego and love either WonderCon or Comic-Con, or if you have kids who love superheroes–particularly DC characters like Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman–don’t miss it!
Follow the Comic-Con Museum’s Facebook page here for more info!
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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!
The San Diego Comic Art Gallery at Liberty Station in Point Loma has a current exhibition that might interest those who are attending 2019 Comic-Con. The History of IDW Publishing is now on display in the museum-like gallery, which is located inside of IDW’s San Diego-based corporate headquarters.
The exhibit describes the evolution of IDW and their popular artwork, from the company’s 1999 local inception in Pacific Beach to its very successful present day.
Visitors to the San Diego Comic Art Gallery can enjoy artwork from many diverse IDW projects, including art books like that of Ashley Wood; comic books like 30 Days Of Night, CSI, The Transformers, Star Trek, Locke & Key and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; reprinted material from The Library of American Comics; art magazines like Swallow; and IDW Games.
In addition, one section of IDW’s art gallery contains some of the amazing work of Justin “J-Po” Ponsor, a comic book artist born and raised in San Diego. It’s a fine tribute to a talented colorist who worked on many major series including Ultimate Spider-Man, Avengers and Star Wars. He passed away two months ago.
For more information about the San Diego Comic Art Gallery, visit their website here.
The following photos are from the gallery’s wall that pays tribute to Justin Ponsor.
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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!
Wonder Woman and Batman pose for photos in Balboa Park. It seems these superheroes can never get enough public adulation.
The Justice League was out in force today patrolling Balboa Park!
Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman were leading a team of powerful superheroes and supposedly reformed supervillains down El Prado, keeping an eye out for nefarious doings.
I followed the superhero team in order to capture a bit of the action.
(I learned this cosplay group is called the Science Fiction Coalition. It was cool to see many of these guys later on in the cafe inside the Federal Building, future home of the Comic-Con Museum. It kind of reminded me of that superhero-themed eatery Planet Krypton in the graphic novel Kingdom Come!)
I spotted Penguin and Riddler with members of the Justice League. Fortunately, Batman stood nearby keeping an eye on these two supposedly reformed supervillains.
Batman! The Penguin is coming after me with one of his sinister umbrellas! Help!
I was subjected to a Burgess Meredith-style quack-laugh from Penguin, but escaped otherwise unscathed. Now it’s time for the heroic Justice League to begin their patrol of Balboa Park.
DC superheroes (and villains) in full costume begin down El Prado, looking for some action.
Batwoman has a young fan. Yes, another photo.
More small fans show up and the JLA gladly poses for even more photos. Watch out! Penguin is lurking nearby again.
Batman is tailing that fowl Penguin to make sure there is no more evildoing today.
Another typical San Diego afternoon. Super powered folk amble casually into Plaza de Panama. The Justice League patrol of Balboa Park has been a resounding success.
Penguin, Clark Kent, Riddler, Wonder Woman and Mera are tired out from all the superhero action and rest on a bench awaiting their trip home.
DC comic book characters gather in Balboa Park. Members of San Diego’s Science Fiction Coalition enjoy cosplay as Mera, Batwoman, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Clark Kent, another Wonder Woman, Penguin, Riddler and Superboy!
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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!
Someone watching the Swoop Freestyle FAI World Championship on San Diego Bay points to a competitor skimming across the water!
This afternoon I headed down to Embarcadero Marina Park South to watch the 2018 Swoop Freestyle FAI World Championship! What an exciting sport! Even with my little camera, I managed to get these fun photos!
Swoop Freestyle is a relatively new extreme sport. Competitors skydive, parachute toward the ground with increasing speed, then swoop right above the ground–in this case the blue water–while performing a variety of poses and tricks. The daring athletes swoop at speeds up to 90 mph! Successfully landing on the floating (and slippery) platform is one of the keys to a high score.
I was told this is only the second World Championship event–the first was in Copenhagen–and that this thrilling professional sport is still in its infancy. I can definitely see how it could blow up and become something really big!
I lingered for perhaps an hour and watched much of the First Round action. I’m no expert when it comes to Swoop Freestyle so you’ll have to please forgive my obvious lack of knowledge. I did see dramatic crashes, wild, careening maneuvers, Superman swoops, and some amazing, absolutely miraculous landings atop the floating platform!
Technically brilliant swoops and perfect landings raised a loud cheer from the enthusiastic crowd!
Take a look at these photos and you’ll get an idea of what the event was like…
Here comes another competitor. Helicopters took parachutists high above the water, and the crowd shielded their eyes from the sun to see them descending.
Vying for the World Championship of Swoop Freestyle, this competitor approaches the floating platform, just off Embarcadero Marina Park South.
One of the athletes is cheered by the crowd after making their dramatic swoop!
A banner at the event shows the weekend schedule. The amazing Masters of the Sky wowed lots of excited Swoop Freestyle fans.
I was told Swoop Freestyle athletes came from 13 separate countries to vie for the World Championship.
Testing a parachute in a section of the park where Swoop Freestyle contestants prepared and boarded a helicopter.
Lots of fans in attendance had a special interest in skydiving. They came to watch this unique sporting event from far and wide.
Some people were enjoying a VIP section.
Here comes another canopy. In mere seconds there will be another daring swoop!
Members of a Rescue Team were out on the water, but during the time I watched, they weren’t needed.
Crash! This competitor let everyone know he was okay right away.
Here comes another swooper!
Flying with feet skimming the water’s surface, approaching the floating platform. I don’t recall the result of this swoop.
Will this swooper make it to the platform? Some contestants, unfortunately, miscalculated and came up short.
More great Swoop Freestyle action out on San Diego Bay.
Sometimes two swoopers would come in simultaneously. There was a lot of exciting, intense drama!
After sitting on a hard rock for a long time, I wandered around to stretch my legs. Here’s the entrance to the VIP section.
Several sponsors and vendors had booths around the park, including Skydive San Diego.
Here come a couple of paragliders doing a demonstration during a break in the Swoop Freestyle competition.
Paragliding slowly toward the platform. I always enjoy watching paragliders soar along the cliffs above the beach at the Torrey Pines Gliderport.
The live music guys were taking a break when I walked by, but did a rocker pose for my camera!
There was a fun demonstration by two daredevil water jetpack guys.
Entertaining the crowd!
Flying through the air without a parachute!
Now that really looks like Superman! Where’s the cape?
Three guys demonstrated zooming through the San Diego sky in wingsuits. They looked to me like flying squirrels. Unfortunately, I got my photo after their chutes deployed.
Here they come. Splash.
A couple helicopters were flying back and forth across the bay during much of the event. The Swoop Freestyle competition is about to resume.
Here comes one swooper. This competitor angled in really close to the crowd.
Flying inches from the water.
Here comes another. As you can see, it was a typically perfect San Diego day for the event.
Swooping on in. I think this contestant was too far from the platform and came up short.
Here comes another Swoop Freestyler. Nice form!
A perfect landing! This guy received a high score and with his performance became a contender for world champion.
Excitement at a great athletic achievement!
Some fans were waving a national flag for one of the Swoop Freestyle international athletes.
As the crowd watched the action, behind the scenes the athletes were preparing parachutes and getting ready for their competitive jump.
A huge tent contained lots of parachutes. I’m not sure if these were drying out, awaiting use, or what.
Will this be the next World Champion of Swoop Freestyle?
Heading off in a helicopter to take another flying swoop.
Here’s a distant action photo into the sun from a spot near the Hilton, behind the San Diego Convention Center.
Didn’t quite make it onto the platform! Close but no cigar!
But he still gave me a smile and thumbs up!
Excitement is nonstop at the 2018 Swoop Freestyle World Championship!
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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!
Superman enters a phone booth. When he comes out, who will he become?
Today I headed down to Imperial Beach to enjoy the Sun and Sea Festival. The annual summer event is famous for its popular sand sculpture contest near the pier. You might’ve seen photos I took in past years.
In 2018 the theme for the sand sculpture competition was Superheroes In The Sand.
A big crowd turned out on a sunny summer Saturday in Imperial Beach to enjoy the annual Sun and Sea Festival.
Poster looks like a comic book cover! A surfer wears a cape for the 2018 Sun and Sea Festival in Imperial Beach. The original sandcastle competition!
A big sand sculpture near the event’s entrance greets one and all to the Sun and Sea Festival. That caped hero seems to be holding a surfboard.
I found my first superhero on the beach. It’s Wonder Woman!
Here’s a tribute to a young superhero. A young lady named Angela had her wish made true by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Titans Collide, a sand sculpture by the Sculpintures. Thanos and Hulk are ready to do battle. I hope Thanos doesn’t have that gauntlet on.
Watch out Thanos! Hulk is finally really angry and ready to smash.
The Coastal Carvers were creating the IB Bears. I’m not sure how exactly this fits with the superhero theme.
Howie’s Crew was creating Gotham City out of sand. I see the Bat Signal and the Bat Cave!
And I see Wayne Manor, too!
Scooby Doo is a superhero, right? The Guardians of the Sandlot had scenes from that favorite cartoon. Here’s the Mystery Machine!
And here’s a super scary creature! It’s probably an old disgruntled lighthouse keeper in a yellow slicker somehow cleverly disguised as a big monster. Just my wild guess.
According to the San Diego Sand Castles, you don’t need a cape.
Wonder Woman has no cape, nor She-Ra.
A local guy working on sand art that celebrates She-Ra. You’ll see why, shortly.
A variety of heroes gathered in Imperial Beach the week before 2018 San Diego Comic-Con.
Archisand was crafting a sandcastle fantasy and a beautiful sleepy face.
There were sand sculptures on either side of the Imperial Beach Pier. Lots of surfers out today, too.
Sandytales was creating Dreaming, an imaginative sand sculpture with another sleepy face and whimsical castle.
Here’s the castle and a smile. Creating that looks like fun!
Team Sandstorm was creating their sand sculpture just north of the IB Pier.
Forever Heroes. It’s a big Purple Cross.
Sand spheres are sculpted to become helmeted war heroes.
Many heroes behind the medal.
The Sandcastle Man Team was creating a fantastic Star Wars setting.
A sand sculpture rendition of a far distant world. Rebels and Resistance.
The I.B. Posse created a new chest emblem for Superman. It features a firefighter’s helmet.
Superman entered a phone booth in my very first photo . . . then emerged as a true hero firefighter!
Here are some hero lifeguards.
Why do several local sand artists like the heroine She-Ra?
This sculpture by the Sand Squirrels honors a former member. I believe her name was Shera. Her surviving brother works with sand for the first time.
My Heroes, by the I.B. Family Posse, has Batman and Spiderman ready side by side.
A kid is surrounded by Superman and other imaginary superheroes. He wears a fireman’s helmet.
My Heroes.
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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!
The first trolley wrap for 2018 San Diego Comic-Con features two Syfy shows–Krypton and HAPPY!
More than a month to go until 2018 San Diego Comic-Con and trolleys are already getting wrapped! A record 40 or more trolley cars will feature Comic-Con graphics this year, according to MTS!
I spotted the very first wrap this morning at the Little Italy station! Here are my quick photos!
It appears Syfy will be returning to San Diego Comic-Con in a big way in 2018. The wrap promotes two of their shows: Krypton and HAPPY! Both series have been renewed for a second season.
I noticed that Syfy’s slogan from last year–It’s a Fan Thing–is being referenced once again. On this trolley the words read: It’s a Fan Made Thing.
The Krypton art was created by Moritat, a comic book creator who has done some work for DC.
The HAPPY! trolley art was created by a fan named Alyssa Veysey. You can see her personal DeviantArt page, including the HAPPY! trolley artwork, here.
Because I live in downtown San Diego, I plan to take hundreds of photos during Comic-Con, as I’ve done the past few years!
Stay tuned!
A closer photo of the Krypton trolley graphic.
The other half of the trolley car features imaginary characters from the highly original fantasy-comedy-crime show HAPPY!
A three-headed dog named Raspberry!
It’s a blue, flying unicorn named Happy!
UPDATE!
A couple days later, and I’ve spotted a second San Diego Comic-Con trolley wrap that promotes the two Syfy shows The Magicians and Wynonna Earp.
I got some photos!
A cool Syfy wrap on a San Diego Comic-Con trolley. It’s a fan made thing. Find your fan thing!
A Comic-Con trolley wrap that promotes The Magicians on Syfy.
Another photo of the graphics for The Magicians.
The other half of the San Diego Trolley car promotes the Syfy show Wynonna Earp.
The characters of Wynonna Earp are portrayed on playing cards.
UPDATE!
Here’s another Syfy trolley car I’ve spotted! This one promotes the shows Nightflyers and Deadly Class!
Nightflyers graphics on a 2018 San Diego Comic-Con Syfy trolley wrap.
A second photo of the Nightflyers trolley graphics.
Deadly Class, another show on Syfy, is promoted on another half of the trolley car.
Deadly Class on Syfy is being promoted on a San Diego trolley car with cool fan art.
Second photo of the Deadly Class San Diego Comic-Con trolley wrap!
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A fan at 2017 San Diego Comic-Con grabbed Conan by the tie for a selfie!
Here are more fun photos from today! I was careless this time about recording unfamiliar cosplay, so leave a comment if you can help!
The Iron Patriot is on patrol in the Gaslamp during Comic-Con.
A good Star Wars cosplay!
The Syfy band was entertaining the crowd on Fifth Avenue in the Gaslamp Quarter for SDCC 2017.
Dancing to the music!
I saw lots of Wonder Woman cosplay. Not sure about the cowboy guy.
An awesome Loki cosplay!
Looks like Captain Jack Sparrow found himself a friend.
He told me his cool cosplay but I didn’t write it down. Leave a comment if you know!
The San Diego USO was having people Flex 4 Forces.
This Sentinel Services guy wanted me to get tested for the X-Gene. But he implied if I was positive, I’d be sent away on one of those Mutant Transport trolleys!
Some very cool Overwatch cosplay!
Broad City had a fan man dancing about.
Syfy had a handy Cosplay Repair cart along MLK Promenade!
These items can be useful in repairing a costume or makeup during Comic-Con!
People peddle the Syfy Trivia Trolley while answering questions for prizes!
Lots of fun and cosplay everywhere I turned!
A lucha libre mask!
Santa Claus is busy taking a photo of something up ahead…
Supergirl on stilts!
Superman had to settle for a Segway. Some kryptonite de-powered him for the moment. I think Batman might have done it.
Now that’s a real, genuine Silver Surfer!
Another Wonder Woman and cosplay friend.
It’s Lady Thor in the Petco Interactive Zone!
Cosplayers at Comic-Con are interviewed by Comedy Central.
Joker is on the scene!
A super awesome Voltron group cosplay photo!
Have you seen her Paladin?
Schick Hydro Robot Razor is a superhero to the rescue, but it’s a close shave.
Fans of the series Mr. Mercedes get ready for a photo.
I found the Holy Grail at 2017 San Diego Comic-Con!
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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 fun photos for you to share and enjoy!
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