Comic-Con 2023: The Ultimate Guide
Wednesday, July 19 (Preview Night)
Thursday, July 20th, 2023 – Sunday, July 23rd, 2023
Badges
Anyone attending this event must have a valid Comic-Con badge connected to their Member ID account. Unfortunately badges are sold out already, but those who were able to get one need to keep a couple things in mind.
Security checks will be done to ensure only the person listed on the badge is admitted to the event. Each badge holder will be asked to present a valid photo ID so don’t forget to bring one! Keep in mind if you are not the person listed on the badge, you will be denied entry.
Comic-Con Hours
Wednesday, July 19 (Preview Night)
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Thursday, July 20
9:30 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday, July 21
9:30 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday, July 22
9:30 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday, July 23
9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Getting to the Event
There are many ways to get to the Convention Center for this year’s Comic-Con. An easy way to get to Comic-Con is by taking the MTS trolley. San Diego is home to a great trolley service. Best of all, it stops right at the Convention Center in two different spots. Across from Hall A at the Convention Center Station and near Hall D at the Gaslamp Station.
For those who live further North, consider taking the Coaster Commuter Train or the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner. Both stop at downtown San Diego’s Santa Fe Depot. From there the Convention Center is a few short trolley stops ahead.
There will also be FREE Shuttle service stops in downtown, Mission Valley, and hotels near the airport on Shelter Island and Harbor Island. Just show your Comic-Con badge when you get on and you will be good to good.
Shuttle Service Hours and Frequency:
Wednesday, July 19
3:00 PM – 7:00 PM (every 20 minutes)
7:00 PM – 12:00 AM (every 15 minutes)
Thursday, July 20
5:00 AM – 8:00 AM (every 30 minutes)
8:00 AM – 9:00 PM (every 15 minutes)
9:00 PM – 1:00 AM (every 30 minutes)
Friday, July 21
5:00 AM – 8:00 AM (every 30 minutes)
8:00 AM – 9:00 PM (every 15 minutes)
9:00 PM – 1:00 AM (every 30 minutes)
Saturday, July 22
5:00 AM – 8:00 AM (every 30 minutes)
8:00 AM – 9:00 PM (every 15 minutes)
9:00 PM – 1:00 AM (every 30 minutes)
Sunday, July 23
5:00 AM – 8:00 AM (every 30 minutes)
8:00 AM – 7:00 PM (every 15 minutes)
If you are driving, make sure to reserve your parking online at Ace Structures. Also keep in mind Harbor Drive from First Avenue to Park Boulevard will be closed off to all forms of vehicular traffic. This includes cars, bicycles, scooters, and skateboards throughout the duration of Comic-Con 2023.
Costumes
Please feel free to have fun and wear a costume. Dress up as your favorite character, but please keep in mind that no functional props or weapons are allowed at Comic-Con. Costume weapons may be allowed as part of your costume but they will need approval by security. Costume props and weapons must be inspected at one of the Costume Props Desks.
After being checked by security, you will be given a wristband to wear indicating that your props have been checked.
Also keep in mind that at certain times, due to crowds, people in oversized costumes might be asked to leave the Exhibit Hall.
COVID-19
Everyone attending Comic-Con may be required to wear an approved face mask regardless of vaccination status. In addition, you may also be required to provide proof of vaccination status or proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken in the last 72 hours. Leading up to the event, make sure to check the Comic-Con website for the latest protocols.
Other Convention Policies
To read more convention policies click here.
Must-See Activities
Warner Bros. Television Screenings
Date: Wednesday, July 19
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Location: Ballroom 20
“Comic-Con and Warner Bros. Television proudly continue our annual Preview Night tradition featuring the world premiere of the highly anticipated series Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake, alongside all-new episodes of Riverdale and Teen Titans Go!, and screenings of Mrs. Davis and Superpowered: The DC Story.”
Twilight Zone: The Movie
Date: Wednesday, July 19
Time: 7:00 PM – 8:41 PM
Location: Grand 5, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
“(1983, directed by Joe Dante, John Landis, George Miller and Steven Spielberg, starring Dan Aykroyd, Albert Brooks and Scatman Crothers, PG) 40th Anniversary screening: In this Anthology film, four acclaimed Directors re-envision stories brought forth in the seminal television series hosted by Rod Serling, that has endured, and been continued in a variety of forms throughout the decades.”
Rock ‘n’ Roll Highschool
Date: Wednesday, July 19
Time: 8:50 PM – 10:23 PM
Location: Grand 5, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
“(1979, directed by Allan Arkkush, starring P.J. Soles, The Ramones, and Vincent Van Patten, PG) With some help from her favorite band, The Ramones, the delinquent Riff Randle battles it out for control of Vince Lombardi High school against the strict new principal, Miss Togar!”
15th Annual Behind-the-Music panel: Supersonic
Date: Thursday, July 20
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Location: Room 25ABC
“Get a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into creating the scores and sounds to some of today’s most popular TV series and films. Panelists include Phil McGowan (score mixer, Star Trek: Picard), Amanda Jones (composer, American Horror Stories), Chris Bacon (composer, Wednesday), Sherri Chung(composer, Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai), Kurt Farquhar (composer, The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder), and Michael Yezerski (composer, Cabinet of Curiosities).”
Star Wars: Past, Present, Future
Date: Thursday, July 20
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Location: AA01
“Gigi Edgley, actor (Farscape, Jim Henson’s Creature Shop Challenge), Spencer Wilding, actor (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Doctor Who), James Ganiere, director/producer (Farscape 20th Anniversary, Space Command) Friday only, Christian Ganiere, actor (Stranger Things, Days of Our Lives), Bruce Logan, visual effects (Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope) – Friday only, Leilani Shui, actor (Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Mandalorian), Julie Dolan, actor (Star Wars: Rebels, Star Wars: Uprising) Friday only”
Building the DC Universe on WEBTOON
Date: Thursday, July 20
Time: 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Location: Room 4
“Marie Javins (editor-in-chief for DC), David Lee (VP of content for WEBTOON), CRC Payne (Batman: Wayne Family Adventures), Manou Azumi (Vixen: NYC), Patrick Young (Red Hood: Outlaws), and moderator Rosie Knight (Den of Geek) discuss bringing classic DC Super Heroes to WEBTOON.”
Crack Open the Vault: The Best in Creator-Owned Comics Unlocked
Date: Friday, July 21
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Room 25ABC
“Vault Comics has risen to the title of the best in genre-based sequential storytelling with multiple award-nominated series from comics’ top creators over the course of their six-year history, including critical darlings, fan favorites, and sales record–breaking series. Vault is premiering their latest series, Unnatural Order, from X-23 co-creator Christopher Yost. Vault invites attendees to join Yost, alongside Christopher Cantrell (The Blue Flame), Jackson Lansing and Colin Kelly (WifWulf), Corin Howell (Queen of Swords), and Zack Kaplan (Mindset), as the publisher offers a sneak peek and their fall lineup of the best in science fiction, fantasy, horror, and more. Moderated by Daniel Crary, host of the company’s weekly WhatNot stream and director of community engagement and events.”
The Walking Dead Universe (AMC/AMC+)
Date: Friday, July 21
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00PM
Location: Hall H
“Fans will get exclusive, first-look access to all things The Walking Dead Universe (AMC/AMC+).”
Rick and Morty 10th Anniversary
Date: Friday, July 21
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
“It hasn’t been 100 years quite yet, but join the cast and crew as they celebrate 10 years of Rick and Morty adventures and family shenanigans! Plus, get a first look at the upcoming seventh season.”
Kodansha: Makoto Yukimura and Vinland Saga
Date: Saturday, July 22
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Room 9
“Makoto Yukimura, writer and artist behind Vinland Saga—one of the most critically acclaimed historical manga being published today and the inspiration for the hit anime series streaming on Netflix—makes his U.S. debut appearance at Comic-Con! Moderator Ivan Salazar (Kodansha USA) is joined by manga experts Misaki Kido (Kodansha USA) and Ben Applegate (Penguin Random House) to host this modern master in an intimate and wide-ranging conversation on Yukimura-sensei’s journey forging his own creative path in the world of manga.”
Futurama
Date: Saturday, July 22
Time: 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
Location: Ballroom 20
“You won’t want to miss the world premiere screening of the beloved sci-fi animated series Futurama before new episodes debut on Hulu on July 24. After a 10-year hiatus, Futurama has sprung triumphantly from the cryogenic tube, its full original cast and satirical spirit intact. New viewers will be able to pick up the series from here, while long-time fans will recognize payoffs to decades-long mysteries, including developments in the epic love story of Fry and Leela, the mysterious contents of Nibbler’s litter box, the secret history of evil Robot Santa, and the whereabouts of Kif and Amy’s tadpoles. Meanwhile, there’s a whole new pandemic in town as the crew explores the future of vaccines, bitcoin, cancel culture, and streaming TV.”
Family Guy
Date: Saturday, July 22
Time: 12:45 PM – 1:30 PM
Location: Ballroom 20
“Award-winning and fan-favorite series, Family Guy returns to Comic-Con for another iconic year. Join in on the Griffin family fun as they celebrate one of the longest-running shows on television, with over 400 episodes and more all-new episodes coming to FOX this fall.”
Sonic the Hedgehog: Speeding to the 900th Adventure!
Date: Sunday, July 23
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Location: Room 25ABC
“Gotta go fast to the IDW Sonic the Hedgehog panel! The creative team, including Sonic editor David Mariotte and writer Evan Stanley, celebrate the upcoming 900th adventure of the Blue Blur with super fun stories that will leave fans spinning. Get ready to race into action with exciting sneak peeks and announcements.”
Ultraverse: 30th Anniversary Celebration
Date: Sunday, July 23
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Location: Grand 12 & 13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
“After publishing comics for seven years, Malibu Comics launched the Ultraverse in 1993. Now, 30 years later, Prime, Hardcase, The Strangers, Mantra, Nightman, and the rest of the Ultraverse maintain a large, active, and vocal fan following. Chris Ulm (editor-in-chief), Aaron Lopresti (artist, Sludge, Wonder Woman), Kurtis Fujita (Ultraverse staff), Marc Truex (Ultramonthly Podcast), Larry Welch (Ultraverse inker), Hank Kanalz (Ultraverse editor, DC Comics), Tom Mason (Prototype, Malibu staff), and Dave Olbrich (publisher Malibu/Ultraverse) look at the past, present and future of the Ultraverse.”
Credits to Art Nichols for the art
Manifest: Last Call for Flight 828
Date: Sunday, July 23
Time: 2:15 PM – 3:15 PM
Location: Room 6DE
“After a triumphant fan and creatives campaign for more of the series Manifest, on June 2, Netflix released the final 10 explosively compelling episodes. Celebrate creator Jeff Rake’s entire Montego Flight 828 saga, and join this panel for all the callings, mysteries, ’ships, heartrending storylines, plus a few surprises. Grab your final boarding pass. It’s all connected! Moderated by Marcia Middleton (Manifest the Netflix TV Show Group), with Eric LeBlanc (The Weekend Geeks), Justin Toney (The Weekend Geeks), and Sheila Middleton (Superfan).”
Full Program Schedule
If you would like to see the full program schedule click here.
Conclusion
We hope this guide we put together for Comic-Con 2023 was helpful. If you have any more questions on convention policies, hours, transportation, parking, costumes, Covid-19, or the program schedule, click here to view the official Comic-Con website. You can also contact them with any questions.
Have fun at this years event!