Comic Con Palm Springs only began last year, and it already feels like one of our area’s prime annual events. The inaugural event brought in more than 15,000 attendees, and this year’s Comic Con is expected to reach 25,000.
“We are so excited that Comic Con Palm Springs continues to grow in popularity,” said Founder/Executive Producer Christopher Spellman. “The fans have made it clear that there is a demand for the kind of Comic Con programming we are able to provide, and that they want it in Palm Springs.”
With legends and celebrities from the world of comics, gaming, film, TV, cosplay, and more, Comic Con Palm Springs has, literally, something for everyone.
We’ve compiled our Top 10 Comic Con Palm Springs events inside, but we warn you—there are far more reasons to get yourself to Comic Con than we can count on the fingers of both hands! Plus, zombies!
At first glance, Palm Springs seems somewhat of an unlikely city to host a major comic con event. A city known for Sinatra and the Rat Pack, Sonny Bono, Mary Bono, a giant statue of Marilyn Monroe, the White Party, great architecture, Cahuilla roots, and lots of “dry” heat, may not come across as suitably geeky enough.
But as we creep closer to the second annual Comic Con Palm Springs, it’s apparent that we have the right venues, the right organizers, and a suitable level of stylish (not a real word), to host a crazily successful and fun geek fest. In fact, Comic Con Palm Springs is produced in such a way that pretty much anyone who likes to have fun, geek or no, will have the opportunity to utterly enjoy themselves.
In that spirit, and to help prompt some ideas for those who may be wondering if Comic Con Palm Springs is for them, we’ve put together our Top 10 Things to do for the event, highlighting the variety you may not have known existed. There truly is something for everyone here, and even some of the things you think you know, well, there’s probably more to the story.....
Meet the legendary Stan Lee, Founder of Marvel Comics
Stan Lee is a legend. He co-created Spider-Man, the Hulk, the Fantastic Four, Iron Man, Thor (the comic book character, not the Norse god), the X-Men, and a slew of other iconic comic characters. He’s a comic book writer, editor, publisher, producer, TV host, actor, and former president and chairman of Marvel Comics.
As a child, Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber, in 1928), was influenced by books and movies, especially movies with Errol Flynn playing heroic roles. His family was of modest means and lived in the Bronx.
He graduated high school early, and became an assistant at the new Timely Comics, which by the 1960s had evolved into the iconic Marvel Comics. Lee made his comic book debut with Captain America Foils the Traitor’s Revenge, in Captain America Comics #3, from May, 1941, with his pseudonym “Stan Lee” in print. Lee is reported to have said he had been saving his given name for more serious literary work.
Lee served in the Army during World War II, and the post-war era saw the rise of the superhero. But in some ways, Lee was a superhero himself. He battled comic censors and published a series in The Amazing Spider-Man with an anti-drug abuse subplot. He supported including social commentary in comic books, dealing with racism and bigotry. In 2010, he founded the Stan Lee Foundation to promote literacy, education, and the arts.
Lee is not just a legend in the world of comic books. He’s a true American icon. From humble beginnings, he has exerted enormous influence over American popular culture, and inspired many of us during our lives. We’re honored he is coming to Palm Springs!
Do the Zombie/Saber Walk 7:30 p.m., Friday, August 25
Stay off the streets of Palm Springs on Friday, August 25, if you value your brains! Starting at 7:30 that evening, brain dead congressmen, errrr..... zombies, will be turned loose from Comic Con Palm Springs at the Palm Springs Convention Center (you do not have to have a pass to the event to participate), with the hungry mob wandering the streets until they reach the Hard Rock Hotel.
The Comic Con Palm Springs Zombie Walk lets all self-styled zombies and zombie-wanna-bes shuffle along with the occasional Imperial Stormtrooper and Jedi Knight, in the eternal zombie quest for tasty brains. There will be a post-walk Zombie Party at the Hard Rock, of course. The party is open to all ages and free for everyone who has a CCPS badge. Non-badge holders may purchase an entry ticket at the door for $20, cash only. (Note to self: Zombies carry cash? Why? Zombie parties, that’s why!)
The Comic Con Palm Springs website has some Zombie Walk rules and guidelines for all participating undead. Things like no actual weapons, and no walking out into traffic, should sound like common sense, but you might want to check the website before heading out to join the mayhem. It’s going to be hot, so we’ll have lots of stinky, smelly, sweaty zombies hamming it up. Why not join in the fun and be a zombie, if just for the day?
We’re huge film festival fans, ever since Sonny Bono and Craig Prater rolled out Palm Springs’ signature film fest, many years ago. With GeekFest Film Fest, you’ll be treated to science fiction, fantasy, horror, fan films, and some nigh on unclassifiable stuff, on Saturday and Sunday of Comic Con Palm Springs, in the GeekFest Theater.
You can vote on your favorite GeekFest films, and then see the best of fest, and the awards, on Sunday. Drop by the GeekFest booth on the exhibition floor to win some cool stuff from the festival’s sponsors.
GeekFest has a variety of shorts, as well as a Fan Film Block that revolves around Star Wars. There’s even a GeekFest Filmmakers Panel where you can meet the GeekFest filmmakers and learn the art of indie filmmaking on a low budget. The panel is followed at 4 p.m. on Sunday with the Best of GeekFest and Awards.
The horror blocks, no surprise here, are R-rated, but the lineup looks dynamic—worth the Comic Con admission on its own.
Take in the whole GeekFest, or just drop in for a break from Comic Con adventures. It’s guaranteed to be entertaining.
Super Sonic Speed Dating
There’s nothing quite like geeks in love, and where better to meet your cosplay soul mate than at Comic Con Palm Springs?
Well, they’ve got it all arranged. If you’ve been searching for your own Princess Peach in all the wrong castles, or your dream Vulcan in a universe devoid of Vulcans, then Super Sonic Speed Dating at Comic Con Palm Springs is for you.
Whether you need a Dragon ball hunting partner, or just a cold, clammy zombie to shamble alongside you on those endless hunts for fresh brains, put down those aimless apps and speed date! You know you want to! What have you got to lose (other than that left arm that’s not too attached right now)?
Symphony Pop Orchestra Concert
This is one of our favorite parts of Comic Con Palm Springs—the part where Brian Ingelson and the Palm Springs High School and Comic Con Palm Springs Orchestra come together for a spectacular performance. You can enjoy clips of classic films like Star Wars, Star Trek, and Lord of the Rings while the orchestra plays the music and sound effects. You’re right in the moment! Kids of all ages will enjoy this, with music from Frozen, How to Train Your Dragon, and a live video game medley as part of the show! This is truly awesome!
3D Film Fest and VR Fun
Who doesn’t love 3D movies? The 3D Film Festival, presented by RealD, has a new home at Regal Cinemas Stadium 9 theaters as part of Comic Con Palm Springs, and it’s a winner!
On Friday, August 25, from 6 to 10 p.m., they celebrate the first day of Comic Con with the 10th Anniversary Edition of the world’s first 3D Film Festival ever presented by RealD—the godfather of immersive tech events and the birthplace of VR Fest.
Friday’s film festival includes a special presentation, a 3D short film program and panel, followed by their feature presentation with a Q&A session.
VR Fest and VR Arcade, presented by Alienware and Oculus, will be showcasing exhibits on the main showroom floor and in the VIP Lounge, throughout Comic Con Palm Springs.
The 25th Anniversary of Death of Superman
No, Superman didn’t really die. But back in 1992’s DC Comics Superman series, it sure looked that way. Superman battled one of the most powerful opponents of all time—Doomsday. At the conclusion of their battle, both Doomsday and Superman appear to have been killed. But have they? Nah.
Comic Con Palm Springs celebrates the 25th anniversary of this famous series with a panel hosted by Brett Breeding (DC Superman comics artist), Jon Bogdanove (artist and writer for Death of Superman), Mike Carlin (writer/editor for Marvel and DC), and Karl Kesel (writer for Death of Superman).
But wait—there’s more!
We can’t leave Batman out! There will also be a panel hosted by Jean Maccurdy (former president of Warner Brothers Animation), Eric Radomski (producer of Batman, the animated series), and Alan Burnett (DC Comics executive producer), discussing Batman, the animated series. Originally developed by Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski, the series was produced by Warner Bros. Animation from 1992-95.
The Batman series was known for its thematic complexity, dark tones, film noir aesthetics, and artistic quality. It went on to win four Emmy awards. With these panels, fans can get the backstory to their favorite classic comic series from the people who made them happen.
Zombies, Zombies, Everywhere
So, Friday kicks off with the undead and Star Wars characters shuffling down the streets of Palm Springs in the Zombie/Saber Walk. But the zombies don’t just go home after their party at the Hard Rock. Oh no. You don’t have it that easy.
Think you and your “friends” (Are they really your friends?) have what it takes to survive the Zombocalypse? Well, there’s one way to find out for sure—prove it in the dreaded Zombie Maze Room! You and your friends will have to use your wits, stealth, and determination not to part with your brains, in order to find the cure and save humanity—and yourselves. Seek clues, solve puzzles, and sneak your way through to craft a cure as you are the last line of defense from a zombie horde outbreak.
But all that saving the world stuff can work up an appetite, so head on over to Zombie Café. If you’re considering the undead lifestyle (or “deathstyle”), but don’t want to commit to the whole zombification thing quite yet, this is for you.
Not only will you be treated to delectable zombie cuisine such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob Casserole (we made that up), but you’ll be busting out undead dance moves with a Zombie quintet hosted by an emcee (Does a Zombie quintet qualify as “live” music?). You’ll meat the undead and get more comfortable with their world. Consider it a cultural enrichment experience.
BB's Comic Con After Party
OK, let’s be clear—nobody throws a party like BB Ingle, producer and host of massive, legendary parties here in Palm Springs. It’s no surprise then, to learn that BB is producing the official Comic Con Palm Springs After Party. No surprise at all.
Saturday night during Comic Con, will see a huge after party at the Hard Rock Hotel with DJs, live bands, dancing, cosplay photo opps, Nerd Karaoke, and lots of costumed fun. The party runs from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m., and the $20 cover is well worth it (CCPS VIP members and Lynda Carter concert ticket holders enter free).
Costumes and cosplay are strongly encouraged but not required, but you must be 21 or older. Get tickets at partywithbb.com, and if you need Comic Con passes, use the promo code BB for a 15% discount. It always pays to get to know BB! Party on!
The Stan Lee Museum
Somehow, it seems appropriate to return to Stan Lee for our #10 slot. Lee is bringing his full Stan Lee Museum exhibition with him to Comic Con Palm Springs, and this is a must-see collection of Marvel memorabilia, and Lee’s personal items.
But why stop at #10? There’s so much more coming to Comic Con Palm Springs—Rob Lefeild, the artist and creator of Deadpool; Dana Gaier, the voice of “Edith” in Despicable Me; Khary Payton from Walking Dead; the Bionic Woman, Lindsay Wagner; Chester Rushing, Tommy H. in Stranger Things; the Mandalorian Mercs, 501st Legion, and the Rebel Legion; the So Cal Ghostbusters; DB’s Turtles; and so many artists, actors, writers, voice actors, cosplayers, and producers, and they all have stories to share. (Yes, you are likely to run into some of your favorite Game of Thrones characters.)
To top it off, there are more than 450 merchandise vendors, Sean Rich’s collection of weapons from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, a Lego room, an arcade expo, Twisted Toonz script reading of Back to the Future with some of your favorite voices (Marty McFly sounds like SpongeBob SquarePants!), and a $1,000 grand prize costume contest.
Comic Con Palm Springs has emerged to be one of Palm Springs’ premier events. For more photos and fun, see our website, and for tickets: comicconpalmsprings.com.
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