Comic-Con International: San Diego is a non-profit organization that began in 1970 as the Golden State Comic Book Convention. The convention began with a focus on comic books then grew to include science fiction and fantasy movies and literature. It has become the biggest comic and pop culture event in the world.

Comic-Con’s mission statement declares, “The San Diego Comic Convention (Comic-Con International) is a California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation organized for charitable purposes and dedicated to creating the general public’s awareness of and appreciation for comics and related popular art forms, including participation in and support of public presentations, conventions, exhibits, museums and other public outreach activities which celebrate the historic and ongoing contribution of comics to art and culture.”

Started by Shel Dorf, Richard Alf, Ken Krueger, Mike Towry, Barry Alfonso, Bob Sourk, and Greg Bear, the first Golden State Comic Con was a three-day event that drew in 300 attendees. Now, the convention boasts a giant 460,000-square-foot exhibit hall with hundreds of programming events like panels, signings, gaming, portfolio reviews, con exclusives, meet and greets, and immersive experiences.

Each year the show hosts hundreds of guests from comics, film, TV, and gaming. Publishing and production companies create expansive booths with large displays and signing areas. Auction houses and dealers also have a large presence showing off selections of the most sought after comics and one of a kind original art pieces.

The show’s name changed to San Diego’s West Coast Comic Convention in ’72, then a year later it became San Diego Comic-Con (often called SDCC). In ’95 it underwent its latest name change becoming Comic-Con International: San Diego.

In the ‘70s, the convention was held at the El Cortez Hotel in downtown San Diego. It moved to the Convention and Performing Arts Center in ’79 and was held there until ’91. The show moved to the massive San Diego Convention Center and has remained there since.

Attendance now reaches 130,000 and because of the huge influx of people to the area, Comic-Con has expanded to include satellite locations at nearby hotels and outdoor parks. The Eisner Awards, Independent Film Festival, gaming, anime, and other events are held outside of the Convention Center.

Like most conventions around the world, Comic-Con’s live show was cancelled this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the convention’s organizers developed a new concept for 2020, hosting Comic-Con@Home. The virtual experience is being held on July 22-26 featuring panels that can be viewed online and a virtual show floor where collectors can make purchase from their favorite vendors.