SDCC 2025 Treasure Haul and Vlog!
Another hot, sweaty July comes to Iowa, which means a trip out to the coast. I went to visit San Diego during Comic Con. It’s my third time going to SDCC, and as per usual, it was fun!
Comic Con Highlights
Out of the three SDCC’s I’ve been to, I will admit this year was my least favorite. What I like most about conventions is the panels. This year’s panel selections were just ok! And it’s not just because Marvel and DC didn’t show up. I’m not interested in them. I’m more into animation and books, and there weren’t as many special guests I was interested in that attended those kinds of panels.
There were two highlight panels for me. The biggest draw for me was the Avatar the Last Airbender 20th Anniversary panel. Like many people who grew up in the early 2000s, it was the best animation series out at that time. And it still holds up too! My feelings on that were confirmed when we saw clips from the show, as well as many table reads of key episodes. The bonus art done by creator Bryan Konietzko were an absolute treat for fans.
The second highlight panel was the Cartoon Network “Cartoons Cartoons” panel where they played some shorts that were a part of their shorts program. I’ve always been a Cartoon Network girly, and watching these new shorts reminded me how I love Cartoon Network’s snappy and slightly dark animation style. Honestly I could see most of those shorts being made into full fledged series!
Treasure Haul Highlights
One of the people in our group graciously stood in line for ATLA merch, and they got me the cutest Appa plushie ever! I absolutely adore my lil Appa.
In the expo hall, one artist was a huge draw to me. I was introduced to Matt Emmons’ work. He is a Philidelphia based comic artist. Most of the work he made was done in riso, which I have a soft spot for. They had several comics, shirts, and prints for sale that feature critters and cryptids with a deep, dark admiration for nature. His work really reminded me of Kory Bing’s work, which I discovered at last year’s con.
Outside of Con, I finally visited Burn All Books. They are a small, indie punk publisher of art and zines. Their store was the absolute coolest. I was also able to listen in briefly to their riso workshop. I bought so many prints, zines, and books there!
Books I Read While On Vacation
Unfortunately, I didn’t have a pool to lounge by this year, so I didn’t read as much. Here’s what I did read though!
Rest Stop by Nat Cassidy
A young musician finds himself locked inside a gas station bathroom in the middle of the night by an unseen assailant, caught between the horrors on the other side of the door and the horrors rapidly skittering down the walls inside. (via Bookshop.org)
Bring Me the Head of Susan Lomond by Connor B
In this graphic novel debut, Connor B. uses absurdist dark humor to craft a hilarious queer enemies-to-something-more story perfect for fans of The Addams Family.
Susan Lomond must be defeated. Monroe Poole, teenage evil genius, has suffered her greatest humiliation. Susan Lomond, wretchedly popular football star, surpassed Monroe in their high school’s proficiency ranking system, contrary to all laws of reason or rationality. Revenge occupies Monroe’s every waking moment, yet she is somehow thwarted at every turn. The explosion detonates too late, the black hole opens up a few feet to the left, the lightning bolt instead strikes the flagpole. The homecoming dance is Monroe’s last chance to secure Susan’s demise. Will she finally succeed, or will she find that under the light of the disco ball, her obsession has turned from vengeful to something altogether different? (via Silver Sprocket)
