Mad Atoms

Maybe you're a lazy dork.  Maybe all your friends are going to Comic-Con, so this year you thought you'd give it a try.  Maybe you're an entertainment industry person who realizes that Comic-Con gives you a good excuse to get away from work.  After all, there's networking to do between the Lost panel and the Buffy musical screening. 

Well, whoever you are, you're too late.  Comic-Con '09 is already sold out.   

The 4 day passes, to an event happening late July, actually sold out months ago.  All the one-day passes are sold out too.  Remember, this is a nerd conference -- these guys would camp out for three months in front of the San Diego Convention Center if the San Diego police were stupidly tolerant.  However, do not give up hope, young Starfleet Cadets.  I will teach you the ways of sneaking into this year's Con:

* If you're press, aka a writer for a magazine, local newspaper or a somewhat established blog, you can sign up here until June 8th.  (Creative professionals, like writers, artists and producers, can get free passes too, but the registration deadline was in May.)  They give out tons of free 4-day press passes each year.  Just be sure you have proof, like a signed letter saying you're a writer for your company.  You'll have to mail it to them.  Don’t dawdle though, cause time’s a-wasting!

* Have a friend who's industry?  Professionals get one free 4-day guest pass!  Problem solved.  *Dusts off hands*

* If the pro you know has already used their free pass, not to worry: professionals can still buy additional 4-day passes for $75 bucks a pop, so you can just give your friend the money and you're all set.  Not sure how long this will last though, so get your pal to do it quick.  An industry guy can buy passes through the password protected Industry Online login area (the password is in their registration email).

* Work at McDonalds and have no industry friends whatsoever, but you're desperate to buy the Comic-Con exclusive Halo Griffball Figurine?  I would put an ad on Craigslist looking for an industry professional who can buy you a pass.  There are “Pros” all across the country, because Comic-Con is giving a free pass to the writer of Gary's Comicz Blog, Blogger.com's #14,564 most popular comics-related blog.  If you offer them a little extra for their trouble, you're on your way to the Masquerade Ball.

* NOTE: I’d be wary of anyone scalping tickets.  Unlike movies, concerts or events “norms” go to, your pass will have your name on it and will be non-transferable.  They don’t always check IDs at the door, but they sometimes do and you might end up wasting your money.  That’s why getting an industry person to buy you a ticket is your best option, in my humble opinion.

* You could also try Batmaning your way in.  Maybe there's an unguarded entrance from the basement, or you could attempt to print your own forged pass, or you can break through the glass ceiling and grappling hook down.  I... wouldn't recommend those options, because if you're resourceful enough, you shouldn't have to get arrested to get into Comic-Con.  Unless you're cosplaying as Joker and it's part of your whole LARP fantasy - if that's the case, don't tell the cops you read this article.  Thanks!