Not too long ago, going to Comic-Con meant admitting an affinity for everything nerd-related.
It was a get-together tailored to the Dungeons and Dragons crowd; the ones who, for decades, debate about the intricacies of comic books, science fiction movies, and whether the Star Trek or Star Wars universe would win in an all-out battle.
Even the first San Diego Comic-Con - held March 21, 1970 in a downtown hotel - didn't offer much past a couple of special guests and hope the fledgling convention would generate more interest. Still, the event's creators knew reaching a broad audience meant more than selling comics at a discounted price.
Five months after the inaugural event, Comic-Con began mirroring the international phenomenon it has become. Attendees packed into the U.S. Grant Hotel's basement to watch film screening. Panels were set up for comic book artist Jack Kirby and fantasy/science fiction writer Ray Bradbury speak. Future events saw hotels reach max capacity, prompting event organizers to set up satellite location in adjacent hotels and parks.
Take a morning stroll by the San Diego Convention Center's Hall H anytime this weekend to witness what fandom has become. The storied hall annually features prominent celebrities ready to answer off-the-cuff questions. Some lines begin days before Comic-Con doors even open, and this year is no exception with "Star Wars," "The Hunger Games," and "Games of Thrones" casts participating.
Winning a Comic-Con badge isn't easy, especially with a lottery system that requires Member ID registration. That doesn't mean you can't be part of the experience outside the convention center.
Here are some online streaming and downtown San Diego event happening during Comic-Con weekend.
Streaming events
Nerd HQ Conversations for a Cause
Entertainment website IGN and Nerd HQ are teaming up to live stream numerous celebrity panels from The New Children's Museum. Conversations for a Cause a series of discussion with television and movie actors aimed at raising money for Operation Smile, a non-profit medical organization for children requiring cleft lip surgeries.
Panels run from July 9-12 and can be seen on the IGN YouTube channel and the Nerd HQ app. Find the full streaming schedule below.
Thursday, July 9
10 a.m: Zachary Levi
1 p.m: Dead Rising w/ Jesse Metcalfe, Dennis Haysbert, Zach Lipovsky, and guests
2:15 p.m: William Shatner
3:30 p.m: Yvonne Strahovski
5 p.m: Hitman: Agent 47 w/ Zachary Quinto, Rupert Friend, and Hannah Ware
6:30 p.m: Supermansion w/ Bryan Cranston, Seth Green, Keegan Michael Key, Jillian Bell, Matt Senreich, Zeb Wells, Heidi Gardner, Tucher Gilmore, and Tom Root
7:30 p.m: Julie Plec and Friends
Friday, July 10
10 a.m: Sherlock w/ Steven Moffat, Sue Venture, and Rupert Graves
11 a.m: The Visit w/ M. Night Shyamalan and Jason Blum
2 p.m: Con Man w/ Alan Tudyk, Nathan Fillion, Nolan North, Michael Trucco, Alison Haislip, PJ Haarsma, and Tricia Helfer
3 p.m: Elijah Wood
4 p.m: Falling Skies w/ Moon Bloodgood, Will Patton, Drew Roy, Colin Cunningham, Connor Jessup, Sarah Carter, Doug Jones, and Olatunde Osunsanmi
5 p.m: Stephen Amell
Saturday, July 11
10:45 a.m: Doctor Who w/ Jenna Coleman, Steven Moffat, and Michelle Gomez
12 p.m: Nathan Fillion
1 p.m: Mr. Robot w/ Christian Slater
2 p.m: Men of Orphan Black w/ Jordan Gavaris, Dylan Bruce, Kristian Bruun, and Ari Millen
4:45 p.m: Colony w/ Josh Holloway, Sarah Wayne Callies, Ryan Condal, Carlton Cuse, and Peter Jacobson
7 p.m: The Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials w/ Dylan O'Brien, Ki Hong Lee, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Rosa Salazar, Giancarlo Esposito, Wes Ball, and author James Dashner
Sunday, July 12
11 a.m: Marvel: Partners in Prime Time w/ Chloe Bennett, Clark Gregg, Hayley Atwell, and James Darcy
12 p.m: Joss Whedon
1 p.m: Nathan Fillion
2:30 p.m: Supernatural w/ Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles, Misha Collins, and Mark Sheppard
5:15 p.m: "Zachary Levi and the People He Is Currently Working With...?" (aka a Heroes Reborn panel) w/ Zachary Levi, Jack Coleman, Gatlin Green, Robbie Kay, Ryan Guzman, Danika Yarosh, Henry Zabrowski, Rya Kihlstedt, Judith Shekoni, and Tim Kring
IGN Live
Similarly, IGN will be streaming a separate live show from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. daily. They will showcase gam demos, update breaking news, and interview casts from fan favorites "The Walking Dead," "Ash vs. Evil Dead," "Gotham," "The Flash," and the upcoming "Deadpool" movie, among many others.
IGN Live will be available on iOS and Android devices, tablets, gaming consoles, and television devices such as Amazon TV and Roku. Check out the full live stream schedule on IGN's Comic-Con page.
Conan O'Brien's CONAN360 VR
A few lucky San Diego-bound fans were fortunate enough to snag tickets to Conan O'Brien's weekend tapings at the Spreckels Theatre. While a few standby tickets will become available each morning, the best bet for watching O'Brien's antics will be from your own living room.
That's why O'Brien is launching CONAN360 VR; a virtual reality feature fans can synchronize with the show's broadcast. 360-degree cameras will be relocated from the edge of the stage to the center of the set, giving home viewers a seat right between O'Brien and his guest.
Conan 360 content will be available at teamcoco.com/360 and by downloading Team Coco mobile and tablet apps.
Free events that don't require a Comic-Con badge (all activities daily unless noted)
FX Fearless Arena at the Hilton Bayfront Park (12 - 6 p.m.)
The FX Fearless Arena will be a theme park consisting of some of FX's most thrilling shows like "The Strain" and "American Horror Story." Registration is required, but the first 2,500 people to visit the arena receive a free tote bag.
The Assassin's' Creed Experience at MLK Promenade Park (10 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
Ubisoft is bringing an Assassin's Creed-themed obstacle course behind a London backdrop to San Diego. Participants will run up a wall and swing from a pendulum as if they were part of the popular video game. While the event is free, you can get a fast pass by signing up for Assassin's Creed Rewards.
The Nerdist Conival with Geek & Sundry & Amy Poehler's Smart Girls at Petco Park (11 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
From laser tag to arts and crafts to robot-building classes, the Nerdist Conival has a something for everyone. Not only is the entire event free to the public, but visitors will also be able to participate in game demos for both analog and video lovers.
#Comedycentralcon at the San Diego Wine & Cultural Center (Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.)
Comedy Central is bringing out a 9-hole mini golf set and a GIF photo booth as part of what they dubbed #Comedycentralcon. To top it off, some of the network's start will stop by to meet and greet with fans.
Friday, July 10
4 - 5 p.m. "Drunk History" Derek Waters and Jeremy Konners
5 - 6 p.m: "Another Period" Natasha Leggero and Riki Lindholm
Saturday, July 11
2 - 3 p.m. "Workaholics" Blake Anderson, Anders Holm, and Kyle Newacheck
5 - 6 p.m: "The Meltdown with Johan & Kumail" Kumail Nanjiani and Jonah Ray
Nanjiani and Ray also take their television show to the American Comedy Co. Friday night. Free tickets will be available at the door starting at 6:30 p.m.