We got in at 2:10p.

We were supposed to get there at 1:45p, but as the traffic on the 5 was balls, we got there 30 minutes late. The line opened 10 minutes ago, and we're still parking.

Normally, it wouldn't matter. Normally, we could just get into the line and just pick up or purchase a ticket.

But this year the Con is different. The once mild-mannered convention that was "for Nerds only" has become a Superman of a press junket. With the recent surge in popularity of films based off Comics, the fan base has certainly grown-- exponentially so. Everyone from the creators of the iconic comic "Watchmen" from the cast of the hilarious "Always Sunny in Philadelphia" are here promoting their wares, not to mention an entire convention center filled with artists, publishers, and movie houses. The conferences have gone from small discussions about the intricacies of Batman's identity to everything from Q&A's to hour-long lines to get in to meet the writer's of "The Office" (I believe that's on Saturday-- SO MF EXCITED) to a panel on how to teach Comic books in the classroom (something I myself will be attending).

While all of this surge in popularity is great for the industry, it makes the convention a bit of a mess. This year's Con (my first, to be honest. Yes, I'm a bandwagon hopper, but this year I'm always with ~professionals~, so it's cool) is filled past bursting, and everyone's worried that they're not going to get their pass, as they sold out recently.

Getting there early made most of this process a breeze-- at least, it was supposed to. Three people in my group don't have tickets because they forgot to buy tickets AND register for professional passes, and are hoping that they can get lucky and get the coveted on-site "Press Pass", or show their business cards and get Pro registration. They were warned, however, that they could sell out, so those ten minutes could mean not getting into Con.

Fortunately, for me, I bought my ticket months ago, and beat most of the pre-register crowd, so get my ticket without a problem. Unfortunately, my boy isn't so lucky, and his transaction to purchase the ticket didn't go through. Thus, he has no ticket to Comic Con. The first Con where his book is getting premiered. Crap.

This leads to an hour of finagling, and trying to find out ways to make it in. After long lines, and nervously crossed fingers that they wouldn't run out of passes, we make it to the front, and start begging for passes. Fortunately, the boys are able to get two press passes, and since each comes with a guest, all 5 of us are able to get into the convention. Victory.

I am amazed, however, that the press pass is COMPLETELY free. Reading the sign, I see that all you need to do is show an article of related medium (i.e movies or comics, no music) with your name in the byline. Awesome! I write movie review for OTR! I can prove that I'm PoisonIvy! Maybe I can get a free press pass, and sell my pass for $$!! Score! Then the big words in the middle of the sign hit me:

NO BLOGS

Uhm...what?

That's right. Comic Con, in a huge blow to my ego, deemed my fledging writing career unworthy, and would not grant me a press pass. Epic. Sadface. :(

Either way, I'm here, I have a pass with my name on it, and I'm all good to go tomorrow. Now I'm chilling in my little hotel room (Criss Angel is on-- wtf?!) and excited-- even though, according to the Con, I'm not a real writer.

No hard feelings though, Comic Con, I get it. You don't want any schmuck with a Blogger account to be able to get in for free. I understand. Hopefully next year I can get CollegeOTR to vouch that I write for a real site (Hector, can you get on this please? ;D). And I'm sure you'll provide me for with so many juicy entertainment scoops and fun Comic-Y stories, that it won't matter in the end.