San Diego Comic-Con 2012, Day 3 – Cosplay, Futurama, Frankenweenie Electrifying Garden, True Blood

After arriving in my flying DeLorean, I stopped to check my watch while holding my mirrored sunglasses on my head to see if I'd arrived in time for the first panel of the day. If only that were true. Though many liked my Marty McFly costume, I really did need the ability to time travel to reach all of the presentations I wanted to hit that day.

Comic-Con was definitely filled with great costumes on day three. Within a few feet of me posing in my own outfit, my wife spotted these three Disney fairies from Sleeping Beauty: Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather.

As much as I love Mario and Luigi, those portly mustachioed plumbers have nothing on these twins.

This little girl was completely convinced that she had just met the real Korra. Sometimes cosplay is more than just dressing up.

Michelle's goal for the day was to see the "True Blood" panel. It was scheduled for 4:30pm, but we showed up to Ballroom 20 early to avoid waiting in a line outside for 6 hours like we did last year. This time, the entertainment began with a hilarious Futurama panel that included an impromptu costume contest, live drawing session with creator Matt Groening, and plenty of voice talent.

Billy West, voice of Fry, recreated the "NOT SURE IF..." meme live on stage while reading the cards in Fry's voice. John DiMaggio chimed in with a few Bender-isms here and there too. After Futurama came The Simpsons panel, though I didn't take any pictures during that one. It was a surprisingly dull panel overall, though the new "The Longest Daycare," a new short film starring Maggie, which was wonderfully executed. It'll be shown in 3D in front of the new "Ice Age" film in theaters.

While Michelle stayed in Ballroom 20 for the remainder of the day, I popped in and out for short periods of time, utilizing their bathroom passes as much as possible, allowing me to stretch my legs. I spotted the "official" Three Stooges standing out front with sexy nuns(?) promoting the home release of the film.

One of the best Disney costumes I saw throughout all of Comic-Con was this steampunk Buzz Lightyear. To the 1800s... and beyond!

I once again stopped by The Asylum booth, this time bumping into "The Haunting of Whaley House" director Jose Prendes and actress Mindy Robinson.

Making my way around the show floor, I spotted the Futurama group from the panel earlier signing at the Fox booth. No stopping is allowed in the pathways surrounding the booth (except for those in line for autographs) so I took some quick walk-by photos, like this one of Matt Groening.

Further down the line were some of the voice cast of the show.

After checking back in to Ballroom 20 and leaving again on another time-restricted reentry pass, I headed into the streets outside the convention center, as Saturday is generally the last day to see many of the outdoor exhibits. Along the way, I passed a group of hipster Disney Princesses.

At the foot of the Gaslamp Quarter was this roudy pirate band of sorts. I didn't catch their name but they were surprisingly entertaining.

My main goal was to see the Frankenweenie Electrifying Garden, set up by HGTV and Disney. It transported guests into the world of Tim Burton's upcoming film while also showing off a few gardening tips. The wait was around 15 minutes to get in, but felt like an hour due to the four layers of heavy clothing I was wearing. I don't know how Marty McFly wore so much all the time.

The first room inside featured a fountain surrounded by labeled plants, giving visitors some ideas on how to Burton-ize their homes.

Just beyond that, visitors stepped into the world of the New Holland Pet Cemetery, straight out of the stop motion film.

On the way in, visitors could enter a raffle to win T-shirts. The girl working there insisted I gave her a chance to take put her hair down and pose before I snapped this photo.

The whole setup was great, temporarily transporting me away from the fast-paced insanity of Comic-Con and into a Disney-quality walk-through experience. This should definitely find its way into a Disney theme park.

Heading back to Ballroom 20, the religious sign guys were still there, though one man decided to poke fun at them with his own sign. Yellow signs do indeed make God angry.

I couldn't resist stopping for a photo if this excellent Merida cosplayer, complete with Scottish accent. Just after I snapped this photo, a Pixar animator who had worked on "Brave" got a photo with her as well.

This pop art girl had one of the most unique looks I saw during the event.

Signs of things to come.

I finally made it back to Ballroom 20, just in time to use my pass to get back in...

...for the huge "True Blood" panel featuring all of the show's main stars! It was an extremely enjoyable discussion that culminated in the show's creator Alan Ball breaking down in tears as the cast expressed their thanks before he leaves the show soon. Lighter highlights included on-stage handstands and body rolls, which I'll leave to your imagination.

I also passed by DJ Lance Rock from Yo Gabba Gabba.

Then I couldn't pass up the opportunity to pose with the hoverboard and Back to the Future girl over at the Mattel booth while in my Marty McFly costume.

As cool as the hoverboard toy is (sounds, vibrations, slides), it doesn't actually hover. But everyone around took plenty of pictures of me posing like this.

Seeing Han Solo and Slave Leia snacking reminded us that it was time to head out of Comic-Con for the day and seek out some dinner. (Yes, Slave Leias do eat...) All I'd eaten at this point (around 6:30pm) was an early morning bagel and a midday pretzel, neither of which were particularly satisfying.

Outside, Iron Man stood perfectly still until unsuspecting fans went up to him to take a picture, then... BAM, he moved, rattling his armor, and giving them a good startle. Funny.

Days of wandering Comic-Con can tire anyone, even Thor and Xena, sharing a bit of transportation through the Gaslamp Quarter.

But trouble was afoot outside a local gallery, with this evil plant man lurking.

Fortunately Batman was there to save the day. Yes, even outside Comic-Con, crazy things happen.

Cinema Makeup School was promoting their talents with this creature. Impressive.

Using my free ticket from the Con of the Dead party the night before, I visited The Haunted Hotel, which was reconfigured a bit from last year but more or less retained the same overall scenes and feeling. It's always fun to get a little haunted house action in before Halloween.

After much debate and unnecessary walking in circles, we finally settled on The Fleetwood for dinner, which was offering a variety of Comic-Con specials.

You know it's Comic-Con when a Slave Leia walks up to the bar and attracts no attention. Likewise for me sitting in the restaurant dressed as Marty McFly.

While those attending Comic-Con were quite used to seeing costumes by this day, our waiter at the restaurant was excited when we pointed out Batman and Catwoman outside - so excited that he jumped through an open window to grab a photo with them before returning to our table.

After a good dinner, we slowly walked back to our car, spotting Stormtroopers rising in a glass elevator. Again, not a particularly surprising sight around Comic-Con.

You know it's the end of the day when the row of bike transportation is stacking up and even the girls who pedal them are looking bored.

And thus ended our third day at the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con. It was time to head back to the hotel and plan our attack on the final day. With two operating hours less than all the others, we'd be getting up early again to make sure we didn't miss a thing.