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

in Cosplay, Disney, Entertainment, Events, Movies, Television

Saturday is generally the craziest, busiest, and most entertaining day at San Diego Comic-Con, when locals can finally get off work and come out to the convention. It’s also “TV day,” meaning all the biggest TV shows host their panels, this year not only in Ballroom 20, which has traditionally been home to TV-related presentations, but also in the substantially larger Hall H to accommodate annually growing crowds.

Day three of Comic-Con is also when the most attendees show up in costume – myself included. And that’s where we begin today’s photo recap.

San Diego Comic-Con 2012
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.
San Diego Comic-Con 2012
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.
San Diego Comic-Con 2012
As much as I love Mario and Luigi, those portly mustachioed plumbers have nothing on these twins.

San Diego Comic-Con 2012
This little girl was completely convinced that she had just met the real Korra. Sometimes cosplay is more than just dressing up.


San Diego Comic-Con 2012
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.

San Diego Comic-Con 2012
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.
San Diego Comic-Con 2012
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.
San Diego Comic-Con 2012
One of the best Disney costumes I saw throughout all of Comic-Con was this steampunk Buzz Lightyear. To the 1800s... and beyond!
San Diego Comic-Con 2012
I once again stopped by The Asylum booth, this time bumping into "The Haunting of Whaley House" director Jose Prendes and actress Mindy Robinson.
San Diego Comic-Con 2012
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.
San Diego Comic-Con 2012
Further down the line were some of the voice cast of the show.
San Diego Comic-Con 2012
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.
San Diego Comic-Con 2012
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.
San Diego Comic-Con 2012
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.

Here’s a video tour around the Frankenweenie Electrifying Garden:

San Diego Comic-Con 2012
The first room inside featured a fountain surrounded by labeled plants, giving visitors some ideas on how to Burton-ize their homes.
San Diego Comic-Con 2012
Just beyond that, visitors stepped into the world of the New Holland Pet Cemetery, straight out of the stop motion film.
San Diego Comic-Con 2012
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.
San Diego Comic-Con 2012
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.
San Diego Comic-Con 2012
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.
San Diego Comic-Con 2012
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.
San Diego Comic-Con 2012
This pop art girl had one of the most unique looks I saw during the event.
San Diego Comic-Con 2012
Signs of things to come.
San Diego Comic-Con 2012
I finally made it back to Ballroom 20, just in time to use my pass to get back in...
San Diego Comic-Con 2012
...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.
San Diego Comic-Con 2012
It was around this time that I learned that a big theme park-related announcement had been made in Hall H that day. During the panel for “Silent Hill: Revelation 3D,” Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood announced “Silent Hill” would inspire haunted houses at Halloween Horror Nights this year.  Exciting!

San Diego Comic-Con 2012
You never know what you'll see while wandering the Comic-Con show floor. Here Sub Zero and Scorpion battled in The Walking Dead photo op. Fatality.
San Diego Comic-Con 2012
I also passed by DJ Lance Rock from Yo Gabba Gabba.
San Diego Comic-Con 2012
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.
San Diego Comic-Con 2012
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.
San Diego Comic-Con 2012
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.
San Diego Comic-Con 2012
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.
San Diego Comic-Con 2012
Days of wandering Comic-Con can tire anyone, even Thor and Xena, sharing a bit of transportation through the Gaslamp Quarter.
San Diego Comic-Con 2012
But trouble was afoot outside a local gallery, with this evil plant man lurking.
San Diego Comic-Con 2012
Fortunately Batman was there to save the day. Yes, even outside Comic-Con, crazy things happen.
San Diego Comic-Con 2012
Cinema Makeup School was promoting their talents with this creature. Impressive.
Haunted Hotel
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.
San Diego Comic-Con 2012
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.
San Diego Comic-Con 2012
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.
San Diego Comic-Con 2012
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.
San Diego Comic-Con 2012
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.
San Diego Comic-Con 2012
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.
San Diego Comic-Con 2012
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.

San Diego Comic-Con 2012 Day-by-Day Photo Reports:

  • July 11 – Preview Night
  • July 12, Day 1 – Twilight, Walt Disney Studios, costumes, Walking Dead Escape, Dawn of the Con
  • July 13, Day 2 – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Tron: Uprising, zombie walk, Con of the Dead
  • July 14, Day 3 – Marty McFly, Futurama, The Simpsons, Frankenweenie Electrifying Garden, True Blood
  • July 15, Day 4 – Batmobiles, Iron Man 3, Epic Mickey 2, LEGO, collectibles, and wrap-up
  • Also from Comic-Con 2012:

  • Best of Comic-Con Cosplay: Sexy and surprising costumes command attention during San Diego Comic-Con 2012
  • “Frankenweenie” touring exhibit electrifies San Diego Comic-Con as Disney producer Don Hahn explains its origins
  • Inside ‘The Walking Dead Escape’, unleashing zombies on San Diego Comic-Con with gruesome, grueling experience
  • “Wreck-It Ralph” retro excitement extends across San Diego Comic-Con with playable arcade game and panel presentations
  • More photos from San Diego Comic-Con, Day 2 – Friday, July 13, 2012:

    More photos from the Frankenweenie HGTV Electrifying Garden:

    View Comments (3)