Comic Con BOO!
So, I figured I had a little extra money to go ahead and purchase my four day pass to the 2010 San Diego Comic Con today during lunch, only to be dismayed by two developments. The first was the price. If I remember correctly, what will be two years ago (2008) the Con charged $75 for its four day pass that included Preview Night. This year, the price tag is $100. My first reaction was, “This is ridiculous.” I know the California economy is hurting, but so is mine. Compound this with my second dismaying discovery and it all almost becomes outrage.
Unlike in years past Comic Con has broken down the four day pass into two categories for 2010. The first includes Preview night. The second does not.
The first option (with preview night) is already sold out. That’s not the part that bothers me. I understand the need to limit preview night in order to make sure it stays something sort-of-kind-of-special. In 2008 preview night was so crowded it really wasn’t worth anything other than a few more hours of being jostled around within a big crowd. Hopefully by limiting the number of attendees 2010 Preview Night will actually be a little more exclusive, and enjoyable, for those who attend. Unfortunately, the pricing doesn’t reflect this.
And this is what truly upsets me. Con officials have decided to charge the same price whether or not you are attending preview night. This to me seems like robbery. I mean I’m paying $25 a day for attendance to the Con while the lucky guy or gal with Preview Night tickets gets to attend 4.3 days or whatever for less on average. I’m saying this bullshit really was not well thought out. The lucky few get more for less, when it would only seem fair that if you want Preview Night to be special that organizers would charge, well, more for more.
I was almost mad enough not to purchase the pass, almost. But I wanted to go there at least one more time since 2008 was my first visit and I didn’t get to go because of work scares this year. So, being the smuck I’m sure Con planners were counting on, I swallowed my indignation and hit “purchase” against my better judgment for a single four day pass. This though may very well be my last for cons in general, especially with the New York organizers deciding to throw down with each other over their con dates in 2010 as well. Money and success truly does corrupt everything (and I know some may argue I am a late comer to this conclusion with cons).
