The film follows five subjects: aspiring comics artists Skip Harvey and Eric Henson; comic book dealer Chuck Rozanski, who attempts to sell a high-priced comic book; a group of costume designers led by Holly Conrad who enter the convention's cosplay
competition; and fan James Darling, who plans to propose marriage to
his girlfriend during one of the many events at the convention. The
documentary also conducts brief interviews with comic book and Hollywood figures who share their experiences as fans and their feelings toward the event.
Synopsis
The documentary explores the phenomenon of the San Diego Comic-Con International,
which began as a fringe comic book convention for 500 fans. The event
has grown into an annual pop culture event that influences every form of
entertainment and is attended by over 140,000 people. The film follows
the lives of five attendees as they prepare to attend the 2010
convention, which is characterized as "the ultimate geek mecca":[2]
Eric Henson and Skip Harvey: two aspiring
illustrators who hope to find work by showing their artwork to
publishers at the convention. Henson, who dreams of working one day for Marvel Comics,
obtains a favorable portfolio review by the publisher Arch Enemy, which
gives him work illustrating covers. Harvey, who tends bar at a
sci-fi/fantasy/horror-themed bar, does not get work at the convention,
but is encouraged to continue practicing his craft. He continues to run
his bar while working on his graphic novel on the side.
Holly Conrad: a costume designer and cosplayer
who brings her creations to life in her garage. She hopes the costumes
worn by her troupe, Suicide Mission, which are based on the video game Mass Effect, will win the convention's costume competition. The costumes, which include an alien named Grunt with animatronic
eyes and mouth, win the Judges' Choice Award. She is later hired to
create other costumes based on video games and as a wardrobe consultant
on an upcoming Mass Effect feature film.
Chuck Rozanski: owner of Mile High Comics, a Denver-based chain of comic book shops for the past 34 years. Chuck is looking to sell a copy of Red Raven Comics
#1 for $500,000 in order to pay off his debts. Although he does not
sell the comic book, his booth at the convention generates more profit
than last year's, allowing Mile High Comics to move into a new 65,000 sq
foot warehouse.
James Darling: a young fan who plans to propose to his
girlfriend, Se Young Kang, at the convention. After acquiring a ring
featuring a clock without hands to symbolize timelessness, he proposes
her while at the microphone during a Q&A session with filmmaker Kevin Smith. She accepts.
The film also covers various aspects of the convention, such as
discussion panels, the camaraderie among the attendees, and features one
on one interviews with comics industry professionals such as Frank Miller, Seth Rogen, Eli Roth, Harry Knowles, Kevin Smith and Matt Groening.
NOTE: Some of the plastic packaging around the figurines may have some shelf wear (small tears).