San Diego Comic-Con 2017
Some excerpts provided by SDCC 2017 exclusives guide.
Author: Ariel Landrum
With San Diego Comic-Con 2017 less than a week away, most attendees have realized they spent most of their money on pre-ordered exclusives, hotel fees, and badges. Of course, anyone who has ever been to a convention knows that free swag is what the game is all about. This means more than just a promotional poster. Yes, this year’s pass delivery may have come with the first-ever SDCC pin, yet that won’t satisfy the freebie hunger. Therefore People of Con compiled a list of the Top 15 Freebies at SDCC 2017!
Note: Times and locations may change, and this is not a list of all the swag that one can grab.
TOP 15 FREEBIES AT SDCC 2017
1. WBTV Comic-Con Bags
It’s in the bag! Warner Bros. and Comic-Con have joined forces again on the official bags of SDCC 2017, with new, unique versions for fans to enjoy, and this year, the cool convention carriers come with a hidden surprise — an exclusive DC Super Hero pin for fans to add to their collection. With new shows added to the mix for 2017 and 20 bold designs, fans can collect all their Comic-Con swag in one super-cool, carry-everywhere companion. The bags are distributed to fans when checking in at the show, and this marks the eighth year that Warner Bros. is providing the official bag of the world’s leading comics and pop culture convention.
WHERE: Check-in at Sails Pavilion in the San Diego Convention Center, 111 West Harbor Drive
WHEN: Wed. 7/19: 3:00 PM–5:00 PM, Thu.–Sat. 7/20–7/22: 8:30 AM–6:00 PM, Sun. 7/23: 8:30 AM–5:00 PM
2. Scott Hattox Print
Scott Hattox of Green Hills Entertainment will give away select prints for free on Preview Night. Though the specific print is a surprise, he teased on Instagram a Starlord close-up.
WHERE: Green Hills Entertainment Booth #1829
WHEN: Wed. 7/19: 4:00 PM–8:00 PM
3. Rainbow Unicorn Shirt
Due to a mistake in the printing process, Beefy & Co will be giving away rainbow unicorn shirts at their booth. Coming in a variety of colors and sizes, they don’t look bad at all!
WHERE: Beefy & Co Booth #5051
WHEN: Thu.–Sat. 7/20–7/22: 8:30 AM–6:00 PM, Sun. 7/23: 8:30 AM–5:00 PM
4. A Pretty Cool Giveaway Strikes Back
For the second anniversary of their San Diego Comic-Con giveaway, original team members Christopher Lee of The Beast is Back and Tony Bui of Genuine Haha are teaming up with Patrick Ballesteros and Joey Chou. Together, they’ll be celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Star Wars with ‘A Pretty Cool Giveaway Strikes Back’, which will feature 18 different free, collectible buttons spread out across the show floor. The buttons come with a cardstock backing. Each Thursday to Sunday of the convention, each artist will release a new button featuring a different character (with an additional button on Preview Night from both The Beast is Back and Patrick Ballesteros).
WHERE: Patrick Ballesteros Artist Alley DD-08, Joey Chou (Gallery Nucleus) Booth #2643, Genuine Haha Small Press L–06, The Beast is Back Booth #2643
WHEN: Thu.–Sat. 7/20–7/22: 8:30 AM–6:00 PM, Sun. 7/23: 8:30 AM–5:00 PM
5. Candlewick Press Swag
Throughout the 4-day convention, Candlewick Press will give out various free swag, from stickers, to bags, to lanyards. Follow them on Twitter to know what the daily giveaway is.
WHERE: Candlewick Press Booth #5532
WHEN: Check Twitter TBA
6. Catnip Bravo Plush Bag
Head to Symbiote Studio booth and win a Rock, Paper, Scissors game for a Catnip Bravo plush bag. Even if you lose, you’ll still walk away with a free exclusive keychain for playing.
WHERE: Symbiote Studio Booth #5636
WHEN: Thu.–Sat. 7/20–7/22: 8:30 AM–6:00 PM, Sun. 7/23: 8:30 AM–5:00 PM
7. Mini Tardis Print
Visit artist Rosemary Reeve at the Grand Ballroom C at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, as her art show is on display. There you can pick up a free mini Tardis print she created.
WHERE: Grand Ballroom C at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, 1 Market Pl.
WHEN: Thu.–Sat. 7/20–7/22: 8:30 AM–6:00 PM, Sun. 7/23: 8:30 AM–5:00 PM
8. Monkey Minion Press Buttons
If you stop by Monkey Minion Press’ Booth and ask for their exclusive buttons, they will give you two. However, if you want all four of their exclusives for SDCC 2017, show staff you are following them on Instagram and Facebook, and they will give you two extra secret buttons to complete the set.
WHERE: Symbiote Studio Booth #5531
WHEN: Thu.–Sat. 7/20–7/22: 8:30 AM–6:00 PM, Sun. 7/23: 8:30 AM–5:00 PM
9. Comic-Con Library Cards
Get your limited edition 2017 Comic-Con Library Card from the San Diego Public Library! These cards are officially licensed by Comic-Con International. This year you will have THREE designs from which to choose! Each was designed by local artists Vince Alvendia, Robert McKeone, and Attiba Royster, also members of the Comic-Con International Graphic Novel Book Clubs. Free for new card users. If you replace your card, the fee is $2 for adults and $1 for children.
WHERE: San Diego Public Library Booth #5523
WHEN: Thu.–Sat. 7/20–7/22: 8:30 AM–6:00 PM, Sun. 7/23: 8:30 AM–5:00 PM
10. Robert McKeone Print
Once you’ve picked up your limited edition Library Card, head over to Robert McKeone’s table (as he designed one of the library cards). Show him your card, and he’ll give you this 8″x10″ print free. Limited to the first 50 people.
WHERE: Artists Alley Table #AA-19
WHEN: Thu.–Sat. 7/20–7/22: 8:30 AM–6:00 PM, Sun. 7/23: 8:30 AM–5:00 PM
11. Kaiju Kingdom Print
For those attending the San Diego Public Library panels, The Kaiju Kingdom Podcast panel on Saturday at 1 PM will be giving away a signed IDW Livio Ramondelli print to the first 100 attendees.
WHERE: San Diego Public Library, 330 Park Blvd
WHEN: The Kaiju Kingdom Podcast Panel Sat. 07/22: 1:00 PM Saturday at 1:00 PM–2:00 PM
12. Shannon Messenger Buttons
Author Shannon Messenger will be giving away buttons to her after her panel as well as at the Simon and Schuster Booth #1128.
WHERE: Simon and Schuster Booth #1128
WHEN: Thu.–Sat. 7/20–7/22: 8:30 AM–6:00 PM, Sun. 7/23: 8:30 AM–5:00 PM
13. Kathleen Glosan Swag
Production Manager Kathleen Glosan will be giving away a variety of swag at the convention, from fans to stickers to temporary tattoos. Stop by her booth for useful freebies (those fans) to have fun for kids (who doesn’t like tattoos?).
14. Scream Factory 5-Button Packs
Shout! Factory, the popular home entertainment distributor, will be bringing lots of free posters and even cute nail decals, with purchase, all weekend long. However, stop by their booth and ask for the 5th anniversary of the Scream Factory 5-Button Pack. The highly collectible sets feature art from five of my favorite Scream releases, none of which have ever been featured on previous button sets! These buttons are 100% free.
WHERE: Shout! Factory Booth #4118
WHEN: Thu.–Sat. 7/20–7/22: 8:30 AM–6:00 PM, Sun. 7/23: 8:30 AM–5:00 PM
15. Star Wars BB-8 Bone Dog Toy and Reversible Dog Bandana
Every doggo in a galaxy far far away deserves a freebie. Share your love for one of the galaxy’s most loyal companions by playing fetch with a free Limited Edition BB-8 Bone Dog Toy. This collectible plush includes a squeaker and reinforced orange piping for hours of playtime fun. Also, dress them up in style with this reversible and reflective tribute to the adorable and fearless BB-8. A Velcro closure provides a comfortable and secure closure wherever your next adventure takes you.
WHERE: Petco Booth #2913
WHEN: Thu.–Sat. 7/20–7/22: 8:30 AM–6:00 PM, Sun. 7/23: 8:30 AM–5:00 PM