San Diego Comic-Con International has become the premiere destination for genre TV and movies in addition bringing in nearly all of the major comic book publishers. For four days out of the year, nearly everything you love to see is in one place.
And it’s a total clusterf***.
Sure, cast members and creators of hit series like “Dexter,” “Game of Thrones,” “The Walking Dead,” “Doctor Who,” “Community,” “Supernatural” and “Sons of Anarchy” are all going to be there. The problem is that all of those panels are being held in Hall H, the biggest room at the San Diego Convention Center… that can only hold about 6,500 people.
The lines for Hall H are insane and your only real hope of getting into those panels is by stepping into line on the night before. But I know from experience that even a 12 hour head start doesn’t guarantee that you’ll make it inside. Fans will camp out in Hall H just to catch one or two panels at the end of the day.
Let’s be honest here: there are over 100,000 fans coming to Comic-Con and there will be lines for nearly every big panel. But outside of Hall H and Ballroom 20, you’ll have a good shot of getting in if you show up two hours beforehand… or earlier. For Ballroom 20, you might want try coming four to six hours earlier at the very least.
Even though Hall H is closed off to all but a lucky 6,500; there are still some fantastic panels going on at Comic-Con that you have a real chance at getting into. We’ve assembled a list of the Ten Must See TV Panels Outside of Hall H. Be sure to catch them this year, before some of them inevitably move into Hell Hall next year.
BONUS PANEL: Preview Night Pilot Screenings
When: Wednesday, July 17 – 6pm to 10pm
Where: Ballroom 20
Why: This is your best chance to catch the pilot episodes of “Almost Human,” “The Tomorrow People,” “The Originals” and “The 100” without dealing huge panel lines. There’s no Q&A, but you will get to enjoy what you came to see.
Sherlock
When: Thursday, July 18 – 2:15pm – 3:15pm
Where: Ballroom 20
Why: Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman won’t be there, but co-creators Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss will be on hand to preview the new season of “Sherlock.”
TV Guide Magazine Celebrates The X-Files’ 20th Anniversary
When: Thursday, July 18 – 3:30pm – 4:30pm
Where: Ballroom 20
Why: David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson reunite with Chris Carter, Vince Gilligan, Howard Gordon, Darin Morgan, Glen Morgan, James Wong and John Shiban… basically everyone who made “The X-Files” great.
Hannibal: Feed Your Fear
When: Thursday, July 18 – 6:45pm – 7:45pm
Where: Room 6A
Why: Bryan Fuller is bringing series star Hugh Dancy to Comic-Con alongside director David Slade and producer Martha De Laurentiis as they tease the upcoming second season of “Hannibal.”
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. on ABC
When: Friday, July 19 – 1:45pm – 3:00pm
Where: Ballroom 20
Why: This is the biggest TV panel outside of Hall H this year. So show up 8 to 12 hours early if you want to catch Joss Whedon, Jeph Loeb and “surprise guests” from “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” who will likely show up. The pilot episode may even be screened.
Falling Skies
When: Friday, July 19 – 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Where: Room 6BCF
Why: “Falling Skies” stars Noah Wyle, Moon Bloodgood, Will Patton, Drew Roy, Collin Cunningham, Sarah Carter, Conner Jessup, and Doug Jones will be here with moderator Will Wheaton along with executive producers Remi Aubuchon and Greg Beeman.
