Fans line up for good times, autographs, merch and more as San Diego Comic-Con kicks off
SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- You never know what you'll see at San Diego Comic-Con, and you never know what's around the next corner.
Although, chances are it will be a line: a line to see something, to buy something or to participate in something!
The lines start early and they're often. Joe Wilde lined up to spend $650 on two mystery boxes.
"I pictured it as this: 'You know what? This is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Might as well risk it, have fun with it,'" he said.
Jacqueline Navarro flew in from Reno, and spent an extra $40 to be able to bring her wig made just for her costume, ready to love every minute.
"You're just automatically put with groups of people who have the same common interests with you," she said. "People are just so, so happy to talk to you and show their interests with somebody else."
Cosplayers are always out in force at Comic-Con, excited to parade through the exhibition hall showing fellow conventioneers what they've created.
Artist James C. Mulligan caught my eye with a painting he did of Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke from "Mary Poppins."
Outside the venue are several Comic-Con extras. They're immersive experiences for fans to enjoy, including a "Percy Jackson" themed diner and an "Abbott Elementary" block party, complete with Ferris wheel.
"It feels like you're just hanging out with the kids. It's like you're being a kid again. So fun!" said Lauryn Alexandria.
One of Thursday's most confident costumes? Silver Surfer! Which was created with just paint and a Speedo!
"I'm 52, but there is no age limit to being who you want to be and who you are, and that's one of the great things about the convention is we all share this fandom," said Todd Schmidt.
San Diego Comic-Con is taking place at the San Diego Convention Center and runs until Sunday, July 27.
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