Comic-Con International is an all-in-one multimedia industry expo and multigenre fan convention that has made San Diego, California its home since 1972. As its name implies, the central industry represented at Comic-Con is that of comic book.

Comic-Con’s rank in the world of conventions is the most popular multimedia convention in North America. Comic-Con is the launching pad for TV shows, movies, novels, and of course, comic books. Aside from being an important advertising event, Comic-Con is the home of the Eisner awards, which is the comic book equivalent of the Oscars. Comic-Con is a place for professionals, amateurs, and fans to make connections to the from across the globe.

Some would argue that Japan’s Comiket is the world’s largest comic book convention, but Comiket is barely a convention at all as it exists almost exclusively to buy and sell dojinshi – which are fan-made/self published comics based on already copyrighted series and characters. Add the fact that the Japanese comic industry is better represented at Comic-Con and all this leads me to the opinion that Comiket is more of an organized swap meet than an actual convention.

Above all the media hype Comic-Con has retained the core purpose of it’s creation since 1970. Comic-Con was first and forever will be, a sanctuary for the world’s geeks. It is a place where people from all walks of life can connect over the joy of meeting someone of a shared hobby and interest. Especially when that hobby may make an individual a target of misunderstanding from classmates, co-workers, siblings, and even parents and significant others.

It is not enough for me to simply read comics; I am compelled to talk about them. I love to talk about the series I’m reading, what writers and artists are working on what new project, comic history, all of it. However, since I am a functioning member of society I recognize that 99 per cent of the people I interact with on a day-to-day basis have no interest in the topic I adore.

I stood in line talking to a 28-year-old man I’d never met before, who was dressed as Lobster Johnson. For three hours while waiting to get into a panel for NBC’s The Office. we talked about comics, Doctor Who and books. I’m never going to see that man again, but it is that basic and raw level of understanding, communication and acceptance that draws people to these conventions. Comic-Con just happens to be the best.