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Unboxing: San Diego Comic-Con 2017 commemorative badge box

By Steve Lam

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For the first time, San Diego Comic-Con will be making their badges part of a commemorative set. 2017 will be the inaugural year for this new trend, and we have an exclusive unboxing and review.

San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC)—the mecca of everything we hold dear here at Bam Smack Pow. Comics, superheroes, pop culture, and celebrities galore. If you’re visiting this site, I really don’t need to go further in explaining what it’s all about. You know what it is, and you know how big it is.

Every year, troves of fans go online to see if they’re the lucky few who have the privilege of purchasing a badge or badges. The 90-minute journey (and it gets shorter every year due to the demand) usually goes something like this:

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  • Optimism that the stars will align this year. After all, it’s just like Christmas, right? The SDCC gods know you were good this year, so they have to bless you with the ability to purchase.
  • Nervousness because Friday and Saturday badges (the days with the best announcements and panels) are running low.
  • Contingency plans based on purchasing a Sunday badge (the most dead day) so you can be part of the coveted “Returning Registration” crowd. In your mind: the Sunday badge is an investment, so I can be the first one in line for next year’s purchase.
  • Depression when all badges are sold out. SDCC’s apologies are of no consolation. Looking at Twitter feeds with people celebrating their badge purchases only makes you sadder.

Those are the usual stages of what I call the “Comic-Con Badge Purchasing Emotional Continuum.” Because I’m covering SDCC this year for FanSided, I didn’t have to go through this. I was bestowed a 5-day press badge (Preview Night in addition to the four days). I’m not here to gloat, but wanted to share my excitement and appreciation. I know this is a huge privilege and opportunity.

What makes this even more special is that I have never been to Comic-Con. “What!?,” you say. “A comics blogger who has never been to this gathering of gatherings? Blasphemy!” Yes, this is my first. And I have to say that I also chose the right one. This year, for the first time, SDCC will be starting their commemorative packaging for badges—which includes a specially designed box and other goodies along with your badge.

Every subsequent year, SDCC will be designing a new box for attendees. It’s a very special offering, and something they should’ve done sooner. I recently received mine, and thought I’d share my first reactions to this surprise.

Truth be told, my best friend (who’s going with me to SDCC) alerted me that he received his badge already. You’re right to think I’m one of those guys who never checks his mail. As I ventured downstairs, I found a plush yellow envelope squeezed into my mailbox. I firmly, yet carefully, pulled it out and immediately ran upstairs.

“Isn’t the badge just a card?,” I thought to myself. As I removed the envelope, I found a glossy box with a beautiful message of “Welcome to Comic-Con 2017.” The last time I was this excited at a welcome message, it was for my acceptance letter to graduate school. And before that, it was for college. Yes, I’m comparing getting into SDCC to actual academic accomplishments—getting into SDCC is harder!

The Unboxing!

The box’s lid is magnetic. They really went the classy route with this. The lining of the box is a promotion for Comic-Con HQ—a semi-new entertainment site for those who need SDCC all year round.

The first item was my badge. And, no, it didn’t come with a blue Post-it covering my name. I did that for security reasons knowing the fiasco that happened to this poor enthusiastic attendee. I hope he got his problem fixed.

Removing the badge, we have a commemorative SDCC 2017 pin. I wonder if next year’s (along with an engraved “2018”) will have a new design. The only way to find out is to actually go next year!

Next up, we have SDCC’s checklist which also doubles as an advertisement for Comic-Con HQ. The final item is SDCC’s welcome guide, which gives the uninitiated an overview of things they’ll need for the big week and how to get around. The bottom of the box advertises a promo code for those interested in Comic-Con HQ.

The Details

San Diego Comic-Con 2017 Badge

The actual RFID badge is designed with a Walking Dead theme with Rick Grimes looking his usual stressed-out self. The badge shows the days I’m allowed to attend—in this case, it’s for all days. Both items are neatly contained in a specially designed plastic badge holder. I’ll be picking up a lanyard on the day of my arrival.

The back of the badge has QR code. I’m guessing that’s how they know what days you’re supposed to be inside the convention center. As press, I also get a special yellow “press” ribbon that I can attach to the bottom part of my badge.

San Diego Comic-Con 2017 Pin

Photo Credit: Steve Lam

Here’s a close-up of the pin. It’s has SDCC’s famous logo etched and painted. As tiny as it is, it’s quite detailed and looks to be pretty high quality.

San Diego Comic-Con 2017 Welcome Guide

The welcome guide is a pamphlet detailing their suggestions of what you’ll need: souvenir bag, water, snacks, sunglasses, sketchbooks, etc. It reads like a survival kit for the zombie apocalypse. There’s also a handy little map of the convention center. However, on the day of my arrival, I might just go hi-tech and opt for SDCC’s mobile app.

San Diego Comic-Con 2017 Checklist

The checklist card allows you to jot down some quick notes for things you have to remember on the day of your arrival—hotel information, shuttle route, your must-attend panel, and a reminder to pick up your Comic-Con HQ 2017 collectors pin.

All Items

Photo Credit: Steve Lam

SDCC really outdid themselves this year. I’m not sure why they didn’t have this offering in previous years, but this is definitely an awesome trend going forward. Whoever put together this box, kudos to you! July 19, 2017 can’t come sooner!

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