How To Geek Out Properly at Comic-Con

PHOTO: Actor Tom Hiddleston speaks onstage at Marvel Studios 'Thor: The Dark World' and 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Friends, Romans, people who decided a Dr. Who cosplay would be a novel idea, lend me your eyes.

This week marks yet another iteration of the San Diego Comic-Con or, as I like to refer to it, heaven on earth, garnering an opportunity for all walks of nerd to get some seriously awesome memorabilia and experience truly wonderful panels.

Sadly, this year’s event will come and go without myself or my fine Batman onesie. To the throngs who are going to San Diego this week accept my congratulations. You now have my envy.

If you are traipsing into the fray, there are some things you should know ahead of time. Veterans undoubtedly have their own tips and tricks to survive Comic-Con, so please feel free to toss those out in the form of a comment.

For the noobs in the audience, enjoy the following info:

1. Come Packing: Whether you are camping out for Hall H or just perusing all the swag in the Exhibit Hall, remember to bring a backpack with water and snacks. The lines can get crazy for food inside the convention center (not that we condone or recommend ever eating convention center food).

2. Waste Less Time: If you absolutely must eat inside the Exhibit Hall, head up to the second floor snack stand. The line was far less insane than it was on the floor last year. Incidentally, it was on that second floor that I meandered out onto the concourse and walked straight into a live medieval battle scene, which brings me to the most obvious tip of all.

3. Bust Out Your Walking Shoes: Don’t linger. Get out and roam like the good little geek you are. This helped me find food trucks as well as the nerdiest faux battle scene ever in 2013. Because fortune favors those without a keen sense of direction, I also happened across stuff like this:

4. The H Stands for Hell: If you are planning to wait for panels in the famed Hall H, you better prepare to wait…and then wait some more. Fortunately, this year organizers are trying to alleviate some misery with “Toucan Tracker” wristbands. Here is what the official website has to say:

“By using these Toucan Tracker wristbands, we hope to alert people to the possibility of getting into Hall H for the rest of the day. We will accomplish this by using the data collected to place color-coded markers along the line route, noting approximately what percentage of the room would have to clear in order for those remaining in line to enter.”

Now you have some clue as to whether you are wasting your time or not.

5. Double-Headers: Now Hall H hardly has a monopoly on panels, just those with marquee and Walking Dead celebrities.

Rather than standing in line, I decided to hop into an underappreciated (read: plenty of seats) panel for Cartoon Network’s upcoming shows. Strategically this worked out because the very next event in the room was the 75^th Anniversary of Superman panel, which ended up being far more popular. Thanks to Cartoon Network, I was entertained with some Uncle Grandpa and also had a seat for the very next panel. Win, meet win.

6. Petco Parking Lot Escape: There was a nice little respite from the insanity next to Petco Park, complete with some advertorial booths and a few food trucks. It was a nice oasis from the cramped confines surrounding the halls. The lines at the food trucks were far better than anywhere else and the entire lot allowed for some much needed space to breath (especially when there is 130,000 visitors expected this time around).

If all stays the same as last year, there was even a 5-Hour Energy booth nearby giving away free samples. Let us know if it makes a return this year, because there is nothing like free energy to haul your newly acquired Justice League bobbeheads.

7. Twitter, Use It: Twitter, at its most useful, has become a fantastic tool for breaking news and crucial updates, perfect for this time of year in San Diego. Here are just a few must-follows:

Tony B. Kim: Sadly, there isn’t an official Comic-Con guru position to be had. If there were, writer Tony B. Kim would hold it.

SDCC Unofficial Blog: A feed chockablock filled with updates, news and details on all things Con.

San Diego Comic-Con: We might as well include the official source of all the madness.

Wil Wheaton: It’s not a given that Wesley Crusher will be at Comic Con, but you will want to follow him if he is. Actually, you will want to follow him regardless of Comic-Con status.

Megan Gotch: An authority on the best convention in the world.

8. Enjoy the City: As the official site mentions, restaurants in the area will once again offer deals to badge-wearing nerds, so get out there and explore well beyond the Exhibit Hall.

The best part of the convention, in my estimation, is just happening upon something unexpected, like a herd of Zombies (or is it a flock?) walking around the town.

Really, the best advice is to leave your inhibitions and best-laid plans at home. There will be thousands of people in the area dressed up in some amazing outfits. It’s one place where an introvert can actually get lost amid the bedlam and feel completely at ease.

There is so much to see, so make sure you keep your eyes open and your smartphone at the ready.