Man, oh man, you guys won’t believe the weekend I just had. So, I finally made it to Comic-Con in San Diego. That’s right, the big one! And let me tell you, it was everything I dreamed of and more, especially because I went for the Hannibal panel. Let me tell you how it all went down.
First off, getting there was a journey in itself. I decided to drive down from up north. It took me a whole day. I packed a bunch of snacks, made a killer playlist, and hit the road. The drive was long, but honestly, the anticipation made it feel like nothing.
When I got to San Diego, the city was buzzing. You could feel the energy everywhere. I checked into my hotel, which was surprisingly close to the Convention Center. I guess I got lucky. Once I was settled, I went straight to scope out the place. The Convention Center is huge! It was like stepping into another world, with banners and posters everywhere. I spent the rest of that first day just wandering around, soaking it all in, and picking up a few comics, of course.
The next day was the Hannibal panel – or as Bryan Fuller, the showrunner, likes to call it, the “Pannibal.” I got up super early because I knew the lines would be insane. And boy, was I right. The line wrapped around the building, but thankfully, I got there early enough to snag a decent spot. The atmosphere in the line was crazy. Everyone was chatting, sharing their favorite Hannibal moments, and showing off their cosplays. I even saw a few people dressed up as Hannibal Lecter himself, which was pretty awesome, or maybe slightly terrifying.
After what felt like forever, we finally got into the hall. The energy in the room was electric. When the cast and crew came out, the crowd went wild. Seeing Hugh Dancy and Mads Mikkelsen in person was surreal. They talked about the show, shared some behind-the-scenes stories, and just generally had a great time with the fans. It felt like a big, weird family reunion. The only downside was the reminder that the show is over. It was a little sad, but also amazing to see how much love there still is for Hannibal.
After the panel, I spent the rest of the day exploring the convention. I checked out some other panels, browsed through the endless rows of merchandise, and even got a few autographs. I also made sure to take some advice from some veteran Comic-Con goers.
- Stay hydrated and fueled up. I kept a water bottle with me and made sure to eat regularly. There’s so much to see and do that it’s easy to forget the basics.
- Wear comfortable shoes. This might seem obvious, but seriously, you’re on your feet all day. I saw some people in heels, and I honestly don’t know how they did it.
- Bring a portable charger. My phone was my lifeline for taking photos, checking the schedule, and meeting up with people. Having a portable charger meant I didn’t have to worry about my battery dying.
- Be patient. There are lines for everything – getting into panels, buying food, even using the restroom. It’s just part of the experience, so I tried to make the most of it by chatting with the people around me.
By the end of the weekend, I was exhausted but so, so happy. It was an unforgettable experience. If you ever get the chance to go to Comic-Con, do it. And if you’re a Hannibal fan, well, you just might find your people there. Trust me on this one. And if you ever make it to a future “Pannibal,” let me know. We can geek out about Hannibal Lecter together!
