For the first time in more than two decades, collectibles retailer and manufacturer Sideshow will not have a presence on the show floor at Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC).
“For more than 20 years, Sideshow has reveled in the ever-evolving spectacle of SDCC,” says Sideshow CEO Greg Anzalone. “As we’ve transformed from a humble booth into a gallery-style showstopper, we’ve enjoyed sharing the magic of pop culture with fans at every event. But we’ve always dreamed of transcending the physical limitations of the convention, reaching out to a global audience hungry for more.”
Instead, the company is launching a larger, global, and fully virtual version of its Sideshow Con online event. This event will run from July 18-21 and feature product announcements, livestreams, and other surprises. Fans can register for Sideshow Con for free to get access to exclusive contests and giveaways and to get priority access to both con-exclusive and registrant-only collectibles.
Sideshow is moving its summer con activities to a virtual platform to make the festivities more accessible to fans around the world, citing rising travel costs, more demand for in-person con passes, and decreasing accessibility for global fans as motivating factors in the decision to skip SDCC.
For more information about this year’s Sideshow Con, head to the official Sideshow blog.