Comic-Con Museum is hosting a multitude of pop culture events outside the SDCC, so even if you can’t make it inside, there is still lots to do outside which includes that nearly all the events are free with admission, and there are movie screenings, autograph/book signings, Steam activities, and more.
Open for its first year since the return of the full-scale Comic-Con Convention, the Museum offers an opportunity for San Diegans and visitors to join in the fun of celebrating art and popular arts.
Throughout Comic-Con, July 20-24, the Museum will host a variety of hands-on activities, talks, and film screenings for all ages. All activities are free with Museum admission, except for the “Night at the Comic-Con Museum,” which is a separate ticketed special event.
“Not everyone can get into Comic-Con, but everyone can come visit the Comic-Con Museum,” said Museum Executive Director Rita Vandergaw. “If you’re a movie buff, love to draw, Hemingway aficionado, future astronomer or coder, or fan of Marvel’s Spider-Man or PAC-MAN, we’ve got an event for you during Comic-Con!”
Key offerings, free with Museum admission, include:
- Movie screening of “The Rocketeer” on Friday, July 22 at 3 p.m. Theater seating is limited – first come, first served.
- Archie comic book artist Dan Parent will lead a “How to Draw Archie” Workshop on Saturday, July 23 from 3-4 p.m. (space is limited), followed by an autograph session during which Parent will sign exclusive Archie comics for sale from 4-5 p.m.
- Tied to the sneak preview of the “Hemingway in the Comics” exhibit, showing Ernest Hemingway as an artist and a pop culture icon through the lens of comics, Robert K. Elder will be on hand for book signings on Saturday, July 23 from 4-5 p.m.
- Signing with author, artist and illustrator Pablo Leon on Saturday, July 23 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. with limited, free advanced reader copies of “Miles Morales: Stranger Tides” from Scholastic Publishing.
- Chat with Patrick A. Reed and Dr. Ben Saunders, Curators of “Marvel’s Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing – The Exhibition” on Sunday, July 24, from 2:30-3:30 p.m.
- IF/THEN STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) ambassador career talks and hands-on experiments, from coding a video game to caring for live animals, led by female scientists on July 21-24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- PAC-MAN AR Experience: An exclusive look at the limited time PAC-MAN AR Experience on Snapchat at the Comic-Con Museum. PAC-MAN will be making appearances on Saturday, July 23, and Sunday, July 24, during Comic-Con Museum operating hours.
“Night at the Comic-Con Museum,” honoring Marvel’s Spider-Man as the fourth inductee into the Comic-Con Museum Character Hall of Fame with a special event that will take place on Comic-Con’s Preview Night, July 20 at 6:30 p.m. The event will include the opportunity to experience Marvel’s Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing – The Exhibition. In addition to the displays of art, costumes, and interactive experiences in the exhibit, the event will feature live entertainment, special guests, food, and signature cocktails. This is a separately ticketed event; event sponsorship information and tickets are available via comic-con.museum/night.
With purchase of museum admission, guests can see all the exhibits, including:
- “PAC-MAN Arcade” – PAC-MAN, a neon-lit arcade room featuring one of the most recognized images on the planet, including arcade games, artwork and memorabilia. During Comic-Con, the Museum will also host the first playable demo stations of “PAC-MAN WORLD™ Re-PAC,” a remastered and enhanced version of one of the most popular PAC-MAN games of all time.
- “Dave Stevens and the Rocketeer: Art for Arf’ Sake” – In addition to over 40 original covers and pages from “The Rocketeer,” this one-of-a-kind exhibit will also feature Stevens’ early works, his artwork for Comic-Con, animation storyboards, and other uniquely designed props and pieces.
- “Eight Decades of Archie” – a unique exhibition that explores artifacts including vintage comic books, animation production materials, priceless pieces of original art and pieces from the WB’s popular “Riverdale” series.
The Comic-Con Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the last entry at 5 p.m. Standard admission, including “Marvel’s Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing – The Exhibition,” (adults ages 18+) is $30; children (ages 4-12) are $18; seniors (65+), students (13-17) and military are $24; and group bundles for 10 or more are $25 per ticket. Tickets can be purchased in advance through Fever: https://feverup.com/m/116125.
Check out the full schedule below.
Comic-Con Museum Events During Comic-Con, July 20-24
*Please note events are subject to change without notice. Please visit www.comic-con.org/museum/events for the latest updates.*
WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2022
5:30-9:30 p.m.
Night @ Comic-Con Museum
An amazing evening event celebrating the induction of your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man into the Comic-Con Museum Character Hall of Fame! Enjoy a spectacular night of cosplay, characters, festive food and beverages, and experience “Marvel’s Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing – The Exhibition.”
Tickets for “Night at the Comic-Con Museum” can be purchased at comic-con.museum/night.
THURSDAY, JULY 21, 2022
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
IF/THEN STEAM Ambassadors: STEAM Fair
Cox Innovation Lab & Conrad C. Prebys Art Studio
Fans of all ages will get to try hands-on experiments with IF/THEN STEAM Ambassadors, a group of volunteer female scientists whose mission is to increase female participation in STEAM careers. From coding a video game to caring for live animals, visitors will be able to learn about a variety of STEAM pursuits in a hands-on environment.
Free with museum admission • Space is limited and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis
Museum admission can be purchased in advance through Fever: beyondamazingexhibition.com.
12-2 p.m.
IF/THEN STEAM Ambassadors: Career Talks
Comic-Con Museum Theater
Learn about the career journeys of some of the leading scientists [SY2] in the United States, who will be giving 15-minute career talks. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions about scientific fields, career paths, and journeys of the speakers. Fields represented will include computer science, conservation biology, molecular biology, archeology, rocket science, geology and more!
Free with museum admission • Seating is limited and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis
10 a.m.
Make a Comet
Cox Innovation Lab
10:30 a.m.
Video Game “Microscopya” Playtest
Conrad C. Prebys Art Studio
11:15 a.m.
Coding Workshop with Girls Who Code
Conrad C. Prebys Art Studio
12:20 p.m.
Ambassador Career Talks
Museum Theater
1:40 p.m.
Ambassador Photo Ops
Conrad C. Prebys Art Studio Balcony
1:50 p.m.
STEAM Costume Contest
Conrad C. Prebys Art Studio Balcony
FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2022
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
IF/THEN STEAM Ambassadors: STEAM Fair
Cox Innovation Lab & Conrad C. Prebys Art Studio
Fans of all ages will get to try hands-on experiments with IF/THEN STEAM Ambassadors, a group of volunteer female scientists whose mission is to increase female participation in STEAM careers. From coding a video game to caring for live animals, visitors will be able to learn about a variety of STEAM pursuits in a hands-on environment.
Free with museum admission • Space is limited and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis
12-2 p.m.
IF/THEN STEAM Ambassadors: Career Talks
Comic-Con Museum Theater
Come learn about the career journeys of some of the leading scientists in the United States, who will be giving 15-minute career talks. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions about scientific fields, career paths, and journeys of the speakers. Fields represented will include computer science, conservation biology, molecular biology, archeology, rocket science, geology and more!
Free with museum admission • Seating is limited and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis
10 a.m.
Make a Comet
Cox Innovation Lab
10:30 a.m.
Video Game “Microscopya” Playtest
Conrad C. Prebys Art Studio
11:15 a.m.
Coding Workshop with Girls Who Code
Conrad C. Prebys Art Studio
12:20 p.m.
Ambassador Career Talks
Museum Theater
1:40 p.m.
Ambassador Photo Ops
Conrad C. Prebys Art Studio Balcony
1:50 p.m.
STEAM Costume Contest
Conrad C. Prebys Art Studio Balcony
2:30-3:30 p.m.
Cardboard Super Heroes
Cox Innovation Lab
Free with museum admission • Space is limited and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis
3-5 p.m.
The Rocketeer movie screening
Comic-Con Museum Theater
Free with museum admission • Seating is limited and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis
The Comic-Con Museum has been proud to showcase the art and legacy of artist Dave Stevens, notably that of his greatest creation, the Rocketeer. “The Rocketeer,” which began 40 years ago as the back-up feature in a comic-book series, achieved immediate acclaim and became a beloved part of comic fandom. In 1991, Walt Disney Studios adapted the series featuring down-on-his luck stunt pilot Cliff Secord, who discovers an incredible invention – a mysterious jetpack – and fights criminals alongside his model girlfriend Betty and his trusted mechanic Peevy, into a feature film. Disney’s “The Rocketeer” featured a look straight from the pages of a pulp comic from a past era, lovingly recreating 1930s Hollywood as the setting for this beloved, all-ages high-adventure tale of gangsters, Nazi spies and the growth of the Age of Aviation.
SATURDAY, JULY 23, 2022
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
IF/THEN STEAM Ambassadors: STEAM Fair
Cox Innovation Lab & Conrad C. Prebys Art Studio
Fans of all ages will get to try hands-on experiments with IF/THEN STEAM Ambassadors, a group of volunteer female scientists whose mission is to increase female participation in STEAM careers. From coding a video game to caring for live animals, visitors will be able to learn about a variety of STEAM pursuits in a hands-on environment.
Free with museum admission • Space is limited and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis
12-2 p.m.
IF/THEN STEAM Ambassadors: Career Talks
Comic-Con Museum Theater
Come learn about the career journeys of some of the leading scientists in the United States, who will be giving 15-minute career talks. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions about scientific fields, career paths, and journeys of the speakers. Fields represented will include computer science, conservation biology, molecular biology, archeology, rocket science, geology and more!
Free with museum admission • Seating is limited and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis
10 a.m.
Make a Comet
Cox Innovation Lab
10:30 a.m.
Video Game “Microscopya” Playtest
Conrad C. Prebys Art Studio
11:15 a.m.
Coding Workshop with Girls Who Code
Conrad C. Prebys Art Studio
12:20 p.m.
Ambassador Career Talks
Museum Theater
1:40 p.m.
Ambassador Photo Ops
Conrad C. Prebys Art Studio Balcony
1:50 p.m.
STEAM Costume Contest
Conrad C. Prebys Art Studio Balcony
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Pablo Leon signing
1st Floor Retail Space
3-4 p.m.
Dan Parent “How to Draw Archie” workshop
Conrad C. Prebys Art Studio
Free with museum admission • Space is limited and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis
4-5 p.m.
Dan Parent exclusive-comic autograph session
1st Floor Retail Space
4-5 p.m.
Robert K. Elder “Hemingway in Comics” book signing
1st Floor Retail Space
SUNDAY, JULY 24, 2022
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
IF/THEN STEAM Ambassadors: STEAM Fair
Cox Innovation Lab & Conrad C. Prebys Art Studio
Fans of all ages will get to try hands-on experiments with IF/THEN STEAM Ambassadors, a group of volunteer female scientists whose mission is to increase female participation in STEAM careers. From coding a video game to caring for live animals, visitors will be able to learn about a variety of STEAM pursuits in a hands-on environment.
Free with museum admission • Space is limited and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis
12-2 p.m.
IF/THEN STEAM Ambassadors: Career Talks
Comic-Con Museum Theater
Come learn about the career journeys of some of the leading scientists in the United States, who will be giving 15-minute career talks. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions about scientific fields, career paths, and journeys of the speakers. Fields represented will include computer science, conservation biology, molecular biology, archeology, rocket science, geology and more!
Free with museum admission • Seating is limited and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis
10 a.m.
Make a Comet
Cox Innovation Lab
10:30 a.m.
Video Game “Microscopya” Playtest
Conrad C. Prebys Art Studio
11:15 a.m.
Coding Workshop with Girls Who Code
Conrad C. Prebys Art Studio
12:20 p.m.
Ambassador Career Talks
Museum Theater
1:40 p.m
Ambassador Photo Ops
Conrad C. Prebys Art Studio Balcony
1:50 p.m
STEAM Costume Contest
Conrad C. Prebys Art Studio Balcony
2:30-3:30 p.m.
Chat with Patrick A. Reed & Dr. Ben Saunders Curators of “Marvel’s Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing – The Exhibition”
Comic-Con Museum Theater
