While the numbers aren't in yet, 2003's San Diego Comic Con went well over the 80,000 expected attendees. It was a huge event, featuring comics fanboys, Boba Fett look-alikes, lowbrow fashion, toy collectors. If you like feeling manic, it's the place for you. Amazing things were happening all over.

Here are some cool things we saw at the show. It was a total madhouse, so I know that we missed our photo opportunities for much more worth shouting about. Drawn & Quarterly Press, Fantagraphics Books, Fewture Models, Hyperchild & Tyke Witnes at Toynami, Last Gasp Press and the Merry Karnowsky Gallery are a few. Google them all, why don'tcha?

::: On to the show! :::


STRANGEco & Super-7 Magazine
Clear plexiglass panels flanked the entrance to the STRANGEco and Super-7 Magazine booth. Issue 3 of Super-7, a 1974 Godzilla vinyl and a variety of vintage Japanese toys were on your left; Dorbel by Jim Woodring, Nathan's Mini Tree House and a magic naked Malfi doll from Friends with You were on your right. Home base.

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Achy Breaky
Mullet Heads Series 2 were only the half of it— a ton of apparel, accessories, and games (like the fabulous Carny Toss). Vital Toys shared part of the booth for the first day of the show and featured prototypes of the upcoming Homies 6 inch vinyls.

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Attaboy's Yumfactory
San Francisco-based Attaboy's new Axtrx toy, with Mr. Potatohead-style interchangeable mouths, was alongside Gobler Toys — a very funny toy book by Steve Fink and Steve Casino. Gobler's Wobblers go to war!

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Biddies
While his DJs were at the turntables, creator Roy Miles presented the new Biddies figures to the world.

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Critter box
With an island booth facing Achy Breaky, Critterbox introduced three new upcoming figure projects. Dumb Luck by Gary Baseman, Helper by Tim Biskup and Smoking Cat by Kaz were nicely displayed, and the packaging for all three looks so nice it's frightening. No Drinky Crow jack in the box, though— production delays kept it from being shown at the show.

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Da Joint/SEA International
Da Joint showed two new armor suit characters from the ZMDC series, each with intricate detail. The dioramic displays were all well done, too.

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Dark Horse- Eric So's Hellboy
Furor over the new Hellboy movie dominated the Dark Horse pavilion, and this Hellboy figure by Eric So was right in the middle of it. The tag reads Winter 2003 as its release date.

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Epoxy Press
In addition to their beautiful comic anthology magazines, Epoxy featured prints, clothing, embroidered accessories and art magazines by John Pham, kozyndan, Megan Whitmarsh and the rest of the Epoxy crew.

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Games Workshop
Tabletop war games, miniature figures, and a big Warhammer 40,000 statue brought the 13-year old D&D geek out in many a Comic-Con attendee.

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Giant Robot
Right behind Critterbox, Giant Robot replicated their LA store for the show. T-shirts, hoodies and a variety of merchandise (including Jim Woodring's Crazy Newts and Domokun glasses) were on display.

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Mezco
New York-based Mezco rolled out new Living Dead Dolls, plus licensed figures of Alien, Predator and Dick Tracy for their Mez-Itz mini figure line. A few original series as well, including Gangsters, Inc., Cryptozoology and Dark Carnival.

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Ninjai
The Ninjai Gang presented images from their web-based animated series on a flat-panel television for all passers-by to see. Nice t-shirts and the new Karma Kula to look forward to as well.

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Sideshow Toys Lord of the Rings display
Sideshow Toys killed it with this insane display, especially the life-like Gollum statue.

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The Simpsons
Some upcoming Simpsons toys, including a Be Sharps playset.

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Stan Winston Creatures
The Hollywood creature creator's toy company had a full-scale model of the Terminatrix on display, and announced new several original figure series.

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Stikfas
Hasbro absorbed Singapore-based Stikfas last year, and announced several new sets for the coming year.

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The Superfun Company/Toxic Teddies
Eight of the cutest teddy bears you'll ever see, performing unspeakable acts you can't imagine. Superfun's new Toygodd teddy, with lightning bolt and severed bear head, was the Comic Con exclusive.

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Toy Tokyo
New York-based Toy Tokyo was another focal point on the convention floor. Packed with imported toys, they were the only retailer in the house that featured a wide spectrum of Asian designer toys. Toy Tokyo had Nathan's Scary Girl vinyl figures, plus a special Mini Tree House color set that was limited to 50 pieces only.

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Ugly Dolls
Prettyugly Toys is definitely blowing up. David, Sun-Min and the rest of the crew were on hand with literally buckets of Uglydolls.

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Etc...
Among other things: Gary Baseman stopped by the STRANGEco booth and gave us a peek at his upcoming Sony Vanimals series, Camp Crystal Lake from Freddy vs. Jason, and this picture of the Arnold statue seems to reveal his fascist dreams for the State of California.

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The costumes!
Forget about the toys-- it's everyone in costume that makes Comic-Con such a spectacle.

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