Those who predicted that Comic-Con would crash 'n' burn without Big Stars on the premises knew not what the hell they were talking about. Oh, I'm sure there will be those who post otherwise. This was my fifty-fifth of these and there are always those who go home unhappy because they didn't find what they wanted — a job, a certain celebrity encounter, a certain rare collectible at an affordable price, even a mate — and there are always complaints about the crowds and prices. That's quite the norm.
But the place seemed to me as packed and happy as it ever is. All but two of the panels I moderated were filled to capacity — even a Groo Panel without Sergio Aragonés in attendance. (He is in fine health. I called him at home during both that panel and Quick Draw! and held my iPhone up to the mike so everyone in the room could hear how fine he is.) And the two that had empty seats didn't have many of them.
I had the best time. I'll write more about it over the next few days. Right now, I need to get back to sleep.