Winner: Video Games
Video games are already the biggest pop culture industry and have a big presence at Comic-Con each year. But this year, in the absence of live-action television and films, games stepped up big time. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 had the first video game Hall H panel (which was an impressive feat, even if the panel was underwhelming). Other franchises like Star Wars also made their presence felt with games, with 2024’s Outlaws getting a spotlight. A major Street Fighter tournament was held on the floor, to cheering crowds. Comic-Con’s own director of programming said before the Spider-Man panel he wants to see more games in Hall H. It just felt like the beginning of games being seen alongside TV and movies as major, major draws at Comic-Con.
Oh, and when Spider-Man voice actor Yuri Lowenthal spoke out in support of his fellow artists in the WGA and SAG-AFTRA, you got the sense these people were here to stay.
