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We Went to ... San Diego Comic-Con 2022

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Welcome to the second entry in our “We Went to …” series where each entry will highlight a new, exciting geek experience Professors Jason and Ashley have! Catch up on the first entry - We Went to … 10 Forward: The Experience - right now!


It’s been three long years since San Diego Comic-Con was on in full and proper swing at the San Diego Convention Center. Last autumn they hosted Comic-Con Special Edition and last week it felt like every geek from all over the world (or so it seemed like!), rushed back to Southern California to reconnect with our community. This year, in many ways, we had an inverse experience of what our San Diego Comic-Con pasts have been. For three years Jason was the face of DC All-Access and would be shooting all weekend long with Ashley able to focus more on Geek History Lesson or Jupiter Jet  or Science! The Elements of Dark Energy related events. This year Ashley was hosting for Popverse and Jason set up our GHL meet up at the Geekscape Booth!

One of the many things Ashley got up to when she wasn’t interviewing some of the coolest people in comic books (and former Geek History Lesson guests like Dan Jurgens, Tom King, Mitch Gerads, and James Tynion IV!), was hitting up activations. Activations are “off site” from the San Diego Convention Center. This usually means they’re set up in any and all open space in the Gaslamp District of San Diego. 

Be sure you are following Ashley on TikTok for video watch alongs of her experiences!

She was able to hit up the most exciting activations including: House of the Dragon, Dungeons and Dragons Tavern, and FX! Each activation was full of Easter Eggs and teases for what is coming in the future of each franchise. House of the Dragon in particular referenced some important things from Fire and Blood (the Song of Ice and Fire prequel book upon which the series is based), including Prince Daemon founding the Kingsguard, Balerion the Black Dread, and the founding of King’s Landing!

If you’re a dyed in the wool Dungeons and Dragons fan the tavern was amazing - offering both alcoholic and non-alcoholic libations to weary travelers. A dragon also appeared at this activation, albeit through the magic of special effects rather than through the power of the app the House of the Dragon activation was pushing toward the end. Attendees were also offered a chance to get our hands on the CUBE.


FX’s activation had a lot of ground to cover with multiple shows being featured including: American Horror Story, Mayans MC, What We Do in the Shadows, and more. What Ashley loved most were the American Horror Story dollies and Nadja’s Night Club - the big send off from an incredible hedge maze full of genuine jump scares even in the broad daylight of San Diego!

photo courtesy Orange County Register

Fun fact: 10 Forward: The Experience we attended a few months ago back in Los Angeles beamed down to San Diego Comic-Con so international fans could have a chance at the same fun opportunity we had.

L - R: Rylend Grant, David Avallone, Charlie Stickney, Ashley Victoria Robinson, David Booher, David Pepose

On Thursday evening one of the most anticipated off-site event took place - the Her Universe Fashion Show! Every year host Ashley Eckstein celebrates the best in participatory fan culture by giving makers a platform unlike any other in the world. This year she was joined by drag queen Nina West and the Her Universe Fashion Show circled the idea of coming home. It was beautiful and it was perfect and really helped to launch this SDCC on a high note. Stevie Strange will be pleased to know one of the winning outfits was inspired by his iconic cloak of levitation.

Ashley closed out her week by joining the The Post-Pandemic Publishing Landscape panel which wrapped up right before Jason wrapped up his LA business and made it down to SDCC business!

Saturday was such a delight because we had our Geek History Lesson meetup! Throughout the week, beginning on preview night, Ashley was bombarded by listeners and patrons. Shout out to patron Ken Rolow who rolled up on us with his Patreon Feed on full display! The kind folx at Geekscape (Jonathan London and Matt Kelly, both of whom are past podcast guests), always host us for a signing or meet and greet. The Geekscape booth has been our home for so many years at San Diego Comic-Con and this year was no different. We had an hour’s worth of in-person experience which felt exactly the way our Discord feels just IRL.

photo credit: Victoria Male

There was a lot of talk throughout the week[end] or the “weird vibe” at San Diego Comic-Con this year. There was definitely a weird vibe. It was unlike any other SDCC in years past. How could it not be? Many of the attendees felt unsure. We felt unsure. However, despite the strangeness, the new rules, and the uncertainties we were met with buckets of kindness and enthusiasm from everyone we came across. We handed out a bunch of GHL Enamel Pins and were able to share fun behind-the-scenes updates about upcoming Geek History Lesson episodes, #MarvelClub teases, and progress reports on Super Best Friend as well as Aurora and the Eagle.

It was a celebration of everything we love about geek culture and perfectly illustrates why we create the things we create. We’re going to leave you this #GHLBlog post with Professor Jason’s epic photo dump series from San Diego Comic-Con this year:

header image courtesy of Ashley Victoria Robinson

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