Posted in: Comics, Recent Updates, san diego comic con | Tagged: Guardians of the Galaxy Cartoon, Marvel Cinematic Universe, marvel unlimited, SDCC '15

SDCC '15: The Security-Heavy Marvel Unlimited Plus Member Event

By Joshua Stone

So, this wasn't what I was expecting. I am signed up for the Marvel Unlimited Plus membership, and besides having access to almost all of Marvel's digital library and just having to wait six months to read the new books, Marvel sometimes has special events that they invite members to attend. Back in October I received such an invite to attend a special top secret event to be held in Hollywood, CA, at the Disney owned El Capitan Theatre. The problem was it was a Tuesday and well I had to work. I had heard a rumor that they were going to have a special showing of Big Hero Six for members, and I was fine with not seeing it early because I have kids and I didn't need to take a day off to see a movie twice. By now we know that event was when Kevin Feige announced Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

So when I got an invite last week to attend an event at SDCC that was exclusively for Marvel Unlimited Plus members, well I was a bit excited and spent a good deal of time trying to figure out what amazing thing they would announce or if maybe the cast of one of the movies or television shows would show up as a surprise.

This is where the sad trombone noise should be inserted. Search the web, find it, and play it before you read any further.

The event started off fine, there were around 100 people in the Hilton Bayfront Indigo Ballroom, and Marvel gave everyone a Marvel Unlimited variant cover for Thors #1, with the Chris Sprouse art in its original pencil sketch form. Great right, a rare variant. Then they showed us some of the upcoming books that Marvel has coming out soon. I found this interesting because I signed up for Marvel Unlimited so I didn't have to spend a fortune on floppies every month, so I am six months behind what is happening now in the books. This meant I am anywhere from 6-9 months behind the titles they previewed for the audience, and I imagine I am not the only one.

From there they announced what they said was exclusive news for this event, the toy that will be part of the next Marvel Unlimited membership, Rescue. Oh, they said no pictures or video was allowed to be taken, and they had 1 security guard for every 3 attendees walking around to enforce this, so no picture of the figure. But ok, it's still early in the event, I'm sure they're going to blow me away with something huge at any moment.

Next is the video they had shown at the El Capitan event, showing clips from the various movies that lead into Avengers Infinity War Part 1 and Part 2. Cool, but nothing new. Next up was seven minutes worth of clips from the upcoming Ant-Man movie. Again cool, but still waiting for that big announcement or surprise guest. Then they showed the first episode of the new Guardians of the Galaxy cartoon that will air on Disney XD starting in September. Yes this was cool, but Marvel had already shown the cartoon at different panel earlier in the convention, so I don't feel special yet.

When that finished I was ready to burst with expectation, and then… they announced that they would again show the clip from the El Capitan (insert sad trombone noise). And that was it, thank you all for coming.

First I will agree with you, nothing was promised and the expectations I had were based on my own thoughts and not in anyway based on any facts. But come on! That was it. I skipped other panels that I really wanted to see in order to attend this.

I can hear what you are thinking now, and yes I am like many of you at this point, I am a spoiled nerd fan who always wants more. I understand that we the nerds have won. It's clear as day to all us and it doesn't take being at SDCC to recognize it. Just look at the box office for the last few years, the movies schedule for the next ten years, and the shows that are on television. But I want more and when I don't get what I want, especially at SDCC I am disappointed.

And I shouldn't be. This was cool event that Marvel didn't have to do. They already have my money and they will continue to get it as long as they keep making quality books and movies. Marvel rented out a room that holds over 2500 people for around 100 people, and they put on a nice event and they gave us something. So I apologize for being ungrateful. Thank you Marvel for doing this. I appreciate it and what you did.

But maybe next time can you at least have the cast of Agents of Shield show up.

Further musings of Joshua Stone can be read on the Twitter @1NerdyOne

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