This past weekend, people swarmed San Diego to celebrate the annual phenomenon known as Comic-Con. They braved everything the Southern California heat while waiting in lines to the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds in the exhibition hall. Comic-Con had people running all round the San Diego Convention Center all the way to the outer reaches of downtown for special events, parties and pokestops. This year we sent our photographer, Gil Riego, to pull 10 of these people from the crowds and ask them some questions.

Jordan

Age: 23
How many comic books have you read? I’ve lost count... 
How many times have you attended Comic-Con? Only once.
What would you tell someone to prepare them for their first Comic-Con? There's crowds everywhere so plan way ahead in advanced and do research on the schedules, be prepared to walk everywhere downtown, and it's the best place to make new friends/meet cosplayers.
What do you look forward to seeing most this weekend? Anything Pokemon Go related.
If you were given $500, what would you buy at Comic-Con? I'd buy a bunch of Pop! figurines and anything involving animation/drawing (markers, etc.).
What’s your favorite part about Comic-Con? Meeting people from all over the place coming together for one purpose: NERDS!!!!

April O’Neil

Age: 29
How many comic books have you read? Too many to Count! Thousands!
How many times have you attended Comic-Con? Six.
What would you tell someone to prepare them for their first Comic-Con? Wear comfortable shoes, drink Emergen-C, bring an empty bag to bring home all the cool shit you got!
What do you look forward to seeing most this weekend? All of my friends in one place freaking out over all the stuff we love together, and the new Star Trek movie!
If you were given $500, what would you buy at Comic-Con? Whatever exclusives I can get!
What’s your favorite part about Comic-Con? Seeing everyone show off their cosplays they slaved over and having them be appreciated!

David

Age: 26
How many comic books have you read? More than 300.
How many times have you attended Comic-Con? Twice.
What would you tell someone to prepare them for their first Comic-Con? Don't expect to see everything you hear on the news, carry a bottle of water, and expect to walk A LOT.
What do you look forward to seeing most this weekend? Meeting J. Scott Campbell.
If you were given $500, what would you buy at Comic-Con? Merch from some of my favorite brands like Pokemon, Blizzard, buy artwork from my favorite artists. 
What’s your favorite part about Comic-Con? Spending time with my friends and photographing cosplayers.

Julia Voth

Age: 31
How many comic books have you read? I think three haha.
How many times have you attended Comic-Con? Twice.
What would you tell someone to prepare them for their first Comic-Con? It's more crowded then you think so just let go of that fact and you'll be able to walk around normally, also pack coffee and a flask.
What do you look forward to seeing most this weekend? Seeing all the cosplay.
If you were given $500, what would you buy at Comic-Con? Cool fan art!
What’s your favorite part about Comic-Con? I loved dressing up! Jill Valentine lives at Comic-Con! 

Trey

Age: 34
How many comic books have you read? Around 20 to 30.
How many times have you attended Comic-Con? About one and a half times.
What would you tell someone to prepare them for their first Comic-Con? Do not come if you hate crowds!
What do you look forward to seeing most this weekend? Happy nerds.
If you were given $500, what would you buy at Comic-Con? As many concept art books as I can.
What’s your favorite part about Comic-Con? The smells.

Jessica

Age: 24 
How many comic books have you read? I have about 8000 or so in my collection, maybe more!
How many times have you attended Comic-Con? Three times.
What would you tell someone to prepare them for their first Comic-Con? Be prepared for what I can only describe as total sensory overload. 
What do you look forward to seeing most this weekend? Friends!
If you were given $500, what would you buy at Comic-Con? Star Wars merch and maybe a few (comic book) variant covers! 
What’s your favorite part about Comic-Con? The overwhelming feeling that you have finally made it to Nerd paradise.

Greg

Age: 27
How many comic books have you read? Not many
How many times have you attended Comic-Con? Three times.
What would you tell someone to prepare them for their first Comic-Con? Wear comfy shoes.
What do you look forward to seeing most this weekend? Just about everything.
If you were given $500, what would you buy at Comic-Con? TMNT action figures.
What’s your favorite part about Comic-Con? The parties.

Cassandra

Age: 23
How many comic books have you read? I’ve lost count!
How many times have you attended Comic-Con? Just once.
What would you tell someone to prepare them for their first Comic-Con? Prepare for the best and the worst— bring cash, deodorant and stay hydrated. Most importantly, cosplay is not consent; ask before you take a photo!
What do you look forward to seeing most this weekend? Celebrities and my cosplay friends!
If you were given $500, what would you buy at Comic-Con? I would put that money towards a hotel that is walking distance from the con...the struggle is real.
What’s your favorite part about Comic-Con? Creative cosplayers and artists that inspire me!

Dayna

Age: Twentysomething.
How many comic books have you read? More than a hundred. I lost count!
How many times have you attended Comic-Con? This is my first Comic-Con!
What would you tell someone to prepare them for their first Comic-Con? Prepare to have a lot of fun! Also to have your personal space invaded, haha!
What do you look forward to seeing most this weekend? I look forward to seeing friends and meeting new people!
If you were given $500, what would you buy at Comic-Con? Ooooh I would buy art and clothing of Dr. Who, Star Wars, Disney, Harry Potter, LOTR and Marvel and DC universes. 
What’s your favorite part about Comic-Con? The amazing costumes people create and put together! I love art and seeing people wear these amazing creations just makes me so happy. To me, it's better than a museum.

Ali

Age: I'll never tell.
How many comic books have you read? Very few
How many times have you attended Comic-Con? This is my first time with a badge.
What would you tell someone to prepare them for their first Comic-Con? Start packing early and chose your top three things you want to see. It’s impossible to see it all.
What do you look forward to seeing most this weekend? To meeting fans and photographers.
If you were given $500, what would you buy at Comic-Con? I’d buy a steampunk outfit with a corset…. and a squirrel stuffed animal.
What’s your favorite part about Comic-Con? The surprises. People I didn't expect to see, costumes of characters I love, celebrities I just happen to brush shoulders with.