1977: A Madman Turns 40: 2017- Day 203

This is San Diego Comic Con weekend. So, of course, you know I am going to be showing you a glimpse of what the convention was like during the year of my birth, 1977.

The event was held at the El Cortez Hotel from July 20-24th. Over 4,000 guests attended. Being the 10th annual holding of Comic Con, all the stops were pulled out to make it a smash hit!

Heinlein and his wife Virginia arriving at the '77 con.

This con saw the first ever Robert A. Heinlein blood drive. It's a tradition that still continues in San Diego each Comic Con weekend. The event was started by the Heinlein Society, a fan group that seeks to continue the sci-fi writers humanitarian believe to 'pay it forward.'

The '77 event also bore witness to the first ever 'making of Star Wars' panel. A small film about production of the film was shown. Just a year prior, Mark Hamill and some producers did a panel and maybe 100 people showed. A year later, with the film a blockbuster success, the panel had 4x as many attendees. 

Guest tag, illustrated by Scott Shaw!

Several big name guests were in attendance. Jack Kirby, Carl Banks, Alex Nino, and Harvey Kurtzman were some of the now legendary guests in attendance. Man, to have got some of those autographs!

Program Guide Cover by Michael Kaluta.

One thing the San Diego Comic Con had that is doesn't anymore is comic books! Over time, it's getting way too expensive for mom and pop shops to be able to sell comics at the Con. This year's announcement that Mile High Comics from Denver wouldn't be at SDCC 2017 marked the end of back issue selling at the event.

Fans picking through stacks of poorly organized back issues.
Oh, the lack of care just breaks my heart.

Well, that's my look at my favorite year for now. Tune in again sometime soon for more fun as A Madman Turns 40.