By Luis Monteagudo, Jr.
Comic-Con International 2013 ended Sunday under cloudy and rainy skies but it didn't leave quietly, both for good reasons and bad.
The Con ended just like it began, with long lines to enter into Hall H, where the biggest television and movie panels are held.
Fans bitterly complained to Con organizers at the Comic-Con Talk Back panel about the long lines forcing them to miss panels and movie clips they had come to see. Others complained about having to camp out on line in the early morning just to get inside Hall H.
Con organizers said they continue to try to improve the line situation and will look at alternatives.
The lines notwithstanding, Comic-Con once again dazzled and delighted fans. Here are a few highlights of the past week.
Big Pop Culture News: The biggest news coming from the Con was DC's blockbuster announcement that they plan to team up Batman and Superman in a new movie. If so, it will be one of geekdoms biggest happenings.
Pop Culture Goes Mainstream: As the Con continues to grow, it gives pop culture a bigger foothold in the mainstream world. One example? Veteran NBC newsman Lester Holt moderated a panel for "Grimm." There were also many more San Diegans without Con badges spotted in and around the Gaslamp checking out the scene.
Changing of the Guard: It used to be that you couldn't turn around the Exhibit Hall without seeing a young woman dressed as Princess Leia, typically in the Jabba the Hut slave costume. But this year, the Princess Leia's were far outnumbered by a new female warrior -- Daenerys Targaryen, the dragon-wielding heroine of "Game of Thrones."
Putting on a Show: Comic-Con is known for the legions of fans who dress up in costume. But with each passing year, it seems like fans are outdoing themselves with costumes. There were several fantastic costumes this year, from elaborate Steampunk getups to robots to a tall dragon to even pet dogs dressed as superheroes. It's Halloween in July!
We can't wait to see what Comic-Con offers up next year.
