For more than 40 years now, fans of comic books, superheroes, movies, TV shows, video games, memoribilia collectors and so much more have invaded San Diego, California for the annual pop culture convention, Comic-Con. Hard to believe, but it’s already that time of year again.
Movies have taken center stage the past several years, 2008′s Iron Man largely credited with Hollywood’s increased presence at the Con. And it’s no surprise given the enormous box office draw of superhero movies in recent years, especially Marvel’s The Avengers earlier this summer ($611 million domestic, $1.45 billion worldwide and counting), the largest superhero movie to date.
But one movie that has always been missing from the action in Hall H, the 6,000-plus seat setting where fans get to see exclusive movie footage, big stars and filmmakers, is Warner Bros. most recent incarnation of Batman. Christopher Nolan’s trilogy starring Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman first hit theaters in 2005 with Batman Begins. Opening in June, the movie opened prior to Comic-Con. Three years later, The Dark Knight opened in July, just a week before the convention that now draws some 120,000 attendees.
But this year, the convention is first out of the gates, held a week before The Dark Knight Rises‘ July 20th opening. The conclusion to the franchise isn’t listed as part of Warner Bros.’ presentation on Saturday, July 14th, but studios are known for building in big surprises during those big shows, and fans are keeping their fingers crossed for something. Anything.
Until then, fans can wax nostalgic about the iconic character thanks to a showcase of all the cars driven by Batman, starting with the Batmobile driven by the first man to play him, Adam West. The Seven Sees explored the almost 50 years of crime-fighting machines.
