by: Stephanie Shamblin Gray

Comic-Con International, formerly and more lovingly known as San Diego Comic Con (SDCC), kicks off this Wednesday, July 21st with a special preview night followed by the official opening on Thursday, July 22nd and three more massive days (and nights) of previews, panels, exclusives and excitement. The largest comic book and popular arts convention in the world, this event has been sold out for months with only the most diligent able to purchase a returned pass in the last few weeks.

ComicMonsters.com reporters Stephanie Shamblin Gray and Brian Gray will be in attendance and reporting breaking horror news as it happens. Watch the ComicMonsters.com Facebook wall for up to the minute news and information. On the wall, breaking news will be posted as “SDCC Breaking News” and other items of interest will just be posted as “SDCC”. Breaking news will then be posted on the homepage of ComicMonsters.com as quickly as possible.

There will also be posted a daily report with additional pictures and information from San Diego. While Stephanie and Brian have been given permission by Big Bad Wolf (a.k.a, their Boss) to enjoy themselves, they have not been given permission to sleep, so ComicMonsters.com and HorrorNewNetwork.net readers can expect to see tons of coverage on all things horror.

Anyone looking for additional information on the event should visit the Comic-Con International main page at http://www.comic-con.org/cci/ . Readers who have passes should make sure to check the programming schedule at http://www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_prog.php to ensure they don’t miss their favorite panel. There are so many panels of interest for horror fans that many will take place at the same time. When having to decide between a screening and panel of “Night of the Living Dead: Reanimated” and the world premiere of “Lost Boys: The Thirst”, a coin may just have to be tossed. And what about deciding between “Robert Kirkman” and “Horror Filmmakers Discuss the Art of Fear”? Those are just two of the overlapping panels and that’s just Thursday! There are some even tougher decisions over the rest of the convention.

For those of you considering attending next year, start planning early. The 4-day passes for 2010 sold out in November of 2009, so be sure to follow Comic-Con International on Twitter @Comic_con (notice the underscore) and on Facebook as Comic-Con International for instant notifications. In the meantime, keep checking back here starting on Thursday, July 22nd for horror news, updates, and stories from San Diego Comic Con 2010!