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By Victor Van Scoit Marisa Acocella Marchetto’s name might be most familiar as a cartoonist for the New Yorker or as the author of the acclaimed graphic memoir Cancer Vixen. Her newly released graphic novel Ann Tenna tells the story of Ann Tenna, an influential gossip columnist who because of a freak accident meets her […]

With the San Diego Comic Con (SDCC) less than a month away, news is coming in fast and furious on con-exclusives. Titan is offering a cornucopia of SDCC only merchandise, with triptych covers featuring the 10th, 11th and 12th Doctors, an SDCC exclusive story line featuring the 12th Doctor and Clara battling a mirror-bound alien threat at the con itself, and two 10th Doctor vinyl figures including a 50th anniversary 10 wearing 11’s Fez! Titan will be at booth #5537. From Titan:

DOCTOR WHO: THE TWELFTH DOCTOR SDCC EXCLUSIVE

When the Twelfth Doctor and Clara turn up at San Diego Comic Con, a quick selfie outside the TARDIS reveals an alien threat among the con-goers and cosplayers! The green-skinned Lady of Neverness can only be viewed through mirrors, photos and quantum snapshots, and has turned up in the background of photos all over the convention! But if enough people view her at the same time, she’ll gain the power to breach into our dimension… to feed on the life-force of the whole planet! Can the Doctor and Clara defeat her and save the day?

Find out in this exclusive new short story, only available at San Diego Comic Con 2015! Plus, go behind the scenes of the comic with writers George Mann and Cavan Scott, and artist Rachael Stott – and get an early in-print glimpse of the Doctor Who 2015 Event – Four Doctors! All under two amazing covers from fan-favorite artist Alice X. Zhang!

When writer Cavan Scott talked to us about taking on the Ninth Doctor back in March, he mentioned he would be adding another Doctor to the long list of Time Lord incarnations he’s written for. This issue is what he was hinting at! Scott has previously written for Doctors: 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and now 12! The issue offers a choice of two gorgeous covers from Zhang, who really lovingly captures the Doctors and now a Companion in her oil-paint portraiture style:

Then there’s that nice series of interlocking covers featuring the three Doctors looking very British in front of the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, and the London Eye. The special covers are unique to SDCC, and contain the latest issues in the ongoing series of the Doctors.

Doctor Who: Tenth Doctor #14, which is the penultimate issue of the ongoing series, finds 10 and Gabby separated by an “ancient force from the centre of the galaxy” according to the release from Titan. Can Gabby hold her own alone? Check out our interview with series writer Nick Abadzis to get your 10th Doctor fix before the issue drops.

Doctor Who: The Eleventh Doctor #14 is part one of a two-part season finale, that teams Al Ewing and Rob Williams up on writing duties for what Titan calls “an unmissable mini-epic.” Will companion Alice “find peace — or be marooned far from Earth? Will Jones fulfill his cosmic rock god destiny — or die among the stars? And who will be left to join the Doctor as we head into Year Two?” Check out our interview with Ewing and Williams and see if the spoiler hints they gave us have come to pass yet…

And finally Doctor Who: Twelfth Doctor #11 finds the Doctor and Clara “Fresh from their adventures in Las Vegas” and apparently  the Doctor and “eager for a change of scenery, but their next destination aboard the TARDIS will prove a SHOCKING change of pace!

 Check out the the neat Triptych effect below of the SDCC exclusive covers below:

But what would a menu of SDCC con-exclusives from Titan be without adorable vinyl figures? Fear not, you’ve got your pick of tiny Tennant’s:

My Pack: Timbuk2 bag, Surface Pro 1 tablet, keyboard, 128GB Patriot USB drive, Nikon camera with lens, Skullcandy headset, Mole skin notebook, food, aluminum drink container.

By Nick Eskey

Those who are watching the ticking clock of San Diego Comic-Con know that it’s less than a month away. This is one of the largest and busiest conventions in the world (sometimes just as turbulent and exciting as tornado season). A certain level of preparedness is in order for such an event.

When traipsing through the jungles of an exhibit hall all day, a small backpack of provisions can be a lifeline. Food, water, notebook, a can of Axe body spray; the important stuff. For my convention pack, I use a Timbuk2 backpack (made in M’erica). Their products are always solid, and resistant to wear. Keep the backpack as light as best you can though. At some point in the day you’ll be shelling out some money on some cool toy or print. Leave room for it.

Food and drink lines, much like the rest of the lines, can be quite long. Every minute is precious when sticking to a schedule that consists of panels, signing, and raffles. And if you are lucky enough to find a short one, be prepared to shell out more than you’re used to. Comic-Con consumables are at a premium (Are you serious, $3.50 for a bottled water!?).

A prepared meal in a squish-proof container (lest you enjoy a pancaked sandwich) will go a long way and

My back-up USB drive is this 16GB Mimobot Batman

will be much cheaper. If you’re not one for preparing food, something else quick and easy like beef jerky or power bars is a great alternative. You’ll be thankful for the quick boost of energy when the day drags on.

Pack a reusable bottle so you can fill it at any old water fountain on site when it gets empty. I like my aluminum one I purchased from REI: It’s durable, free of harmful plastics, easy to wash, and great as a bludgeoning-weapon in case of zombie attacks. Companies also make ones that keep the heat in or out, allowing your chosen beverage to stay as hot or cold as you want for hours.

Electronics have become a part of everyday life. Cellphones alone are invaluable tools. Nowadays they can take high-quality photos and video, as well as have access to social media applications like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. It’s important to be able to blast that picture of you and that dreamy Chris Hardwick to all your jealous friends.

For those doing presswork like myself, deadlines can be demanding. A slim laptop or tablet for writing is a must. My weapon of choice is a Microsoft Surface Pro with an optional keyboard. I use it to write notes using the touch screen and type up my articles when I sit down for a break (bring some headphones). So that you aren’t losing anything, keep a USB Flash drive on your person for those important files. For pictures, I use my Nikon SLR camera equipped with an 18-200mm lens (for those up close, personal shots). Something big like Comic-Con will quickly fill up a memory card. Bring an extra, or like myself, upload what you have to your laptop when you can.

Microsoft Surface Pro tablet with keyboard and case

The limitations placed on such devices however fall greatly on their battery life. Don’t assume you’ll be able to find any free outlets. If you do find a free one, tread lightly. It’s not a safe bet what voltage a strange port is giving out. Your device might end up a fried paperweight. Invest in a handy-dandy rechargeable battery pack.

Boredom of lines or waiting for that later panel can be an issue to. A handheld device like a Nintendo 3DS or a Ps Vita can make the time passable, especially when you don’t feel like squeezing through the sales floor for the umpteenth time. I find myself usually taking a paperback book.

There might be some other things you may consider packing, but these are the things that work for me. I have enough to be adequately prepared, but not over burdened with unnecessary items.

And lastly, don’t wait till the day before to get this together. You’ll be already preoccupied with getting that thick schedule finalized.

See you lucky guys and gals at San Diego Comic-Con!