Comic-Con International

San Diego Comic-Con International, also known as Comic-Con or SDCC, is a renowned comic book convention and multi-genre entertainment event held annually in San Diego, California, since 1970. Founded by Shel Dorf, Richard Alf, Ken Krueger, Ron Graf, and Mike Towry, it initially focused on comic books and science fiction/fantasy-related film and television but has since expanded to include various popular arts genres such as horror, animation, anime, toys, collectible card games, video games, webcomics, and fantasy novels.

The event, which attracts over 130,000 attendees each year, is a four-day affair (Thursday–Sunday) held during the summer, usually in July, at the San Diego Convention Center. A Preview Night is held on the Wednesday before the convention for professionals, exhibitors, and pre-registered guests to explore the exhibit hall and prepare for the convention. In addition to the main event, Comic-Con International also organizes WonderCon in Anaheim and SAM: Storytelling Across Media, a conference in San Francisco and annually at the Comic-Con Museum in San Diego.

Comic-Con International is known for its Inkpot Award, bestowed annually since 1974 on guests and persons of interest in the popular arts industries, as well as on members of Comic-Con's board of directors and the Convention committee. The Will Eisner Awards, considered the "Oscars" of the comics industry, are also presented at the event.

The convention has grown to include satellite locations in local hotels and outdoor parks, with programming events, games, anime, the Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival, and the Eisner Awards taking place outside the Convention Center, creating a campus-like atmosphere in downtown San Diego. Comic-Con International is a non-profit organization, and proceeds from the event support the organization, as well as SAM: Storytelling Across Media and WonderCon.