San Diego's annual Comic-Con is on!
The 56th edition of the pop culture event has become a "must-attend" event for comic fans, and movie studios, to show off their upcoming films.
Marvel will be pushing "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" which opens this weekend. DC studios is going all in on season 2 of HBO MAX's "Peacemaker."
As many as 135-thousand people are expected to attend the four day event that will generate tens of millions of dollars for the City of San Diego. Mayor Todd Gloria tells San Diego's Morning News that even if you're not into the shows, movies, video games and comic books, just showing up to "people watch is a great time."
However, with the increased crowds, comes the probability of more crime. San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl tells KOGO they're ready for the crowds, and are also ramping up anti-trafficking efforts. Last year, 14 people were arrested and ten victims were rescued during Comic Con.
According to California Attorney General Rob Bonta, “Comic-Con is an incredible event that brings people from all over the world together in San Diego to celebrate creativity, art, and community."
It also increases the risk of human trafficking, which is among the world's fastest-growing criminal enterprises – estimated to be a $150 billion per year global industry says Bonta, who warns the criminal activity can spike during large gatherings like Comic Con.