San Diego Comic-Con International

San Diego Comic-Con International, commonly refered to as simply Comic-Con and a variety of other adjusted names, began in 1970 as a comic-focussed convention but has since then grown to be a major annual event to promote numerous media franchises and their products, be they toys, comics, TV shows, movies, etc. It is held from Thursday to Sunday in July in San Diego, California, United States, these days at the San Diego Convention Center.

Unlike the American International Toy Fair, San Diego Comic-Con International is open to the public, though passes to get into the convention tend to sell out with a few hours. Visitors can expect to be treated to sneak-previews of and the scoop on upcoming products, creator panels, special contests, and the chance to buy exclusive merchandise created just for the convention.

Though ever-evolving, Comic-Con is still a male-dominated event. When in 2010 Mattel used the convention to fully launch Monster High, that was an unexpected and bold move, especially since the new franchise's stand was no less spectacular than the ones of the well-established franchises. However, the results were favorable, and Monster High has had a stand at the convention since.

2010
San Diego Comic-Con International 2010 was held from July 22 to July 25. The SDCCI exclusive was a greyscale edition of Frankie Stein's Basic doll, which came with a greyscale edition of Basic Watzit, a special diary, and a unique profile.

2011
San Diego Comic-Con International 2011 was held from July 21 to July 24. The SDCCI exclusive was a Ghoulia Yelps doll dressed up in Dead Fast-themed attire for her own visit to Nekrocon, the Monster High equivalent of Comic-Con. The doll came with a special diary.

SDCCI 2011 saw a contest hosted for convention guests, Facebook users, and Monster High visitors to vote between three characters. The winning character would see a doll release in 2012. The contenders were Daughter of Arachne, Headless Headmistress Bloodgood, and Scarah Screams. Scarah Screams won the vote.

2012
San Diego Comic-Con International 2012 will be held from July 12 to July 15. Mattel will have a Monster High stand as usual, but in addition to that a panel. The panel will be held on the 13th from 15:00 to 16:00 at room 24ABC. Garrett Sander, Rebecca Shipman, and Natalie Villegas (Monster High toy designers) and Eric Hardie (Monster High copywriter) will reveal new characters and elaborate on their inspiration for them. Additionally, "Ghouls Rule producer Ira Singerman and voice actors Debi Derryberry and Erin Fitzgerald will discuss the making of Monster High webisodes and other content. This part of the panel will be moderated by Audu Paden.

There will also be a costume contest and a showing of preview scenes from "Ghouls Rule".

The exclusive will be a Scarah Screams and HooDude 2-pack.