Welcome 2010 Professionals!

Comic-Con Professional Registration will be open from March 1, 2010 through May 8, 2010.

First-Time Professionals

Please return to this page on March 1, 2010 for instructions about how to apply as a first-time professional.

Returning Professionals

We are sending your registration instructions via first class mail, your letter should arrive on or before March 1, 2010. If you do not receive your registration information, return to this page between March 1, 2010 and May 1, 2010 for instructions about how you can request your validation code online. Please be aware that guest badges are limited this year, and once we have reached our capacity, no additional guest badges will be available, so please register early if you will be bringing a guest.

Important Information for All Attending Professionals

Please keep in mind that professional registration is non-transferable. You may not transfer, sell or reuse your membership or your guest registrations. Each creative professional must apply and register separately. Any guest badges purchased through a professional registration may be refunded by June 19, 2009, but they may not be transferred to another name before or after this date.

Pre-Registered creative professionals are admitted to Comic-Con with a complimentary professional pass. This pass is good for entry to all of the events held at Comic-Con (space permitting). The pass, however, does not allow for early entry into the Exhibit Hall or programming seminars and does not necessarily guarantee seating.

Each creative professional applying to Comic-Con for complimentary badge is required to submit verification documents every three years. Verification questions and documents may be submitted during the open registration period only. Details will be included in the professional registration packet.

All verification materials must be submitted by mail with a tracking number from your online application. We are unable to accept faxed or emailed verification. Details are included in the professional registration packet.

Unfortunately, professional status does not extend to support staff including sales, marketing, accounting, managers, testers, analysts, administrative staff, IT, facilities, operations, etc. who are not directly involved in the creative process.

About complimentary registration for creative professionals with Comic-Con

Comic-Con would not exist without the people who create the comic books, graphic novels, and related popular art forms. That¹s why we¹ve always had a policy of giving complimentary badges to creative professionals, those individuals who have enriched our lives with their creative works. We do so to thank those professionals for their contributions and to give fans a greater opportunity to interact with their favorite creators.

As Comic-Con has grown, we’ve experienced an increase in requests for professional badges. In fact, we now get over 10,000 requests a year! Part of this large number arises from some confusion as to what constitutes an “industry professional.” To qualify for a professional membership at Comic-Con, a person must work as a creator (writer, artist, etc.) or be an executive (publisher, editor, producer) in comic books, comic strips, animation, or other related popular arts. Professional status does not extend to support staff (sales, marketing, accounting, managers and administrative staff, IT, facilities, operations, etc.) who are not directly involved in the creative process.

If you work as a professional in a capacity that supports the artists and executives, or one of the many other professionals who do not directly create artwork, we recognize your contribution to your industry, and we applaud the work that you do to support the creative process, however that work does not qualify you for a Comic-Con professional badge.

Who qualifies for creative professional status at Comic-Con?

Comic-Con offers complimentary professional memberships to creative professionals and executives in the comic book, book publishing, animation, films, television, gaming, and related industries. (By related, we mean producing material based on comic book, graphic novel, comic strip, animation, or fantasy/sci fi properties). A creative professional is someone who takes an active role in the creation, design, writing, editing, or production of comics, animation, films, books, videogames, or toys. Job titles might include writer, artist, penciller, inker, colorist, letterer, animator, designer, sculptor, editor, publisher, producer, actor, etc.. Retired career professionals from comics and related popular arts fields also qualify. Professional status is also extended to those responsible for the content of websites that promote the historic or ongoing contribution of comics to art or society. Determination of creative professional status is ultimately at the discretion of Comic-Con.