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.

Please read the following entirely for onsite registration.

Not following these directions could result in a delay or non-issue of a creative professional pass.

Creative professionals with credentials may apply for professional registration on site if we are not at capacity. The entrance fee for professionals is only $35 for a professional and $35 for a guest, and free for youth ages 2 to 17. You may be able to purchase up to two additional guest badges for $75 each on a space available basis.

Verification Material Requirements should onsite registration be available

You MUST bring at least 2 documents that verify your work as a creative professional in the popular arts industry as an artist/creator, or as an executive. Without this verification, you will not be issued a professional badge should badges be available for purchase onsite.

You must bring verification of your status as a professional even if you have attended, exhibited, or have presented on a panel in the past. Everyone requesting professional registration from Comic-Con 2008 must present verifying creative credentials on-site to receive a pass for Comic-Con 2008.

If you cannot verify your work as a creative professional onsite with your application, you will not be able to attend Comic-Con 2008!

A business card, employee badge, or paystub alone DOES NOT constitute verification and you will not be issued a badge for entrance to Comic-Con 2008.

• Each creative professional must apply and register separately.
• A photo ID is required to pick up your professional pass.

These additional items are required:

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.