Comic-Con International began in 1970 in the Cortez Hotel as the first comic book convention in Southern California and has expanded to include pop culture in general and to attract over 100,000 aficionados to the San Diego Convention Center and satellite locations in hotels and outdoor parks. The over 700 associated events include anime, screenings, workshops, games, a costume ball and industry "Oscar" awards. It is the largest convention held in San Diego and the largest convention of its kind in the world.

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