How did Comic-Con grow from 145 attendees to over 135,000?

The answer

San Diego Comic-Con began on March 21, 1970, as the 'Golden State Comic Book Convention,' organized by Shel Dorf, Richard Alf, and a group of comic book fans. That first event drew just 145 attendees to the U.S. Grant Hotel basement in downtown San Diego. By 1973, it had adopted the Comic-Con name and expanded beyond comics to include film and television. The real transformation came in the 2000s when Hollywood recognized Comic-Con's influence: studios began premiering blockbuster trailers and hosting panels with A-list talent. Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings presentations in 2001–2003 proved Comic-Con could generate massive buzz. Annual attendance now exceeds 135,000, with four-day passes selling out in minutes. The convention generates approximately $150 million in annual economic impact for San Diego and has spawned similar events worldwide, including New York Comic Con (200,000+ attendees).