FedEx® Pack Plus Packs a Punch for Comic-Con

Photo Credit: A.Ortega (c) SDCC

By Heidi MacDonald

Comic-Con International: San Diego is said to be the biggest pop culture event in North America. More than 130,000 comic artists, movie stars, cosplayers and fans will arrive to create a spectacular pageant of the imagination that’s one of the greatest shows on earth.

Every year, artists, attendees and fans always ask me the same question – what will make headlines at Comic-Con? Here is my take on the top trends to watch for this year.

What’s Always On-Trend:

Photo Credit: K. Green © SDCC DSC00154

For the cosplayers who appreciate ingenuity and creativity, expect Game of Thrones-themed costumes to make a resurgence this year. DC Comics’ Harley Quinn and Marvel’s The Avengers are always trending and of course, everyone wants to be Batman.

Up-And-Coming:

New for this year, I expect Mad Max: Fury Road’s Max, Furiosa, Immortan Joe, Nux and guitar slinging Doof Warrior to be among the favorites.

All Hyped Up:

Love Star Wars? Get ready to see fans jump on the hype of the new Star Wars movie, Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens, due out at the end of the year, with costumes based on new characters Rey and Finn, who are featured in the trailer.

Secrets To Success:

Putting these displays and elaborate costumes together takes time, dedication and planning, and getting everything to the party in time and in one piece can be just as stressful.

Photo Credit: J. Culkin

Packing and shipping last minute comics, artwork and promotional materials to Comic-Con in the nick of time is practically a tradition among Comic-Con veterans—and so is getting all the one-of-a-kind comics, art and action figures you picked up shipped back home safe and sound.

As a 20+ year Comic-Con attendee myself, I can’t count the number of times I‘ve used FedEx Office to pack and ship important documents and artwork to and from the show, as do other Comic-Con veterans.

And just like Comic-Con attendees and their elaborate costumes, FedEx Office has   decided to up their game…

This year, the FedEx Office locations in San Diego are offering a new option that a lot of people will find very handy: FedEx® Pack Plus.

• Already over-packed your luggage and don’t like the idea of stuffing your treasured costume inside a carry-on bag?
• Snagged a newly acquired elaborate Optimus Prime collectible at the show, and don’t want to stuff in the overhead compartment for the plane ride home?
• Worried about getting your new, vintage Boba Fett action figure safely home, and in one piece?

FedEx Office can get it safely packed up and prepared for shipping. Say you just picked up an oversized painting by your favorite artist. Well, turn to the custom packing heroes at FedEx Office.

K. Green © SDCC DSC00234

The pack and ship experts at FedEx Office will custom pack your complex, uniquely shaped or oversized items for secure shipping.

FedEx Office will be making packing and shipping easy throughout Comic-Con San Diego at their 19 centers in the area. Just zip down with your loot and they’ll pack it up safely for you, and ship it too. (Shipping charges separate.)

If it’s just too hectic to get to the FedEx Office at “The Con,” head the next nearest local FedEx Office just up the street at 532 C. Street. See below for a full list of FedEx® Pack Plus locations.

And finally, just in case you spent a little more than you expected on a rare Jack Kirby artwork, FedEx Office is helping you save, by offering 20% off on packing services. Need to ship your item home? No worries, FedEx Office will also take $3 off a $10 FedEx Ground shipment.

Simply click on the coupons below to print or save it on your mobile device and bring it to your local FedEx Office or any staffed FedEx location*. The offer is valid through 7/8 – 7/19/15**. Good deal!

Just a couple of notes on how the service works:

• While FedEx® Pack Plus can be used for many oddball shapes and sizes, the weight limit is 150 lbs. So no, you can’t ship home the Batmobile.

• Shipping costs are separate from packing services.

• Don’t live in the San Diego area? If you’re shipping unique items to “The Con,” FedEx®Pack Plus is available at these FedEx locations.

Photo Credit: J. Culkin

Saving all that time and stress lets you enjoy my last bonus tip for this year’s Comic-Con. If you’re a Star Wars fan, don’t forget to check out the “The Force Awakens” panel in Hall C on Friday, July 10^th featuring director J.J. Abrams, Lucasfilm president and producer Kathleen Kennedy and other guests

This will probably be the hottest ticket at Comic-Con, rivaled only by the buzz for DC Comics’ new slate of movies, which includes Wonder Woman, Suicide Squad and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice among others.

This year’s event is definitely one not to be missed! Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you at this year’s Comic-Con International in San Diego!

Heidi

Heidi MacDonald has been going to the San Diego Comic-Con for most of her life, and when she isn’t getting ready to go to a con, she runs the comics news site Comicsbeat.com and does the podcast “More to Come” for Publishers Weekly. Heidi’s contributions are part of a sponsored partnership on behalf of FedEx Office.

*Present a hard copy or show this coupon on your mobile device at any participating FedEx Office location in the following area: San Diego, CA, on packing services paid for by 7/19/15. Discount applies to packing services only. One coupon per customer, per transaction, per day. Offer valid at time of purchase only; coupon has no cash value and may not be discounted or credited toward past or future purchases. Products, services and hours may vary by location. Packing services are subject to FedEx Office ® Packing Pledge and carrier terms. © 2015 FedEx . All rights reserved.

**Print or show this coupon on your mobile device at any participating FedEx Office location in the following area:  San Diego, CA. Offer valid from 7/8/15–7/19/15. *$10 minimum transportation purchase required. Offer valid at cited FedEx Office locations for orders paid for by 7/19/15. Discount applies to transportation charges only. One coupon per customer, per visit, per shipment. Offer valid at time of purchase only; coupon has no cash value and may not be discounted or credited toward past or future purchases. FedEx  Ground services eligible for the $3.00 discount:  FedEx  Ground, FedEx  Home Delivery. Offer only valid off FedEx Retail Rates; cash, check or credit card payment types only, and cannot be combined with any other offer, discount or used with a FedEx account  number.  Offer void where prohibited  or restricted by law. Products, services and hours may vary by location. © 2015 FedEx . All rights reserved.