I’ve traveled through galaxies, danced with rebels, faced monsters in the dark, and stepped into rings where legends are made but never in my life have I done all of it in a single day… until I walked through the doors of the Comic-Con Museum.
Tucked away in Balboa Park, just minutes from the chaos and color of the Convention Center, the Museum is like a time machine, teleporter, and dimensional portal rolled into one. Each exhibit isn’t just a display: it’s a gateway.
First stop and the current shining jewel at the museum: The Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder.
The moment I stepped through the Tardis, I swear I heard the hum of the TARDIS in my bones. I felt transported to a dimension far away and yet still close! Sonic screwdrivers used by Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant sat gleaming under glass like relics from another universe. This exhibition wove through most of the first floor, taking you on a grand adventure through all of the decades of Doctor Who. When I turned one of the corners I found myself face-to-face with a life-size Weeping Angel, eternally mid-lunge, and my inner Whovian screamed “Don’t blink!”.
Then a moment later I hear behind me in child voices, “Mommy?” I turned, thinking they were talking to me and found myself looking at two amazing Weeping Angel cosplayers! They were so fun and so sweet. Everyone loved seeing them with the life-sized adult Weeping Angel.
The Doctor Who exhibit masterfully blends screen-used props with the science behind the show, making you feel like you’re standing in the thin space between fiction and possibility. It is a must-see for any Doctor Who fan of any generation.
From time travel to top ropes: Sanger, Tudor Y Mito: The Art and Tradition of Mexican Lucha Libre on the second floor of the museum. I could feel the heat and history of the ring here. Authentic masks, some dulled by time and sweat, stared back at me like warriors who had stepped away only for a breath. Costumes worn by AEW’s Thunder Rosa shimmered under spotlights, radiating the grit and glamour of a sport that is equal parts artistry, athleticism, and cultural heartbeat. Everything was dazzling and vibrant.
Then I hopped back on the elevator and went to the “basement” level of the Museum and color continued to explode to life all around me when I stepped off.
The tokidoki 20th anniversary exhibit is pure chaos and cuteness, a kaleidoscope of kawaii that stretches from floor to ceiling. Giant characters became instant photo ops, limited-edition collectibles whispered to my inner collector, and collaborations with icons like Hello Kitty and Marvel reminded me that pop culture is truly a universal language. Did anyone else collect Unicornos?
Also complementing the same level was the LUANN exhibit.
Forty years of comics lined the walls like a time-lapse of creativity. Original strips revealed the delicate linework behind the laughter and the quiet humanity Greg Evans and Karen Evans have poured into every panel. It felt like leafing through the diary of an old friend.
I wandered into the Comic-Con Masquerade Costumes section, where cosplay dreams live on long after the lights go down. Poison Ivy’s vines and Doctor Strange’s cloak seemed almost ready to spring into motion. The costumes were different from last year and I loved seeing more cosplayers’ work and statements getting featured. I highly recommend stopping in here no matter when you are visiting, especially if you love cosplay!
Walking out, I realized this wasn’t just a museum visit. It continues to be a pilgrimage of pop-culture. A celebration of every world I’ve ever dreamed of, every story that shaped me, and every fandom family I’ve ever belonged to.
No badge required (just a ticket), a heart open to wonder, and maybe… a little extra room in your bag for something from the gift shop.
If you ever find yourself in San Diego (during Comic-Con or not) go. Lose yourself. Remember why you fell in love with stories in the first place.
The Comic-Con Museum isn’t just for fans. It’s for believers.
