Comic-Con International kicked off last week at the San Diego Convention Center with fewer actors and writers than anticipated.

As usual, the convention was filled with famous comic characters, including Optimus Prime from The Transformers and Optimus Primal from Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.

Although the event continued its typical flow, it was missing many other characters and famous faces attendees would have had the opportunity to meet.

Last month, in abiding by the strikes by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild — American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), most media companies were reportedly bowing out of the 2023 San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC). Those companies include Universal Pictures, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, Sony Pictures and Netflix.

Marvel Studios made an appearance, but not without noticeable absences. Instead of the usual presenters (who often are actors or writers), some of the usual panels, with some led by current and former editors-in-chief, as well as Marvel’s traditional Next Big Thing panel, took place.

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Members of SAG-AFTRA are prohibited from working “until [they] get a fair deal,” which includes attending conventions, according to the SAG-AFTRA strike website. Specifically, actors and actresses are not allowed to “participate in conventions on behalf of or to promote companies [they] are striking against.”

The event concluded on Sunday.

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