The Next Big Con...
While it seems like everyone is going to NYCC this weekend, I'll be heading to Baltimore Comic Con in a Week.
I’ve been to a number of comic book conventions over my life. There are still a few on my bucket list. More and more conventions seem to go through a multiple personality disorder trying to call themselves a “Comic Con” when the majority of their efforts go to bringing in celebrities and not people who actually make comics. I think this started with San Diego Comic Con and the media pushing all the movie and television announcements. I recall waiting in line for an hour to be turned away at C2E2 for Jeff Smith (Creator of the Eisner award winning Bone, among other things). Later walking right up to his table at San Diego to get a sketch. The difference? C2E2 at the time was a bit more comic book focused, San Diego was a lot more pop culture focused. Compare New York Comic Con’s 120 “Media Guests” to Baltimore Comic Con’s 13 and you might see why I’ve decided to spend my time and limited resources in Baltimore instead of the big apple. That also deals with tickets- $280 for four days at New York Comic Con (or $90 per day) not including fees. $85 for three days in Baltimore (averaging $40 per day) not including fees. You might say - You get what you pay for… but the question for me is, what do you want to pay for? I’ll pay for comic books and art.
So over the past couple of years I’ve attended a few cons in hopes to find a comic con that is still a COMIC con. When it comes to traditional comics - HeroesCon was amazing, I still talk about waiting in line and people are talking about artists and writers… not which actor they’ve paid hundreds of dollars to get a photo with. HeroesCon has a focus on Comic Book creators. Then there’s the Lake Como Comic Arts Festival which only has comic book artists… it’s all about the art. Locally (for me) there’s Cartoon Crossroads Columbus (CXC) which I just attended and gets into the process, as well as the academic aspects of the art of cartooning and comics. I highly recommend any of these as options for those who love comics. I’ll be writing up my experience in Baltimore once I get back, but hopes are high that it will be as amazing as people have said.
I’ve done NYCC, a few times, and their artist alley is impressive (then again, the first time I went, I found it by accident) 🙄. There are some amazing artists in attendance. Many only attend these massive Pop Culture Fests- like it’s a badge of honor. Like San Diego there are exclusive things that are being sold just at New York Comic Con, for those interested. Limited releases, FOMO running rampant. A great number of these things are being bought just so they can be resold online, or even have already been resold online. There’s a lot of stuff being sold to the masses, a lot of it has nothing to do with comic books. To compare- at HeroesCon - the majority of the exhibit space is artist alley. This, being my first time attending Baltimore Comic Con, I’m doing a lot guessing as to what I should expect. I see that Baltimore has most recognized comic guests in the exhibit hall with a booth and then artist alley seems to be for those starting out or more independent creators. I’m thinking “Artist Alley” will be more like the exhibit hall at CXC. No matter what con we’re talking about, I’m hoping that the artists no matter what, make more than “table.” “Making table” means you bring in as much money as it costs to attend- so the cost of the table, the room, food, and travel. In places like New York City this can be a lot of money just to break even.
As for why you go to a “Comic Con” and are excited to attend- You be you. If your head is exploding about seeing the person (you know THAT guy) who was in that one movie or TV show that you love. Great! Live out your wildest dream and wait in line, pay for a photo, get an autograph- whatever makes you happy. My only issue is when a convention focuses on that, they take away from the “Comic” aspect of the Con. I’ve curmudgeonly discussed this before. Meeting an actor isn’t really my thing. I appreciate the work that goes into the art of theatre, I know how they make connections with their audience. I just would rather deal with artists and writers who create the stuff that the actor works from and creates a connection with the reader.
I may attend New York Comic Con and San Diego Comic Con again before I move onto to higher plane of existence. I’m now in a “been there, done that” mindset. The only thing that gets me down, is when artists I really admire only attend these “comic cons.” They have their reasons, but I really hope to see them again, in person not having to fight the crowds who need to get the autograph of that person who was in that movie or TV show (you know, THAT guy). Oh, and Jeff Smith is being honored at Baltimore Comic Con this year and yes, I’ll be waiting in line to get something signed (probably wearing my CXC Volunteer shirt).
I’ve picked various panels I wish to attend over the three days I’ll be in Baltimore. I’ve actually got two for each time slot in most cases so I’ll decide on the fly. I have a short list of creators I want to see, many of whom I will bring things to get signed. I do know that carrying stuff around a Con can get exhausting. I have a somewhat nearby hotel so hopefully it won’t be too bad on my aching back. I do have a ticket to the Ringo Awards on Saturday which should be fun. I’m currently working on catching up with some of the nominees just so I have an idea as to who I should be rooting for. Sadly, it looks like my LCS doesn’t have many of the titles mentioned. Going over my Weekly Comics posts, I’m obviously not reading the right stuff.
For now my timeline in social media and my email box will be filled with announcements from creators and almighty influencers about what they are doing at New York Comic Con along with what amazing things you can buy only at the show. Like July and San Diego I will roll my eyes and ignore them, waiting for my trip to Baltimore.
Welcome in advance to Baltimore, my home town and Marc Nathan and company throw a terrific Baltimore Comic Con every year.
Have ALLLL the fun, Bru!!!