Comic Artists Direct

Some wrap ups on comic book convention reports this month, before getting into the meat and potatoes information I gleamed from them this summer next time. Let's just say my head is still swimming from the new and interesting people I met at Wizard World in Chicago in August. I bought some new pieces for the artwork for sale section of Comic Artists Direct, and my hope is they will be up for you to see by the time you read this article.

First, a message from Chuck Rozanski, President of Mile High Comics, Inc., who runs the world's largest mail order firm for comic book back issues. If you haven't caught the transcript of his panel discussion with other retailers in the September 7, 2001 issue of Comic Buyer's Guide, read it. Anyone fascinated as I am with the business of comic distribution and how it effects us comic book buyers will enjoy the read.

Chuck sent me an email message about his observations of Comic-Con International: San Diego, the largest convention of its kind in the world, which I'll share with you, since I wasn't able to go. "Despite increasing the size of the dealers hall from 250,000 square feet last year, to 300,000 square feet this year," wrote Chuck, "the aisles were actually more crowded this year!" He also noticed that the number of young women at the show had greatly increased over the past, and also a dramatic increase in attendance by people of African-American, Asian, and Hispanic ethnic backgrounds. Wheelchair attendees were also increased, due to the convention staff creating a special division to address the needs of the disabled.

"The number of creators signing autographs seemed to have increased this year, and the number of cool displays was also up dramatically, so convention newbies really got a treat this year," Chuck wrote.

Wizard World in Chicago, which I did attend, was much the same way, with a wider variety of people coming in. It did NOT seem more crowded, and I, for one, was disappointed about not seeing booth space from some of the major second-tier comic book companies. The Alex Ross exhibit of original paintings, however, was presented with respect and reverence and was worth the admission price of the whole con.

I actually had more outright fun at the Motor City Comic Con outside of Detroit earlier this year, except for some killer events at Chicago I'll write about next month. Chuck wrote that "the number of attendees from the general public in San Diego seems to also be greatly increasing. These folks attend primarily to see the media displays, and to the ogle the guests. It's very nice to see them here, however, as the support of the San Diego citizenry is critical to the continued use of the convention center during the peak summer tourist season. The Comic-Con convention staff has done an excellent job of creating a sense of involvement by all members of the San Diego community in the comics convention."

Wow. Why couldn't Wizard World create that kind of community interest? Good grief, it's right outside of Chicago.

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