Jul 252010
Apr 222010
The first annual Wizard World Anaheim took place on April 16-18 2010. Most of the convention center was taken up by a coffee convention leaving both ends of the facility open to the comic convention. Everyone considered this the first because it was taking place in Anaheim instead of LA. The LA convention center is a mere 30 minutes away, so in my mind this is really just The LA con in Anaheim. You say potato I say potato.
I was immediately disappointed entering the convention. All of the flash that usually precedes a Wizard event was missing. There were no comic book character statues or cutouts in the waiting area, in fact there was not even a great big Wizard World banner draped over the entrance to the main floor. I’m not suggesting that these things improve a comic con, but they certainly improve the vibe. Wizard in the past has always seemed to have its finger on the pulse of comic geeks. Entering the convention was dreary.
Upon reaching the floor I was surprised to find that DC and Marvel were both missing in action, in fact I don’t even think APE Entertainment was there. In the brochure for the event I had noted that Avi Arad would be attending, and I guess I just assumed that Marvel would follow suit. Wacom wasn’t even there and they are at every convention including the first annual Long Beach comic con.
The floor was filled with some interesting stuff. One third of the floor was taken up by actors selling autographs. I would love to bag on this more but I enjoyed meeting Larry Thomas (The Soup Nazi) and Verne Troyer (Mini-me).
Many of the rows were taken by comic book retailers, t-shirt retailers and art retailers.
Artist Alley was really what was best about this event. In the Alley I met cover artist Tim Bradstreet and up and coming artist Rachel Young. I had the opportunity to hobnob with Big Dog comics, and I was mostly uninterrupted since there were very few attendees. Artist Alley is a magical section, and I would highly recommend checking it out on your next comic convention visit.
On Saturday we decided to attend the Futurama panel. Getting to this panel was a royal P.I.A. since you had to leave the comic con floor and walk out the building. You then had to walk a half mile down to the other end of the convention center go up the escalator and backtrack into the building once again. This apparently was due to the coffee convention taking up the entire middle section. I enjoyed the panel.
I really did like some of this event, but so much of it was just okay, and so much of it was disappointing. I am a fan of Wizard. I have always loved their style and the flare that seems to encompass their comic conventions. The vibe just wasn’t there. My bet is that something has changed and I’m guessing it has to do with the staff.
I want to say that next year I will attend again, but I’m not certain that I will. I hear the Chicago Con was amazing.
Jan 202010
This is a cool announcement from Jeremy Whitley. It’s especially cool of course if you live in or near North Carolina. If you do live over that way then you should check this out and send us some pictures of the event so that I can post them (hint, hint). I got this as an email and I’m running the announcement exactly as I received it.
Thanks for the news Jeremy. Please shoot over to Jeremy’s blog at http://jrome58.blogspot.com to find out why Girls Are Creepy.
Hello,
My name is Jeremy Whitley and I write comics for Firetower Studios. The reason I’m writing today is in order to tell you about a new comic convention that we are trying to get started in the North Carolina Triangle area (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill). This convention, called the NC Comicon is being put on by the fine folks that run Ultimate Comics in Durham and Chapel Hill and is already slated to feature some great local talent starting with hard working self-publishers like myself, all the way up to established pros like Tommy Lee Edwards and Christos Gage.
The first event is planned for Saturday, March 13th with two more to follow later in the year, ending with a full two day convention in November. This first event will be held in a 4000 ft space in the Morrisville Outlet Mall. The website will be up and running later this week and for the time being, the Facebook page is working great. As this is an independently run event and we are hoping to make it regular, we would really love any help and promotion you could provide. While Heroes is a fantastic show, it has been a long time since the Triangle area has seen a sizable convention and it is our dream to make that happen. Currently, I’ll be acting as liaison for the Ultimate crew as they get the physical, financial, and website business handled. If you have any questions please let me know and I will be happy to answer them or put you in touch with someone who can.
Nov 102009
This was just like The San Diego International Comic Con. It was only lacking the famous people, awesome panels, crazy costumes, amazing weather, big name talent and deep fanboy excitement. Otherwise it was just like San Diego.
Oct 072009
A quick list of guidelines for your trip to Comic Con to make it more enjoyable.
1. Map It Out
Not all of the Comic Con goers live in the same town so map out how to get to the Convection Center as well as to your Hotel you will be staying.
If you have GPS Great, but I suggest you also have a hard copy with you just in case construction is a problem or you’re GPS in not accurate which has been known to happen. Also don’t wait till the morning of the trip to start looking at the map; with a little preparation you can avoid a lot of aggravation.
2. Backpack It
Take a backpack with you because you will have a lot of cool things you will want to pick up.
Some suggested items for you backpack: Camera, Snacks, and Bottled Water, Deodorant. But if you decide to wear a Yoda backpack and you are not a 13 year girl, then don’t go with the Yoda. Thank You, Yoda will.
3. Hygiene for goodness sake
Fanboys please take a FULL shower the “morning” of the convention as well as use high quality deodorant.
Also wear always wear clean clothing every day. There is nothing worse than being stuck in a crowd next to a guy that things axe spray will cover up body odor. Bring a trash bag with you to keep your used clothing separate from your clean clothes.
4. Take your time
Once you’re at the Convention take your time to see everything, rushing from one event to the next you will miss quite a bit of the cool stuff. “Hey look over there, he’s dressed like Waldo…oops where did he go.”
5. Bring your Money
There is a saying that when you go on a trip put all your clothes and money on the bed. Then cut your clothes in half and double you money. I don’t agree on the clothing but the money I do. You will always see something you can’t live without, be it a piece of art work or a commissioned drawing or a t-shirt. When it comes to the artists I highly suggest buying some commissioned art. It’s a great way to remember the trip as well as supports some fine artists. So bring your money, Better safe than Sorry.
6. Cell Phone to Major Tom
Comic Con is noisy so put your cell phone on vibrate or you will miss the call from your buddy to meet him at the WOW booth.
7. Consider This
Be considerate of others when at the convention. Don’t have any rolling bags, unless you’re an exhibitor, which I believe 99.95% of the people reading this are not. Find a baby sitter, because a stroller is just something people will get angry about having to walk around, besides the baby won’t remember anything at the con anyway. This also falls in the category of number 3 above.
8. Be on time
Most things that are cool will require waiting in line for a small amount of time so get there at a decent time to secure your chance of seeing what you are in to. No we’re not saying camping out over night that is just unnecessary. But if something is supposed to start at 3:00 and you get there at 3:00; don’t be surprised you won’t have a seat.
9. Take a break
All day at a Con can wear you down, so go ahead at take a break and regain your strength. Take a long lunch or something. Most Fanboys are really over weight and you don’t want Chubby Batman have a heart attack and scaring the kiddies.
10. Effort in you costume
If you decide to dress in costume, for goodness sake put a little effort into it. I have seen some really bad costumes and I have seen some amazing Cosplay. Even if your character is something only a few would recognized with a little effort you could be a big hit at the con.
