#5701650 - 05/21/1206:50 PMRe: My Official Dallas Comic Con Report
[Re: mysterio]
BuffyfanBuffyfan "I don't feel like a freaknut..."
"Sometimes you don't."
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What's funny to me is that everyone over on the DCC forum is moaning and complaining but most of the people on that board are simply going to the conventions for autographs.
It's quite comical.
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WANTED: (preferably pedigreed) Extreme High Grade Vampirella's Savage Sword of Conan Magazines needed VF++ or better: 18, 30, 31, 32, 33, 36, 129, 132, 192, 194, 196-200, 204-210, 216, 217, 218, 221, 223 http://www.donwalthropphotography.com
“Widespread acceptance of an idea is not proof of its validity. -Robert Langdon”
#5702453 - 05/21/1210:58 PMRe: My Official Dallas Comic Con Report
[Re: Buffyfan]
MedicARMedicAR I have searched from the beginning to the end of the internet and have the calluses on my fingers and the bleeding eyes to prove it.
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Tremendous kudos to Chandler, Sharon, Tonia, and Loren (of Desertwind Comics) for an incredible weekend in Dallas! I got to hang with Stan Lee and it was AWESOME! They also got me into the show which may have been an even bigger deal than hanging with Stan Lee from the look of the convention center.
I geeked out so bad that I couldn't remember any of my questions and basically sat on the love seat drooling on myself and grinning. I came away with some amazing books that I'll post once they return from Sarasota. I didn't get to meet many boardies, there was Desertwind Comics, somewhereintexas, Bryan and Loren. I missed thecollector due to my "short" time at the show. I was there pretty much all day but was in the booth 99% of the time.
The price of all of this was working the the Desertwind Comics booth. I have worked shows in the past, trade shows rather than comic cons, but I have to say that it was nothing like what I did in the DWC booth. Working trade shows was similar in that I had to sell our company and help folks fill out the proper forms. It was different in that at trade shows I never had a mob at the booth from the opening of the show through the whole day. I was shocked at how many people were not really familiar with CGC at all and was excited to explain the system and process to people. I was disappointed to have to tell people that the books they just had signed at the show, in some cases a table or two away, weren't eligible for Signature Series. I was hoarse, sore, and exhausted by the time I left at 6:00 or so. My actual goal was to leave at about 3:00 and as hard as I tried, it just wasn't happening. It was a miracle that I was able to get out by 6. It's not that Chandler and Sharon are slave drivers, I just felt guilty about leaving them behind with so much to do.
I've got to say that the show had more comics that I'm used to seeing. I don't have much to compare it to outside of Kansas City. Not only was it more comics, it was more quality comics. Lots of BA books and back. I generally expect to see a couple of good booths with that material and the rest being moderns with variants and such. I never dreamed that the moderns would be the exception rather than the rule. Keep in mind that I'm basing this on the casual walk-bys I was able to do before the show opened to the public. I didn't have time to dig through the boxes as I was looking for an R2-D2 and some Legos for my son. I came away with Marvel's Zombie bust from Bowen Studios and a rocket firing Boba Fett that was apparently a mail away offer. I only had to wait 30 years to get my actual rocket firing Boba Fett figure, but I've got one now!
The show surprised me in that there didn't seem to be as many costumes as I generally see in KC. It also didn't have the "family" feel that I always get in KC. It's not like there was porn everywhere or anything like that, Planet Comicon just seems much more family oriented. It may have been that I only got to see adults from the booth, I'm not sure.
To those of you that I met, we'll have to meet again! To those that I missed, I'll do better next time!
_________________________ "I hate most of humanity. Though I might be very fond of particular individuals, humanity in general fills me with contempt and despair...." ......-R. Crumb
#5702646 - 05/22/1212:39 AMRe: My Official Dallas Comic Con Report
[Re: MedicAR]
BuffyfanBuffyfan "I don't feel like a freaknut..."
"Sometimes you don't."
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Yeah, the DFW area is pretty "dumb" when it comes to CGC because they don't represent themselves too often here.
You're right about the comics. Also right about the costumes.
Keep this in mind though... For 20 years Ben has been Star Wars focused so most of the non-comic dealers are carrying Star Wars items. Back when I sold toys, when I started at 19, was when I first met Ben and it was his 3rd convention. No guests, nothing but dealers.
Ben is and always has been a Star Wars fan and didn't care about comics for years. It wasn't until Mark joined up with him as a paid promotor that they started doing comic related shows. Ben has also been accused in the past of not caring about the vendors and only caring about the media (Star Wars) guests. Once he started bringing them in (of which Dave Prowse was the first), he started raping the dealers for more money yet the attendees started only caring about the autographs and would have no money left to spend on vendors.
This is why the people attending the shows complain about the lines and such because you have the long time Ben show attendees (who primarily only collect autographs) now mixing with the comic fans. I'm telling you, if you read anything on the DCC forum dating back to the beginning of it you will hear nothing but autograph this, media guest that, I don't care about comics, etc.
It's been a struggle for certain and I hope it's finally changing for the better.
On a side note: Ben's father has one of the finest collections of vintage pin-up art in the world.
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WANTED: (preferably pedigreed) Extreme High Grade Vampirella's Savage Sword of Conan Magazines needed VF++ or better: 18, 30, 31, 32, 33, 36, 129, 132, 192, 194, 196-200, 204-210, 216, 217, 218, 221, 223 http://www.donwalthropphotography.com
“Widespread acceptance of an idea is not proof of its validity. -Robert Langdon”
#5702650 - 05/22/1212:43 AMRe: My Official Dallas Comic Con Report
[Re: Buffyfan]
BuffyfanBuffyfan "I don't feel like a freaknut..."
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Oh, one more thing. The show use to be very family oriented to the point that he kicked out Olivia's rep (who tried to buy the defunct Dallas Fantasy Fair back in the day) and did not allow any adult material at all in the place.
His vendor contract still states this even though Doug Sneyd was here with all his Playboy glory.
This was also the first time that he's charged for kids under the age of 12, at a reduced rate of course. He use to not and the show would be full of families with annoying strollers.
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WANTED: (preferably pedigreed) Extreme High Grade Vampirella's Savage Sword of Conan Magazines needed VF++ or better: 18, 30, 31, 32, 33, 36, 129, 132, 192, 194, 196-200, 204-210, 216, 217, 218, 221, 223 http://www.donwalthropphotography.com
“Widespread acceptance of an idea is not proof of its validity. -Robert Langdon”
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I thought the show was great other then the a-holes taking long boxes of stuff to get signed by George Perez.... but other then that it was awesome even got a super cool magnet from mister buffy over here
#5703388 - 05/22/1211:22 AMRe: My Official Dallas Comic Con Report
[Re: Buffyfan]
MedicARMedicAR I have searched from the beginning to the end of the internet and have the calluses on my fingers and the bleeding eyes to prove it.
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Originally Posted By: Buffyfan
Yeah, the DFW area is pretty "dumb" when it comes to CGC...
Thanks for the background info. It always interesting to learn how these shows have evolved over time.
I am sad to say I completely forgot about Doug Sneyd. I intended to pick up a print but just forgot to make it back to his table.
It is really hard for me to define what makes KC more family friendly, especially since you brought up the Olivia incident. KC has had Playboy models and pinup artists, and to a much greater degree than I saw at DCC. It's just an overall attitude, possibly combined with the total number of kids. Like I say, I may have missed the vibe by being behind the table all day.
I have to say I'm impressed when any show organizer/promoter can pull off the balance of comics and media. DCC seemed to have done it well this weekend and KC has done it every year I've been there.
I don't know if it was possible, but the one thing I would have changed would have been having all the guests in one area on the floor. It's a picky little thing, and unless I missed something, there simply wasn't the room on the convention center floor.
_________________________ "I hate most of humanity. Though I might be very fond of particular individuals, humanity in general fills me with contempt and despair...." ......-R. Crumb
#5703510 - 05/22/1212:03 PMRe: My Official Dallas Comic Con Report
[Re: MedicAR]
BuffyfanBuffyfan "I don't feel like a freaknut..."
"Sometimes you don't."
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Originally Posted By: MedicAR
Originally Posted By: Buffyfan
Yeah, the DFW area is pretty "dumb" when it comes to CGC...
Thanks for the background info. It always interesting to learn how these shows have evolved over time.
I am sad to say I completely forgot about Doug Sneyd. I intended to pick up a print but just forgot to make it back to his table.
It is really hard for me to define what makes KC more family friendly, especially since you brought up the Olivia incident. KC has had Playboy models and pinup artists, and to a much greater degree than I saw at DCC. It's just an overall attitude, possibly combined with the total number of kids. Like I say, I may have missed the vibe by being behind the table all day.
I have to say I'm impressed when any show organizer/promoter can pull off the balance of comics and media. DCC seemed to have done it well this weekend and KC has done it every year I've been there.
I don't know if it was possible, but the one thing I would have changed would have been having all the guests in one area on the floor. It's a picky little thing, and unless I missed something, there simply wasn't the room on the convention center floor.
The history of the Dallas convention scene is worthy of a book, or at the very least, a series of magazine style articles. Talk to any of the long time dealers about the now gone Dallas Fantasy Fair and you'll here plenty of crazy, but interesting stories. It's interesting to me how Texas managed to play a role in comic collecting history, including the Church collection.
As far as the convention center. I never would have thought that it would out grow it in just a years time. They didn't either. They are contracted for at least another year so we'll see what happens.
_________________________
WANTED: (preferably pedigreed) Extreme High Grade Vampirella's Savage Sword of Conan Magazines needed VF++ or better: 18, 30, 31, 32, 33, 36, 129, 132, 192, 194, 196-200, 204-210, 216, 217, 218, 221, 223 http://www.donwalthropphotography.com
“Widespread acceptance of an idea is not proof of its validity. -Robert Langdon”
#5703709 - 05/22/1201:24 PMRe: My Official Dallas Comic Con Report
[Re: Buffyfan]
DavenportDavenport
I was posting here when you were in diapers.
Registered: 07/22/05
Posts: 3907
Originally Posted By: Buffyfan
The history of the Dallas convention scene is worthy of a book, or at the very least, a series of magazine style articles. Talk to any of the long time dealers about the now gone Dallas Fantasy Fair and you'll here plenty of crazy, but interesting stories. It's interesting to me how Texas managed to play a role in comic collecting history, including the Church collection.
Your posts bring back a flood of memories of DFF, Dallas Collector's Expo and those early Ben Steven's toy shows.
Here's an old Ben Stevens flyer where he first switched from Toys to Celebrity stuff (and his table prices jumped accordingly).
