This article and photogallery was originally posted at the WCG Comics website in 2006 and was moved/archived to this blog (with some light editing) in May 2020.
(NOTE: To skip this report and go straight to the photo gallery, click here.)
Of course, I do have understandable excuses: I traveled with a young family (as seen in the photo at right), and except for a few quick forays out to the exhibitor floor, faithfully manned my booth during the show. Nevertheless, in past years when the show was quite less sizeable and far-ranging, word about the major announcements still made their way down to the convention floor as fodder for gossip and discussion. Nowadays, however, given the sheer magnitude of the event and the plethora of major announcements that come out during the show competing for everyone's attention, that's no longer a given. The ingeniously-marketed upcoming film Snakes on a Plane probably came closest to being the one single project that seemed to be on everyone's lips!
A review of the reports and blogs filed during the show and afterwards confirm, however, that my observation is not unique. Heidi MacDonald on her online Publisher’s Weekly comics column at “The Beat,” wrote, “Speaking as someone who was at the San Diego Con, we think everyone watching at home probably had a better idea of what went on than anyone who was there.” Elsewhere, she aptly describes being at SDCC at being in the center of a “perfect storm.” Similarly, the Comics Reporter’s Tom Spurgeon acknowledged in a post, “I'm never quite sure how it should be covered,” partly because “being more interested in art and business than people and personalities, I have a hard time working up much enthusiasm for ‘comics culture.’”
Most of the news reports seem to confirm that SDCC 2006 was another monster success. Exhibitors generally reported good sales, and attendance undoubtedly soared to another new milestone. Some assert that when the final attendance figures come in, they likely will be in the vicinity of 125,000 or so. (Attendance for the 2005 show was approximately 105,000.) This figure certainly seems plausible from my first hand observation. Every day was incredibly busy, even the Wednesday evening three-hour preview night; the first and last days of the show, Thursday and Sunday, were also incredibly busy, which traditionally are the days that exhibitors and retailers can catch their breath a bit. I remember walking outside the facility at about 2 p.m. on Sunday—three hours before the end of the whole convention mind you—and being shocked that there was still a long line of people dutifully waiting to purchase a one-day ticket to get in! At one point on Friday, when I tried to navigate my way to the opposite end of the convention hall to Artist’s Alley, I found myself moving slowly shoulder-to-shoulder through packed throngs.
Despite the crowds and the nearly stifling hot and muggy weather (atypical for Southern California, particularly a beach community like San Diego) there was a buoyant mood at the show. Aside from the fact that the comic-book industry is on a sales upswing (and is benefiting from the attention it is getting from films and other media based on industry properties), the event truly has become a touchstone for not just comics but pop culture in general. It's not just a "must see" event for not comics, but many in the movie, television, book, toy, and gaming industries and their somewhat overlapping audiences. One must give the organizers full credit for their efforts: the convention was as well organized and smooth as one could expect for a show of this size.
The Changing Market
Sales for me were generally steady and solid throughout the convention if not spectacular. As announced, issue 9 of Rob Hanes Adventures was released at the show, and it was heartening to have so many new and longtime fans express delight at seeing a new issue and pick it up. Also encouraging was to have so many new people purchase the series, some of whom were attracted to the book and my booth by the art: some people would literally stop dead in their tracks while walking by my table, struck by the series’ classic look and feel. Such experiences make the comic-con all worthwhile.
Nevertheless, I have come to the realization that I need to broaden awareness of the series. Although I take great pride in the series’ longevity, with issue 9 released at the show, Rob Hanes Adventures is no longer a novel new hot product in what is, after all, a periodical market. While industry support for the series always has been good, I always have accepted the fact that not being a constant presence in the market that appears on a more frequent basis (say bi-monthly or at least quarterly) would make it difficult to dramatically build sales and momentum. It’s clear that the series needs a fresh boost to broaden awareness, and given my limited resources as a small independent publisher, this means taking advantage of opportunities offered by new media—particularly the Internet—if the series is to remain viable and relevant.
Anyway, these observations and thoughts have led to some serious consideration about how to re-invent Rob Hanes Adventures for today's market realities. Everyone should be assured that I wil continue producing the series; and with the anticipated milestone of issue 10 coming up (as well as an upcoming series of fun stories that I think will showcase my long-range plan with the title), I have no plans to change the present comic-book format. However, following up on my earlier comment above for the need to seriously explore new ways to attract readers, some kind of ancillary approach or project to the comic-book is clearly needed that will draw readers to the print version of the series. Stay tuned!
Panels
Another highlight was a tribute panel on the life and career of legendary cartoonist and personal idol Alex Toth, who passed away in May, that I attended on Saturday evening.
The panel included prominent cartoonists and entertainment industry storyboard artists who were friends with Toth, as well as two of Toth's children (see photogallery for a photo from the panel).
An exhibition of Toth’s original art was mounted the following day at a hotel across the street from the convention. It was quite a treat to see his original work up close.
A Family Affair
As I mentioned, I had my whole family with me, photos of which you'll see sprinkled in this report and in the photogallery. In addition, at the end of this report are two quick film clips of my 14-month old son walking around the floor.
This was the first show since she was a baby that my daughter, now 4-1/2 years old, was not overwhelmed by (or more accurately, frightened by) all the images and people in costumes at the show. You can see this with the many photos she took with cosplayers at the convention. She even ended up staying with Dad at his booth when Mom went back to the hotel so that her baby brother could take a nap!
Comic-Con After Hours
SDCC has become legendary for its parties, many of which are spontaneous after-hour get-togethers in the local hotel bars where one can rub shoulders and talk shop with industry’s professionals, including many of the field’s current hot artists, legends, etc. Again, due to the size of the show, large convention-wide parties have given way to bashes that are a bit smaller and more fragmented. (Some reports I saw actually seem to suggest that some parties are reaching Hollywood-level proportions in their exclusivity and guest lists.) Being a bit of a party-pooper—as well as having two young children at the convention—limited my participation at such events.
My thanks to everyone who stopped by the WCG Comics booth!
Click here to visit the photogallery.
No comments:
Post a Comment