More NYCC News! Creators speak out about the 2 Cons
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Some creators have been asked about the situation for the 2010 CC; NYCC vs. Big Apple and, for the creators who were interviewed the general consensus is that its in poor taste for Shamus set up his Con on the same weekend as the already established NYCC by Reed Exhibitions
One creator even went as far as to say that rather than have the Big Apple Con be for the fans, the BAC seems to be just another way for Shamus to maximize his profits & exploit fans rather than support them. There were quite a few interesting answers:
- Do you think the comic book industry can support two conventions on the same weekends, what are your plans for those respective weekends, and why did you choose to participate in whatever manner you chose?
Jamal Igle (Supergirl, World's Finest): Absolutely. If the conventions are on opposite sides of the country and catering to different regional markets then you can have two conventions on the same weekend. Emerald City/ Megacon, Motor City Comicon/ ComicConn in Connecticut, are examples of that.
However if you are foolish enough to have a convention on the same weekend, in the same city, 20 blocks away from a major convention center holding the most successful convention in the NYC area in a decade. Also if that convention is being run by one of the largest convention organizing companies on the planet, I don't know how you can possibly think you're going to engender yourself to the fans or to the professionals who have to choose between the two.
I have conventions that I frequent on a regular basis either because I like the city the convention is being held in or I have a good relationship with the promoters. Heroescon, I think I've missed two or three in the last 15 years. Others I've had to skip because my schedule only allows me to attend one show a month, and with so many conventions I have to pick and choose carefully.I'm also attending a lot of new conventions this year as well, because the organizers went out of their way to invite me( A full list can be found on my website) and i always appreciate that. With the situation that's happening in New York in October, it really came down to "Who do I have a better relationship with?" New York Comic-con has, since their inception, gone out of their way to make me feel welcomed at their show and have taken good care of me. What Wizard had done, in my opinion, has been the height of bad form. This is not the first time of course they've done it; I remember them pulling a similar tactic against Shelton Drum and Heroescon a few years ago. Because of that, I haven't attended a Wizard show in two years, especially Wizard World Philly, even though it's a short drive away. In this case, it's truly inexcusible since they clearly knew in advance when NYCC's convention was slated for.
We have limited budgets, fans, creators and companies independent and mainstream. Why waste it doing business with a company who deals in shady business practices.
Jim Valentino, Shadowline (Image United): I don't believe that the industry can support two major conventions (for example; San Diego and New York), but it can support two small or mid-sized shows. These smaller shows tend to serve area fans and professionals (not everyone can make it to the larger more expensive venues -- Chicago, NY, SD).
I recently had three cons on the same weekend. Since I had never been to any of them, I had no data to base a decision on, so I simply went with the first one to ask (a good bit of advice there for promoters is to ask early!).
If I've been to a convention before, I'll know whether or not it was a good show for me. If it was, then it's a no-brainer to go again; if not, then I'll choose a competing show...if asked to attend.
That's my solution. Your mileage may vary.
Full article with more creator answers:
http://www.newsarama.com/comics/091201- ... tions.html
One creator even went as far as to say that rather than have the Big Apple Con be for the fans, the BAC seems to be just another way for Shamus to maximize his profits & exploit fans rather than support them. There were quite a few interesting answers:
- Do you think the comic book industry can support two conventions on the same weekends, what are your plans for those respective weekends, and why did you choose to participate in whatever manner you chose?
Jamal Igle (Supergirl, World's Finest): Absolutely. If the conventions are on opposite sides of the country and catering to different regional markets then you can have two conventions on the same weekend. Emerald City/ Megacon, Motor City Comicon/ ComicConn in Connecticut, are examples of that.
However if you are foolish enough to have a convention on the same weekend, in the same city, 20 blocks away from a major convention center holding the most successful convention in the NYC area in a decade. Also if that convention is being run by one of the largest convention organizing companies on the planet, I don't know how you can possibly think you're going to engender yourself to the fans or to the professionals who have to choose between the two.
I have conventions that I frequent on a regular basis either because I like the city the convention is being held in or I have a good relationship with the promoters. Heroescon, I think I've missed two or three in the last 15 years. Others I've had to skip because my schedule only allows me to attend one show a month, and with so many conventions I have to pick and choose carefully.I'm also attending a lot of new conventions this year as well, because the organizers went out of their way to invite me( A full list can be found on my website) and i always appreciate that. With the situation that's happening in New York in October, it really came down to "Who do I have a better relationship with?" New York Comic-con has, since their inception, gone out of their way to make me feel welcomed at their show and have taken good care of me. What Wizard had done, in my opinion, has been the height of bad form. This is not the first time of course they've done it; I remember them pulling a similar tactic against Shelton Drum and Heroescon a few years ago. Because of that, I haven't attended a Wizard show in two years, especially Wizard World Philly, even though it's a short drive away. In this case, it's truly inexcusible since they clearly knew in advance when NYCC's convention was slated for.
We have limited budgets, fans, creators and companies independent and mainstream. Why waste it doing business with a company who deals in shady business practices.
Jim Valentino, Shadowline (Image United): I don't believe that the industry can support two major conventions (for example; San Diego and New York), but it can support two small or mid-sized shows. These smaller shows tend to serve area fans and professionals (not everyone can make it to the larger more expensive venues -- Chicago, NY, SD).
I recently had three cons on the same weekend. Since I had never been to any of them, I had no data to base a decision on, so I simply went with the first one to ask (a good bit of advice there for promoters is to ask early!).
If I've been to a convention before, I'll know whether or not it was a good show for me. If it was, then it's a no-brainer to go again; if not, then I'll choose a competing show...if asked to attend.
That's my solution. Your mileage may vary.
Full article with more creator answers:
http://www.newsarama.com/comics/091201- ... tions.html