Comic Convention question

[The Blockbuster]

First off I want to apologize if this is in the wrong section. My question is that I am thinking of going to a comic book convention and have never been. I was curious as to what the vendors usually sell (besides comics of course). I was hoping there would be some that sold rare superhero DVDs and VHS tapes. Are there ever any vendors that sell these things, or is it usually comic books and collecting cards?

Thanks.

 

[Michael24]

I've been to San Diego ComicCon a few times, and there are always tons of stuff to be found on DVD and VHS, both legit releases and bootlegs. I'm not sure about smaller conventions, but if you go to a big one like ComicCon, they always have a little bit of everything. Movies, toys, comics, cards, collectibles, posters, clothing, books, artwork, video games, etc.

 

[The Blockbuster]

Cool. The one I'm going to looks fairly large but I don't think it's on the Comic Con scale. I'm hoping I can find some DVDs or VHS of the different Marvel shows that haven't been released officially on DVD.

 

[Ed Liu]

There are a lot of cons that officially do not allow bootleg videos to be sold on the floor. Enforcement varies from con to con, though. If the con you're going to has a website, you may want to check it to see how serious they are about "no bootlegs." Otherwise, you may get there only to find that there are no vendors selling anything but the official US releases. Not that there won't be lots of other ways to spend your money, and if you have a codeless DVD player, you can probably pick up some imported DVDs from a larger seller.

Booths at comic conventions are usually just comic book stores buying floor space to hit new audiences. As a result, you'll usually find a lot of things like videos, toys, games, and other collectibles that comic book fans would like.

-- Ed

 

[MDawg]

San Diego Comic-Con's far side of the exhibition hall is like the "shady" side of the con for vendors I'd say over half of them at least were selling bootleg stuff to some extent and there is absolutely zero enforcement against is as far as I can tell.

And they sell everything. Cards, toys, video games, videos and so on and so forth.

 

[Beyond Batman]

Wow, a virgin convention go-er.

Depending on the size of the convention, you'll find a little of everything. The key thing is to make sure you look and shop around first. You may find a better deal from a vendor just a few rows over. In addition, don't alway buy things at face value. Some vendors prey on people like you... trying to sell that $5.00 peg warmer for $15.

Most importantly, have fun.

 

[Cyporiean]

And never forgot the wise words of.. "Can you go any lower?" or "If i buy a few of them, can you give me a deal?"


I used to be a vendor, and i can tell you its alot better to lose a few dollars and move more stuff then to have to try to pack it all back into the van at the end of the weekend.. it never fits right twice -.-

 

[adoptedBatpuppy]

Do you have to buy things overthere? Can you dress up as your favorite charecter and go just for fun?

Aslo is there an entrance fee?

 

[MDawg]

Do you have to buy things overthere? Can you dress up as your favorite charecter and go just for fun?

Aslo is there an entrance fee?

No, yes and yes.

 

[adoptedBatpuppy]

Details please?
I have not been to a Comic Book Convention or any convention for that matter. Are there ways to enjoy yourself without the cost of arm and a leg?
I saw pictures from San Diego Comic Con a year or so ago, and they were very nice, with many people crammed into lines and that seemed to me like un-likeable experience...

 

[Cyporiean]

You almost always have to pay to get in (prices vary from con to con), but you usually don't spend money on anything else unless your buying something; Merchandise, Food, Autographs.

 

[The Blockbuster]

Convention

So if there are guests lined up to appear, their autographs and pictures are usually free? I understand that if vendors bring in guests, you usually have to pay but I don't see prices for anything related to autographs so I'm assuming they're free. I'm going to this one: http://www.super-con.com/

 

[Russkafin]

So if there are guests lined up to appear, their autographs and pictures are usually free? I understand that if vendors bring in guests, you usually have to pay but I don't see prices for anything related to autographs so I'm assuming they're free. I'm going to this one: http://www.super-con.com/

It depends. Some charge for autographs, some don't. In my experience, the comic artists/writers don't charge for their autographs, but some of the "media" guests do. Then again, not all of them do.... Michael Rosenbaum and Allison Mack signed for free, Lou Ferrigno, Margot Kidder and Noel Niell charged $20 each. (These were all at Wizard World Chicago and Philly.)

 

[MDawg]

Details please?
I have not been to a Comic Book Convention or any convention for that matter. Are there ways to enjoy yourself without the cost of arm and a leg?
I saw pictures from San Diego Comic Con a year or so ago, and they were very nice, with many people crammed into lines and that seemed to me like un-likeable experience...

Well, besides registration the con is free. Of course you will need to pay for stuff like food, a room (if you don't live in the area), transportation (there's a shuttle at certain hotels that will take you to and from the convention center, but if you want to go elsewhere you may be paying for a taxi, bus, ferry, etc).

Basically you can spend the entire day in the convention center with something to do considering the number of panels going on, visiting the exhibition hall, or just staying in the massive Hall H all day watching the various presentations from big media companies and various celebrities.

So if there are guests lined up to appear, their autographs and pictures are usually free? I understand that if vendors bring in guests, you usually have to pay but I don't see prices for anything related to autographs so I'm assuming they're free. I'm going to this one: http://www.super-con.com/

[strike]The way San Diego Comic-Con does it is that all official con signings (these will be in the daily programming schedule) are free.[/strike] There's also an autograph area past the registration area where has-beens and such charge for autographs.

Edit: I made a slight mistake. All autograph signings on the exihibit hall floor must be free. SDCC has this as an official rule. There is an area where guests can pay for autographs, but if you have a booth on the hall floor, it has to be free.

Of course this can be different from con to con.

 

[adoptedBatpuppy]

The Comic Book Con in Sunny California looks great! I wish someday I can attend a Convention like that, maybe even here in Chicago.
From my understanding you have to pay to enter the center, for food and a place to stay, but some items are free?! Like discussions with your favorite comic book illustrators/writers, if they have time with so many people and or an autograph/s.
Otherwise, you have to pay for everything. How expensive can it get?

 

[Robin2099]

So if there are guests lined up to appear, their autographs and pictures are usually free? I understand that if vendors bring in guests, you usually have to pay but I don't see prices for anything related to autographs so I'm assuming they're free. I'm going to this one: http://www.super-con.com/

Depends. People who are writers and artists don't charge since their normally just happy to be recognized by people. Celebrities who attend their first con also don't typically charge as well. But if you run into somone who isn't a con newbie then they always charge since cons are big business for them. Another troubling thing is it used to be that if you didn't want an autograph, but just a picture with them they wouldn't charge you for it. Now, however, charging for pictures is a lot more common.

 

[Russkafin]

One tip for a first-time convention goer that was very valuable to me... bring a sketchbook with you. Many artists will do sketches for you if you ask, either a quick headshot for free or something more detailed for a few bucks. I have been to four conventions now and my most prized possession is my sketchbook with original art by folks like Damion Scott, Michael Turner, Randy Bowen, Greg Horn, Phil Hester and others... and some of my favorite sketches are by "unknown" artists whose names you would not recognize but whose art is out of this world. Definitely bring a sketchbook along!

 

[Ed Liu]

To add to what Russkafin's excellent advice, a sketchbook is a nice way to ensure that all your comic book pro autographs and sketches stay in one place rather than as a dozen sheets of paper that get scattered everywhere.

Having a theme for the sketchbook can also be a fun way to let the artist focus and also ensure that you get something distinctive. The paragon of this is the Cliff Guy, who hands creators his sketchbook(s) and says, "Draw me someone on a cliff" and has some of the most amazing and funny sketches ever. He has others (click through via his home page -- the "Jar" gallery is the one with the most extra stuff).

Oh, one other bit of advice: bring cash. A lot of comic con booths can't or don't take credit cards.

-- Ed

 

[The Blockbuster]

One tip for a first-time convention goer that was very valuable to me... bring a sketchbook with you. Many artists will do sketches for you if you ask, either a quick headshot for free or something more detailed for a few bucks. I have been to four conventions now and my most prized possession is my sketchbook with original art by folks like Damion Scott, Michael Turner, Randy Bowen, Greg Horn, Phil Hester and others... and some of my favorite sketches are by "unknown" artists whose names you would not recognize but whose art is out of this world. Definitely bring a sketchbook along!

This has me interested. When you say sometimes they do it for a few bucks, will they tell you how much or is it at your discretion? I just don't want to rip someone off or rip myself off by leaving a huge tip. Also, would asking for a quick sketch of myself with Batman or Spider-Man or whoever, sound like a stupid request? Would they do quick sketches of me, or just the characters they are used to? Thanks.

 

[Russkafin]

This has me interested. When you say sometimes they do it for a few bucks, will they tell you how much or is it at your discretion? I just don't want to rip someone off or rip myself off by leaving a huge tip. Also, would asking for a quick sketch of myself with Batman or Spider-Man or whoever, sound like a stupid request? Would they do quick sketches of me, or just the characters they are used to? Thanks.

Most artists will have a price list at their table. How much they charge may vary depending on what you want... i.e. a pencil sketch will be less than a pen and ink or full color piece. And it is up to the individual artist what they are comfortable doing, but I would imagine you would not have trouble finding someone who would do you with Batman or another character, though they might charge you a little more for it... having more than one character in the sketch is usually a little more expensive, but certainly worth it for something that is truly one of a kind and customized just for you.

In fact, asking an artist for a character that they don't normally draw may get you a better sketch than if you ask them for the same old character that they always draw...

When I was in line to get a sketch from Damion Scott, he was the artist on "Batgirl," and four people in a row in front of me asked for Batgirl sketches. He was obviously getting a little burned out on drawing her, and the sketch he did right before mine seemed a little rushed and he had not put as much effort into it.......

Well, I kind of wanted a Batgirl sketch, too.... but I didn't want to be the fifth Batgirl sketch in a row for the poor guy. So, on the spur of the moment, I asked if he could do Batgirl without the mask. You should have seen the smile on his face - he was relieved and excited that someone asked him for something different. He put more effort into my sketch and I got a sweet looking drawing of a maskless Batgirl.

Also, best sketch that my buddy got.... he asked Sean Chen for a drunk Tony Stark. Chen drew Stark holding an empty shotglass, bubbles over his head, with the caption "Cheers!"

So, the lesson here is, don't be afraid to ask for something unique! Odds are, the artist will be glad you asked for something different than the last ten guys who just asked for the character they are most known for drawing, giving them a chance to do something new.