Or did I just sign my own death certificate?

I went to Philadelphia Wizard World in June 2013 or do they prefer to be called Wizard World Philadelphia? Although recently they have opted for a symbol with the letter "W", it still precedes the hosting city. Is it ego that each of their conventions have the show's company name before the city that's hosting them, a city that has been around long before the convention itself? I'm not quite sure.

I went this year in Philadelphia as I did in the many years that past. It's my home city, how could I not? But if someone competed in the city of brotherly love, would the newest contender win out? Could a David beat a Goliath?

I started to attend Wizard World conventions in 2007. In the years that followed (08' 09' and 10') I paid to enter this event. They started with badges, something to keep akin to a souvenir, eventually they switched to wrist bands, a change I have only heard complaints about, one I'm also in agreement with. I do attend the whole weekend and I even purchased a Stan Lee VIP pass one year although I already had my press credentials. How could I not meet the Man?

The main reason I went to these overcrowded displays of four color books was originally to buy comic books to fill the holes in my collection. The local comic book stores could not compete with the selection and prices. I made my way from booth to booth especially CGC's for the on site grading. Going to the panels was an afterthought, or an excuse to give ones own legs a rest, which was difficult this year since the talks were in a whole other portion of the building, a block away.

My beginning Wizard World experience had Marvel, DC, Dark Horse and Image proudly displayed, but over time they disappeared. Rumors began that the convention was over, that Wizard's time would follow the magazine that spawned them. The people at Wizard squelched that idea by releasing dates showing they would indeed be back the following year.

Bruce Campbell became a draw that created a different atmosphere and a different kind of convention. His line was snaked from one side of the convention to the other. It was the first death throws of Wizard World Comic Con and the first birthing pains of Wizard World: Pop Culture Event.

In '12 I wrote for Comicbooked.com as I did the previous year. In 2013 I tried to use the CGC registry and my own floundering blog as my only credentials. It didn't work. I hooked up with Circuit42.com, which is more of a Facebook Fan page (with potential) then a comic book website, but it was enough to earn me a press pass for 2013. I do have plans to attend in 2014 but I'll probably ask to join my friend at his booth ForZombies, especially since I won't go for the full four days, it's just too expensive.

I skipped writing about it for the longest time since I thought having a press pass in hand meant I had to praise this event. With Wizard World Chicago recently ending I realized , I can't.

I am loyal and originally this was the only event I would attend, but then I tried going to the New York Comic Con, a convention that not only honors the city it is being hosted in but, it is an actual Comic Book convention not a Pop Culture event. Marvel combated DC for floor space. Image displayed their most prominent titles. Cosplayers were an over abundant 3D graphical copy of any and everyone's favorite comic book entities.

The first year I went to the NYCC was cut short by my promise to attend a wedding, a wedding I said yes to before I found out it was the same weekend as the convention. My two day weekend became a one day extravaganza. An event that opened my eyes to what a Comic Book Convention is, unlike going to meet the Wizard.

Thanks for Reading

Tnerb

To see old comments for this Journal entry, click here. New comments can be added below.