It's WAY too early to be talking about Comic-Con '08, but I don't give a damn!

[jimm94]

I tried for an hour before finally making some progress, but then it choked on the 3rd reservation step. I have tried both telephone numbers literally at least 50 times each, but couldn't get through.

 

Spoon. Well, I'm sure I'll still be able to find a room, it just probably won't be a very nice or convenient one.

[BassGMan]

The hotels are all gone except for some that are at a minimum of three miles away. I was NEVER even able to get in online. Oh well, Motel 6, here we come again. At least it is a better Motel 6 than last time (at least closer).

 

http://www.motel6.com:80/reservations/motel_detail.aspx?num=1419

[agro23]

I have only missed 2 shows since 1978, never on purpose. I think this is going to be the first time I give it a real pass. I can save my money and have more fun in Vegas. Granted I can't make it a tax deduction, but still.

 

The Movie and TV companies have made this show unbearable at this point. The committee running things are just Hollywood star-****ers anyway (have been since day 1) and don't give a damn about comics anymore anyway. The whole thing is just about money. Every year they raise the table fees for vendors making fewer and fewer comics booths anyway.

 

Here's the funny thing: I'm an industry professional. I work in comics for a living. This is no longer the trade show it was either. Even if I thought I could scare up some connections on the floor it's no longer possible to shmooz or run into my peers on the floor for a friendly chat. All the parties are Hollywood now with restricted access. It's just not worth it.

 

As a collector the thrill was to encounter table after table of rare and sundry comics, things I wouldn't see anywhere else. Now there's the internet. I can shop Metro and Harley and others by catalog. I can bid on ebay, heritage, comicconnect, clink, etc. I don't need to shop this show. I can fed ex my renewal to CGC instead of giving them my comics by hand. There is no reason for collectors to shop at SDCC anymore.

 

Comic conventions should be fun. San Diego Comic Con is no longer fun. Put a bullet in its head or take "comic" out of the name says I. The show is too big for its britches.

[BassGMan]

Agro, I understand what you are saying, this upcoming San Diego show will be my 16th in a row with none being missed. Yes, it has changed, but IMO the fun is still all there, maybe it is even more fun now (although the crowding is worse). I guess it is because I have expanded my interests. Yes, every year it is less and less about comics, but if you have an interest in some of the other multi-media events that I do (like Lost panels and some movie/Hollywood hoopla, etc.) then it is still great fun, plus the location on the water and surrounding areas makes it a nice place to visit despite what is going on in the con. And there are now so many different kinds of collectibles there that interest me, many of which I discover for the first time at this con.

 

Yeah, it is not just about comics, but I'd stay in a Motel 6 20 miles away and take the train in every day if I had too. No way I'm missing my SD con. It's just too damn fun, regardless of the growth and changes.

[agro23]

Agro, I understand what you are saying, this upcoming San Diego show will be my 16th in a row with none being missed. Yes, it has changed, but IMO the fun is still all there, maybe it is even more fun now (although the crowding is worse). I guess it is because I have expanded my interests. Yes, every year it is less and less about comics, but if you have an interest in some of the other multi-media events that I do (like Lost panels and some movie/Hollywood hoopla, etc.) then it is still great fun, plus the location on the water and surrounding areas makes it a nice place to visit despite what is going on in the con. And there are now so many different kinds of collectibles there that interest me, many of which I discover for the first time at this con.

 

Yeah, it is not just about comics, but I'd stay in a Motel 6 20 miles away and take the train in every day if I had too. No way I'm missing my SD con. It's just too damn fun, regardless of the growth and changes.

I grew up in San Diego. I worked as a volunteer for SDCC in 1980, 81, and 82. I have attended or held some still-legendary parties at that show (ask some vet about the roving hall party at the Hotel San Diego during con 1983 or the Heavy Metal / National Lampoon party from 1980). I met my wife at Con 1986. It's our anniversary basically.

 

I have collected comics pretty much my whole life, but I'm interested in other media as well. But it's not worth waiting in line for Hall H or Room 20 for more than three hours to see one panel. It's just not. It's not worth trying to elbow through the smelly crowds to buy a book from one independent publisher I wouldn't otherwise see. It's not worth having to stand in line to talk to my friends because I can't get to their table otherwise during daylight hours. (I have stood in line at a table and ended up talking to a friend via cell phone because I couldn't get to him)

 

And don't get me wrong. I already have a hotel room lined up down in mission valley that I booked months ago. I can still go and take the trolley every day and what not) but the question I keep coming back to is: why? Maybe I'm just not a fan anymore but I have better things to do with my time. Been there, done that.

 

The only thing that makes me think I may still go at all is that I have a professional obligation to sell some copies of the magazine I work on.

[BassGMan]

Geez, I'd surely never wait three hours to get in any room to see anyone. I wouldn't even wait 20 minutes. It's just not worth it. But there are so many things to do and see at the con that do not involve standing in line. Just avoid the most popular events, avoid the multi-media areas on Saturday, don't try to get in right at the open, and be smart about how you use the con to get the most out of it. Yeah, I've been there and done that too, that's how I learned how to maximize my con experience.

 

One thing for sure though is that the comics areas are the least crowded place on the entire floor. Yeah there is often a guy or two in front of the box I want to see at times, but I've never had a problem getting in to any table or talking to anyone working at any booth, at least as long as it is in the comics area. The multi-media areas surrounded by the younger portion of the crowd? Forget it, those areas can become like sardine cans.

[john72tex]

I understand your frustration Argo. My first ComiCon was in 06 and I had been use to smaller cons that cater to collectors and not the paparazzi. My wife and I spent around 5 hours in Ballroom 20 just to see 3 out of 5 panels. We didn't dare leave between panels or we'd never get back in.

Anyhow, we are attending this year but maybe we will go with a different stategy. Luckily I booked my hotel back in November, because I couldn't get any rooms of hotels I wanted today. It took me about an hour and a half to get on the online booking page to even look for an open hotel. Of course, nothing good was left so I'm stuck paying the non-discount rate.

[jimm94]

I appreciate your frustration Agro, although it personally does not bother me. I don't go to any panel I'd have to wait more than 20 or 30 minutes to get into - I spend virtually all my time at the show roaming the aisles in the exhibit hall.

 

I was talking to a friend the other day who is very into comics but has never been to San Diego (he's not a board member). He was lamenting about how Hollywood has taken over the show, and dominates the media coverage. Clearly, San Diego does get a bad rap in the comic community these days for being too "everything but comics related", but I think the reality is that the comic presence there is as large as the market and interest for it will bear. IMO, the mix of comics with toys, games and tv/film there is really just a reflection of how these various things compete for the modern geek's time and money.

 

Booth costs can be somewhat of a deterrent in getting dealers to schlep their inventory all the way to San Diego for a show, but I think other expenses such as gas, food, hotel, and time are a major consideration for dealers no matter where or when a convention is. The emergence of online sales venues is also a huge factor. It's pretty tough to beat the comparatively low overhead of the auction and consignment sites.

 

Regardless, I think there are more than enough quality dealers and books to choose from at the convention as it stands. You'd have to be ridiculously picky, have an extremely focused want list (which there is nothing wrong with), not have any money, a lowballing cheapskate, or just be in a really bad mood to walk out of there empty handed. There's enough good material available that I know I could easily spend 10 times my usual budget there each time I go.

[agro23]

I understand your frustration Argo. My first ComiCon was in 06 and I had been use to smaller cons that cater to collectors and not the paparazzi. My wife and I spent around 5 hours in Ballroom 20 just to see 3 out of 5 panels. We didn't dare leave between panels or we'd never get back in.

Anyhow, we are attending this year but maybe we will go with a different stategy. Luckily I booked my hotel back in November, because I couldn't get any rooms of hotels I wanted today. It took me about an hour and a half to get on the online booking page to even look for an open hotel. Of course, nothing good was left so I'm stuck paying the non-discount rate.

The sane strategy seems to be booking ahead. Which we did, just not in downtown since none of them would book rooms for the amount of time we wanted (wednesday to Monday) or they were already "taken". Exhibitors got to book two months ago. But now I'm hearing tale of exhibitors intentionally over-booking so they could broker the extra rooms. I hope it's not true.

 

Regardless, this show isn't about the attendees anymore anyway. It's about $$$ and cramming warm bodies into all available space so that studio publicity hounds will pay the Con big bucks to drag their road show through (and of course so committee can rub elbows with famous folks). What's happening here is what killed E3 where the show became more about the show than the attendees; more glitz than product.

[nearmint]

I can't explain it, but I love everything about Comic-Con. The comics, the movie panels, the costumes, the city of San Diego, even the crowds. I love the energy in the dealer room and the ballroom panels. Had such a great time at Comic-Con '07 that I booked my room for this year 9 months ahead of time.

 

If I had my way, the show would happen twice a year!

[testinadical-migration]

Geez, I'd surely never wait three hours to get in any room to see anyone. I wouldn't even wait 20 minutes. It's just not worth it.

 

Not even for porn stars??

 

[agro23]

If I had my way, the show would happen twice a year!

If the show happened twice a year it wouldn't be so dang crowded.

[john72tex]

Has anyone here ever used hotels.com? I used them this time to book the room back in November. I will never use them again because they automatically charge your credit card when you book, not when you check in at the hotel. Next time I'll call the hotel directly.

[BassGMan]

Geez, I'd surely never wait three hours to get in any room to see anyone. I wouldn't even wait 20 minutes. It's just not worth it.

 

Not even for porn stars??

 

 

No, I'm not into standing in line, although just by chance I did see Tracie Lords upstairs at the con in the autograph area about five years ago. I was last in line and did wait maybe a half hour (I can't remember how long really, but it wasn't bad). My time is more valuable to me than wasting it just to get a signature from anybody, or in waiting in line just to see a movie preview or hear a popular panel. Too many other cool things in smaller rooms with only half the seats or less taken. Yeah, I like some celebrities, but not enough to give up part of my day waiting just to catch a glimpse or shake a hand.

[BassGMan]

If I had my way, the show would happen twice a year!

If the show happened twice a year it wouldn't be so dang crowded.

 

If I had my way the show would be a full week, Monday to Sunday. Maybe make Monday the Preview night and full con hours Tues-Sun. Yeah, by Sunday I'm a little burned out, but I always wake up Monday morning wishing I could go back.

[agro23]

No, I'm not into standing in line, although just by chance I did see Tracie Lords upstairs at the con in the autograph area about five years ago. I was last in line and did wait maybe a half hour (I can't remember how long really, but it wasn't bad). My time is more valuable to me than wasting it just to get a signature from anybody, or in waiting in line just to see a movie preview or hear a popular panel. Too many other cool things in smaller rooms with only half the seats or less taken. Yeah, I like some celebrities, but not enough to give up part of my day waiting just to catch a glimpse or shake a hand.

My point exactly. If I am there to do business I have to set up appointments ahead of time. My only enjoyment at the show is in the back issue ghetto, the publishers booths and artists' alley. It really would be more bearable if a few more of the folks attending had manners when it comes to things like stopping dead in the middle of aisles or swinging 25-pound backpacks or rolling strollers over my foot.

[agro23]

If I had my way, the show would happen twice a year!

If the show happened twice a year it wouldn't be so dang crowded.

 

If I had my way the show would be a full week, Monday to Sunday. Maybe make Monday the Preview night and full con hours Tues-Sun. Yeah, by Sunday I'm a little burned out, but I always wake up Monday morning wishing I could go back.

they really should just split the show (or run two tracks like SXSW). The show should be Comics: Wed-Fri; All Other : Sat-Sun. Best of both worlds and they'd still get all their Hollywood types to drop mad cash to pimp films over the weekend.

[CAP Freak]

Hope I get lucky like last year, calling in on Friday night for a room and got one at the Hilton Gaslamp across the street!

[Kramerica]

I can't explain it, but I love everything about Comic-Con. The comics, the movie panels, the costumes, the city of San Diego, even the crowds. I love the energy in the dealer room and the ballroom panels. Had such a great time at Comic-Con '07 that I booked my room for this year 9 months ahead of time.

 

If I had my way, the show would happen twice a year!

 

I couldn't agree more. There are so many different things to do at the Con every year that I never get to do everything even though I go for 5 days. The SDCC experience is 10X better than when it was just comics.

[greggy]

I can't explain it, but I love everything about Comic-Con. The comics, the movie panels, the costumes, the city of San Diego, even the crowds. I love the energy in the dealer room and the ballroom panels. Had such a great time at Comic-Con '07 that I booked my room for this year 9 months ahead of time.

 

If I had my way, the show would happen twice a year!

 

I couldn't agree more. There are so many different things to do at the Con every year that I never get to do everything even though I go for 5 days. The SDCC experience is 10X better than when it was just comics.