Flee's Tampa Bay Comic Con video report.........

[Flee-Marquette]

My schedule doesn't allow me much time to attend cons, so I

was looking forward to the Tampa Bay Comic Con yesterday.

There was also a Japan Festival in Orlando and a huge book sale

in Cocoa and somehow I was going to try to do them all. Well I

failed miserably. Due to circumstances beyond my control (bad

seafood chowder ), I was barely able to attend the Tampa show and

I was late too.

 

The drive to Tampa wasn't as long as I thought it would be. It was

neat to drive over the long bridge into Largo and see the bay where

the Tampa Bay Buccaneers play their games. (Sorry Nerf)

Once in Largo, my GPS really helped because it was kind of tricky getting there.

I drove past two bus benches that had the Tampa show advertising

on them and that was the first time I actually saw the artwork in person.

 

I arrived at the venue about 12:30, saw that the parking lot was full and

thought that was a good sign. I took some footage outside of the building

and headed inside. I was greeted at the door by the 3 amigos KOR, MCMiles

and Tupenny was waved in past the ticket table. The place was hopping

and I quickly made a first pass of all the vendors. JiveTurkeyMoFo and

Darth Corgi were just inside the door and the booth looked busy. I also

talked with former promoter Tim Gordon, Tom Raupp, Paul Dyroff and

boardie gcstomp.

[Flee-Marquette]

It was really cool seeing all the kids in the superhero outfits. I guess since

it was so soon after Halloween, the costumes had not been put up yet.

A lot of families were all dressed up for that matter.

 

It was great seeing a few more national dealers there and as I walked up

and down the aisles I don't think I saw anyone who wasn't selling comics.

Quite a far cry from Megacon where a lot of it is Anime and Gaming.

There was actually a competing show the same weekend in Tampa that

was an Anime show, so it probably pulled some attendees from the comic

show, but they probably wouldn't have been there for the comics anyway.

 

I picked up a few books from Jive that had been submitted to CGC and

bought a few indy comics from some creators in the Indy Loft. Didn't

pick up too many comics this show, but the selection for vintage stuff

was incredible. I don't think I have ever seen that many wall books at

a Tampa show. The guys did a great job with this show and I think they

are on the right track to making this true-comic-book show the "go-to"

event in Florida. (thumbs u

[G.A.tor]

[thehumantorch]

[Flee-Marquette]

I don't have any photos because I forgot my digital camera, but I did take

a lot of video and just threw some footage together to give y'all an idea

of what the show was like.

 

 

 

 

 

The "on the road" beginning to the video is "GATOR-approved"

[G.A.tor]

[Mr.Diggler]

Crazy Ed!!!!

[oakman29]

[Flee-Marquette]

Crazy Ed!!!!

I have bought from him a few times in the past, but not so much lately.

I do enjoy standing next to his booth and listening in to his marketing

approach.

[Mark 1]

Nice! Thanks for the video!

 

Who was the dealer at the beginning right after the intros?

 

Also, I see Crazy Ed was at the show...he never shuts up!

[Flee-Marquette]

The first dealer in the video is Tom Raupp from Central Florida. He is a

great guy to deal with and should be on these boards. Hint Hint.

[comicdonna]

Great video report, Flee!

[KingOfRulers]

That was AWESOME Flee. Great footage. I'm glad I got to hear the "Stephen Solomon Grundy" this time, since I missed it before

[Subliminal]

The first dealer in the video is Tom Rauppe from Central Florida. He is a

great guy to deal with and should be on these boards. Hint Hint.

 

Great video report. Are you still using the Flip Video camera or did you upgrade?

If you got some video from the other events that you went to and want to do a little cross pollination post them up too (thumbs u

 

Also if these local dealers have websites hook us up. I'm always looking at con sites for links to their inventories. Even if they have a list but not a shopping cart and only deal by phone.

 

 

[Flee-Marquette]

Also if these local dealers have websites hook us up. I'm always looking at con sites for links to their inventories. Even if they have a list but not a shopping cart and only deal by phone.

 

 

None of them have websites that I am aware of but here is some

potential contact info.

 

Cliff Weikel has a storefront.

http://national.citysearch.com/profile/2349706/deland_fl/cliff_s_books.html

 

Tom Raupp is on facebook

http://www.facebook.com/people/Tom-Raupp/1667131366

 

Paul Dyroff has an eBay store

http://stores.ebay.com/Paul-Dyroff-Comics-And-Collectibles

 

My wife had the Flip camera this weekend and I was using a Kodak Zx1.

Maybe Santa will get me an HD video cam this year.

[Comicdey]

Saw KOR and I assume mcmiles...

 

Some day I'll make that one

[Flee-Marquette]

I mentioned yesterday that I wandered into the Indy artists loft and I thought

it was cool that there were some teens producing their own comic books.

 

 

 

Yes, most of the time the production value is low, but I applaud their efforts

and support them by purchasing a few. Some are actually pretty good.

Maybe there is hope for the future of sequential comic art.

[Mark 1]

I mentioned yesterday that I wandered into the Indy artists loft and I thought

it was cool that there were some teens producing their own comic books.

 

 

 

Yes, most of the time the production value is low, but I applaud their efforts

and support them by purchasing a few. Some are actually pretty good.

Maybe there is hope for the future of sequential comic art.

 

That's very cool and I also commend them for trying. Nice of you to buy their work.

[Mark 1]

The first dealer in the video is Tom Raupp from Central Florida. He is a

great guy to deal with and should be on these boards. Hint Hint.

 

Thanks. I met Tom at the Florida supercon and he was a great guy to talk to and buy from. I just contacted him through facebook (thanks for the link). He should join this forum.

 

[TupennyConan]

Tom has a facebook & I don't