LAS VEGAS COMIC EXPO - SEPTEMBER 29-30, 2012

[AKA Rick]

Yes, you're absolutely right about the lack of fun age appropriate events of interest to take kids to today that they'll actually have fun at, and at the same time the parents can equally enjoy.

 

Again, I like the vibe about the LAS VEGAS COMIC EXPO choosing a venue that is family friendly and a growing roster of guests that has mainstream appeal to the the children, kids, teens and young adults who, in the spirit of comic fandom, are the future hobby.

 

I remember as a child, when my parents took me to a comic show and artists drew characters for me, how memorable and awe stricken I was. I still have that artwork today.

 

As an adult, I think it's great to see that interaction between young fans and the creators as well. That's why I think this is a great event for parents, especially local families in Las Vegas to support. Comic books promote education and literacy as well as creativity and the arts.

 

I think kids will have a blast seeing the artists who draw the popular mainstream books like:

 

ALE GARZA - who draws SPIDER-MAN on the covers for the "Marvel Adventures" series, which is their kid's line of comics. He also is the current artist on the DEADPOOL series, which teens love. He's also drawn SUPERGIRL.

 

DAVID FINCH - who writes and draws BATMAN and used to draw THE AVENGERS and THE X-MEN, including fan favorite WOLVERINE as well.

 

MARK BROOKS - who used to draw SPIDER-MAN and currently draws X-MEN.

 

...and the LVCE also has the "girl power" guests for women and girls interests too, so it's not all about the boys either:

 

NEI RUFFINO- Grimm Fairy Tales artist and colorist

 

CHRISSIE ZULLO - Cinderella artist

 

ALLISON SOHN - She's done a lot of movie character sketch trading cards for STAR WARS and other films.

 

I'm quite impressed by the efforts of this show to truly have "something for everyone" with a socially responsible and mindful goal of addressing the needs of being family friendly providing a fun safe environment through the selection of the venue and cultivation of the guest list.

 

Plus, for the other fans, you have guests like Joe Benitez (known for revitalizing the whole Steampunk craze within comics, with "Lady Mechanica"), Mike Mignola (creator of "Hellboy" which was a comic that became a movie), as well as Dean Yeagle, and so many others, with supposedly more names to be announced too.

 

Most notably, I think fans of comics are anxiously anticipating DC Comics "THE WATCHMEN" prequel series "Before Watchmen" and already announced from that series are creators ADAM HUGHES and J.G. JONES.

 

Should be a blockbuster show indeed !!!

 

 

I will be going to this event as well. Its a great event to take the kids. When events like this come to the area its always good, since there is a lack of events we can take the little ones too .

[AKA Rick]

I just heard that some of the local comic book stores in Las Vegas were going to raffle off FREE tickets to the Las Vegas Comic Expo, with the giveaway this weekend on Saturday May 5th, Cinco de Mayo during FREE COMIC BOOK DAY.

[The Troll King]

I use to live in the apartments across the street from the Hard Rock next to Terrible's. I definitely know the area well. I may consider going to this.

[JimmySJay]

rick- are you working on this event with Charles?

[LVCE-migration]

Jimmy Jay,

 

To answer your question, Rick is not working for me.

 

Rick is a known comic collector who is enthusiastic about this and other comic related events. I appreciate his support as well as others. I thank you for your support too. I'd like to welcome the entire comic community both in Las Vegas and elsewhere to Las Vegas Comic Expo (LVCE).

 

I'll be posting more information about LVCE here as well as the following sites:

 

facebook.com/lasvegascomicexpo

twitter.com/LVComicExpo

youtube.com/user/lasvegascomicexpo

 

and of course ...

 

lasvegascomicexpo.com

 

Happy Free Comic Book Day Everyone!

 

 

 

[JimmySJay]

Charles-

I asked more out of curiosity, as I've known you and rick throughout the years as being big time fans and collectors.

 

You guys are great guys, and there's no reason that the Vegas Comic Expo can't hit a grand slam home run in the first year.

 

best-

Jimmy S. Jay

 

[NeOxJokeR]

I just heard that some of the local comic book stores in Las Vegas were going to raffle off FREE tickets to the Las Vegas Comic Expo, with the giveaway this weekend on Saturday May 5th, Cinco de Mayo during FREE COMIC BOOK DAY.

 

This i can confirm, I was able to snag a pair (single day only) from one of the local comic shops. Really looking forward to it as ive been getting back into collecting/reading the past year or so..

 

Bit of a novice question on CGC and events like this, but are CGC reps or authorized graders usually onsite for a event like this?

[Joel Elad]

If you are looking to get your comics graded onsite in Las Vegas, that most likely will not be offered, as CGC's facility is in Florida and they only provide that local grading service at 2 conventions per year.

 

If you are looking to have your comics autographed by one or more of the guests, and then graded under the CGC Signature Series program, there Most likely will be a CGC authorized representative at the show that can help you with that. Details are still being worked out but I would watch this thread and the Signature Room Event Announcements sub thread on these message boards closer to the event date. You will be able to either mail your books to the rep or meet them at the show in person and have then accompany you when you go to the creator to get your comics signed. It's important to know that you should talk to a CGC rep BEFORE you get any comic signed. See you at the show!

 

Joel

 

[NeOxJokeR]

Thanks Joel. I figured that was the case, but I figured I'd ask prior to the event so I'm not struggling to work all of this out..

[Joel Elad]

No, thank you for asking in advance. I can't tell you how many people get their books signed and then look for CGC or an authorized witness. By that point, it is too late. (Plus, there's a chance that I'll be one of the people working this show, so I'm happy to answer any questions.)

 

More will be announced in the next few months. Definitely follow the show online, I think there's even MORE guest announcements and plans coming, but I'm already locked in and going, I think the guest list is FANTASTIC, and I hope to come away exhausted, broke, and hauling a lot of signed comics and/or art back to San Diego.

 

And if the poker tables treat me well at night, maybe exhausted, not-so-broke, and hauling a lot.

 

Joel

[NeOxJokeR]

I cant agree with you more on the current guest list, really jazzed for most of them, and its also great to get an event going like this again back in Vegas. Really hope there's a good turn out to justify this and attract more names in the future. 

 

Since you said i could bother you with questions, i'm going to take full advantage of your offer since this would be my first time trying to get a signature with a witness present for grading as well as a good sized event of this nature. Everyone's opinion might differ on some of the questions and how i obtain them (ie: Use the search function buddy!) but ill take the flak for it since im a new guy and chalk it up as such

 

In your experience, I'm sure you've seen all sorts of lengths of lines for waiting for the chosen artist/writer that you wanted a signature from.. that being said, does the witness/cgc rep wait in that monstrous line with you? I mean, I'm more than happy to wait for them if that's the case, but do i get a special signal flare that i shoot up when i near the front? How would it work with Dual signatures? (IE:  Ballistic/ wolverine devils reign #4.. Joe Benitez writer, cover and David Finch did Penciling) 

 

Which raises another question: Is there a general consensus of how many items you should bring to get signed? I mean, if it was just me standing in line, all by my lonesome and the guest (and the witness for cgc) is just twiddling his thumbs, id bring a dump truck of stuff to sign, however, i'm sure with Finch, Brooks and Benitez they will be busy all day, and I would hate to be the guy that brings the "unacceptable amount". My guess would be a couple of books or pieces of art per guest per person.  I guess the same question applies to the cgc rep/witness too; are they "generally" ok with being a witness for me all over the place? I assume that they probably get business from this somehow, but since i'm ignorant of the process, it leads me to think they work on tips or commissions from CGC?

 

Depending on how these questions go, I think ill be in the same boat as you too, which is broke and probably exhausted, but at least i only live 20 minutes away from the expo! As for the tables, I am about as broke even as it gets, i win and I lose about the same, but such is Vegas

[Joel Elad]

I have no problem with the questions but let me answer in detail tonight after work.

[NeOxJokeR]

Haha no rush sir, Sometimes I go a bit overboard and over think the situation.... This could be one of these times

[AKA Rick]

If you live 20 mins from the Las Vegas Comic Expo, then I would recommend when you drive to the convention you load up your car trunk with box of relevant books you want to get signed by the artists and guests. Leave them in the trunk to scout out the situation. Then, you essentially have a convenient storage locker to go back and forth to. Alexis Park is very accessible, so unlike a Hotel Casino, where it takes a half an hour to trek back and forth, this venue is easy and fan friendly.

 

Usually, people like to get 3-5 books signed, some artists will sign stacks, depending on the crowds (and again, depending on the crowds, some like a limit of let's say 10, then you go to the end of the line or come back later to get more signed, so it's fair to all fans waiting).

 

The great thing about driving (or having a room at the Alexis Park) is you don't have to lug around heavy stacks of books and have a place to go back and forth to and do the drop off / pick up.

 

Also, aside from the CGC aspect, if you have books you don't want to grade, it's just fun getting autographs on books as well, and generally I've not seen artists/writers charge for autographs (with the exception if it's an option tied to a charity donation in a fundraising effort).

 

 

I cant agree with you more on the current guest list, really jazzed for most of them, and its also great to get an event going like this again back in Vegas. Really hope there's a good turn out to justify this and attract more names in the future.  

 

Is there a general consensus of how many items you should bring to get signed? I mean, if it was just me standing in line, all by my lonesome and the guest (and the witness for cgc) is just twiddling his thumbs, id bring a dump truck of stuff to sign, however, i'm sure with Finch, Brooks and Benitez they will be busy all day, and I would hate to be the guy that brings the "unacceptable amount". My guess would be a couple of books or pieces of art per guest per person.  I guess the same question applies to the cgc rep/witness too; are they "generally" ok with being a witness for me all over the place? I assume that they probably get business from this somehow, but since i'm ignorant of the process, it leads me to think they work on tips or commissions from CGC?

[NeOxJokeR]

Thanks Rick, I'll be sure to bring the hatchback for sure... I can't imagine the pain in the butt it is to drag around your goodies, especially if you have hardcovers you want signed.. Guess this is a nice warm up for my first attempt at a major con (I've done Blizzcon twice before, but most of that is fairly easy since you can preorder your swag and have it delivered,, and your goody bag you get the day before )

[Joel Elad]

ill take the flak for it since im a new guy and chalk it up as such

 

You're being polite and asking polite questions... Don't feel like you should take any flak...

that being said, does the witness/cgc rep wait in that monstrous line with you? I mean, I'm more than happy to wait for them if that's the case, but do i get a special signal flare that i shoot up when i near the front? How would it work with Dual signatures? (IE:  Ballistic/ wolverine devils reign #4.. Joe Benitez writer, cover and David Finch did Penciling) 

 

Very good question... The way the rules work nowadays, yes the witness will need to stand in line with you, or at least be at the front of the line when you are in front of the writer or artist getting your book signed. If it's not too busy, this isn't a problem. If it is very busy, it requires coordination BEFORE you even get in line. If there's a really busy line, there may be a witness stationed near the front of the line to handle multiple people as they come through the line.

 

No signal flares, but sometimes, cel phones and text messages are used to signal to someone at CGC or an authorized witness that you are approaching the front of the line. In cases where 2+ people are there, one person stays in line, the other runs to the CGC booth and brings back a witness by the time person 1 approaches the front of the line.

 

Dual Signatures: If the creators are not sitting next to each other, or nearby, once the book is signed by the 1st person, the comic is stored at the CGC booth until you are ready to get signature #2. Then the CGC witness pulls the book from the files, walks with you to get the 2nd signature, and goes back to the CGC Booth. (For multi-signature books, you repeat this process throughout the weekend, until you are ready to turn in the book for grading.) If this occurs, there may be an additional signature fee to cover the time and expense of sending someone with you a 2nd (or 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc.) time to a new location to get another creator signature.

 

Which raises another question: Is there a general consensus of how many items you should bring to get signed? I mean, if it was just me standing in line, all by my lonesome and the guest (and the witness for cgc) is just twiddling his thumbs, id bring a dump truck of stuff to sign, however, i'm sure with Finch, Brooks and Benitez they will be busy all day, and I would hate to be the guy that brings the "unacceptable amount". My guess would be a couple of books or pieces of art per guest per person.

 

It really depends on the person you want to sign the books and the line they have. Rule of thumb, most people will sign 3-5 books per trip in line, some creators will sign 10 books per person, some creators will sign massive stacks of books if you bring it to them. As Rick mentioned earlier, if there's a charity situation, your donation to the charity should match the amount of books you bring to get signed. (bring a few bucks, small donation is ok. Bring a dump truck full of stuff, make a BIG donation.)

 

If you have an unacceptable amount, one solution is to ask to be the last person in line. (I've done that several times) Let everyone with a handful of books go in front of you, and once it's just you and the creator, and they're willing, go for it.

 

If it's going to be a busy line, like for Finch, I would keep it to 5 books or less. Now, the line for David Finch works a little different than most artists. Finch will either sign your comics or draw a sketch for you, right there as you approach the booth, so his lines are notoriously LONG as most people in his line want to buy a sketch. Several of us have been encouraging David to have "signing only" times or pull people out of line who only want signatures to be handled after he completes a sketch. (He draws a sketch, signs for a few people, then draws a sketch for the next person)

 

If an artist is sitting at his booth all day, with no posted signing times, then it's best to find a time when they don't have a big line, if that occurs. I'm not familiar with how Mark Brooks' lines operate, but for someone like Benitez, he'd be happy to sign your books any time of day.

 

Finally, for artists or creators in demand, you may be advised of a limit when you get in line or when the booth coordinators walk the line. Check with the booth before you get in line, if there's any doubt.

 

 

I guess the same question applies to the cgc rep/witness too; are they "generally" ok with being a witness for me all over the place? I assume that they probably get business from this somehow, but since i'm ignorant of the process, it leads me to think they work on tips or commissions from CGC?

 

The witness is either a paid full time employee of CGC or a hired contractor by CGC, so there's no tips or commissions. The idea is that they are paid only by CGC to provide this service of witnessing your books getting signed. Now, if you want a witness to go with you from place to place, that requires coordination. There are many people who may need a witness throughout the day, so when you go to the CGC booth at the beginning of the day, you can advise them of where you'd like to go, and which creators you will need a witness for. If you want your own 'private' witness for the day or the convention, you need to submit A LOT of books for CGC grading, and if you seriously want that number, PM me.

 

It's all about coordination and demand. There are only so many witnesses per show, so when you ask for a witness, they may only be able to spend a few minutes with you before going to the next person. One way to ensure success is to do as much research before getting the witness. Find out where the creator is sitting, ask if they have specific signing times (some artists only like to sign books the first hour of the day and the last hour of the day, like Adam Hughes, so don't go with a witness to Adam Hughes' booth in the middle of the day), have your comics ready to go, and if you want multiple creators, think of a path and a way to get as many done in a short amount of time.

 

Depending on how these questions go, I think ill be in the same boat as you too, which is broke and probably exhausted, but at least i only live 20 minutes away from the expo! As for the tables, I am about as broke even as it gets, i win and I lose about the same, but such is Vegas

 

The nice thing about a show this size is that, while it may seem big, I think it'll be a great size to meet a lot of cool people in 2 days and come away with some great signed books and artwork without a ton of hassle. There are conventions, like the San Diego Comic Con, where you can spend hours in long lines for 1-2 signatures.

 

Listen to Rick's advice as well. Have your books organized by artist, use your car as a storage locker, park close by, and make trips back and forth to get comics signed, especially if the comics are not to be CGC graded. I do this all the time at big and small conventions, and the more planning you do in advance, the more time and energy you have to enjoy the show itself.

 

Hope this was helpful, let me know if you have any other questions!

[NeOxJokeR]

Beautiful post Joel, so nice I read it twice.. Thanks again to yourself and Rick.. Been organizing and preparing my comics as they suggest in the other sub forums.. Really exciting stuff.

 

Looks like I'll have to upgrade that one free day I got to two, if I really want to accomplish all I want while leaving safetynet time in case situations arise

[AKA Rick]

You're welcome! Yes, I'd recommend going for 2 days, time does fly when there's so many things to do between getting sketches, attending panels, obtaining autographs, and shopping for deals.

 

I know you mentioned being local, but if you had friends traveling to come to Las Veags for the show, I don't know if you've heard, there's a special promotion going on right now for the Las Vegas Comic Expo for the 1st 100 who take advantage of the offer:

 

http://lasvegascomicexpo.com/hotel-reservation-free-tickets-offer/

 

If you book a room for the show, and I think it's at a special show discount of $69 per night, you get a weekend pass ($35 value) to attend the show for FREE. If you book rooms for 3 nights, then you get Two (2) Passes for the Weekend.

 

The rooms are suites, so are spacious, most have refridgerators, microwaves, and sofas. I recently stayed there. Oddly enough, I preferred their suites at Alexis Park over the rooms at the Hard Rock Hotel simply because at the Hard Rock, their rooms are located above the pool and nightclub, so essentially the heavy bass and BPM (beats per minute) thumping of the music goes on loudly through the night 'til around 4am and then resumes at around 8am as they're setting up the pool area, so there's less serenity for blissful sleep, only peace and quite for about a 4 hour window. I'd recommend going to the Hard Rock to party (and it is a great scene), but I'd probably opt to go back to another hotel to actually unwind and sleep, like Alexis Park.

 

 

Beautiful post Joel, so nice I read it twice.. Thanks again to yourself and Rick.. Been organizing and preparing my comics as they suggest in the other sub forums.. Really exciting stuff.

 

Looks like I'll have to upgrade that one free day I got to two, if I really want to accomplish all I want while leaving safetynet time in case situations arise

[HOTFLIPS]

So i am thinking of coming out for this show as an attendee. I have never been to a show to just hang out. Also, as crazy as it sounds, I have never been to Vegas either. I know, i know, most people cant believe it. Thinking of coming for like 4 or 5 days. Now i have an excuse to come to Vegas. Hope my schedule allows me to. Would love to support the show,

 

Jeff

[Joel Elad]

I think you'd have a great time, Jeff. If it's your first trip to Las Vegas, you would probably want a room on the Strip but if you want a quiet place to recover each night, I agree with Rick. You can stay at Alexis Park and then head out and party anywhere during the day and evening.

 

There's a lot to do in Vegas besides gamble so if you can make it, do some research and see what interests of yours are out there.

 

For Neojoker, I also recommend coming on both days. A day can go really quickly at a show with so many people to see.