Wizard World Philly 2015 (my first major con - review):

[1Cool]

The true highlight of my visit was being able to see both Greg Reece's booth and High Grade Comics booth.

 

 

While the comic offerings at the Philadelphia show have declined over the years, in fairness there were good dealers to be found beyond Greg and Bob, who had the great stuff they always do. Joe Vereneault (JHV Associates) has an extensive stock from gold to bronze, and had a new sweet collection at the show of late silver/early bronze in nice shape and with ow/w paper. Al Stoltz (Basement Comix) can be counted on to stock offbeat material that few other dealers have. Love him or hate him, Richie Muchin (Tomorrow's Treasures) had a bunch of raw material that was being bought by other dealers.

 

Pro tip (I work in Philly) to avoid paying excessively for parking: Vine Street is two blocks north of the convention center on Arch, and has free 3 hour parking.

 

The show is, unfortunately, a craptastic collection of junk with a smattering of good comic sellers speckled about. In my opinion, it was a far, far better show before Wizard got its' hands on it.

 

Hello,

 

I should clarify to be fair...

 

You are correct in that there were other dealers with substantially good offerings. I focused on Bob's and Greg's booths primarily because I have done a lot of Internet business with them and truly feel loyal to both dealers. I was surprised that I didn't see Metropolis there either as I have done business with them too.

 

However, if you are like me and looking for 9.2 (or higher) CGC graded keys, the offerings were quite slim. I did however see some books I am interested in, most notably at the dealers booths in question and I may want to work out deals with them via email.

 

That being said, this was a great lesson for me at least. The 'con' circuit in relation to what I was expecting truly doesn't justify the time or the expense. Just my opinion.

 

mint

 

I can definitely see why you would be disappointed with Cons due to your very limited collecting taste. High grade CGC books don't really have to be looked at in person to insure you are getting the book you want and I can't image you are ever going to be able to get a CGC 9.2 key book for less then market price at a Con. Cons are a lot of fun but also tiring, chaotic and expensive so I definitely understand why you may not like them if you can get your books online or at the ComicLink/ComicConnect/Heritage auctions at less than they are at the shows.

 

Sorry, but nothing could be farther from the truth. The label is far from a guarantee on eye appeal, as has been said millions of times on these very boards.

 

I agree buying sight unseen based on the slab number is probably not the best but the difference between seeing a 9.2 slab in hand compared to detail scans has to be minor.

[Chip Cataldo]

Anyone else think the $100 bills in the display case is tacky/baseballcarddealer-ish?

[mintcollector]

Anyone else think the $100 bills in the display case is tacky/baseballcarddealer-ish?

 

I thought that the first time I saw it, so yes.

 

By the way, I agree that Wizard World has become way too much more about pop culture than vintage comic books. This is appearing clear to me now and I can assure that next year this show will be skipped.

 

That being said, I should clarify that I also collect vintage and modern video games and vintage and modern toys and I was still unimpressed. Why would I overpay for a vintage video game at Wizard World when I could go to any video game con and compete with multiple dealers to get the best price?

 

I was however hoping for more high grade AFA vintage toys, but there was none.

 

All in all very disappointing for me, but your opinion may differ.

[sassemble]

 

Although it appears Wizard World Philly had some good dealers, the Wizard World shows are not representative of most small and large cons.

I went to the Wizard World Raleigh show in March just to see what the hubbub was about. It should be retitled "Wizard World Pop Culture Con." There were TWO dealers at the Raleigh show. There were plenty of celebs and artists to meet but that's not my cup of tea.

Before giving up on the cons, give the Baltimore show a try as Namisgr suggested. I haven't been there, but I've heard good things.

Or go to Heroes Con in Charlotte in June. It takes me two days to go through all the dealer stock there.

Bottom line: Wizard World shows do not represent what most comic cons are about: the buyers, dealers and awesome comics!

[Ken Aldred]

It does seem a bit pricey. Isn't that the same as a one day pass for the San Diego Comicon this year?

[Bio-Rupp]

Anyone else think the $100 bills in the display case is tacky/baseballcarddealer-ish?

 

More like tacky/for the entire human race-ish.

 

It's like asking to have money stolen

[namisgr]

It's just a gimmick. It reminds me of the old display they used to have at the entrance to Binion's Horseshoe Casino in downtown LV (a million dollars in ten thousand dollar bills):

 

 

 

[FutureFlash]

Anyone else think the $100 bills in the display case is tacky/baseballcarddealer-ish?

 

Ha! Funny I was thinking the same thing.

 

After reading the OP, kinda glad I skipped WW MSP last weekend now, it looked a bit too much pop culture for my likes rather than focusing on comics.

[Doktor]

FYI, last year when my roomie did this show for the first time (and she is one of those more pop-culture oriented booths) the organizers actually approached her because they claimed that they wanted to expand the appeal in non-dealer booths. So this isn't an issue of dealers not really coming as much as the organizers seeking out non-dealer vendors to appeal more to the cosplay/pop-culture geek/female audience.

[FutureFlash]

It's just a gimmick. It reminds me of the old display they used to have at the entrance to Binion's Horseshoe Casino in downtown LV (a million dollars in ten thousand dollar bills):

 

 

 

I remember seeing that at Binions on my first Vegas trip after turning 21 in '95. Good times.

 

Big gaudy money display is what Vegas is all about. Fat stacks next to your sweet awesome comics for sell at a show just looks a bit douchey in my opinion.

[Sqeggs]

The true highlight of my visit was being able to see both Greg Reece's booth and High Grade Comics booth.

 

 

While the comic offerings at the Philadelphia show have declined over the years, in fairness there were good dealers to be found beyond Greg and Bob, who had the great stuff they always do. Joe Vereneault (JHV Associates) has an extensive stock from gold to bronze, and had a new sweet collection at the show of late silver/early bronze in nice shape and with ow/w paper. Al Stoltz (Basement Comix) can be counted on to stock offbeat material that few other dealers have. Love him or hate him, Richie Muchin (Tomorrow's Treasures) had a bunch of raw material that was being bought by other dealers.

 

Pro tip (I work in Philly) to avoid paying excessively for parking: Vine Street is two blocks north of the convention center on Arch, and has free 3 hour parking.

 

The show is, unfortunately, a craptastic collection of junk with a smattering of good comic sellers speckled about. In my opinion, it was a far, far better show before Wizard got its' hands on it.

 

Hello,

 

I should clarify to be fair...

 

You are correct in that there were other dealers with substantially good offerings. I focused on Bob's and Greg's booths primarily because I have done a lot of Internet business with them and truly feel loyal to both dealers. I was surprised that I didn't see Metropolis there either as I have done business with them too.

 

However, if you are like me and looking for 9.2 (or higher) CGC graded keys, the offerings were quite slim. I did however see some books I am interested in, most notably at the dealers booths in question and I may want to work out deals with them via email.

 

That being said, this was a great lesson for me at least. The 'con' circuit in relation to what I was expecting truly doesn't justify the time or the expense. Just my opinion.

 

mint

 

You may want to give NYCC a whirl this October before you give up on cons. Overrun with pop culture stuff but does attract a large number of comic dealers.

[Sqeggs]

The true highlight of my visit was being able to see both Greg Reece's booth and High Grade Comics booth.

 

 

While the comic offerings at the Philadelphia show have declined over the years, in fairness there were good dealers to be found beyond Greg and Bob, who had the great stuff they always do. Joe Vereneault (JHV Associates) has an extensive stock from gold to bronze, and had a new sweet collection at the show of late silver/early bronze in nice shape and with ow/w paper. Al Stoltz (Basement Comix) can be counted on to stock offbeat material that few other dealers have. Love him or hate him, Richie Muchin (Tomorrow's Treasures) had a bunch of raw material that was being bought by other dealers.

 

Pro tip (I work in Philly) to avoid paying excessively for parking: Vine Street is two blocks north of the convention center on Arch, and has free 3 hour parking.

 

The show is, unfortunately, a craptastic collection of junk with a smattering of good comic sellers speckled about. In my opinion, it was a far, far better show before Wizard got its' hands on it.

 

He said in one of his e-mails that he had actually started slabbing books and would a unveil a new slabbed collection at this con.

[Dayzen]

I went Thursday. I got there 30 minutes early and then proceeded to wait inline until 40 minutes after the 3 pm opening. Nothing like wasting your time and money to just get in. Plus I Don't understand being open for only 5 hours on Thursday. I don't think I'll be back.

[fastballspecial]

When you are in the minority of comic book collectors and expect the show to cater to your needs specifically you are really asking alot.

 

You are a high end slab collector. While the market is growing in your specific aspect its such a small part of the market that there is no way a convention can cater to that specific need.

 

[jsilverjanet]

 

[Doktor]

yup. Gotta love Zenoscope's setup every show.

[Robot Man]

Anyone else think the $100 bills in the display case is tacky/baseballcarddealer-ish?

 

Mike Carbo...

[wombat]

I asked him about the money in the case. I had no idea why it was there. He said it was to show people he paid top dollar for books he was looking to buy. Seemed like a nice guy. Don't remember which booth it was.

[Doktor]

D&A Cardworld.

[Chip Cataldo]

D&A Cardworld.

Figures.