Torpedo Comics offers an alternative to SDCC 4 4

[jsilverjanet]

I’m sure the amount of local revenue that SDCC brings isn’t something that many local business owners are complaining about 

[Robot Man]

1 hour ago, Mmehdy said:

One, and most locals know this, nobody parks near the convention, they take the trolley in, its free parking at mission valley stadium.  2d,The hotel situation has gotten a lot better with Air/BB etc, nobody should pay hotel prices, and most semi-localsl like yourself should get one day pass, no expenses necessary and one day should be enough if you are just on the floor. Prices of comics tend to come down on Sunday, when everybody is getting ready to go home, that is the best time to buy, the floor closes early at 5 however instead of 7.  Third, it still has the best,and I mean the best comic book panels in the universe, some the greatest moments I have been luckily to see with my own eyes, such as the original forbidden planet panel just to name one.

I agree, it has changes but its more like the glass half empty vs half full..still best show on the planet when panels are added in.

I'm not a local so I don't know the ins and outs. I never go on Sunday, the show is long over for me. I don't care about the "deals" on the stuff everybody else left. I bring a big wallet and hit the show first day to score the books I really want. I do 75% of my buying first day at a multiday show. I have been offered a free badge from several dealers that I spend quite a bit with but still pass. Just too many people and too much hassle. I will agree that SDCC has great panels and used to have great guests until all the people I wanted to meet died off. But, that is a minor focus for me. I go to buy vintage comics, good ones and as many as I can lug home. Now, if I can come and crash at your place, have you drive me to the con and have your wife make me dinner for a few days, I might re-consider...

[punksdropdirtysrh]

I’d still love to attend SDCC one day. While I’d probably look around, my main motivation would not be buying comics. Thats typically my reason for attending a show, But with SDCC it’d be all about Hall H for me. I can buy comics any time I want, but getting to be in the same room with my favorite celebrities is much more exciting to me. I have read that if you’re going to SDCC tonattend the Hall H panels...that’s pretty much all you’ll be able to do. Lots of waiting involved. Probably lots of claustrophobia and frustration. But if that’s my only chance to see, for example, the cast of Game of Thrones in person and perhaps have a chance to interact with them, it’s worth it for me. I can be a star struck nerd sometimes, and I know lots of people think things like that are pathetic.

i understand the frustration of the number one Comic Con in the world being less and less about comics, and some people couldnt give a if they were in front of Robert Downey Jr or whoever, , but obviously for many people it means a lot and I still think (hope) it would be a fun experience. IT is indeed a Media con. 

Edited March 26, 2018 by punksdropdirtysrh

[Robot Man]

17 minutes ago, punksdropdirtysrh said:

I’d still love to attend SDCC one day. While I’d probably look around, my main motivation would not be buying comics. Thats typically my reason for attending a show, But with SDCC it’d be all about Hall H for me. I can buy comics any time I want, but getting to be in the same room with my favorite celebrities is much more exciting to me. I have read that if you’re going to SDCC tonattend the Hall H panels...that’s pretty much all you’ll be able to do. Lots of waiting involved. Probably lots of claustrophobia and frustration. But if that’s my only chance to see, for example, the cast of Game of Thrones in person and perhaps have a chance to interact with them, it’s worth it for me. I can be a star struck nerd sometimes, and I know lots of people think things like that are pathetic.

i understand the frustration of the number one Comic Con in the world being less and less about comics, and some people couldnt give a if they were in front of Robert Downey Jr or whoever, , but obviously for many people it means a lot and I still think (hope) it would be a fun experience. IT is indeed a Media con. 

Everybody should attend SDCC at least once in life. It is an experience like no other. The whole town goes nuts for a week. But's a long way from it's humble beginnings. Your focus is a lot different from mine. Sure I can take my chances on the bay, pay through the nose at the dark end of my computer to buy comics from the big auction houses but there is nothing like the thrill of the hunt and buying them face to face. Sleeping in line for a couple of days to get in Hall H to see Robert Downey Jr is just not something I want to do. I live in LA. These folks are all over town. Locals don't pay them that much mind. I don't care about new comic artists, getting autographs or sketches or shuffling past the endless array of Funkos, T-Shirts or plastic swords with the masses. It is, my friend, a MEDIA con and if that is what you are after, you NEED to go at least once.

[aardvark88]

1 hour ago, ygogolak said:

Where's Chuck?

I see Chuck parking his 18 wheeler of overstock in the vast parking lot.

Main reason SDCC has sold out the last 10 years in a row is that they hit the fire marshall's attendance cap of 128,000 attendees and the renovations to convention block are coming on stream too slow. SDCC has at least 200,000 ppl fighting online for the ltd amount of day passes, and comicon hotels.

AirBnB charging $400 to $500/night during SDCC week  for a 2 bed apartment/condo walking distance to SDCC. Your buddies need to bring their sleeping bags to share the condo to make a 5 day stay 'reasonable' in cost, and still have a comic/art buying budget $$.

[Robot Man]

1 hour ago, OrangeCrush said:

Some collectors may have gotten sick of the SDCC, but to use that as a general statement is REALLY pushing it considering the SDCC has sold out the last 10 years in a row. Just a few figures from the SDCC:

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/comic-con/sd-me-con-numbers-20170715-story.html

10: Consecutive years Comic-Con has sold out.

27: Years Comic-Con has been held in the San Diego Convention Center.

30: Years since the debut of the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, now conferred annually at Comic-Con .

48: Years Comic-Con has been held in San Diego.

56: Special guests honored at this year’s Con, from Sergio Aragones (MAD magazine cartoonist) to Liz Suburbia, writer/artist of “Sacred Heart,” a graphic novel for young adults.

300: Estimated attendance at the first Con.

559: Rate, in dollars, for a deluxe king room at the Omni San Diego Hotel for July 19, Preview Night.

10,000: New vinyl folding chairs recently installed in the Convention Center.

62,922: Hotel room nights

130,000-plus: Expected attendance at this year’s Con.

208,894: In dollars, salary of Comic-Con chief operating officer John Rogers in 2014 (the most recent reported year)

2,980,000: In dollars, annual tax revenues

19,800,838: In dollars, total revenues for 2014 (the most recent reported year)

82,800,000: In dollars, annual spending by attendees

140,000,000: In dollars, the current Comic-Con’s estimated economic impact.

Based on those figures, it looks like the SDCC is doing just fine to me. There will always be people that cease going, just as there will always be new people that start attending the show. Based on the fact that the show has sold out the last 10 years running and the annual spending by attendees is equal to roughly $82,800,000....well, I just don't see what your seeing at all. If anything, the biggest changes we have seen with the SDCC is the fact that its become just as big of a show for a lot of other collectibles like statues, toys, figure's, etc, than comics. And I personally consider this a good thing as its turned the show into one massive show for pop culture collectibles in general as opposed to just comics. Considering I collect from many of those genre's of collectibles, I consider that a good thing. I have been to 3 of the last 5 SDCC"s and had an absolute blast at each one. For people who truly love comics and comic related merchandise, there is no other show llke the SDCC. 

In all due respect you are missing the whole point of this thread. We are talking about buying vintage comics. Serious comic buyers are dropping like flies. See how many people just posting in this thread are saying so. I spoke to over half a dozen collectors at WonderCon this weekend that said the same thing. Local folks as well as many out of town people with deep pockets who want just vintage comics. Torpedo, sees this and is trying to try something that might or might not work for us, the comic book buying crowd. We don't care about all the "other stuff". If you do, and want to spend what it takes to attend a show like SDCC by all means please do so have have a great time. It doesn't get any better for what it is.

By the way, SDCC has come a long way from a small non profit show to bring comic book collectors together. I remember those days and it was indeed magic.. But, it's a different time and $$$ is where they are now. 200 grand salary for the CEO says it all doesn't it? They have been crowding out the comic book crowd for years and still calling their Comic Con International. Maybe it's time for a name change?

[ygogolak]

4 minutes ago, Robot Man said:

In all due respect you are missing the whole point of this thread. We are talking about buying vintage comics. Serious comic buyers are dropping like flies. See how many people just posting in this thread are saying so. I spoke to over half a dozen collectors at WonderCon this weekend that said the same thing. Local folks as well as many out of town people with deep pockets who want just vintage comics. Torpedo, sees this and is trying to try something that might or might not work for us, the comic book buying crowd. We don't care about all the "other stuff". If you do, and want to spend what it takes to attend a show like SDCC by all means please do so have have a great time. It doesn't get any better for what it is.

By the way, SDCC has come a long way from a small non profit show to bring comic book collectors together. I remember those days and it was indeed magic.. But, it's a different time and $$$ is where they are now. 200 grand salary for the CEO says it all doesn't it? They have been crowding out the comic book crowd for years and still calling their Comic Con International. Maybe it's time for a name change?

Haha, yea. I'm sure the "non-profit" that took multiple shows to court over the term "Comic C**" is going to change their name.

You're right though. It's a pop culture event.

[paperheart]

37 minutes ago, Robot Man said:

In all due respect you are missing the whole point of this thread. We are talking about buying vintage comics. Serious comic buyers are dropping like flies. See how many people just posting in this thread are saying so. I spoke to over half a dozen collectors at WonderCon this weekend that said the same thing. Local folks as well as many out of town people with deep pockets who want just vintage comics. Torpedo, sees this and is trying to try something that might or might not work for us, the comic book buying crowd. We don't care about all the "other stuff". If you do, and want to spend what it takes to attend a show like SDCC by all means please do so have have a great time. It doesn't get any better for what it is.

By the way, SDCC has come a long way from a small non profit show to bring comic book collectors together. I remember those days and it was indeed magic.. But, it's a different time and $$$ is where they are now. 200 grand salary for the CEO says it all doesn't it? They have been crowding out the comic book crowd for years and still calling their Comic Con International. Maybe it's time for a name change?

you can add me to the list; i gave up about 4 years ago after having attended 19 in a row.

[punksdropdirtysrh]

1 hour ago, Robot Man said:

Everybody should attend SDCC at least once in life. It is an experience like no other. The whole town goes nuts for a week. But's a long way from it's humble beginnings. Your focus is a lot different from mine. Sure I can take my chances on the bay, pay through the nose at the dark end of my computer to buy comics from the big auction houses but there is nothing like the thrill of the hunt and buying them face to face. Sleeping in line for a couple of days to get in Hall H to see Robert Downey Jr is just not something I want to do. I live in LA. These folks are all over town. Locals don't pay them that much mind. I don't care about new comic artists, getting autographs or sketches or shuffling past the endless array of Funkos, T-Shirts or plastic swords with the masses. It is, my friend, a MEDIA con and if that is what you are after, you NEED to go at least once.

I really want to go but it seems more and more impossible each year. I love buying books at shows don’t get me wrong, but with all the travel expenses that accompany going to that show there has to be more juice to it than just books for me. Us midwestern folks can get pretty starry eyed vs the locals who stood behind Chris Evans that morning for coffee 

[comicjack]

I stayed at the LA Hilton last  of the fun week doing Terry's show lot of construction was going on i'm sure it will be done for this one in July.The last for me at SDCC was 2000 i can't deal with those crowds anymore just not about comics and more about Hollywood.I can't even stand NYCC anymore just doing Thursday with less crowds and the books aren't picked over yet.I might just come out for this to the land where everyone has an orange tree in the back yard and great weather.

Edited March 26, 2018 by comicjack

[Foolkiller]

As someone earlier said, it's two different markets.  What Torpedo is doing is great and forward thinking, trying to reach the target demographic or customers who want to buy comics but simply don't want to fight the rest of the crowds.  If it weren't so far away I'd certainly want to attend.  Lots of comic shows these days all around the country.  I'm glad torpedo is putting this show on.  

[Mmehdy]

5 hours ago, Robot Man said:

I'm not a local so I don't know the ins and outs. I never go on Sunday, the show is long over for me. I don't care about the "deals" on the stuff everybody else left. I bring a big wallet and hit the show first day to score the books I really want. I do 75% of my buying first day at a multiday show. I have been offered a free badge from several dealers that I spend quite a bit with but still pass. Just too many people and too much hassle. I will agree that SDCC has great panels and used to have great guests until all the people I wanted to meet died off. But, that is a minor focus for me. I go to buy vintage comics, good ones and as many as I can lug home. Now, if I can come and crash at your place, have you drive me to the con and have your wife make me dinner for a few days, I might re-consider...

if you can get a free pass on Sat, just come by my home and I will take us to the Qualcom, and you are welcome to have dinner with me later..just pm me

[Fan Boy]

6 hours ago, Robot Man said:

In all due respect you are missing the whole point of this thread. We are talking about buying vintage comics. Serious comic buyers are dropping like flies. See how many people just posting in this thread are saying so. I spoke to over half a dozen collectors at WonderCon this weekend that said the same thing. Local folks as well as many out of town people with deep pockets who want just vintage comics. Torpedo, sees this and is trying to try something that might or might not work for us, the comic book buying crowd. We don't care about all the "other stuff". If you do, and want to spend what it takes to attend a show like SDCC by all means please do so have have a great time. It doesn't get any better for what it is.

By the way, SDCC has come a long way from a small non profit show to bring comic book collectors together. I remember those days and it was indeed magic.. But, it's a different time and $$$ is where they are now. 200 grand salary for the CEO says it all doesn't it? They have been crowding out the comic book crowd for years and still calling their Comic Con International. Maybe it's time for a name change?

You made a good point in there.  I see many people, even had talked with some collectors in other shows I went to. Said that SDCC is too much for their budgets and too crowded for them to enjoy. SDCC had evolved into a new realm where media is king in there. My last time was in 1998, I had been told by the people in there that the show was heading into a bigger level. That was when I thought my 5th time seems enough for me. 

Now my friend wants to go see it as that is his first time. I do not mind going, if it is deemed worth my time, going back again with him to show him places in San Diego (I assume some still there 20 years since?). If we’re damn lucky to score these fabled tickets! 

Which I highly doubt... thus is the problem. With over 200,000 people fighting over 120,000 Willy Wonko golden tickets? That’s nuts! 

[Robot Man]

1 hour ago, Mmehdy said:

if you can get a free pass on Sat, just come by my home and I will take us to the Qualcom, and you are welcome to have dinner with me later..just pm me

 

1 hour ago, Mmehdy said:

if you can get a free pass on Sat, just come by my home and I will take us to the Qualcom, and you are welcome to have dinner with me later..just pm me

 You are alright Mitch!

[Robot Man]

26 minutes ago, Fan Boy said:

You made a good point in there.  I see many people, even had talked with some collectors in other shows I went to. Said that SDCC is too much for their budgets and too crowded for them to enjoy. SDCC had evolved into a new realm where media is king in there. My last time was in 1998, I had been told by the people in there that the show was heading into a bigger level. That was when I thought my 5th time seems enough for me. 

Now my friend wants to go see it as that is his first time. I do not mind going, if it is deemed worth my time, going back again with him to show him places in San Diego (I assume some still there 20 years since?). If we’re damn lucky to score these fabled tickets! 

Which I highly doubt... thus is the problem. With over 200,000 people fighting over 120,000 Willy Wonko golden tickets? That’s nuts! 

Long way from walking up to the lady at a card table and handing her 5 bucks...

[jimjum12]

9 hours ago, Fan Boy said:

16 hours ago, Robot Man said:

In all due respect you are missing the whole point of this thread. We are talking about buying vintage comics. Serious comic buyers are dropping like flies. See how many people just posting in this thread are saying so. I spoke to over half a dozen collectors at WonderCon this weekend that said the same thing. Local folks as well as many out of town people with deep pockets who want just vintage comics. Torpedo, sees this and is trying to try something that might or might not work for us, the comic book buying crowd. We don't care about all the "other stuff". If you do, and want to spend what it takes to attend a show like SDCC by all means please do so have have a great time. It doesn't get any better for what it is.

By the way, SDCC has come a long way from a small non profit show to bring comic book collectors together. I remember those days and it was indeed magic.. But, it's a different time and $$$ is where they are now. 200 grand salary for the CEO says it all doesn't it? They have been crowding out the comic book crowd for years and still calling their Comic Con International. Maybe it's time for a name change?

You made a good point in there.  I see many people, even had talked with some collectors in other shows I went to. Said that SDCC is too much for their budgets and too crowded for them to enjoy. SDCC had evolved into a new realm where media is king in there. My last time was in 1998, I had been told by the people in there that the show was heading into a bigger level. That was when I thought my 5th time seems enough for me. 

Now my friend wants to go see it as that is his first time. I do not mind going, if it is deemed worth my time, going back again with him to show him places in San Diego (I assume some still there 20 years since?). If we’re damn lucky to score these fabled tickets! 

Which I highly doubt... thus is the problem. With over 200,000 people fighting over 120,000 Willy Wonko golden tickets? That’s nuts! 

I used to say I wanted to go once in my life, but that day has come and gone. What I wanted to see once in my life is no longer there. I'm not trying to come across as a "sour grapes" old man, but paying a couple grand to just "be" there isn't something I see as a good value... I'd rather take that to Heroes or B'more and spend it on books .... which is what I go to cons for anyway. It wouldn't surprise me if the Torpedo show ends up on the SAME weekend as San Diego..... those who do like both types of environments can do exactly that, both...... or just take a two week vacation. The original SDCC existed in a "perfect storm" quarter century.. pre internet, gypsy nomad comic dealers who travelled from one side of the country to the other..... many of them were savvy enough to time "want to buy" ads in local papers to coincide with the different states they were passing through, and brother, those ads paid off in the 70's and 80's. By the time they made it to SDCC, they had the goods...it was truly a Mecca for comic fiends... and WAY cheaper as a vacation destination then. This following statement is meant as a joke.. but if I'm paying $ 600 a night, there better be a couple of hookers involved. GOD BLESS...

-jimbo(a friend of jesus)

Edited March 27, 2018 by jimjum12

[Bumble Kitty]

On 3/25/2018 at 3:46 PM, jsilverjanet said:

http://www.torpedocomics.com/

above is the link to the show, here are the dealers on the page...

• Terry O’Neill COMICS
• Harley Yee Comics
• Torpedo Comics
• Metropolis Comics
• Heroes Comics
• Champion Comics

 

• High Grade Comics
• FVF Comics
• McFlys Comics
• Bedrock City Comics
• Big Red Comics
• SuperWorld Comics

 

• Dave & Adams Card World
• Lone Star Comics
• Graham Crackers Comics
• Comic Cellar
• Big Wow Comics

I plan to attend and I might spend all of my "San Diego" money.  I believe some (not all) of the out of town dealers will have a limited amount of books.  Even so, it should be a lot of fun!

I wonder how many cosplayers will be there. 

[Mmehdy]

12 hours ago, ygogolak said:

Where's Chuck?

very nice line up...

[DarkPhantom13]

What are the chances that John Dolmayan will also be there? As a comic collector and a big System Of A Down fan this would be a 2 birds with one stone kind of thing lol.

[delekkerste]

There is also the inaugural LA Ultimate Comic Art and Collectibles Show on the same day, in  the same hotel, focusing on original comic art and movie props. Same rationale for doing this the Sunday before SDCC. 

Ultimate LA Comic Art and Collectibles Show