Popular Post Mmehdy Posted July 22, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted July 22, 2018 (edited) I am going to do a change of attitude on SDCC especially 2018 and what started me thinking was the chance encounter with a book called "Comic Book People photo's" 1970-1980"s by Jackie Estrada as I was walking the isles of SDCC 2018, now folks if you were there, the old saying goes back in the day at SDCC say #2 or 3 you had to be there. This year, I would say you had to be at SDCC, I understand its hard to get a ticket, but this years show was outstanding. The half glass full vs the half glass empty cannot stand. As a critic of how the convention trended it is safe to say a a number of comic book retailers argument is higher prices/less traffic, well agreed but it is still worth it to be there, for that one new whale client or somebody who comes up and purchases stuff you have had for "years" Here is what impressed me the most 1-CC/Metro 's booth with very high display cabinets. You had to be there to fell the impact on this one, clearly in terms of resale dealers they are second to none, but the way the books are displayed it elevates GA/SA comic books to sort of a pedestal. I really liked the Cap#1 7.0 as well as a host of other books, soooo much better that putting them up on a rack. the best display I have ever seen at a comic book convention. Well Done. 2-SDCC beats Amazon: The comic book store/Bud Plant killer gets topped out. I recently sold my old marvel masterworks to buy the new giant editions which also included the letter pages and some extras, they have a higher quality image and on a brighter paper. For $50,no tax, no shipping brand new for the amazing spiderman omnibus #1 which includes AF 15, 1-38,FF1 ann story, and ST Ann #2 as well as some other extras as an example. 3- In going isle to isle, I saw a lot of great new material that there is no way I would of ever found about it had I not been there, its just touching the book, looking thru 20/30 great books to bring you back to the hope that print media is not deal, let me give you an example, I look at the book " Turn loose our death rays and kill them all" The complete works of Fletcher Hanks"...who created 50 stories for GA comics in the early days 1939-1941, in the SF of Basil Wolverton...this is the hardcover edition with all of his stories, the hardcover book is just amazing from Fantagraphics...There are too many to list here. I have been collecting for 50 years, I am still getting educated at this late time. 4-Our community, even if you buy nothing just a chance to interact with the best of the best is worth the price of admission, yes the convention evolves, this is the first year without Terry Stroud "not" being at his table, he did not have one if you have attended you will know about that inside joke. For example the 12.2 Million recent comic auction at HA was big news , the last being 10.8 in 2012..a new step up for comic book auctions. I had a lot of great conversations on the state of the comic book and art market both which are very strong with positive signs growth will continue especially in the lower tier books $2K-8K.. that is where the whale collections are going..after getting the big books. 5- New players, there was a auction house that had a new display with the original T2...but also had one the best Ditko spiderman pages coming up for auction that I have seen in a long time as well as other comic book art, and ever in the entertainment section a lot of new players, especially that "Deadpool" band. In summary, the old comic book dealers have been trying to revise history buy saying it aint what it used to be..just a comic book convention. But MS Estrada book has reminded me , it NEVER was just about comic books or just about a room full dealers with resale comics. Even in the beginning there was Frank Capra, Kirk Alan, Ray Bradbury and persons who came just for the costume ball. Jackie's book breaks it down into groups, like SF/Movie/Creators/Publishers etc.. look carefully at these photos and groups that they were.it is a very important reminder that SDCC has evolved from the beginning to what is today. Bigger, Badder, and Much more diverse than anyone back in the early 1970's could of ever hopped for. SDCC I salute you! Edited July 22, 2018 by Mmehdy Sqeggs, shortboxed, comicnoir and 4 others 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timely Posted July 23, 2018 Share Posted July 23, 2018 For reference.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N e r V Posted July 23, 2018 Share Posted July 23, 2018 You forgot the food. Deadpool pizza. Hulk burgers. Captain America pancakes... comicnoir 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...