A discussion about comic conventions, post pandemic. 2 2

[VintageComics]

Well, it's been a while.

How do you folks feel about going back to shows?

I think most people know by now that with the schedule crammed and many people trying to put on shows at the same time that Chicago / Motor City (Detroit) and Indianapolis are on the same weekends. For weekends like this, if you live in the area of these shows, how do you decide which show you want to go to since they're all within driving distance of each other?

As dealers, how do you decide which shows you plan on doing?

Will you avoid shows until things are fully in the clear?

Are you done with shows because you realize you can buy everything online?

Looking forward to hearing from everyone.

 

Edited June 17, 2021 by VintageComics

[THE_BEYONDER]

Define “post pandemic”.....

[Ken Aldred]

I haven't bought a physical comic of any kind; back issue, new comic, trade collection, since the last LSCC at London Excel.  Judging from reports posted by boardies about the MCM conventions, those still have a way to go to offer something similar to LSCC, but, in any case, I doubt I'll attend another large convention.

The dealers appear to have moved onto much more deep-pocketed individuals, and that market is quite unaffordable to me.  I find that when I read a digital version of a story I have a nostalgic fondness for, that it often isn't quite as good as I inaccurately 'recalled' it to be, and I can live without a physical copy.  There's no longer a need to comply with the demands of an extortionately-priced secondary market.  

Same thing with new comics.  I'd read a trade paperback or hardcover collection and wonder if, in the final analysis, it was worth even the convention-discounted price I'd paid, and ended up, after LSCC, being far happier buying those stories in a much cheaper digital format via Comixology or Humble Bundle.  The same type of material I'd look for at cons, but a far wider range.

I won't miss the social aspect of conventions.  The experience is far too overwhelming, non-stop autistic overload, and I've become increasingly disinterested in returning to that onslaught.  Much happier with the calm and detachment of getting my reading material without all of that stress, without even needing to leave the house, something emphasised even more by lockdown.  Interesting to experiment with the social experience, but it really doesn't work for me.  I would guess that it's not only the back issue market that's been evolving dramatically over the last five years:  I have too.

Edited June 18, 2021 by Ken Aldred

[VintageComics]

16 minutes ago, THE_BEYONDER said:

Define “post pandemic”.....

Such a negative Nancy.

Regional differences noted.

 

[VintageComics]

8 minutes ago, Ken Aldred said:

I have too.

You're getting old! Like me.

[Ken Aldred]

2 minutes ago, VintageComics said:

You're getting old! Like me.

Very true, pal. 

Undeniable.

Edited June 17, 2021 by Ken Aldred

[THE_BEYONDER]

6 minutes ago, VintageComics said:

Such a negative Nancy.

Regional differences noted.

 

I’m genuinely curious what this post pandemic landscape looks like.  Are we talking about crowded conventions where masks are no longer required, and social distancing abandoned?

 

[Buzzetta]

If I did not get a free or heavily discounted pass at NYCC I would stay at home.   Now, it's even more so. 

Companies like Hasbro are KILLING it in the absence of shows.  Every week it seems Hasbro is holding online panels, unveiling new product and then directly launching that product from their stores.  Other retailers are doing the same.

Ten years ago, Hasbro, Mattel, Lego and other companies were staples at NYCC and San Diego.  With rising rates for floor space, Hasbro backed off from NYCC and then Lego soon followed.  Hasbro had registered the trademark for Hascon but it never really took off as people were focused on cons.  With nowhere to go Hasbro and Lego seized the opportunity.  As I mentioned, Hasbro has a very strong presence on Facebook and live streams events on YouTube with more people watching than they would ever pack into a hall.  They created a loyalty service where I am offered an hour of shopping for product when something is made available before non-members.   Lego has branched out on IG and Facebook as well and embraced fan sites as well as holding their own events online. 

Many other retailers are following suit.

CGC has basically eliminated the need for an artist alley.   If I am a comic artist I have a choice.  Go to a show and sit around hoping people are going to spend money with me or I can align myself with a private signing with CGC, fly down to Florida for two days and then leave with guaranteed money. 

This pandemic?  I think it put another nail in the coffin of overinflated expensive shows.   Smaller shows may thrive but I think people will gravitate more to doing their thing online.  Online business, as predicted increased during the pandemic but it has not fallen back to the levels that it once was.  It has retained part of the market share.  People were forced to accommodate themselves to it and now have discovered the convenience for certain things. 

Edited June 17, 2021 by Buzzetta

[VintageComics]

9 minutes ago, THE_BEYONDER said:

I’m genuinely curious what this post pandemic landscape looks like.  Are we talking about crowded conventions where masks are no longer required, and social distancing abandoned?

 

Many parts of North America are more or less 'back to normal' with places crowded and no masks, but personally, I'm not really interested in discussing anything about Covid (and actually, moderation has forbidden it because it was so problematic in the watercooler).

I was more asking how people felt about going to conventions now that people have been accustomed to shopping from home and also how they will decide which shows they plan to go to and how they make those decisions now that many shows are crammed into a short period of time to make up for no shows for over a year.

 

 

Edited June 17, 2021 by VintageComics

[MattTheDuck]

I'd have no hesitation attending a convention.   I agree that there are still plenty of questions about how large gatherings are going to work, and whether people will just return to their previous behavior patterns or some significant percentage will just stop attending conventions, concerts, movies, sporting events, festivals, and etc to the point where these just become economically impossible.  On-line works for many things, but there will be areas where it can't help or provide the same experience.

[wombat]

I'm going to Baltimore. The only show I always do. We make a weekend out of it. But I have my doubts how much I will actually buy. With prices going insane I have a feeling I'm going to walk out without buying very much. But I always like looking to see what's out there. 

[Math Teacher]

23 minutes ago, THE_BEYONDER said:

I’m genuinely curious what this post pandemic landscape looks like.  Are we talking about crowded conventions where masks are no longer required, and social distancing abandoned?

 

The idea of social distancing at a major comic book convention is virtually impossible.

And I agree with @Ken Aldred. The last show I went to was C2E2 in February, 2020. The number of people there on Saturday and Sunday is overwhelming. And that's not including having to be on constant watch so you don't get poked in the eye by someone big into cos-play. And the phase of collecting that I am in, I'm not going to any con looking to buy an FF #1 or an AF #15 or an IH #181. So many of the books that I am looking for are just not brought to shows. At C2E2, I was looking for reader copies of BatB #1 - #24. If it wasn't for Harley Yee, I would have went home empty-handed. And I have seen little evidence that you can get really great deals on important books. I rarely, if ever, pay the original asking price for a book, regardless if I am buying at a con, from an online dealer, or from Ebay. But I may save $25 - $100 on a book; I am certainly not getting it for half-price.

I can buy a lot of the comics that I want when I am sitting in front of my computer in my underwear. Sorry, I know you will NEVER get that picture out of your mind tonight. I don't have to drive eight hours to get to Chicago and another eight hours to come back home. I don't have to make motel reservations for three nights, and I don't have to pay for food at fast food/restaurants. In the future, I may continue to attend Planet Comic Con in Kansas City, as it is less than a six-hour round trip. And I will be only attending one or maybe two days.

My convention-attending will be greatly diminished for the foreseeable future.

[jsilverjanet]

18 minutes ago, wombat said:

I'm going to Baltimore. The only show I always do. We make a weekend out of it. But I have my doubts how much I will actually buy. With prices going insane I have a feeling I'm going to walk out without buying very much. But I always like looking to see what's out there. 

I would like to go to Baltimore also.

[jsilverjanet]

I think one thing I've noticed locally is that there may to many shows within a short time period of one another, add to that the amount of things to do outside of comics, and smaller conventions or newer shows may have missed their window as the bigger shows start to come in.

I did a small show a couple of weeks ago and attendance was down. Many thought it was because of the promotion of the show but I think it's more the landscape has changed. The bigger shows will always do well however the smaller shows can't compete with being outdoors, going to the beach etc. People are trying to make up for lost time. People are traveling catching up on vacations/friends/relatives and small shows may take a 2nd seat to that.

 

 

[jsilverjanet]

outside of comic people, I don't think the general public has missed comic shows. I think some have moved on. Should be interesting to see.

 

[VintageComics]

1 minute ago, jsilverjanet said:

outside of comic people, I don't think the general public has missed comic shows. I think some have moved on. Should be interesting to see.

 

I'd never thought of it that way but you may be right.

[jsilverjanet]

40 minutes ago, Buzzetta said:

This pandemic?  I think it put another nail in the coffin of overinflated expensive shows.   Smaller shows may thrive but I think people will gravitate more to doing their thing online.  Online business, as predicted increased during the pandemic but it has not fallen back to the levels that it once was.  It has retained part of the market share.  People were forced to accommodate themselves to it and now have discovered the convenience for certain things. 

this is the exact opposite of my thoughts. interesting, are you the Ryu to my Ken

@HarveySwick @ItsJustRyan

[VintageComics]

5 minutes ago, Math Teacher said:

The idea of social distancing at a major comic book convention is virtually impossible.

And I agree with @Ken Aldred. The last show I went to was C2E2 in February, 2020. The number of people there on Saturday and Sunday is overwhelming. And that's not including having to be on constant watch so you don't get poked in the eye by someone big into cos-play. And the phase of collecting that I am in, I'm not going to any con looking to buy an FF #1 or an AF #15 or an IH #181. So many of the books that I am looking for are just not brought to shows. At C2E2, I was looking for reader copies of BatB #1 - #24. If it wasn't for Harley Yee, I would have went home empty-handed. And I have seen little evidence that you can get really great deals on important books. I rarely, if ever, pay the original asking price for a book, regardless if I am buying at a con, from an online dealer, or from Ebay. But I may save $25 - $100 on a book; I am certainly not getting it for half-price.

I can buy a lot of the comics that I want when I am sitting in front of my computer in my underwear. Sorry, I know you will NEVER get that picture out of your mind tonight. I don't have to drive eight hours to get to Chicago and another eight hours to come back home. I don't have to make motel reservations for three nights, and I don't have to pay for food at fast food/restaurants. In the future, I may continue to attend Planet Comic Con in Kansas City, as it is less than a six-hour round trip. And I will be only attending one or maybe two days.

My convention-attending will be greatly diminished for the foreseeable future.

What you don't get in your underwear at home is the social interaction.

Some of the best times I've ever had were because of comic shows and the people they brought together. Our parties were legendary for a time (those involved who knew, knew).

Also, I do it nude.

[jsilverjanet]

For those who have increased their online footprint either through their own website, ebay, FB/Instagram, are shows as essential to your business today as they were before?

I'd love to hear from the big guns

Blazingbob, Dale Roberts or Greg Reece to name a few

[Math Teacher]

Just now, VintageComics said:

Also, I do it nude.

GAH!