Any Motorcity convention reports? 0

[jjonahjameson11]

Saw a few pics and it looked as though attendance was light.

usually, this is a good show to pick up a bunch of comics at fair prices so I’m just wondering if anyone can provide a few show highlights?

[Doctor Dositheus]

I wanted to go but just had too much on my plate last week. Hope it was a good show!

[theCapraAegagrus]

I've been out of the loop on cons since 2019. I didn't know MC3 was this past weekend, otherwise I would have gone.

[mtracy64]

I completely spaced it - I thought it was this coming weekend. I checked Monday to verify before submitting for a vacation day on Friday, and found I had missed it. I've done pretty well at Motor City over the years and I enjoy going regardless of what I find, but I need to get out of my area to a bigger con.

[comicstock]

I live outside of Charlotte.  Too long of a drive.

[SkOw]

Just posted this in another thread then saw this…..

A few of my buys.  The ECs are low grade but the other 3-D ones are higher grade. I love that Kirby cover!  The Crime Clinic has a great date stamp (which I’m a sucker for) and I’ve always liked that Wrightson cover, and love the old school pen sig  
 

Good bucks in the room.  Good buying show.  There were less high ticket dealers this year though. 

[SkOw]

Also @1Cool had some pics up in the linked thread below.  Attendance was lighter than usual on Friday, but stronger than in years past on Saturday and Sunday.  A lot of dealers reported much better sales Sunday than Saturday on comics.

 

 

[Shadow]

I went on Saturday. It's a shadow of it's past at least regarding comic books. I still bought and was thankful that Harley Yee, Lange and Reece were there. My collection tastes are S/A and B/A so hunt might get harder in the coming years. Not the same show without Bob Storms or Dale Roberts to name a few. That said, I got some books to fill holes in the collection. 

[letsgrumble]

Here's my report. 

I've gone to the Motor City Comic Con every year up to 2019. Being Canadian, it would always coincide with our long weekend in May. So I'd take the Friday off and stick around Michigan for four days with Friday and half of Saturday attending the show. Pre-COVID, my routine was simple: drop off a big submission to CGC and then scout around for comics. There'd always be big-time national dealers mixed in with some great local dealers from Michigan. Todd Lange was always a must. I'd always leave that show with tons of great books at great prices, maybe get some signatures here and there, and feeling I got a lot accomplished.

This year was a little different. What has changed in 2022 that perhaps only I care about: 1) CGC did not set up at the show; 2) dealers were mostly comprised of the local yokels; 3) aside from a few quality guests, it was very limited.

(What also changed, for me, is my 9 year-old, anime-obsessed daughter is now added to my comic con roster - let's just say 100% of my time is no longer dedicated to hunting comics).

I spent Friday-only at Motor City. A lot of dealers I would normally see setup there were not present. So I first did the walk-around. Part of me was thinking that a lot of the larger US dealers didn't set up in Detroit this year because it fell on the same weekend as MegaCon. But I remember that a lot of dealers didn't set up in 2019 either because, apparently, the prices for tables increased significantly. Anyhoot, I don't know the full reasons why. I looked through Reece's Comics, Harley's, and a bunch of other tables. I did look for Todd Lange but didn't see him at his table. There was someone else sitting there with a bunch of $2 boxes.

My expectations were therefore a bit lowered. Just had a few books on my hit list. I did pick up a Thor #134 from Warp 9 Comics, a Spidey #265 newsstand from Phil's Collectables (a Canadian who had tons of Neal Adams stuff!), a few cheapies from Bell Book & Comics, and a discounted FF Omni V2 from who knows who. This was the kind of stuff I could have found online. My kids had a great time so all was good. My son was looking for Marvel Legends figs and my daughter was on the hunt for wooden swords and Demon Slayer merch. My son picked up a High Evolutionary fig to go with my Thor #134.

Biggest regret. I do like acquiring books in bulk when attending shows, and you can't really do that online. There were boxes of high-grade bronze at $5 a pop at Collector's Zone. After briefly looking though a box or two I saw that there were some bargains to be had. Unfortunately I never made it back to the table.

Here are some pics:

[jjonahjameson11]

I figured attendance would be lighter this year, likewise fewer key dealers in attendance for various reasons.  The guest list was absolutely horrible and all of this is incredibly disappointing.

I used to attend this show almost every year since 2000, and Goldman and co and had great dealers and an incredible guest list to entice the masses.  In fact, this show once boasted the third highest attendance for comic shows and it’s just a shame to see it fall by the wayside.

I hope they are able to recover and put on a better show next year!

[Sigur Ros]

On 5/21/2022 at 6:30 PM, jjonahjameson11 said:

I figured attendance would be lighter this year, likewise fewer key dealers in attendance for various reasons.  The guest list was absolutely horrible and all of this is incredibly disappointing.

I used to attend this show almost every year since 2000, and Goldman and co and had great dealers and an incredible guest list to entice the masses.  In fact, this show once boasted the third highest attendance for comic shows and it’s just a shame to see it fall by the wayside.

I hope they are able to recover and put on a better show next year!

October*

[Shadow]

On 5/21/2022 at 6:30 PM, jjonahjameson11 said:

I figured attendance would be lighter this year, likewise fewer key dealers in attendance for various reasons.  The guest list was absolutely horrible and all of this is incredibly disappointing.

I used to attend this show almost every year since 2000, and Goldman and co and had great dealers and an incredible guest list to entice the masses.  In fact, this show once boasted the third highest attendance for comic shows and it’s just a shame to see it fall by the wayside.

I hope they are able to recover and put on a better show next year!

It was due to getting convinced to go to this show in 1994 that I got back into collecting comics after a 10 year hiatus. I thought I also remembered this being a big show back in the day. Maybe a 2nd tier? Used to be much larger relating to comics. But it also used to be much smaller for guests and other products. So maybe a sign of the changing times? 

For me there's still a thrill of the hunt and perusing through long boxes for the deal or the small book that completes a run. Add in immediate gratification. Don't get that from online as easy. That said, if I know people like Bob Storms or Dale Roberts are coming, I check out their websites and ask if they can bring some books. Combo meal I guess.  

I'm sure I'll go again in October...

[Robot Man]

On 5/21/2022 at 3:30 PM, jjonahjameson11 said:

I figured attendance would be lighter this year, likewise fewer key dealers in attendance for various reasons.  The guest list was absolutely horrible and all of this is incredibly disappointing.

I used to attend this show almost every year since 2000, and Goldman and co and had great dealers and an incredible guest list to entice the masses.  In fact, this show once boasted the third highest attendance for comic shows and it’s just a shame to see it fall by the wayside.

I hope they are able to recover and put on a better show next year!

I heard they raised booth prices a lot.

I think the big Pop Culture “comic cons” are taking a big hit. A lot of bigger Nationwide dealers just aren’t traveling the country much anymore. Smaller, local comic centric shows are making a big comeback.

I went to WonderCon Anahiem a couple months ago. Severely lacking in dealers. Mostly locals. Used to be packed with them. You could even walk up and buy a ticket at the door.

Edited May 22, 2022 by Robot Man

[jjonahjameson11]

Is there a link to the October Motorcity show?

[Courageous Cat]

On 5/22/2022 at 11:25 AM, Robot Man said:

I heard they raised booth prices a lot.

I think the big Pop Culture “comic cons” are taking a bit hit. A lot of bigger Nationwide dealers just aren’t traveling the country much anymore. Smaller, local comic centric shows are making a big comeback.

I went to WonderCon Anahiem a couple months ago. Severely lacking in dealers. Mostly locals. Used to be packed with them. You could even walk up and buy a ticket at the door.

Yep! times be a changin' and not necessarily for the better. Last big one i was at MegaCon pre covid and it was a anime dookie fest. Won't go back

Edited May 22, 2022 by Courageous Cat

[Sigur Ros]

On 5/22/2022 at 12:00 PM, jjonahjameson11 said:

Is there a link to the October Motorcity show?

No. Looks like their web site still references the May show. 

[Motor City Rob]

Here's a video that has a good amount of footage from the show:

https://youtu.be/QG0jrsvNAfs

[ADAMANTIUM]

On 5/23/2022 at 8:28 AM, Motor City Rob said:

Here's a video that has a good amount of footage from the show:

https://youtu.be/QG0jrsvNAfs

Not bad, with Reece's set up and all the hulk 181's, and a few other vendors with slabs and raws.

[Motor City Rob]

On 5/23/2022 at 9:59 AM, ADAMANTIUM said:

Not bad, with Reece's set up and all the hulk 181's, and a few other vendors with slabs and raws.

Reece's booth was phenomenal! Harley's was also really impressive, as usual. After that, there were a handful of smaller vendors, but that's it.....at least for comics. Was still a fun experience, but somewhat underwhelming.