I remember when the San Diego comic con was only comic books, and I was in heaven. 1 1

[Frisco Larson]

My first (and only, so far) San Diego Comic Con was in 1994. I'd already been to the Chicago Comic Con and a multitude of shows here in Minnesota, but I wasn't quite prepared for all that the San Diego show was!!! Carpeted and quite fancy by comparison to Chicago, it didn't disappoint in the variety of comics available!!! Metropolis had several display cases, and among the contents, passersby and my attending friends as well, gasped at the sight of a copy of Suspense #3!!! I purchased a mid-grade copy of Captain America #4 from Metropolis but that was all of my money that they wanted at that show, so I kept circulating. I passed by tables of dealers, some barely active today, like Four Color Comics ... some gone all together, like PCE: Pacific Comics Exchange. I purchased comics from longtime names in the hobby, like Harley Yee, A-1 Comics and John Hauser, and bought supplies and fortresses from conservation innovator Chris Pedrin. Making my way around to the back of the auditorium, I spied a dealer with a lot of novels and other hard cover books. They had a glass showcase and in it was the only copy of Motion Picture Funnies Weekly #1 plus front cover printer proofs of the next few issues that I had ever seen in person, up until that point!!! I couldn't believe my eyes!!!    It was really quite a spectacular moment!!! He said he could let me have it for $7500, which was nearly four times my budget for the show. They also had a short box of comics, of which I looked thru and bought my first copy of Amazing Spider-Man #2, which I still have!!! The four-day show is a bit of a blur in regard to what happened on which specific day, but walking around the show, I saw and met comics legends like Stan Lee and Bob Overstreet, both of whom were just walking around and mingling with guests and fans! By the end of the fourth day, I had spent all my loot, but Gary Dolgoff convinced me to do some mail order with him, so I actually was able to secure other books and pay for them at a later time! What a comic show!!! I could go on and on about the time spent OUTSIDE the show, and you're probably afraid that I will, so I won't.   I'll leave you with a pic of the Spidey #2 though, just for fun!  

Edited June 12, 2023 by Frisco Larson

[Robot Man]

On 6/12/2023 at 8:05 AM, Randall Dowling said:

Sounds like a life well lived. 

Well, I hope it is far from over. But you just can't keep on living in the past. Fun to recollect though.

About the same time, I got to see Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Rolling Stones and Hendrix in their prime for anywhere from $4.-6. a ticket...

[Robot Man]

On 6/12/2023 at 9:42 AM, Frisco Larson said:

My first (and only, so far) San Diego Comic Con was in 1994. I'd already been to the Chicago Comic Con and a multitude of shows here in Minnesota, but I wasn't quite prepared for all that the San Diego show was!!! Carpeted and quite fancy by comparison to Chicago, it didn't disappoint in the variety of comics available!!! Metropolis had several display cases, and among the contents, passersby and my attending friends as well, gasped at the sight of a copy of Suspense #3!!! I purchased a mid-grade copy of Captain America #4 from Metropolis but that was all of my money that they wanted at that show, so I kept circulating. I passed by tables of dealers, some barely active today, like Four Color Comics ... some gone all together, like PCE: Pacific Comics Exchange. I purchased comics from longtime names in the hobby, like Harley Yee, A-1 Comics and John Hauser, and bought supplies and fortresses from conservation innovator Chris Pedrin. Making my way around to the back of the auditorium, I spied a dealer with a lot of novels and other hard cover books. They had a glass showcase and in it was the only copy of Motion Picture Funnies Weekly #1 plus front cover printer proofs of the next few issues that I had ever seen in person, up until that point!!! I couldn't believe my eyes!!!    It was really quite a spectacular moment!!! He said he could let me have it for $7500, which was nearly four times my budget for the show. They also had a short box of comics, of which I looked thru and bought my first copy of Amazing Spider-Man #2, which I still have!!! The four-day show is a bit of a blur in regard to what happened on which specific day, but walking around the show, I saw and met comics legends like Stan Lee and Bob Overstreet, both of whom were just walking around and mingling with guests and fans! By the end of the fourth day, I had spent all my loot, but Gary Dolgoff convinced me to do some mail order with him, so I actually was able to secure other books and pay for them at a later time! What a comic show!!! I could go on and on about the time spent OUTSIDE the show, and you're probably afraid that I will, so I won't.   I'll leave you with a pic of the Spidey #2 though, just for fun!  

Indeed! For a long time, it was the best comic show in the country for eye candy and quantity of quality dealers. The general "vibe" of the show was awesome. There was just something magical about it. I've been to all the big shows over the years but SDCC was the one. I also remember the tons of "mom and pop" dealers with tons of long boxes to go through. Lots of deals if you were willing to search them out and do the work. I usually came hope with a huge pile of GA and SA. Those folks are all LONG gone now. 

[thecollectron]

I started my SDCC run at the very beginning, the one-day show in March 1970 at the Grant Hotel. I’ve been going ever since and it’s not like the old days but I still look forward to it every year.

[BitterOldMan]

I saw my friend in early June.  He asked me whether I wanted to attend 2023 SDCC.  He could get me in early and free, plus I could crash in his hotel room.  I replied “No thanks!”  At one stretch, I attended 25 years in a roll.  “It’s too crowded, nobody goes there anymore.”
 

Last attended in 2019, and got in early with a vendor pass.  Saw @greggy buying all the good stuff before preview night.😂

In case your parents didn’t teach you, “It’s who you know!”

[Aman619]

On 6/12/2023 at 3:54 PM, BitterOldMan said:

I saw my friend in early June.  He asked me whether I wanted to attend 2023 SDCC.  He could get me in early and free, plus I could crash in his hotel room.  I replied “No thanks!”  At one stretch, I attended 25 years in a roll.  “It’s too crowded, nobody goes there anymore.”
 

Last attended in 2019, and got in early with a vendor pass.  Saw @greggy buying all the good stuff before preview night.😂

In case your parents didn’t teach you, “It’s who you know!”

dealers always have time for the whales at cons!  : )

[MrBedrock]

On 6/11/2023 at 9:14 PM, samfromcalifornia said:

A final word on SD ComicCon: When dealing in the mid-80's there, there were no one more kind and helpful then Tom and Virginia French. I've casually looked at some articles online about the history of the con and haven't seen a word about them, which seems odd to me.  Perhaps I got an incorrect impression about their role, but it's a shame that their efforts seem to be forgotten.

 

 

The French's will never be forgotten by those of us who regularly set up. Wonderful people.

[Frisco Larson]

On 6/12/2023 at 1:54 PM, Robot Man said:

Indeed! For a long time, it was the best comic show in the country for eye candy and quantity of quality dealers. The general "vibe" of the show was awesome. There was just something magical about it. I've been to all the big shows over the years but SDCC was the one. I also remember the tons of "mom and pop" dealers with tons of long boxes to go through. Lots of deals if you were willing to search them out and do the work. I usually came hope with a huge pile of GA and SA. Those folks are all LONG gone now. 

Yes, the mom & pop shops that I probably never knew the names of were certainly in attendance!!! We've had them come to Minnesota from neighboring states too. One I'll never forget was Kenny and his wife Kay would come over from Wisconsin. Kenny was a big MLJ collector, and I spoke with him over the phone about an upcoming show there were going to be set up at. He was starting to sell off a lot of his collection and this particular time, he was to be bringing a Pep 22 for me. This was in the mid 90s. One problem that hadn't occurred to me was that, even though the book was being brought for me, if someone else merely SEES it, they might be able to overwhelm him with a high price and strongarm the book away before the show even opened. When I reached Kenny's table, the book was gone. A dealer by the name of Yee beat me to it.  While I wasn't out any money, I paid a price to learn a lesson that day. 

[DanCooper]

Tom French at 1974 San Diego:

[Robot Man]

On 6/12/2023 at 1:44 PM, MrBedrock said:

The French's will never be forgotten by those of us who regularly set up. Wonderful people.

Indeed! They cared so much and worked so hard. So many times I would go out on the loading dock and sneak a smoke with Tom. You could tell he was a bit stressed but never admitted to it. Always positive and friendly. Once the French's left was the beginning of the decline of the vintage comic buying area...

[Robot Man]

On 6/12/2023 at 3:01 PM, Frisco Larson said:

Yes, the mom & pop shops that I probably never knew the names of were certainly in attendance!!! We've had them come to Minnesota from neighboring states too. One I'll never forget was Kenny and his wife Kay would come over from Wisconsin. Kenny was a big MLJ collector, and I spoke with him over the phone about an upcoming show there were going to be set up at. He was starting to sell off a lot of his collection and this particular time, he was to be bringing a Pep 22 for me. This was in the mid 90s. One problem that hadn't occurred to me was that, even though the book was being brought for me, if someone else merely SEES it, they might be able to overwhelm him with a high price and strongarm the book away before the show even opened. When I reached Kenny's table, the book was gone. A dealer by the name of Yee beat me to it.  While I wasn't out any money, I paid a price to learn a lesson that day. 

I've had Harley offer to haul in my boxes out of the back of my van. The hardest working dealer in the business...

Yeah, there is always that "one guy" at almost any show. Often off the beaten patch. A couple years ago, I hit a guy I'd never seen. He had a lot of interesting books but nothing I was that passionate about. We struck up a conversation, got friendly and he told me he had a box under the table from a GA collection he just picked up and hadn't priced yet. I asked to see it and he pulled it out. My knees got a little weak when I found some real early and obscure GA books that I was really looking for. He priced them VERY friendly to me and I took them home. Nobody had seen them or even asked. They would have been gone to the first person who saw them. 

Maybe 10 years ago, there was a little small guy way out of the way of the GA/SA Pavillion at SDCC. He had a small rack of mostly carpy stuff but there were 3 nice GA books on his rack. He told me they were all half guide. I bought all 3. This was one of them...

[sfcityduck]

On 6/12/2023 at 7:57 AM, Robot Man said:

I didn’t post those pictures of Mitch to mock or embarrass him. Just to show the fun, innocent times when SDCC was just so great.

 

 

I don't think anyone saw that differently.

[pemart1966]

On 6/11/2023 at 7:50 PM, Robot Man said:

The boards very own Mitch Mehdy at one of the earliest SDCC shows. Oh, how young we were once...

Remember that view?

 

Mitch and the girl he's with look as if they could be siblings - are they?

[Frisco Larson]

On 6/12/2023 at 7:57 PM, Robot Man said:

I've had Harley offer to haul in my boxes out of the back of my van. The hardest working dealer in the business...

Yeah, there is always that "one guy" at almost any show. Often off the beaten patch. A couple years ago, I hit a guy I'd never seen. He had a lot of interesting books but nothing I was that passionate about. We struck up a conversation, got friendly and he told me he had a box under the table from a GA collection he just picked up and hadn't priced yet. I asked to see it and he pulled it out. My knees got a little weak when I found some real early and obscure GA books that I was really looking for. He priced them VERY friendly to me and I took them home. Nobody had seen them or even asked. They would have been gone to the first person who saw them. 

Maybe 10 years ago, there was a little small guy way out of the way of the GA/SA Pavillion at SDCC. He had a small rack of mostly carpy stuff but there were 3 nice GA books on his rack. He told me they were all half guide. I bought all 3. This was one of them...

Wow, that's a GREAT score at half guide!!! Yeah, a lot of times it's the small-time dealers that can be overlooked and sometimes have hidden gems, both price and comic issue wise! Also, I've noticed that a lot of people at shows just kind of browse the table and wall books, seldom asking if there's anything else that isn't out. I've found a LOT of books in boxes behind the table that would've likely sold right away if they were out where people could see them. 

[BitterOldMan]

On 6/12/2023 at 3:01 PM, Frisco Larson said:

Yes, the mom & pop shops that I probably never knew the names of were certainly in attendance!!! We've had them come to Minnesota from neighboring states too. One I'll never forget was Kenny and his wife Kay would come over from Wisconsin. Kenny was a big MLJ collector, and I spoke with him over the phone about an upcoming show there were going to be set up at. He was starting to sell off a lot of his collection and this particular time, he was to be bringing a Pep 22 for me. This was in the mid 90s. One problem that hadn't occurred to me was that, even though the book was being brought for me, if someone else merely SEES it, they might be able to overwhelm him with a high price and strongarm the book away before the show even opened. When I reached Kenny's table, the book was gone. A dealer by the name of Yee beat me to it.  While I wasn't out any money, I paid a price to learn a lesson that day. 

At 2019 SDCC, I was staying at the Embassy Suites, which provides a free all you can eat breakfast.  Figuring that I would beat the crowd by eating at 6:15 AM, I grab my tray, but the hardest working comic dealer, Harley Yee, already finished his breakfast.  In fact, the waitresses all knew him.  Harley was already getting ready to go to the exhibition hall, but chatted with me for a short while.

[Mmehdy]

On 6/11/2023 at 7:05 AM, action1kid said:

I remember when the San Diego Comic con was only comic books, and I was in heaven.

I believe I went from #2 on.....

1- to address you comment...it was NEVER just about comic books, it was people first like Bruce Hamilton who had Cap#1 for sale at SDCC#2 for the large price of $250, having breakfast with the King in those early early days. We were there for the comic books, we knew a good thing early on...that comic books and art are vastly underpriced and very under appreciated   that there is true real value in these timeless collectables. 

But as  look back on it, it was the people. the collectors the different persons both in size and shape and politics that really stood out. That is what I remember the most....meeting Dawn the girl in the picture and wondering  what my life would have been if we got married and yet she lived in SD and me in Sacramento ....well so be it. We  collectors were a odd in way....but we really really were ahead  of our time.

 I can honestly say, it that comic book collecting has guided me  thru life  to be a better person, a more understanding person in accepting people for who they are and to go back in time and really give thank how truly innocent the world was in 1972..1973

 Today, you just cannot find that type of personal one on one contract with 120,000 people.  The boards are a best thing to happen to help collectors today.

I will say this for the current naysayers....there still is a group of people who still hang out there and it is still worthwhile to attend. I will be there at preview night and hope to say hi to a number of collectors and friends I see every year.

It  is different, bigger but still has a place in my heart and until they carry me out feet up...I am still going despite the high cost. Forget about the money...you can make money....memories are priceless 

FYI...I had very good taste in 1972 or 1973 both comics and ....well....

Edited June 13, 2023 by Mmehdy

[silverseeker]

My first SDCC was in 2002, and even then you could just show up and purchase a one-day ticket if you didn't want to do all four days...I can't remember exactly when the craziness started, but it was a few years after that.

[sfcityduck]

On 6/12/2023 at 9:50 PM, Mmehdy said:

 

I will say this for the current naysayers....there still is a group of people who still hang out there and it is still worthwhile to attend. I will be there at preview night and hope to say hi to a number of collectors and friends I see every year.

.

Yo!  Can you get me in?

[Cat-Man_America]

Here are some SDCC daguerrotypes I've resurrected from files...

Last surviving members of the Grateful Alive!

I'd just acquired this book from this gentleman ...

...then photographed it being held by this gentleman!

[Frisco Larson]

On 6/12/2023 at 9:47 PM, BitterOldMan said:

At 2019 SDCC, I was staying at the Embassy Suites, which provides a free all you can eat breakfast.  Figuring that I would beat the crowd by eating at 6:15 AM, I grab my tray, but the hardest working comic dealer, Harley Yee, already finished his breakfast.  In fact, the waitresses all knew him.  Harley was already getting ready to go to the exhibition hall, but chatted with me for a short while.

Without question, Har IS the hardest working guy in the comic business!!! AND he can move like a cat too!!! I've seen Har barrelin' down the aisles at shows at a remarkable speed!