MrWoo's Belated NYC Comic Con Report

[mrwoogieman]

I only attended the show on Saturday this year, due to time constraints and other commitments. Not a problem for me as this show is only a 45 minute train ride into the City and a ten minute walk to the venue from where I live on Long Island.

 

Leading up to the show, I was in contact with Paul M. of Pop Fun / Toon Tumblers to set up base at his booth and help him out in exchange for an exhibitor's pass into the show. I was also in contact with Greggy and assorted others to meet up for dinner after the show to bask in the glory of our favorite Canuklehead.

 

I arrived at Javits at about 12:20 p.m. Saturday and was greeted with the sight of a line that was about a thousand people long snaking down toward the West Side Highway and doubling back on itself and leading into the Javit's lower entrance. Not a good sign. There were two uniformed security guards on the corner directing the comic people onto the long line (even those with tickets in hand) and those for the 'travel show' were being directed into the front entrance where there was no line. I opted for the front entrance. Several unanswered phone calls to Paul's cell phone later and I was in trouble. He wasn't answering and there were no daily tickets available for sale.

 

I had to think of something quick or I was going to be shut out on the only day I could attend. I approached the exhibitor's help desk and approached two female staff members who were chatting with one another. I explained that I had a pass but that it was inside and the person who had it was not picking up his cell phone and could I please have someone escort me inside and I could pick up the pass and all would be right with the world? The staff members decided that I looked trustworthy and put a wristband on me and said there you're in for today; just pick up your badge from your friend and you'll be fine. Yes! In for free! Coincidentally, as I'm getting the wristband strapped on, Paul calls my cell and I tell him no worries I'm through the front door and will be seeing him shortly.

 

The set up of the Con this year was greatly improved from the prior year's layout. More room, a completely separate area for artist's alley, wider aisles, more booths. Everything about it was a step up from 2006.

 

The afternoon was a blur, all in all, from helping out Paul sell his cool character glasses for awhile, to meeting up with several board members amongst the aisles, including Mutant Keys and Red Hook, to checking out the dealer's inventory which always includes stopping by and saying 'Hi' to Ted from Superworld, the nicest dealer I've ever met even though I've never bought anything from him. I even met Lemur/Langur from Monkeyhouse and he comped me some freebie dollar books - so I take back all the nasty things I said about him behind his back...er...nevermind!

 

As always, I had a chance to linger around Jim Steranko's booth downstairs. He always has his 'game face' on for these shows and is always good for some laughs. Respect!

 

The set up this year featured a completely separate floor for the artist's booths, vastly improved from year's prior, row upon row of artists and creators. I stopped by and said hello to Sean Chen and Bernard Chang, among others, saw Neal Adams, etc. Didn't see Brian Bolland (but saw his nameplate), and I wanted to stop at Jim Shooter's set up but his line was long and when I found some time later he was gone. Apparently, he was promoting some new imprint hero book called Seven, I got a copy of the promotional booklet but it looks like he isn't writing or editing it -- was it a favor for one of his former employees? Not sure.

 

Also saw some of the guys from the ValiantFans message board at the show as well and hung out with them for a bit.

 

After the show, I met up with Fookiller and his friend Mary Ann, DAM60, Delekereste and his friend, and the inimitable GREGGY for dinner at the infamous Brazilian BBQ that is fast becoming a CGC Board member favorite! This was my first time at the restaurant and I heartily support all good things that have been said about it. The meal was delicious and quite filling. Greggy was his usual low-key self, dropping little graemlin flashcards onto the table at appropriate pauses in the conversation. At the end of dinner, we all went our separate ways, Greggy was headed back to his Hotel near the Javits and it was on my way to Penn Station so we walked together for awhile and, using actual words this time, he described his work related visit to Bangkok (no snakes were discussed, oddly) and at the appointed block where our paths diverged, I pointed him in the right direction to find his hotel and sent him on his way, hoping that he would not be beaten and robbed (which he wasn't apparently).

 

All in all a terrific and busy day at the Con! Can't wait 'til next year!

[deathlok]

Great report and great pictures.

[mrwoogieman]

Great report and great pictures.

 

Thanks, the pics were the toughest part of course!

[MutantKeys]

Nice report and it was good seeing you again

[langur88]

I even met Lemur/Langur from Monkeyhouse and he comped me some freebie dollar books - so I take back all the nasty things I said about him behind his back...er...nevermind!

 

 

[mrwoogieman]

I even met Lemur/Langur from Monkeyhouse and he comped me some freebie dollar books - so I take back all the nasty things I said about him behind his back...er...nevermind!

 

 

 

 

Seriously though, nice meeting you.

[langur88]

I even met Lemur/Langur from Monkeyhouse and he comped me some freebie dollar books - so I take back all the nasty things I said about him behind his back...er...nevermind!

 

 

 

 

Seriously though, nice meeting you.

 

Just kidding about the .

 

I have developed a thick hide over my long tenure due to the unusually high percentage of backstabbers and clueless in the comic book and other collectibles businesses.

 

It's a sad fact that this is one of the few businesses that anybody can start with nothing other than their own collection.

[CKB]

decided that I looked trustworthy

 

I believed every bit of your post except this part, and now the whole thing is suspect. Did you really even attend??

 

 

Thanks for the report!