Big Apple Hits Bottom

[underthebigw]

While not likely to happen, it would be neat to see Marvel or DC create an interactive enviroment like the the NFL, NBA experience has.

 

Interactive Superhero related activities that kids could enjoy, and learn about comics and Superheros.

 

Lets see, they could have

 

Create your own comic book area with realtime artists helping the kids draw.

 

The ever popular Superhero Tatoo, facepaint area.

 

 

 

A Superman area.

 

A kid could climb up and look through Superman eyes to see what it would be like to have super vision.

 

They could bend fake steel items and other things to see what it would be like to have super strength.

 

A blue screen photo are are where they could lay down and get a photo of them "flying"

 

 

 

Spiderman area

 

Could have a wall climbing simulator. with sticky gloves and shoes.

 

A web shooting booth like a carnival game.

 

Take photos like Peter Parker.

 

 

 

Batman Area..

 

A Batcave area with several kiosks with Bat Detecting computers and such.

 

An interactive Batmobile driving simulator.

 

A Batarang Bat Dart game

 

 

Hulk area

 

Put on Big hands and feet and smash Styrofoam stuff area.

Jump around in the "Jump Like the Hulk" tent.

 

 

Well you get the idea.

 

Creating a family atmosphere is possible to try and promote a Con as more then a place to just buy comics, but rather a place to enjoy comic book related material with families and friends. And would obviously start with an investment from Marvel and DC to try and foster that atmosphere.

 

Just an idea.

 

Ze-

This is a great idea! Start your own company Kenny!

 

I think Kenny has it exactly right. In my mind, the most successful cons I've been to the last 2 years have been the ones that are most family-friendly. I really believe it's one of the reasons everyone I know loves the Baltimore show.

 

In a related vein, last Nov., after more than a few beers, I told Roger Price that his Thanksgiving weekend Mid-Ohio show really needed to have a Santa Claus next year--comic-themed, of course. A great draw for kids and a great way to pull in families on a holiday weekend. People want a reason to bring their families and I firmly believe the only shows that will grow, are the ones that succeed in attracting them.

[alecholland]

While not likely to happen, it would be neat to see Marvel or DC create an interactive enviroment like the the NFL, NBA experience has.

 

Interactive Superhero related activities that kids could enjoy, and learn about comics and Superheros.

 

Lets see, they could have

 

Create your own comic book area with realtime artists helping the kids draw.

 

The ever popular Superhero Tatoo, facepaint area.

 

 

 

A Superman area.

 

A kid could climb up and look through Superman eyes to see what it would be like to have super vision.

 

They could bend fake steel items and other things to see what it would be like to have super strength.

 

A blue screen photo area where they could lay down and get a photo of them "flying"

 

 

 

Spiderman area

 

Could have a wall climbing simulator. with sticky gloves and shoes.

 

A web shooting booth like a carnival game.

 

Take photos like Peter Parker.

 

 

 

Batman Area..

 

A Batcave area with several kiosks with Bat Detecting computers and such.

 

An interactive Batmobile driving simulator.

 

A Batarang Bat Dart game

 

 

Hulk area

 

Put on Big hands and feet and smash Styrofoam stuff area.

Jump around in the "Jump Like the Hulk" tent.

 

 

Well you get the idea.

 

Creating a family atmosphere is possible to try and promote a Con as more then a place to just buy comics, but rather a place to enjoy comic book related material with families and friends. And would obviously start with an investment from Marvel and DC to try and foster that atmosphere.

 

That sounds awesome Kenny. Where is that Con going to be? I wanna go right now!!

 

Just an idea, as I understand it is a big leap to take given the majority of people attending Cons is there to buy comics. And probably do not have any children.

 

Honestly, I think these ideas should be developed some more and turned into a proposal. It would be absolutely fantastic to have something like this at some of the larger Cons or to create a Con like this yourself. Advertised correctly I think ideas like this would definitely attract more people than a porn star and might also generate more revenue for exhibitors that are selling comics and comic related merchandise which should be one of the goals. I really doubt that many people who buy tickets to a con because they want to meet a porn star are buying a whole lot of comics. A porn star may generate a little more revenue for the con itself, but I doubt it generates much, if any at all, for the comic book sellers. Whereas, ideas such as yours might get families to come and inspire a little bit of a nostalgic feeling in the parents (especially the dads) who might in turn be willing to shell out a few dollars to read an old Spider-Man or Batman comic they had when they were kids.

 

I can tell you from personal experience that every time, without fail, that I have taken a friend or relative to a convention or comic shop, they have walked out with a comic. This even includes my mom who bought some Little Lulu comics at a small local convention I took her to last year. I didn't find anything, but my mom walked out with $50 worth of old Little Lulu books.

 

Same thing happened with my brother-in-law just a couple weeks ago. Took him to a comic shop and he walked out with a couple Savage Sword of Conan Mags.

 

I'm really not sure what Convention organizers are thinking when they put these things together anymore. It's apparent that they lack any ability to think creatively about what or who to have at the conventions or how to structure them. If your best idea is having a porn star, you need to find some new organizers IMHO.

 

At any rate, great ideas Kenny. I'd love to do some of the stuff you mentioned myself.

[comicwiz]

The "as it is" views you espouse regarding the ideals of beauty are far more frightening in my opinion, especially in a day an age when children are being bombarded in every which way by various forms of media. Its in the music they see and hear. Its expressed in their clothing, and body language.

 

Overweight kids are treated as outcasts. Other kids see this, and will do what it takes to avoid that degree of alienation and humiliation.

 

So what does a parent do when they receive that phone call from a school official, warning them that their child might be anorexic because they've seen them puking in the washroom on repeated occasions?

 

Or when their team coach breaks the news to them that they've caught their child with syringes and vials containing a series of banned performance enhancing substances?

 

Personally, I'd find myself having an easier time explaining sexual urges, and the need for control with my daughter or son, than I would explaining to them that the character or real-life individual they have chosen as a role model and are desperately trying to emulate from a comic book title, a music video, a fashion magazine or from some sporting event is not a suitable role model, and has in fact risen to their level of recognition and status by reinforcing a distorted form of beauty, achievement and by insulating themselves from truth and reality.

 

I'm sorry, but this is all getting ludicrous. I agree that certain dealers are indifferent regarding separating adult material from other stock (although the big GA and SA dealers simply don't generally carry such stuff), and that minors grab top shelf mags and nobody cares. That's the way things are....often, but certainly not always.

 

That doesn't justify anything regarding porn and its' relationship to comic culture. As has been already mentioned ad nauseam, comics are a medium, not a genre, of which undergrounds (which I collect) and porno comics (which I have no interest in at all) are two very small niche areas.

 

To come up with a similar strawman to those that have been bandied about in this increasingly silly thread - I don't see any Oscars being given away for Best Porn Film, or Best Erotic Scene in a movie. But why not? So many Hollywood films have gratuitous sex and violence! And Porn films exist! Why isn't Hollywood accepting them into the mainstream??? Why don't people accept them as part of their reality, and their perception of this medium? To hell with artistic pretension and aspiration!!! Let the porn in, dammit!!!!

 

And as for your argument (quoted above) that criticises comics for perpetuating and enforcing an idealized version of humanity that may harm those that take it as gospel - this is also alarmist and completely absurd. Kids "desperately trying to emulate" comic characters?? What on earth does a medium like comics have to do with axiomatic matters within society as a whole? Claiming that drawings of overproportioned superbeings are partly responsible for the woes of overweight or ambitious kids or teenagers is Werthamesque. Please!

 

Comics aren't and have never been taken as seriously as other media, from day one. And that includes the kids of all ages that read them. Yes, they provide escape, but do not, even though they have generally become more and more visceral, "provide insulation from reality".

 

And to equate them with porn is an exercise in belittlement which is very odd, considering that said argument is from a comic enthusiast.

 

And yep, I don't care for porn queens at Cons. I'm very far from being a prude, and have generally been indifferent to their presence at these events. But they're a tawdry, vapid, cloying presence that adds NOTHING to the event whatsoever. Yes, they have their place, which should be separate from the main event. Which, to bring the argument back to the beginning, would prove very difficult at a small show like the Big Apple one.

 

Hey, where do you get this idea that I'm justifying anything?

 

And finally, if your still against the idea of having sex linked with comics, and seeing porn stars at comic cons, then stop going, and stop buying comics. Otherwise, the industry is left with no choice but to follow the money-making trend that sex sells.

 

I'm not making anyones mind up about how to choose their platform of protest. You are completely misinterpreting what I've written.

 

My opinion as far as how beauty ideals and the sex trade are related are mine and my own.

 

What I find ludicrous is this notion that you somehow feel you have a sense of entitlement and final say on how a show should be run because your a purveyor of comic books.

 

Until you can figure out a way to keep adults interest levels in the same way sex does, and can devolve to show organizers effective solutions to finance the shows and show a profit, or better, are fronting the dough to run the show, then all you're left with is your right to avoid attending.

 

How I filter out what my kids should read, and whether its fits for viewing consumption is my prerogative. If boycotting a show because a porn star is a featured attraction is how some choose their platform of protest, then so be it.

 

But don't come trotting in on your moral high-horse telling others that they shouldn't, or using the kids card, because it still comes down to a right of choice, and parental supervision. Funny you should cite Wertham, because when you take that moral high-road, your ultimately abdicating the consumers ability to make their own choice, and quite frankly, its downright insulting because you're somehow telling everyone else that they're too stupid to see it for themselves, so you'll be making their minds up on the matter for them.

 

No, I'm sorry, but I'm afraid that you yourself have completely misunderstood what I've said here. I am not prescribing nor proscribing anything regarding porn at comic shows. I will still attend them whether the porn queens are in attendance or not. There is no entitlement, and I am not telling anyone to do anything. I merely stated that I thought they were feebly connected with the medium and not representative of it.

 

If sex sells, fine. If this is all about market forces and the need to make ends meet at Cons, then that is the way things are. You deal with your kids the way you want to deal with them. That, of course, is absolutely none of my business.

 

My point was that it was facile and unnecessary to state that porn is equal to comics, and that it's not just a necessity, but part of the fabric of comics culture.

 

There is no need to demonize comics the way that you just did to get your point across. One second you say that sex sells, get used to it, the next you state that comics are part of the problem in that they provide unrealistic icons or role models for impressionable children. Your message is confused because you no longer bother to make a distinction between an artistic and aspirational medium and porn.

 

The only thing confusing is your need to compartmentalize the entire medium. Explaining how they are far from being innocent, and drawing on examples whereby they may be as inappropriate to impressionable children as any form of sexually objectionable content is what I call a fair warning. The only demonizing going on here is porns place at a comic convention, and I'm far from being its most vocal opponent.

 

In the end, comics are still lines on paper, and despite how the artists and writers decide to express their views, it's still meant as a form of entertainment, and my idea of entertainment isn't necessarily going to be the same as everyone else's.

 

The format is disposable printed matter, with art and bubble-boxes.

 

The "why" in terms of how the medium is blurring can be explained by a need to monetize, and an example of the "how" is when we look at how comics have transcended their disposable printed form, and have entered into other markets.

 

Applying your logic of sex having no place in the comics medium, the comic book character Spider-Man might never have had a chance on the big screen because some of the film production purists might not have seen the formulaic fit.

 

So if movie adaptations are made into comics, or vice-versa, its because of the lure of money. The same goes for any objectionable or sexually explicit content or storyline in comics. They exist because there are buyers, and unless their publishers begin to experience drought, the product will continue to exist.

[skybolt]

I'm personally against having porn stars at cons, but that's just my opinion. However, the ultimate question is do comic promoters and dealers actually want a hoard of kids attending these events either?! I realize that a few well behaved kids attending the cons with their parents is a great thing and should be encouraged. On the flip side, can you imagine 50 to 100 kids running around the convention floors knocking down displays, handling $200 books, etc. I seriously believe that most dealers would prefer these cons to be more adult oriented and have the kids stay at home. I'm sure that the parents would spend a few bucks buying their sons and daughters a few moderns, but that doesn't even begin to compare to an adult with a $1000 burning in his pocket, throwing his hands up in the air, and leaving the con because of some kids bumping into him and his recently purchased books. I realize it's a sad thing because these kids will be the future of our hobby, but do the promoters really care what may or may not happen 10, 20 years from now when these kids have serious money to spend?!

 

That's way something like Kenny's idea would be a terrific change for bringing new blood into the hobby, and not necessarily involve having major dealers attend..................unless they want to be part of the festivities.

[goldust40]

The only thing confusing is your need to compartmentalize the entire medium. Explaining how they are far from being innocent, and drawing on examples whereby they may be as inappropriate to impressionable children as any form of sexually objectionable content is what I call a fair warning. The only demonizing going on here is porns place at a comic convention, and I'm far from being its most vocal opponent.

 

I didn't state that the medium needed to be compartmentalized, or even that shows should be - please read my post again. My point was that porn stars at shows are at best a necessary evil or economic necessity, at worst, an annoyance in that people will assume they are not just part of the fabric of the culture, but its' avatar.

 

I think that using my words (demonize, Werthamesque) to rebuff my arguments is a bit of a chestnut tactic as it doesn't engage with what I was talking about, and attempts to laden me with an agenda that I simply don't have.

 

In fact this paragraph says far more about you than me:-

 

But don't come trotting in on your moral high-horse telling others that they shouldn't, or using the kids card, because it still comes down to a right of choice, and parental supervision. Funny you should cite Wertham, because when you take that moral high-road, your ultimately abdicating the consumers ability to make their own choice, and quite frankly, its downright insulting because you're somehow telling everyone else that they're too stupid to see it for themselves, so you'll be making their minds up on the matter for them.

 

Nope. Not telling anyone what to do. Not calling anyone stupid, either. Comicwiz, I have nothing against you, and appreciate your enthusiasm for the medium and hobby. But your arguments are very garbled indeed.

 

For example I never played the "kid card". You did. In your previous post, you claimed that comics were part of the corruptive and insidious influence the media plays in enforcing unrealistic role models for kids and teens. Now there may be a kernel of truth there, but there has to be something positive about them, otherwise why not shun comics (from the last 20 years) and shows altogether? Also why go on about parental responsibility in one line, and then claim that porn is not just a necessity in keeping shows afloat, but should be integrated with the comic dealers? This isn't about impressionable kids, but their attitude to the medium and hobby - what on earth will they think?

 

 

Applying your logic of sex having no place in the comics medium, the comic book character Spider-Man might never have had a chance on the big screen because some of the film production purists might not have seen the formulaic fit.

 

What logic? Where in my argument did I state that there is no place for sex in the comics medium?

 

The trouble is, is that from the top of this thread you've stated that comics, because they provide gratification on an entertainment level and have sexual overtones, are on a par with porn. If you thought otherwise, you wouldn't have consistently mentioned the comics that go beyond this argument and are within touching distance of porn - Adam Hughes, underground comics etc.

 

Is there a difference between a comic that features scantily clad women with impossible bodies and hardcore porn? Err, yes.

 

Do I care that porn stars have a high profile at shows? Not really. But then they ain't selling comic books, that's for sure.

[comicwiz]

I think that using my words (demonize, Werthamesque) to rebuff my arguments is a bit of a chestnut tactic as it doesn't engage with what I was talking about, and attempts to laden me with an agenda that I simply don't have.

 

Really? Not sure how you've arrived at this idea that I think you have any kind of agenda, but to set things straight, I don't think you do.

 

Nope. Not telling anyone what to do. Not calling anyone stupid, either. Comicwiz, I have nothing against you, and appreciate your enthusiasm for the medium and hobby. But your arguments are very garbled indeed.

 

Garbled? Ok, I guess maybe you should take your own suggestion and reread what I'm saying.

 

What logic? Where in my argument did I state that there is no place for sex in the comics medium?

 

Here (and for the record, I do think you're a prude ):

And yep, I don't care for porn queens at Cons. I'm very far from being a prude, and have generally been indifferent to their presence at these events. But they're a tawdry, vapid, cloying presence that adds NOTHING to the event whatsoever. Yes, they have their place, which should be separate from the main event.

 

And if you're going to conveniently brush this aside by suggesting that you weren't saying there is no place for porn at a show, then suggesting they are carted away to their own separate area is just another way of saying that they shouldn't be there.

 

The trouble is, is that from the top of this thread you've stated that comics, because they provide gratification on an entertainment level and have sexual overtones, are on a par with porn. If you thought otherwise, you wouldn't have consistently mentioned the comics that go beyond this argument and are within touching distance of porn - Adam Hughes, underground comics etc.

 

I wasn't the one who brought up Hughes, and my only reference to UG comix was the Zap 4 which was to illustrate how an underground comic could pass through as being fit for underage viewers because the cover reveals nothing out of the ordinary.

 

Is there a difference between a comic that features scantily clad women with impossible bodies and hardcore porn? Err, yes.

 

Of course there's a difference. But the likelihood of finding them both at a comic con is very high and as long as there is a dealer wanting to cover their table costs and still turn a small profit, and the main theme of the show is the comic medium, then they all belong under the same roof.

 

Is there a place for porn stars? Again, my response to that is I'm not sure.

 

It would make sense if a porn star is promoting a comic where they may have been featured (Aria Giovanni gracing the cover of Heavy Metal issue quickly comes to mind).

 

Why shouldn't I expect to find a back issue of Jizz Comics or that particular Heavy Metal issue with Aria on the cover at a comic convention? How about if the only way I am able to secure a copy is by visiting Aria's table, where she's got a stack of them, and since she's there, I even get here to sign it?

 

Do I care that porn stars have a high profile at shows? Not really. But then they ain't selling comic books, that's for sure.

 

If they are directly or indirectly involved with the promotion of a title or publisher, then I think they ought to be there. I recall posting a photo of Silvestri's wife/gf some years back from the SD con. Other than a few strings draping her private parts, she was hardly wearing anything, but because she's directly involved with TC, then I definitely believe there is a place for her on the show floor, even if she's there as a booth babe.

 

If its just to sell photos, then I don't care either way if they are there or not, and I'll likely pass them by without a care or interest, but it would not offend me at all to see them in the same area as a comic dealer, nor would I want them run off the show floor.

 

And this is the part which addresses the concerns raised by others on how cons should be more family friendly, because quite frankly, I would not be choosing a comicon as a venue for my own family - the issue as I understand it with everyone saying there is not place for porn is how each dealer and promoter should handle the inappropriate viewing of sexually explicit content and scantly clothed women on the show floor, and this is where I am saying that there is no reliable way outside of good parental supervision to ensure the wrong thing doesn't get into their view, and worse, the hands of a minor at a show.

 

You can try to cover their eyes. And if they start to ask questions that make you uncomfortable, walk away and consider taking them to a ball game or hockey game next time.

[towards2112]

 

Why shouldn't I expect to find a back issue of Jizz Comics or that particular Heavy Metal issue with Aria on the cover at a comic convention? How about if the only way I am able to secure a copy is by visiting Aria's table, where she's got a stack of them, and since she's there, I even get here to sign it?

 

Have you ever set up at a con with a high profile celeb, have scads of

their material behind the table, and as you're setting up for the day,

have the promoter tell you that only the celeb was selling the material ?

Elvira, Mistress of the Dark.....

Big convention here in Houston put on by TriStar Productions, had

Elvira attend, Saturday if memory serves, and about 9am as we're

uncovering tables, the promoter strolls thru telling me that I couldn't

sell the Elvira House of Mystery, nor the really cool Miller Lite cardboard

standup display I had behind my tables. I blew a cork, made a real

asss out of myself, and pointed out that I had spent $1600 on tables and

wanted to sell comic books and get Elvira to sign the beer promo, and

that I had spent that money with the two other BSD's in Houston that I

had partnered with to buy an entire 60 table island, and I'd squack like

a smashed cat if I couldn't sell my books......

[DeeDee-migration]

DeeDee wrote:

Sorry but the fact that comic heroes and heroines are drawn in a sexy way or with attractive features doesn't make them comparable to porn or even overtly explicit. Even in disney movies, female characters are drawn with ridiculously tiny waists and model-features... does that mean porn stars should be signing autographs at disneyland? The ideals of beauty are what they are, most people (male or female) would prefer to read a story with an attractive hero than an unattractive one, thats just how it is.

 

Porn and comics are not the same thing. For most of us comics are to be enjoyed for their artistic quality not for some kind of lame sexual gratification.

I don't see what porn stars have to do with comics or comic conventions. Porn stars belong in porn conventions... BUT, if we MUST have them, at least keep them and their "material" away from kids attending comic cons.

 

The "as it is" views you espouse regarding the ideals of beauty are far more frightening in my opinion, especially in a day an age when children are being bombarded in every which way by various forms of media. Its in the music they see and hear. Its expressed in their clothing, and body language.

 

"My views" are frightening? They aren't my views, they're society as a whole's views. Is it my fault that society has a preference for a certain combination of physical features?

 

Overweight kids are treated as outcasts. Other kids see this, and will do what it takes to avoid that degree of alienation and humiliation.

 

And how is this relevant to the discussion?

 

So what does a parent do when they receive that phone call from a school official, warning them that their child might be anorexic because they've seen them puking in the washroom on repeated occasions?

 

Or when their team coach breaks the news to them that they've caught their child with syringes and vials containing a series of banned performance enhancing substances?

 

Dude, what the he11 are you talking about? This has nothing to do with porn stars at comic cons. Try to stay on topic and not just pull all kinds of random arguments out to try and get an emotional rise out of people.

 

Personally, I'd find myself having an easier time explaining sexual urges, and the need for control with my daughter or son, than I would explaining to them that the character or real-life individual they have chosen as a role model and are desperately trying to emulate from a comic book title, a music video, a fashion magazine or from some sporting event is not a suitable role model, and has in fact risen to their level of recognition and status by reinforcing a distorted form of beauty, achievement and by insulating themselves from truth and reality.

 

And thats what you should do and all parents should do. Parents should explain to kids that they don't have to look like the images they see in magazines or on tv.... thats not the issue.

Fact is, society admires a certain "look", the media collectively uses that look to sell as much of whatever product they're trying to sell, as possible. That doesn't in any way equate it to porn. If it did, nobody would buy porn, they just buy a copy of vogue, or a comic with an Adam Hughes cover. You have been attempting to compare photos or images of the "ideal" beauty to pornographic images, and that just doesn't make any sense to me, they're apples and oranges. Just my opinion.

[piper]

DeeDee wrote:

Sorry but the fact that comic heroes and heroines are drawn in a sexy way or with attractive features doesn't make them comparable to porn or even overtly explicit. Even in disney movies, female characters are drawn with ridiculously tiny waists and model-features... does that mean porn stars should be signing autographs at disneyland? The ideals of beauty are what they are, most people (male or female) would prefer to read a story with an attractive hero than an unattractive one, thats just how it is.

 

Porn and comics are not the same thing. For most of us comics are to be enjoyed for their artistic quality not for some kind of lame sexual gratification.

I don't see what porn stars have to do with comics or comic conventions. Porn stars belong in porn conventions... BUT, if we MUST have them, at least keep them and their "material" away from kids attending comic cons.

 

The "as it is" views you espouse regarding the ideals of beauty are far more frightening in my opinion, especially in a day an age when children are being bombarded in every which way by various forms of media. Its in the music they see and hear. Its expressed in their clothing, and body language.

 

"My views" are frightening? They aren't my views, they're society as a whole's views. Is it my fault that society has a preference for a certain combination of physical features?

 

Overweight kids are treated as outcasts. Other kids see this, and will do what it takes to avoid that degree of alienation and humiliation.

 

And how is this relevant to the discussion?

 

So what does a parent do when they receive that phone call from a school official, warning them that their child might be anorexic because they've seen them puking in the washroom on repeated occasions?

 

Or when their team coach breaks the news to them that they've caught their child with syringes and vials containing a series of banned performance enhancing substances?

 

Dude, what the he11 are you talking about? This has nothing to do with porn stars at comic cons. Try to stay on topic and not just pull all kinds of random arguments out to try and get an emotional rise out of people.

 

Personally, I'd find myself having an easier time explaining sexual urges, and the need for control with my daughter or son, than I would explaining to them that the character or real-life individual they have chosen as a role model and are desperately trying to emulate from a comic book title, a music video, a fashion magazine or from some sporting event is not a suitable role model, and has in fact risen to their level of recognition and status by reinforcing a distorted form of beauty, achievement and by insulating themselves from truth and reality.

 

And thats what you should do and all parents should do. Parents should explain to kids that they don't have to look like the images they see in magazines or on tv.... thats not the issue.

Fact is, society admires a certain "look", the media collectively uses that look to sell as much of whatever product they're trying to sell, as possible. That doesn't in any way equate it to porn. If it did, nobody would buy porn, they just buy a copy of vogue, or a comic with an Adam Hughes cover. You have been attempting to compare photos or images of the "ideal" beauty to pornographic images, and that just doesn't make any sense to me, they're apples and oranges. Just my opinion.

 

[Paratrooper]

she needs the money to raise her two kids. her late husband dies in an automoblie accident before he bought life insurance.

 

Fine. She has every right in the world to sell her signed photos, and there are all sorts of venues where it would be appropriate. I wish her luck. Truth be told, I've enjoyed her work.

 

However, how can anyone think it's appropriate to have hardcore porn stars at events attended by children?

 

It further annoys me that this is just the type of nonsense that reinforces the sad-sack, mouth-breathing comic fan stereotype.

 

Here's a novel suggestion: instead of trying to pluck more money from the sweaty palms of the same pudgy fanboys who are attending the show anyway, why not feature some guests that will appeal to a younger crowd and actually attempt to bring some kids -- that is, future comic fans -- into the show? Why not have guests from kids' shows or someone dressed up as kids' show characters?

 

If you're interested in a family oriented Con, the Mid-Ohio convention was/is perfectly tailored to the entire family. The guests at the last con included Feedback from Who Wants to be a SuperHero, Janet from Three's Company, Parker Lewis Can't Lose actor currently that was on SG-1. There was a Playboy model there, but is was discreet.

[selegue]

....

You have been attempting to compare photos or images of the "ideal" beauty to pornographic images, and that just doesn't make any sense to me, they're apples and oranges. Just my opinion.

 

Maybe apples and casabas in this case

 

Jack

[DeeDee-migration]

....

You have been attempting to compare photos or images of the "ideal" beauty to pornographic images, and that just doesn't make any sense to me, they're apples and oranges. Just my opinion.

 

Maybe apples and casabas in this case

 

Jack

 

[drice6900]

she needs the money to raise her two kids. her late husband dies in an automoblie accident before he bought life insurance.

 

Fine. She has every right in the world to sell her signed photos, and there are all sorts of venues where it would be appropriate. I wish her luck. Truth be told, I've enjoyed her work.

 

However, how can anyone think it's appropriate to have hardcore porn stars at events attended by children?

 

It further annoys me that this is just the type of nonsense that reinforces the sad-sack, mouth-breathing comic fan stereotype.

 

Here's a novel suggestion: instead of trying to pluck more money from the sweaty palms of the same pudgy fanboys who are attending the show anyway, why not feature some guests that will appeal to a younger crowd and actually attempt to bring some kids -- that is, future comic fans -- into the show? Why not have guests from kids' shows or someone dressed up as kids' show characters?

 

If you're interested in a family oriented Con, the Mid-Ohio convention was/is perfectly tailored to the entire family. The guests at the last con included Feedback from Who Wants to be a SuperHero, Janet from Three's Company, Parker Lewis Can't Lose actor currently that was on SG-1. There was a Playboy model there, but is was discreet.

 

I agree wholeheartedly! As much as I like to make fun of our Ohio bretheren, they do put on a great convention each November

[comicwiz]

Dude, what the he11 are you talking about? This has nothing to do with porn stars at comic cons. Try to stay on topic and not just pull all kinds of random arguments out to try and get an emotional rise out of people.

 

Just like the emotional rise your trying to draw out with your response?

 

I was responding specifically to your Disney reference in the general sense and not pointing them out necessarily as being your own. I used the example to illustrate how the ideal of beauty can have as much an effect on impressionable young kids as objectionable or sexually explicit content might.

 

As a parent myself, I'm saying it would be hard to draw the line on what to put in front of my own kid, and that I would sometimes have to use a lens and magnification that others might not necessarily agree with, but ultimately its my choice what I deem as being fit.

 

There is no need to get petty and insulting.

[DeeDee-migration]

Dude, what the he11 are you talking about? This has nothing to do with porn stars at comic cons. Try to stay on topic and not just pull all kinds of random arguments out to try and get an emotional rise out of people.

 

Just like the emotional rise your trying to draw out with your response?

 

I was responding specifically to your Disney reference in the general sense and not pointing them out necessarily as being your own. I used the example to illustrate how the ideal of beauty can have as much an effect on impressionable young kids as objectionable or sexually explicit content might.

 

As a parent myself, I'm saying it would be hard to draw the line on what to put in front of my own kid, and that I would sometimes have to use a lens and magnification that others might not necessarily agree with, but ultimately its my choice what I deem as being fit.

 

There is no need to get petty and insulting.

 

 

I didn't insult you, if I had, believe me you would know.

 

If you find fault with the current perception of the ideal of beauty, thats perfectly ok, my problem is that you were steering the discussion off in a direction that was totally separate from the topic at hand.

 

What you decide to show to your kids is your business, all i was saying is that I PERSONALLY believe that it is not unreasonable to request that porn stars and sellers of adult material remain in a designated area at cons, so that families can avoid them. Its really a matter of respect and good taste. The whole discussion on how the current standard of beauty affects kids yada yada is a totally separate issue and irrelevant to the original topic of this thread.

[Red Hook]

Thank you Dee Dee, Donut and Silver&Bronze for saying what I would have said anyway, and actually have said in the past.

[mica]

[GACollectibles]

If the Big Apple is going to have these kind of guests why can't they move Porn Alley and its related Car Models, (prehistoric) Playmates, etc. downstairs to the room where they hide other guests such as Val Kilmer, Carrie Fisher, etc?? It certainly would be an easier place to monitor the people(i.e. no kids) viewing such stuff.

 

At least they would be out of the way, the other guests that are usually in that hallway(Ken Kelly, Richard Hatch(BSG), Peter Tork or whoever else might be there) don't attract the sort of behavior & don't have product displays that require the issue of having kids exposed to things parents would rather they not be exposed to.

 

I like boobs and all( ) but having been set up along that same wall(Ted/Superworld being the closest vendor to that hallway) I don't feel it's the appropriate place for it. It can be downright awkward when there are people standing at the table looking dumbfounded at some of the behavior taking place(usually masqueraded as a "photo op" between customer/guest). Just my wooden nickels worth.

[Ze-man]

So what are you saying?

 

Ted from Superworld is wearing Electrical tape over his private parts again and offering people photo ops for $5.

 

 

He told me that was his new sales tactic. "Shock and Awe" I think he called it.

 

Ze-

[Dad&Son-migration]

I didn't insult you, if I had, believe me you would know.

 

If you find fault with the current perception of the ideal of beauty, thats perfectly ok, my problem is that you were steering the discussion off in a direction that was totally separate from the topic at hand.

 

What you decide to show to your kids is your business, all i was saying is that I PERSONALLY believe that it is not unreasonable to request that porn stars and sellers of adult material remain in a designated area at cons, so that families can avoid them. Its really a matter of respect and good taste. The whole discussion on how the current standard of beauty affects kids yada yada is a totally separate issue and irrelevant to the original topic of this thread.

 

This is a well spoken young lady, you've done well grasshopper

how we ever started on the wrong foot I'll never know