Went To The Comic Con Today. Things Have Changed Since The Old Days?

[Trekker4747]

Re: Went To The Comic Con Today. Things Have Changed Since The Old Day

Is this really some hipster take on comic-cons?

Sheesh, yeah they can be crowded and have expensive items, I don't care, they can be fun.

 

[TRON JA307020]

Re: Went To The Comic Con Today. Things Have Changed Since The Old Day

Is this really some hipster take on comic-cons?

Sheesh, yeah they can be crowded and have expensive items, I don't care, they can be fun.

Im not one of those hipsters I just collect comic books and like star trek. Some people like the huge crowds I don't. I do get through it though to get the comics I want.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Re: Went To The Comic Con Today. Things Have Changed Since The Old Day

First this is a informal atmosphere so I really don't check my punctuation. paragraphs at times. Sorry.

Paragraphs help with the clarity of what you're saying. Wall of text, not so much.

Secondly I am not a purist in the way you think I am. I am just stating the comic con was much better a few years ago. Now its a frenzied mess with barely any room to walk and little room to sit. I think I also mentioned how the comic industry is changing and not for the better in my opinion.

You sound like an old man. The only time I sat at a con was when I was at listening to a speaker or eating. Definitely not in the dealers room.

If a con isn't "a frenzied mess with barely any room to walk", then they're doing it wrong

If you think the comics industry has changed since 2008, think about how someone who's been buying comics since 1968 sees it! It's always been changing. The page count went down and the price went up. Anthologies died off. Stan changed it with his Soap Opera approach. Comics began using credits. Writers and artists became superstars. The Direct Market came in and killed the newsstand. Printing improved. Comics stopped being for "kids" and more graphic and adult. Number 1s became more important that getting to 50, 100 or 1000. Most this happened before 2008. Even new number ones aren't new. the Silver Age Green Lantern started with a number one rather than using the old numbering which stopped at 38. Sub-Mariner got a new first issue in 1968, rather than continuing the numbering from the previous run which ended at 42.

 

[TRON JA307020]

Re: Went To The Comic Con Today. Things Have Changed Since The Old Day

First this is a informal atmosphere so I really don't check my punctuation. paragraphs at times. Sorry.

Paragraphs help with the clarity of what you're saying. Wall of text, not so much.

Secondly I am not a purist in the way you think I am. I am just stating the comic con was much better a few years ago. Now its a frenzied mess with barely any room to walk and little room to sit. I think I also mentioned how the comic industry is changing and not for the better in my opinion.

You sound like an old man. The only time I sat at a con was when I was at listening to a speaker or eating. Definitely not in the dealers room.

If a con isn't "a frenzied mess with barely any room to walk", then they're doing it wrong

If you think the comics industry has changed since 2008, think about how someone who's been buying comics since 1968 sees it! It's always been changing. The page count went down and the price went up. Anthologies died off. Stan changed it with his Soap Opera approach. Comics began using credits. Writers and artists became superstars. The Direct Market came in and killed the newsstand. Printing improved. Comics stopped being for "kids" and more graphic and adult. Number 1s became more important that getting to 50, 100 or 1000. Most this happened before 2008. Even new number ones aren't new. the Silver Age Green Lantern started with a number one rather than using the old numbering which stopped at 38. Sub-Mariner got a new first issue in 1968, rather than continuing the numbering from the previous run which ended at 42.

Of course things have changed in the comics industry before. What I am saying is we are getting a higher frequency of universe reboots with all series renumbering constantly now. DC is rebooting is changing their universe for the 2nd time in only 4 years. The companies are leaving the core readers behind as well as quality to gain new readers. I didn't need that when I started. I just started buying what I like regardless of the numbering and read.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Re: Went To The Comic Con Today. Things Have Changed Since The Old Day

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Of course things have changed in the comics industry before. What I am saying is we are getting a higher frequency of universe reboots with all series renumbering constantly now. DC is rebooting is changing their universe for the 2nd time in only 4 years. The companies are leaving the core readers behind as well as quality to gain new readers. I didn't need that when I started. I just started buying what I like regardless of the numbering and read.

I don't think DC is rebooting after Convergence. Most of the changes were set up prior to Convergence and the continuity flows from those stories. Only a few of the ongoing New52 series, like Constantine, are getting new numbers one.

What "Core readers"? And are they being left behind? What's the actual data one that? In the old days ( 40s, 50s, 60s) the core audience turned over every five years. So they often used that to "reboot" things. They didn't count on forty year old fanboys with encyclopedic memories to bitch and about things changing.

Quality is subjective. There are some good books being produced today. The writing is complex and sophisticated. At times a bit too bloody and graphic for my tastes, but not poorly done.

People are still buying what they like. New number one aren't really for the readers. They're for the publishers, retailers and speculators. A big number 1 never compelled me to buy a comic. The characters or creative team did. I do feel sorry for the speculators who are sitting on a pile first issues that are dropping in value. Well, almost.

 

[Trekker4747]

Re: Went To The Comic Con Today. Things Have Changed Since The Old Day

Is this really some hipster take on comic-cons?

Sheesh, yeah they can be crowded and have expensive items, I don't care, they can be fun.

Im not one of those hipsters I just collect comic books and like star trek. Some people like the huge crowds I don't. I do get through it though to get the comics I want.

I'm not big on crowds either, but I find the cons fun to go to just to see the various things around the place, the various items and the celebrity guests.

 

[TRON JA307020]

Re: Went To The Comic Con Today. Things Have Changed Since The Old Day

Is this really some hipster take on comic-cons?

Sheesh, yeah they can be crowded and have expensive items, I don't care, they can be fun.

Im not one of those hipsters I just collect comic books and like star trek. Some people like the huge crowds I don't. I do get through it though to get the comics I want.

I'm not big on crowds either, but I find the cons fun to go to just to see the various things around the place, the various items and the celebrity guests.

Well the crowds were so big this year that walking you felt as if you were being crushed. Some moron sneezed right behind me while I was waiting to get some food and wiped the snot on his pants while he was standing inches from me. He wasn't a kid mind you but a adult with a long white beard. Pretty disgusting. Ruined my appetite.

 

[martok2112]

Re: Went To The Comic Con Today. Things Have Changed Since The Old Day

LOL! Well, I certainly don't go to cons for the food.

I love going to ComicCons to be able to meet some of my favorite pop-culture celebs...especially if their booths are not overly inundated. Got to have great chats with Aaron Douglas (Chief Tyrol, Battlestar Galactica) and Claudia Christian (LCDR Susan Ivanova, Babylon 5). Great people!

I also love going to ComicCons to get a hold of some merch I might not find in the retail stores. Sure, they might be a little pricier, but as long as I have the moolah, money is no object.

I don't really go for the comics because I haven't had a hard core interest in comics. The last comics I got were the current Star Wars ongoing story, THE Star Wars comics adaptation of the original story by Lucas, and Star Trek: Khan. I don't know one artist from an inker from a writer. (Although if I did meet Tony Daniel, I would ask him what became of The Tenth.)

I also like seeing the cosplayers, especially when the cosplays are done right. Saw a cute Harley Quinn cosplayer (circa Batman Arkham Asylum), and a decent Jill Valentine (circa Resident Evil 3: Nemesis). Still waiting to see a really good Lara Croft cosplayer (circa classic Tomb Raider, Tomb Raider Legend, or Tomb Raider Underworld). Got to meet world renowned cosplayer YaYa Han. She is as sweet as she is beautiful. She was in her sexy Psylocke outfit that day.

Also cool seeing the 501st locals. Amazing the money they spend on authenticating their costumes. Vaders, Stormtroopers, Imperial Officers, X-wing pilots, TIE Pilots.

 

[TRON JA307020]

Re: Went To The Comic Con Today. Things Have Changed Since The Old Day

LOL! Well, I certainly don't go to cons for the food.

I love going to ComicCons to be able to meet some of my favorite pop-culture celebs...especially if their booths are not overly inundated. Got to have great chats with Aaron Douglas (Chief Tyrol, Battlestar Galactica) and Claudia Christian (LCDR Susan Ivanova, Babylon 5). Great people!

I also love going to ComicCons to get a hold of some merch I might not find in the retail stores. Sure, they might be a little pricier, but as long as I have the moolah, money is no object.

I don't really go for the comics because I haven't had a hard core interest in comics. The last comics I got were the current Star Wars ongoing story, THE Star Wars comics adaptation of the original story by Lucas, and Star Trek: Khan. I don't know one artist from an inker from a writer. (Although if I did meet Tony Daniel, I would ask him what became of The Tenth.)

I also like seeing the cosplayers, especially when the cosplays are done right. Saw a cute Harley Quinn cosplayer (circa Batman Arkham Asylum), and a decent Jill Valentine (circa Resident Evil 3: Nemesis). Still waiting to see a really good Lara Croft cosplayer (circa classic Tomb Raider, Tomb Raider Legend, or Tomb Raider Underworld). Got to meet world renowned cosplayer YaYa Han. She is as sweet as she is beautiful. She was in her sexy Psylocke outfit that day.

Also cool seeing the 501st locals. Amazing the money they spend on authenticating their costumes. Vaders, Stormtroopers, Imperial Officers, X-wing pilots, TIE Pilots.

Well the food was pretty good. hot pretzels, pizza and pretty good hamburgers. Prices weren't bad. Only problem was there were so many people you had to wait in line forever to get your food.

 

[tharpdevenport]

Re: Went To The Comic Con Today. Things Have Changed Since The Old Day

The whole point of cons is to have as many people as possible there not fewer.

Within safety and local fire codes, of course. And enough bathrooms.

 

[MacLeod]

Re: Went To The Comic Con Today. Things Have Changed Since The Old Day

LOL! Well, I certainly don't go to cons for the food.

I love going to ComicCons to be able to meet some of my favorite pop-culture celebs...especially if their booths are not overly inundated. Got to have great chats with Aaron Douglas (Chief Tyrol, Battlestar Galactica) and Claudia Christian (LCDR Susan Ivanova, Babylon 5). Great people!

I also love going to ComicCons to get a hold of some merch I might not find in the retail stores. Sure, they might be a little pricier, but as long as I have the moolah, money is no object.

I don't really go for the comics because I haven't had a hard core interest in comics. The last comics I got were the current Star Wars ongoing story, THE Star Wars comics adaptation of the original story by Lucas, and Star Trek: Khan. I don't know one artist from an inker from a writer. (Although if I did meet Tony Daniel, I would ask him what became of The Tenth.)

I also like seeing the cosplayers, especially when the cosplays are done right. Saw a cute Harley Quinn cosplayer (circa Batman Arkham Asylum), and a decent Jill Valentine (circa Resident Evil 3: Nemesis). Still waiting to see a really good Lara Croft cosplayer (circa classic Tomb Raider, Tomb Raider Legend, or Tomb Raider Underworld). Got to meet world renowned cosplayer YaYa Han. She is as sweet as she is beautiful. She was in her sexy Psylocke outfit that day.

Also cool seeing the 501st locals. Amazing the money they spend on authenticating their costumes. Vaders, Stormtroopers, Imperial Officers, X-wing pilots, TIE Pilots.

Well the food was pretty good. hot pretzels, pizza and pretty good hamburgers. Prices weren't bad. Only problem was there were so many people you had to wait in line forever to get your food.

I find waiting in queues at cons is a good way to strike up conversation with fellow attendees.

 

[Trekker4747]

Re: Went To The Comic Con Today. Things Have Changed Since The Old Day

Im not one of those hipsters I just collect comic books and like star trek. Some people like the huge crowds I don't. I do get through it though to get the comics I want.

I'm not big on crowds either, but I find the cons fun to go to just to see the various things around the place, the various items and the celebrity guests.

Well the crowds were so big this year that walking you felt as if you were being crushed. Some moron sneezed right behind me while I was waiting to get some food and wiped the snot on his pants while he was standing inches from me. He wasn't a kid mind you but a adult with a long white beard. Pretty disgusting. Ruined my appetite.

Really, lost your appetite? That's the first time you've seen an adult human being sneeze, wipe their nose with their hand, and then wipe their hand on the clothes? You realize that has nothing to do with comic-con and that slobs, or just people in general, do this kind of thing everywhere, right?

 

[MacLeod]

Re: Went To The Comic Con Today. Things Have Changed Since The Old Day

^Also was the sneeze cold related or for some other reason. How many people car around a handkerchief/tissues when they don't have a cold? And even if it was cold related he might have fully used his tissues at that point.

 

[urbandefault]

Re: Went To The Comic Con Today. Things Have Changed Since The Old Day

2008 is the old days?

I went to a con once, circa 1975. I wanted to see what it was all about, and I did. Never felt the need to go to another one.

 

[FredH]

Re: Went To The Comic Con Today. Things Have Changed Since The Old Day

Until around 2003, I attended sf cons on a regular basis. For the most part, they were a different sort of thing from Comic Con, but I can certainly see where the OP is coming from: a small convention of a few hundred people is a qualitatively different experience from one of thousands or tens of thousands, and there are still cons that intentionally cap the number of attendees so as to keep things manageable and/or comfortable (cf. the World Fantasy Convention).

I do not say this as a slam against huge cons; they exist for a reason, and generally a different reason from the small ones. When you go to a convention with a gigantic sales floor and panels focused on upcoming titles, it's probably for a different reason then when you go to a small con with a small huckster area, panels about genre history/themes and whatnot, and possibly more of a focus on socializing. Nothing's wrong with preferring one or the other.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

Re: Went To The Comic Con Today. Things Have Changed Since The Old Day

First this is a informal atmosphere so I really don't check my punctuation. paragraphs at times. Sorry.

It's just that long, continuous walls of text without a break bleed together and are difficult to read.

Secondly I am not a purist in the way you think I am. I am just stating the comic con was much better a few years ago.

What I mean by "comic purity test" is that in this and your other thread you've expressed annoyance at (and insulted the appearance, behavior, and hygiene of) comics and genre movie/TV fans and complained about how they've become such a prevalent part of comic-cons in recent years. There's a very elitist and exclusionary tone to it, like old rich guys at the country club recalling the good ole' days before they let all the rabble in.

It's also lacking in self- or group-awareness in that most of the insults you're leveling at movie and TV fans have been stereotypes leveled at comic book fans for years, yet are said without a hint of irony. It's a shame that now that comics and genre properties have attained a more mainstream appeal that the fans themselves —instead of being more friendly and welcoming to new fans in a way non-fans weren't friendly to them in the past— have instead resorted to ghettoization and othering and exclusionary insults. You can see it in this thread or in some gaming communities where the large influx of female gaming fans is treated as a threat or intrusion rather than an opportunity to expand and try new things.

They're all just fans, regardless of what their gateway into comics or the cons happened to be. One's not a better or more proper type of fan than the other, they're just different.

Now its a frenzied mess with barely any room to walk and little room to sit. I think I also mentioned how the comic industry is changing and not for the better in my opinion.

Not knowing where you're from I can't know what's available in your general area, but if you really must have a more intimate, comic-only focused setting, aren't there still cons that appeal primarily to that? They're not all massive multimedia experiences with broad appeal; some are more focused in scope, are they not? Why not go to one of those if they're accessible from where you live?

Thirdly I go to the comic con mainly for the comic books and of course all things trek so of course I will go see Gates and Terry talk. Plus Terry is looking really good these days.

Yes, but you do see the irony in complaining about TV and movie fans ruining cons and then getting all giddy that you were able to see TV and movie stars at a con, right? First, that means you're one of the very people you're complaining about. And second, those TV stars wouldn't even be there if there wasn't a guaranteed fan base for them and their shows present, so you need the TV and movie fans in order to draw those types of celebrities to the con in the first place. It seems like you want the spoils the attendance of TV and movie fans brings without their attendance.

 

[BillJ]

Re: Went To The Comic Con Today. Things Have Changed Since The Old Day

Went to WizardCon in Indianapolis earlier this year. Not sure how much fun it would've been if the place was empty...

 

[Zaku]

Re: Went To The Comic Con Today. Things Have Changed Since The Old Day

Went to WizardCon in Indianapolis earlier this year. Not sure how much fun it would've been if the place was empty...

Something similar?

 

[Jedi_Master]

Re: Went To The Comic Con Today. Things Have Changed Since The Old Day

There are many, many, many, many, many cons to choose from. I would dare say that the majority of sci-fi/fantasy/anime cons are small enough to fit in a hotel convention space or a few multipurpose rooms. Smaller cons are unlikely to attract big name actors, but do allow for a more intimate interaction with fellow fans and guests.

If the OP is looking for the "small town" feel of the cons he remembers, it would be good for him to avoid bigger cons that attract the bigger stars and crowds.

 

[hux]

Re: Went To The Comic Con Today. Things Have Changed Since The Old Day

Why are you going to all these big cons then complaining that they're too big. There are plenty of little ones out there. The Aberdeen Comic Con is a wee little event

Just go to those ones