Monday, April 26, 2010

2010 Nola Comic Con

I'd really like to be able to write a post right now about what happened at Nola Comic Con this weekend. I can't, however, because as far as my experience goes, nothing did happen.

Due to circumstances beyond our control, I didn't get there until 4:30 on Sunday. We left at 4:50. Upon entering the convention center, my eyes were filled with the site of a woman wearing a Vampirella costume. It was frightening, mostly because I was seeing her from the backside, and that backside was far too large for the barely there outfit. Once inside, there wasn't a whole lot to see. I'm not sure why they took the time to rent out the convention center when they probably could have hosted it in one of the reservable rooms at the Jefferson Parish library. I remember at some point when I was little they held something like this in the open spaces of Lakeside Mall. That also would have worked and not cost me ten dollars to get in.

Basically, it was all the local comic shops of the area selling stuff, but they mostly had action figures and Golden/Silver Age comics. Normally that many action figures in one place would be a good thing, but honestly I didn't see a single figure I wanted, except for ones that were so expensive I couldn't possibly afford them. Being so far out of the collector's part of the comics game, I didn't even know where to begin to look in the boxes. I can't even remember what issues I'm missing anymore, let alone take the time to flip through and find them.

I didn't know any of the special guests, and perhaps it was because it was so late in the con (it was closing at 6) but none of them looked particularly inviting and wanting to talk about their work. All the vendors did the old standby that always happens to me when I go in comic book stores and video game shops... they talked to Jak and completely ignored me. Whether it's because they just assume I'm not interested (even though I'm the one flipping through the boxes and he's just standing behind me) or they really are that scared to talk to women I don't know. There was one thing I would have bought had the guy behind the table been willing to even look at me so I could ask him how much it costs. Oh well.

I'm not entirely sad that I went, because these things can't get bigger and better if no one shows up. But definitely if I go again next year it will be on the Saturday when more people are around (we heard people talking about how dead it was that day and how there was a much better turn out the day before) and I'll just come with the expectancy to look for certain comics that I want and that's it. I was expecting some kind of sense of community and all I got was a large comic shop.

10 comments:

  1. I have to agree there was not much to see or do at the NOLA Comic Con. We went on Saturday and saw a few people in costumes, bought a couple of books and left in under an hour. But I also agree we have to support the effort and hope the organizers can grow the event into something more substantial.

    Peace,

    Tim

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  2. Sorry it was such a bust.

    Had to say, your experience with the guys talking to Jak and not you sounds like just about most of mine where related to our house/maintenance issues in England. We couldn't get anything done unless Bill made the phone call, and the couple of guys from estate agencies that took us around to see houses to rent would talk to Bill and not me-- like one guy even spoke "around" me to Bill.

    And, that said, it's so ironic and funny picturing them trying to engage Jak over you into the purchases. Wish I could've been there to see that!

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  3. Had to add -- Blogger's system came up with "coonbed" as a word verification for my above comment. Now I'm picturing a whole bunch of raccoons in a big king size bed under a fluffy quilt, reading books and eating bon bons or having breakfast in bed. One has a pink satin eye mask on and is annoyed at being disturbed in her coonbed.

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  4. You know your brother too.. the only comics he was interested in was whether they had any old Scrooge McDuck ones! He was so disappointed to find only superhero comics there and actually even asked if we could go to a real shop to see if they would have any Disney ones in the store. :)

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  5. And if he found any, you know he better let me read them, too! LOL

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  6. This Saturday is free comic book day... if he can get up and out of bed before the shops close, I think I'm going to convince him to come with me so he can look for some while I pick up all the superhero freebies! Now that I think about it, Disney will probably have some free ones too..

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  7. Free comic book day--everywhere? (Not that I even know where the comic book shops, if any, are around Gulfport/Biloxi anyway. LOL)

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  8. Yes, ma'am! :) And there's a handy site at http://freecomicbookday.com where you can input your zip and find participating stores near you.

    I feel like a commercial!

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  9. Bah, I forgot to come back here and check. All the way out in Biloxi is the closest one; doubt I'll head out that way with Teething Kaity, who I would not want to inflict on the world.

    Have you gone out to get any yet? I know my bro is still in bed...

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  10. At this rate, probably not. I'm having my birthday dinner with my parents, and the show tonight literally starts at 1 am..so I've been trying to not do a whole lot in the in between time.

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