My Thoughts On the 1st So Cal Comic Con! (Which Ran Saturday, November 6th in Oceanside, California.) - Top Photo:  The So Cal Comic Con Poster! - Immediate Top Photo - Amanda Porter Hendrix, Michael D Hamersky & Erik Hendrix at the Carpet Bomb Comics Table! - Top Right Photo: The comic con was held at the Boys & Girls Club of Oceanside, California! - 2nd Right Photo - Bob Layton Was a Special Comics Creator Guest! - 3rd Photo to the Right - Rey Reyes, Co-Promoter of this con, at his own table with CGC Comics! - 4th Photo (Bottom) - Members and the Instructor of the Graphic Novel Project: High Tech High at their table!     - -   -

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3274:

Yesterday, my youngest son and I attended the 1st So Cal Comic Con that was held at the Boys & Girls Club of Oceanside, California.

I had seen flyers for this first time con at the SDCC in July, and most recently at the LBCC last weekend.  So there was a little bit of a 'buzz' around it starting up.

However, as is my usual practice, I didn't blog about this one before attending, as first time comic book shows are so often a 'hit or miss' proposition, and I don't want persons reading my Blog traveling long distances to attend a first time show that hassn't worked the kinks out yet.

So I was pleasantly surprised to see that the parking lot for this show was already full after we arrived there shortly after opening time, (10 AM).

We were greeted warmly by the two gals that are pictured at the bottom right of this blog post.  I also noticed that there were raffle prizes on a table to the left, which included several toys, a few CGC graded comics of both current and older comics. Plus a Daredevil #1, (ungraded), signed by Stan Lee! So of course I bought a few tickets! 

There were three separate times that the tickets were pulled, 12:30 PM, 2:30 PM, AND 4:30 PM, which was watched with interest by both the attendees and the exhibitors. 'Spidey' is pictured watching So Cal Comic Con's Co-Founder Joel Elad calling out the ticket numbers!

The exhibit floor had several comics creators at tables. I've already pictured Bob Layton at the top right of this blog post.  He is known for his work in comics for many years, but the dealers seemed to emphasize his Iron Man comics at the tables nearest him.  Bob freely signed comics, and took commissions for personalized sketches as well.  Good to see Bob here at this first time show!

Other comics creators included Clyde Grapa, pictured at the bottom right of this post, and Joel Gomez pictured to the left of this paragraph. 

Actually there were several comics creators from Wildstorm in attendance.  Which was good, because Wildstorm is based in San Diego.

I found talking with those in the industry already to be fun, and this was an added attraction for the con itself.  I haven't seen industry professionals living in San Diego to turn out in any  big numbers for local comic book shops in recent years, (FCBD included), so this was a pleasant surprise also.

I noticed several well known local collectors to be in attendance also, including Mick Rabin, and Steven. Steven is shown to the left, holding a piece of artwork that he commissioned from Russ Heath at an earlier comic con.  Of course the piece is set in war time! 

Talking about comics collectors... For a good show you have to have comic book dealers!  And there were several there in attendance!

Several were local collectors who were selling their duplicate items, or items they no longer wished to keep in their collection, but there were also bigger dealers there, inluding Jamie Newbold from So Cal Comics in San Diego, Rich & Karen from R & K Comics, and Terry from Terry's Comics in the Los Angeles Metro Area.  So there were several dollar boxes of comics on up to CGC graded comics valued at thousands of dollars!

Again, I was pleasantly surprised at the turnout of attendees at this first show for the promoters.  I also got into the buying mood, as well as my youngest son, who couldn't pass up some Amazing Spideys for his personal collection.

My only thought is that the 'name' of this show is somewhat vague, and that I got it 'confused' with the 'Oceanside Comic Con' that was also used when this show was being organized in earlier months.  After talking with both of this show's promoters, I'm hearing that it may not just be an annual con, but more regular, and not necessarily located in Oceanside.  

IMO, as long as the show is located in North San Diego County, where attendees can come down from Southern Orange County, or Southern Riverside County, this show should continue to grow in size. I for one would like to see this show continue, and on a more regular basis!

I mentioned that my youngest son was with me yesterday. (Tina was at a day long seminar.) Here are my son's thoughts about this show:

"At my trip to the So Cal Comic Con, I had lots of fun. As my dad and I first arrived to the Oceanside Boys & Girls Club, we were greeted with free grab bags. (For the first 100 paying attendees.) We spent some time purchasing comics and relative items, while talking to dealers. Also I met some more comics creators, and just over all had a great time.  As the only title that I collect is the 'Amazing Spider-Man' from Marvel Comis, I was happy to see 'Spidey' at this con greeting attendees!  I am looking forward to attending the next So Cal Comic Con!"

Well... That about wraps it up for this post!

I'll be posting additional pics here in my blog about those that I met at the So Cal Comic Con, and also post some at my own Facebook Group Page, at Facebook Comic Con | Make It So Marketing.

I have already mobile Facebooked photos during this con.  Unfortunately the photos first are uploaded to my personal profile page, which is maxed out at 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan Pages 'Liked', so I can't accept many more 'Friends Requests'.  Which is one of the reasons why I have a Facebook Group Page in addition!

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My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now up to 3,270 total posts in number! I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog!

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  I would appreciate that!

Note: Our online comic book shop carries many different genres of comics, magazines, graphic novels, and comic con promotional items at the link seen below.  

http://www.comicbookscircus.com/

 

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"Hammering Out the Web For You Since May 12th, 1998!"       Note: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works! To mail printed items to us for possible review, send to:   Make It So Marketing Inc. PO Box 130653 Carlsbad, CA 92013     ComicBooksCircus.com - It's Under The Big Top Of Comics! Click the Above Circus Tent to See Our Current Listings!

My thanks to those of YOU that have read today's blog post! I do appreciate that! For those of you that didn't know me before today... I first set up as a 'dealer' at the 1972 San Diego West Coast Comic Con (SDCC) at the El Cortez Hotel. So I've been around comic conventions for a little while, LOL!   My wife Tina and I now have an on-line exhibitor (dealer) table at the first "virtual" comic con titled the "Facebook Comic Con" (FBCC)! Plus I have a chapter in a new book coming out in December of 2010, that is pictured above, "Gotham City 14 Miles"! Click here to become a 'Fan' of the GC14M Facebook Fan Page! You can view our dealer table and interact with us there on Facebook by clicking this link, which takes you to our table named: 'Facebook Comic Con | Make It So Marketing'.  So if YOU are a Facebook member, please 'join' our Facebook Comic Con - Make It So Marketing exhibitor table for updates, specials, links to this blog, and other wall comments that we post every day!     Also, if you are a Facebook member and would like to also join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'. Please Note: I have reached the maximum of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so it might be a while before I am able to accept your request. Just send a message along with the invite that you saw my Blog!         ------------------- Talking about comics: if YOU are a comics creator, (writer, penciler, inker, colorist, letterer, etc.), OR even a Comics / Magazine Publisher, feel free to contact me regarding YOUR works for a possible mention / review! I've made a special blog post about: "How To Best Submit YOUR Publication For Possible Review!" for those creators / publishers that would like to possibly have their publications mentioned or reviewed. Just click on the link provided in this paragraph! ~Michael @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com   WEB PAGE NOTE:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards. Chrome, Safarai, Netscape, Firefox and the others serve the page up differently, sorry about that! The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer. NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

 

My 'Take' On: Omnitarium #1 From Ronin Studios     - Above Photo:  The Front Cover to Omnitarium #1. - At the Top Left: Jamie Gambell at the recent San Gabriel Valley Comic Book Festival held in September.  - At the Bottom Left: Jamie was just recently at the Long Beach Comic Con in California during the Halloween Weekend!

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3273:

I visited with Jamie Gambell at this past weekend's Long Beach Comic Con. 

Which reminded me that I hadn't yet blogged about issue #1 of his 4 issue mini-series that he gave me at the San Gabriel Valley Comic Book Festival in September.

As stated before... At times I do get a little behind on comics / graphic novels that I would want to blog about if I attend multiple conventions during each quarter of the year.

I only blog once a day now at the most... but as you cans see, this is blog #3273 in total, so I do get around to those publications that grab my interest!

Here is what this limited series is about:

Omnitarium is a four-issue black and white horror mini series, written by Jamie Gambell with art by J.C. Grande and lettering and design by Bernie Lee.

Issue one was originally released as part of Indy Comic Book Week in 2009, and several copies of the print edition were sent to stores across the USA.  

Okay...So what is 'My Take' on this 1st Issue?

Front Cover: The illustration shown on the front cover goes with the title of the series.  Good start!

Inside Front Cover:  The credits are shown on this page, with email addresses to contact the creators, and web sites to see what else the creators have produced on their own websites. (We've come a long ways from creators working anonymously from the 1950's!)  

Splash Page:  Truly a Splash Page with a few extra panels to start with, and a hangman's noose 'tying' it all together.

The Interior Pages: The story was presented in black & white, in which the 'blacks' were spotted just fine by the inker.

However, as I read on, I realized that the visuals weould have been enhanced for this storyline if it had been presented in color.  I do realize that color does cost quite a bit additionally when printing.  I'm not a 'color snob', just wanted to point out that this story, if reprinted in a TPB format should be colorized, IMO.

All too soon, the 'to be continued' sign comes up!

There is an 'Afterword' after the last page of the story.  Which gives the readers the background history of why and how this publication came to be. The 'Afterword' is good reading, and I'm glad it was inserted here.

Three pages of ads follow the 'Afterword'.

The Inside Back Cover: Is another ad page.

Back Cover: Is the Ka-Blam ad from the printing company that printed the comic book.

I found that this issue was intriguing enough to warrant looking for the next issue. I would look forward to seeing this reprinted with interior color pages at some future date...  

Thus my 'comic book grade' for this publication is a VERY FINE PLUS (VF+) 8.5 on a 10.0 comic book grading scale.

Here is the link to the web site so that YOU can purchase this comic book for yourself to read!  As well as the following three issues, as the fourth issue is now published.  Oh, and if YOU look closely at that link, you can see that YOU can 'buy' the 1st issue that I've blogged about for 'Free', by signing up at the web site.  You should check this out further.  A 'Free' trial issue before you purchase the remaining three issues to see if YOU like the series.  What a deal!

My thanks to Jamie for bringing this 1st issue of the series to my attention at both the San Gabriel Valley Comic Book Festival, and this past weekend's Long Beach Comic Con!

PLUS: My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over 3,270 total posts in number! I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog!

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 2,010 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button!  And for those of YOU that haven't yet...I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

Note: Our online comic book shop carries many different genres of comics, magazines, graphic novels, and comic con promotional items at the link seen below.  

http://www.comicbookscircus.com/

 

---

 

"Hammering Out the Web For You Since May 12th, 1998!"       Note: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works! To mail printed items to us for possible review, send to:   Make It So Marketing Inc. PO Box 130653 Carlsbad, CA 92013   ComicBooksCircus.com - It's Under The Big Top Of Comics! Click the Above Circus Tent to See Our Current Listings!

My thanks to those of YOU that have read today's blog post! I do appreciate that! For those of you that didn't know me before today... I first set up as a 'dealer' at the 1972 San Diego West Coast Comic Con (SDCC) at the El Cortez Hotel. So I've been around comic conventions for a little while, LOL!   My wife Tina and I now have an on-line exhibitor (dealer) table at the first "virtual" comic con titled the "Facebook Comic Con" (FBCC)! Plus I have a chapter in a new book coming out in December of 2010, that is pictured above, "Gotham City 14 Miles"!  Click here to become a 'Fan' of the GC14M Facebook Fan Page! You can view our dealer table and interact with us there on Facebook by clicking this link, which takes you to our table named: 'Facebook Comic Con | Make It So Marketing'.  So if YOU are a Facebook member, please 'join' our Facebook Comic Con - Make It So Marketing exhibitor table for updates, specials, links to this blog, and other wall comments that we post every day!     Also, if you are a Facebook member and would like to also join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'. Please Note: I have reached the maximum of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so it might be a while before I am able to accept your request. Just send a message along with the invite that you saw my Blog!         ------------------- Talking about comics: if YOU are a comics creator, (writer, penciler, inker, colorist, letterer, etc.), OR even a Comics / Magazine Publisher, feel free to contact me regarding YOUR works for a possible mention / review! I've made a special blog post about: "How To Best Submit YOUR Publication For Possible Review!" for those creators / publishers that would like to possibly have their publications mentioned or reviewed. Just click on the link provided in this paragraph! ~Michael @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com   WEB PAGE NOTE:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards. Chrome, Safarai, Netscape, Firefox and the others serve the page up differently, sorry about that! The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer. NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

 

Tina's Review On: 8-9-3 The Graphic Novel     - Above Photo:  The Front Cover to the 8-9-3 Graphic Novel (GN). - At the Top Left: Jack Hsu Shows the 8-9-3 GN to Michael D Hamersky from his table in Artists Alley at the 2010 LBCC.  - At the Bottom Left: The Flyer To The 2010 Long Beach Comic Con.

TODAY'S Guest Review FEATURE - Blog #3272 by Tina LoSasso:

8-9-3: A Graphic Novel Goes Inside the Japanese Yakuza

Michael and I met 8-9-3 writer and artist Jack Hsu at Long Beach Comic Con. I was intrigued by the book's black on black cover and the title: 8-9-3. I had to know the significance of 8-9-3. Unlike the numbers in LOST, I got my answer on the very first page and enjoyed how the theme played out to the very last.

8-9-3 reads like a John Woo film, plenty of action, deceit, choreographed violence, beautiful women, and a surprising twist at the end. This entertaining tale has everything but the booming sound track!

Hsu has written a strong story with interesting characters, most notably the femme fatale Carmen, and conflicting themes of loyalty and betrayal.

8-9-3 tells the story of Shin, a young Yakuza soldier in service to Hiroshi, the clan leader and Makoto, Hiroshi's son and scheming heir apparent. Set mainly in Tokyo, the story travels to such diverse locations as Rio De Janeiro and Yale University, and back and forth in time (no, not time travel!) to reveal the depth of the storyline.

While there is plenty of action, at its heart, 8-9-3 is a compelling story of betrayal and redemption. This is a graphic novel done well, a rich storyline you'd expect in a good novel being told in clean, clear and lively artwork. Hsu, the artist is an animator by day, and it shows in every panel.
 
This graphic novel is not for the faint of heart. The story is set in the Japanese underworld of the Yakuza so there is plenty of violence, but the depiction is not gratuitous.

Rating: A VERY FINE / NEAR MINT (VF/NM) 9.0 out of a 10.0 comic book grading scale.

Here is the link to where you can find more on this graphic novel.  Plus this is where you can purchase it online, at WayOutComics.com.

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Note from Michael:  My thanks to Jack Hsu for bringing this graphic novel to Tina's attention at this past weekend's Long Beach Comic Con!  This was the one that she wanted to read first and possibly review blog. I haven't read it yet, as we were given two short boxes of graphic novels / comics / & books to read and possibly blog about at this comic con.

So my thanks to Tina for guest blogging here today!

PLUS: My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over 3,270 total posts in number! I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog!

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 2,010 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button!  And for those of YOU that haven't yet...I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

Note: Our online comic book shop carries many different genres of comics, magazines, graphic novels, and comic con promotional items at the link seen below.  

http://www.comicbookscircus.com/

 

---

 

"Hammering Out the Web For You Since May 12th, 1998!"       Note: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works! To mail printed items to us for possible review, send to:   Make It So Marketing Inc. PO Box 130653 Carlsbad, CA 92013   ComicBooksCircus.com - It's Under The Big Top Of Comics! Click the Above Circus Tent to See Our Current Listings!

My thanks to those of YOU that have read today's blog post! I do appreciate that! For those of you that didn't know me before today... I first set up as a 'dealer' at the 1972 San Diego West Coast Comic Con (SDCC) at the El Cortez Hotel. So I've been around comic conventions for a little while, LOL!   My wife Tina and I now have an on-line exhibitor (dealer) table at the first "virtual" comic con titled the "Facebook Comic Con" (FBCC)! Plus I have a chapter in a new book coming out in December of 2010, that is pictured above, "Gotham City 14 Miles"!  Click here to become a 'Fan' of the GC14M Facebook Fan Page! You can view our dealer table and interact with us there on Facebook by clicking this link, which takes you to our table named: 'Facebook Comic Con | Make It So Marketing'.  So if YOU are a Facebook member, please 'join' our Facebook Comic Con - Make It So Marketing exhibitor table for updates, specials, links to this blog, and other wall comments that we post every day!     Also, if you are a Facebook member and would like to also join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'. Please Note: I have reached the maximum of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so it might be a while before I am able to accept your request. Just send a message along with the invite that you saw my Blog!         ------------------- Talking about comics: if YOU are a comics creator, (writer, penciler, inker, colorist, letterer, etc.), OR even a Comics / Magazine Publisher, feel free to contact me regarding YOUR works for a possible mention / review! I've made a special blog post about: "How To Best Submit YOUR Publication For Possible Review!" for those creators / publishers that would like to possibly have their publications mentioned or reviewed. Just click on the link provided in this paragraph! ~Michael @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com   WEB PAGE NOTE:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards. Chrome, Safarai, Netscape, Firefox and the others serve the page up differently, sorry about that! The screen display x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer. NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

 

My 'Take' On: Emerald City Blues #2 From Karl Altstaetter     - Above Photo:  The Alternate Sketch Front Cover to Emerald City Blues #2 from Karl Altstaetter. - At the Top Left: Karl Altstaetter at the recent San Gabriel Valley Comic Book Festival held in September.  - At the Bottom Left: The Poster to the San Gabriel Valley Comic Book Festival.

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3271:

I just saw Karl Altstaetter at his table in the Artists Alley at this past weekend's Long Beach Comic Con. 

Which reminded me that I hadn't yet blogged about his issue #2 of his Emerald City Blues (ECB) #2 that he gave me at the San Gabriel Valley Comic Book Festival in September.

At times I do get a little behind on comics / graphic novels that I would want to blog about if they are the 2nd issue of a series that I have already blogged about. However, this series deserves additional publicity because of what this series is about, and how this 2nd issue moves this series along.

First, here is the link to the my review blog on issue #1 of this series.

For more on what this issue #2 is about, I've copied this from Karl's web site:

The saga continues as Dorothy and Tin seek out the Scarecrow for answers. Meanwhile Glinda reveals there is more to her plan than ruling Emerald City!

Emerald City Blues is a post modern take on The Wizard of Oz by Writer / Artist Karl Altstaetter (Q-Unit, Deity, Bloodstrike)

Three covers!

Main "Yellow Brick Road" Cover 28 pgs-$5.50 + $4.95 S.H.

Alternate Dorothy Cover 28 pgs with a card stock cover $10.50 + $4.95 S.H.

Alternate Dorothy Sketch Back Cover Comes with a custom sketch on the back! $25.00 + $4.95 S.H.

Okay...So what is 'My Take' on this 2nd Issue?

Front Cover: I received the alternate sketch cover issue to read and blog about, as shown at the top right of this blog post. Which would definitely attract the eyes of a possible male reader!

Inside Front Cover:  The credits are shown on this page, with an email address to contact the creator, and a web site to see what else has been produced for this series.  

Splash Page:  Truly a Splash Page!

The Interior Pages: What was striking to me when first thumbing through the comic book and then reading it, was seeing the usage of the colors.  Pages with just black, white and red colors, and then others with additional colors.  A good mix for this issue.

The storyline gets more defined for me as a reader. The artwork keeps the story moving, and the smart usage of colors helps move this issue forward.

This ends chapter 2.  Chapter 3, (the next issue), continues the storyline. There are three pages of ads at the back of the issue, plus one page from other artists who have contributed artwork on the deviant art web site.

The Inside Back Cover: Is the Ka-Blam ad from the printing company.

Back Cover: Again, the issue I received was the alternate cover, which had a blank sketch area for a sketch to be illustrated by the creator. Which would come with the purchase of this issue.

I found that this issue hit the stride of the series enough to interest me into looking forward to issue #3.  

Thus my 'comic book grade' for this publication is a VERY FINE / NEAR MINT (VF/NM) 9.0 on a 10.0 comic book grading scale.

Here is the link to Karl's deviant art web site so that YOU can purchase this comic book for yourself to read!  He also accepts commissions at that web site, as well as freelance work and questions on his works there.

My thanks to Karl for bringing this second issue of the series to my attention at both the San Gabriel Valley Comic Book Festival, and this past weekend's Long Beach Comic Con!

PLUS: My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now over 3,270 total posts in number! I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog!

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 2,010 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button!  And for those of YOU that haven't yet...I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

Note: Our online comic book shop carries many different genres of comics, magazines, graphic novels, and comic con promotional items at the link seen below.  

http://www.comicbookscircus.com/

 

---

 

"Hammering Out the Web For You Since May 12th, 1998!"       Note: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works! To mail printed items to us for possible review, send to:   Make It So Marketing Inc. PO Box 130653 Carlsbad, CA 92013   ComicBooksCircus.com - It's Under The Big Top Of Comics! Click the Above Circus Tent to See Our Current Listings!

My thanks to those of YOU that have read today's blog post! I do appreciate that! For those of you that didn't know me before today... I first set up as a 'dealer' at the 1972 San Diego West Coast Comic Con (SDCC) at the El Cortez Hotel. So I've been around comic conventions for a little while, LOL!   My wife Tina and I now have an on-line exhibitor (dealer) table at the first "virtual" comic con titled the "Facebook Comic Con" (FBCC)! Plus I have a chapter in a new book coming out in December of 2010, that is pictured above, "Gotham City 14 Miles"!  Click here to become a 'Fan' of the GC14M Facebook Fan Page! You can view our dealer table and interact with us there on Facebook by clicking this link, which takes you to our table named: 'Facebook Comic Con | Make It So Marketing'.  So if YOU are a Facebook member, please 'join' our Facebook Comic Con - Make It So Marketing exhibitor table for updates, specials, links to this blog, and other wall comments that we post every day!     Also, if you are a Facebook member and would like to also join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'. Please Note: I have reached the maximum of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so it might be a while before I am able to accept your request. Just send a message along with the invite that you saw my Blog!         ------------------- Talking about comics: if YOU are a comics creator, (writer, penciler, inker, colorist, letterer, etc.), OR even a Comics / Magazine Publisher, feel free to contact me regarding YOUR works for a possible mention / review! I've made a special blog post about: "How To Best Submit YOUR Publication For Possible Review!" for those creators / publishers that would like to possibly have their publications mentioned or reviewed. Just click on the link provided in this paragraph! ~Michael @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com   WEB PAGE NOTE:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards. Chrome, Safarai, Netscape, Firefox and the others serve the page up differently, sorry about that! The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer. NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

 

My Thoughts On the 2nd Annual Long Beach Comic Con (LBCC)! (Which Ran Friday October 29th through Sunday Octer 31st, 2010 - In Long Beach, California) Top Right Photo:  Two of the Best Costumed Attendees at the LBCC, Deadpool & Ms. Wolverine! - Middle Right Photo: One of the Best Panels I Attended - Getting Your IP Recognized With Jimmy Palmiotti! - Bottom Right Photo: I blogged about Allan Angel's work in HTown #1, but he also does other fine illustrations!     - -   -

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3270:

Okay... The 2010 Long Beach Comic Con, (LBCC), is now part of Comic Book History!

Tina and I enjoyed this 'Sophmore Year' of the LBCC, that took place once again at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California.

We attended all three days and were there from approximately opening time until closing time each day.

I found the 'volunteer greeters' at the front door entrance of the Convention Center with their 'May I Help You?' hand held signs to be just one of many ways the promoters of this comic con welcomed new attendees.  Nice touch!

The line for membership badges went smoothly on the first day for us.

However, Tina's badge tore on the 2nd day, and we went to the membership booth once again, to see what could be done about that.  It appeared that this tearing problem had already been found out and resolved, because it only took two minutes before we were on our way back to the exhibit floor!

The exhibit floor was laid out a little strangely, as it opened up in a 'V' shape as the attendees came in.  However, that was due to the Long Beach Convention Center, not the LBCC promoters.

The bigger publishers / vendors had the front area, which could be considered the 'prime real estate' of the con when the attendees first walked in.  Which was okay for me, as I was more interested in what lay behind those booths...The Artist Alley, or in this year's case, the two separated Artist Alleys.

I thought that was a little strange, but my wife, Tina LoSasso, said that was a smart marketing move, to improve traffic flow, and to encourage people to walk the entire floor and not to avoid sections.

The Artists Alley sections were even better than last year! Though the two sections put together were bigger in size, the ability to sop and see individual creators at their tables was still a fun experience!

The comic book vendors were interspersed pretty well.  Those interested in buying back issues could delve through dozens of $1 boxes for reading pleasure, and there were a few 'big name dealers' there also for harder-to-find collectible back issues.

The 'media stars' were not large in number, because this was a 'true comic con', not a 'pop culture con'.  I enjoyed seeting those that were there, including Dan (Grizzly Adams) Haggerty, Herb (Lt. Boomer) Jefferson Jr., and William (Falconetti) Smith, of the ones that were there.

'Bigger Name' comics creators were also there, although some like Stan Lee were there only on a specific day.  Stan had flown in from a different comic con in Detroit the day before. Busy guy!

I had already seen Stan at the opening ceremony for the 1st LBCC last year, so did not attend the few mini-events hew as at, as those were xtra fee to be paid events.  (Photo ops, etc.).

We did however attend some of the panels and programs that were staged during the three days.

Those included: 'Listen to Jimmy Palmiotti - Amanda Conner Spotlight', 'The IDW Publishing Sneak Peak', 'Secret Origins: The History of DC Comics', 'Mike Mignola Spotlight', 'Getting Your IP Recognized with Jimmy Palmiotti', among others.  I plan on mentioning / blogging on some of those separately in the future, so just listing them here for now.

I kind of liked having the panels separate from the exhibit hall, but the suggested path to walk around the building itslef to go to the next building that housed the panels was a little ways to travel. We did find that leaving through the back door of the exhibit hall to go more directly to the panel rooms was easier, but it was not suggested.

Unfortunately there was another Convention occuring during the same weekend at the Long Beach Convention Center, which had the access blocked from Comic-Con attendedees to use.  Still, it was enjoyable to be away from the exhibit floor.

Talking about the exhibit floor, there were LBCC Exclusives for sale at this con. There was quite a few attendees buying those items when we walked passed that booth a few times.

So I could see there was something for everyone at this year's LBCC, even 'Halloween Treats' for attendees.  this was really good for those families that brought their youngsters in for 'Trick or Treating' on Sunday.

Regarding the 'buzz' at this con.  I've been going to comic cons / pop culture cons for several years, (I first set up as a comic book dealer at the SDCC in 1972.) Not one of them has ever been everything to everyone, whether you were a guest, an exhibitor, a publisher, a struggling artist, or an established comic book dealer.

I found during the three days of this con, that there were those who were really pleased with either the networking, sales, exposure to their work, etc. There were those who were OK with their experience at the con. Plus there were those who didn't find this 2nd year con to their liking. I'm speaking of those that paid money to set up at a table or booth at this con, and either were 'newbies' or 'old timers' and either didn't know how to market themselves or were old pros at it.

Just having a table at a comic con of this size does not guarantee you sales, or even exposure for that matter.  Once again I found those in Artist Alley too busy to even look up  in between illustrating commission sketches to acknowledge passerb by.  That's why there should be a 'tag-team' effort at those tables if you are a struggling artists.  Either your girlfriend or wife or best friend to engage those glancing at your table while you sketch, or realize that commission sketches to pay for your way and only that do not build your 'brand'.  But I digress...

As an 'attendee', I personally found so many things at this 2nd LBCC that I liked, that I am looking forward to the 2011 LBCC next October near the Halloween Day, as well as the April 2011 LBCC Expo, which is a one day affair.

I would suggest to those of YOU that didn't attend this year's Con, to think about adding this Con to YOUR 2011 Con schedule now, either as an exhibitor, artist, or dealer.  I've already been told that the panels / programs will be brought closer to the exhibit floor, (hopefully upstairs), and that other kinks will be addressed.

I personally found this 2nd Annual LBCC a fun comic con to attend, and it still reminds me of the one I started at in San Diego before it got way too big after it moved to the San Diego Convention Center.

Again, the above paragraphs are my own personal opinion, which may not see eye to eye with others that attended or were paying participants, but those are my thoughts!

Good Show is what I say to those that were involved in putting this show on!  And Thanks!

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As an ending note: I've already blogged about who was going to be in Artists Alley at Blog #3266.

I've also blogged about a few of the panels / programs that were being presented at Blog #3257.

Also, I blogged about the guests that would be appearing back on Friday, September 17th, in Blog #3238. However, that list was updated on the LBCC's own web site since then.

Plus there were many others that were attending, and for the full list, please see this link, which will take you to the LBCC's own page for 'guests' at this year's LBCC.

I'll be posting additional pics here in my blog about those that I met at the LBCC, and also at my own Facebook Group Page, at Facebook Comic Con | Make It So Marketing.

I have already mobile Facebooked photos during the LBCC.  Unfortunately the photos first are uploaded to my personal profile page, which is maxed out at 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan Pages 'Liked', so I can't accept many more 'Friends Requests'.  Which is one of the reasons why I have a Facebook Group Page in addition!

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My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now up to 3,270 total posts in number! I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog!

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  I would appreciate that!

Note: Our online comic book shop carries many different genres of comics, magazines, graphic novels, and comic con promotional items at the link seen below.  

http://www.comicbookscircus.com/

 

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"Hammering Out the Web For You Since May 12th, 1998!"       Note: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works! To mail printed items to us for possible review, send to:   Make It So Marketing Inc. PO Box 130653 Carlsbad, CA 92013     ComicBooksCircus.com - It's Under The Big Top Of Comics! Click the Above Circus Tent to See Our Current Listings!

My thanks to those of YOU that have read today's blog post! I do appreciate that! For those of you that didn't know me before today... I first set up as a 'dealer' at the 1972 San Diego West Coast Comic Con (SDCC) at the El Cortez Hotel. So I've been around comic conventions for a little while, LOL!   My wife Tina and I now have an on-line exhibitor (dealer) table at the first "virtual" comic con titled the "Facebook Comic Con" (FBCC)! Plus I have a chapter in a new book coming out in December of 2010, that is pictured above, "Gotham City 14 Miles"! Click here to become a 'Fan' of the GC14M Facebook Fan Page! You can view our dealer table and interact with us there on Facebook by clicking this link, which takes you to our table named: 'Facebook Comic Con | Make It So Marketing'.  So if YOU are a Facebook member, please 'join' our Facebook Comic Con - Make It So Marketing exhibitor table for updates, specials, links to this blog, and other wall comments that we post every day!     Also, if you are a Facebook member and would like to also join my Facebook Network, feel free to send a 'friend request' to 'Michael D Hamersky'. Please Note: I have reached the maximum of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so it might be a while before I am able to accept your request. Just send a message along with the invite that you saw my Blog!         ------------------- Talking about comics: if YOU are a comics creator, (writer, penciler, inker, colorist, letterer, etc.), OR even a Comics / Magazine Publisher, feel free to contact me regarding YOUR works for a possible mention / review! I've made a special blog post about: "How To Best Submit YOUR Publication For Possible Review!" for those creators / publishers that would like to possibly have their publications mentioned or reviewed. Just click on the link provided in this paragraph! ~Michael @ ComicBookCollectorsBlog.com   WEB PAGE NOTE:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards. Chrome, Safarai, Netscape, Firefox and the others serve the page up differently, sorry about that! The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer. NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.