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Post by defiant1 on Jun 21, 2009 0:33:00 GMT -5
Looks like I'm going to go to the show on Friday. The wife wants to go and Friday seems to be the best day for us. I'll try and post what I thought about the show as soon as I get back either late Friday evening or early Saturday morning. After not purchasing a comic in 8 months, I'm really looking forward to this. I'm expecting a review. Not one dealer had any comics I'd gone there to specifically buy. I did get one comic, but I mainly bought art. Adam Hughes was selling his sketchbooks for $30. What a rip off. I already owned one of the ones he was selling and I bought it at Dragon Con for a more reaasonable $10. Defiant1
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Post by G on Jun 21, 2009 3:01:50 GMT -5
I'm expecting a review. Yeah, I was going to put a review up. I just haven't gotten around to it yet. I've been rather lethargic today. Friday was quite eventful for me. My convention experience actually starts on Thursday. I got a call about a job interview and I had to be there on Friday morning at 7am. This was 50 miles from my home and away from the convention. I figured the convention was lost. But my wife convinced me that we could still go to the convention after my interview, she would just go with me to the interview and wait in the car. I had planned to leave for Charlotte around 4am. Instead I left 50 miles further away at 8am. This was rather disappointing. What was further disappointing is I left this group interview without taking the job. Oh, I could have had it. But the hours and the money didn't make it worth it. So I left. There was no way I could go back and forth 50 miles 5 days a week from 3am to 9am and also attend school. I would have been spending the night in motels or something to keep that up. It wasn't worth it. So disappointed by the turn of events, we headed towards the show 4 hrs later than what we wanted to and 50 miles further away. Let me say the drive to Charlotte from where I live is a cumbersome ride. Other than some brief interludes in country, the majority of the ride is on the interstate and is in heavy traffic throughout. It gets rather taxing on the nerves to have cars trying to kill you for 6 consecutive hrs. We arrived a little later than I wanted. Around 2:30pm. This left us 4 1/2 hrs to patrol the convention. I came in through the opposite side entrance than I normally do which actually had me come out in Artist Alley. I must say, I know this is big for a lot of conventioners. And if this is your bag, you would be in heaven. But its not mine. I remember when Charlotte used to have about a 15-25% area for artists. Now its more like 50%, which seemed about 10 more than last year. It's getting a bit ridiculous to me. Something new this year was the introduction of lines that resembled lines you would see for rides at amusement parks. You know, the back and forth chained off mazes that make up a waiting line? A few of the bigger name artists had roped off areas like this. Although it kept the art seekers roped off and tied into an area, which was nice since I no longer had to mingle with them. It also seemed a bit much to me. Most of the artists I walked by were artists I never heard of before. Its sorta like....shouldn't these scrub artists been sent off to another hallway or room....to deal with art seekers, leaving just the big names an a much bigger area to hold shop and also giving more room to the comics? Just because you draw some indy with a print run of 125, doesn't mean I should wade past your both with a bunch of art looking desperate for attention. I sometimes think Charlotte needs to weed some of the excess fat out. But I know they won't do it. I remember 15 years ago artist alley meant walking past tons of big named stars in a relatively small, but cozy area. And just a few scrubs nearby. Now its mostly scrubs with a couple of stars and taking up almost 3 times the original space they had 15 years ago. It's eating into the real reason I personally come to a convention and that's the comics. The comics seemed very enjoyable to me this year. After spending the previous year unable to find anything I wanted to buy in 3 whole days. I had the exact opposite reaction this year. I wanted to buy a lot of comics. My usual way to go about a convention is to kind of check out most all the dealers 1st and then go back to the ones I thought were good and do some buying. It just seemed like my time was running out quickly at this show. I was trying to run around. But I was also having to buy at the same time because I might not make it back in time. This kept me from buying things I know I wanted because I kept thinking I would find something better and I would scurry away and somehow I didn't make it back to the place I knew had books I wanted. But wanted books I did this year and it was pleasant compared to the year before when literally nothing jumped at me as I wanted it. Im sure some will still say it sucked. But trust me, compared to the year before, the books and prices seemed much more reasonable. Yes, still people gouging and being stupid crazy as always. It was just I found so many instances of reasonable prices combined with books I wanted. I did find it disturbing that one of my favorite dealers had jacked up his prices that I didnt spend any time at his booth because the sticker shock made me not want to look anymore. I just found others that had things I wanted. And once there, I spent time looking through books. Which was great. Unfortunately. My time was about done. I spent the last hr knowing time was running out and trying to backtrack to places I knew had books I want. Only not to make it back to all the ones I wanted. In the end, I spent a lousy $59 on comics. I got 2 books in the $17 bracket. 2 books in the $3 bracket. And the rest were nice $1 books. I left happy with the little bit I had but knowing I missed out on getting a lot of books I wanted. The ride home was abysmal. Having to take a different way back home than the way we came wasn't bad. But around 70 miles away from home I ran up on traffic barrels laid out in a confusing side to side action which forced me to come almost to a complete stop. Taking the way it appeared to be making me go, I ended up making the wrong turn in the boonies and headed about 15 miles in the wrong direction before realizing something was wrong and had to backtrack. Upon returning to the scene of the crime, I took note that there was no sign indicating the route had changed or which gave me the proper North/South marking. This again was after nearly wrecking by a confusing traffic barrel layout. This is also about the time the rains hit which made a nice fog in the middle of the woods. I personally seen about a dozen deers on the side of the road and ever since I hit one, I dread night time woods driving. Tonight I literally got hrs of it. It seemed much more difficult making it home. Some how I got home around 3:30am exhausted. Having drove over 750 miles. I had drove nearly 14 hrs to experience 4 hrs and 30 minutes of time enjoying the show. I went to bed and passed out and got up at 11am. Ive felt broke down most of the day but did manage to mow the yard and do some chores. Im just not up to par after the trip. Me and the wife both enjoyed the show. But vow next year to stay longer and get a room. Part of the hassle of the show is the drive itself. I never enjoy going to Charlotte nor returning. Getting home is almost better than getting to the show. I know I should have gotten about 4 or 5 more $20 or so books. I could have made out so much better than I did. This show I don't think would have blown anybody away. But 2008 was so piss poor, that it rocked in comparison in my personal opinion. Circumstance dictated how much I actually got to enjoy it. But being there for the brief period I was, I feel more disappointed by what I missed getting than being disappointed about what was actually there. If next year is this good, I'll be glad I came and rented a room. In my opinion. The 2009 Charlotte Con rated around a 3.5 out of 5. I'd give 2008 a 1 out of 5.
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Post by defiant1 on Jun 21, 2009 9:13:56 GMT -5
I'd score it about the same. Unlike you, I was not finding any comics I wanted. On older books I like, the condition was FR to GD for everything that caught my eye. I've never seen more tape on comics than I did at that show. To be honest, I could've left the show after 30 minutes and felt like I'd seen enough . I did go to every booth this year, but it ended up being a waste of time. I was looking for Adult Humor Charlton comics. Most dealers didn't even know what I was talking about. I was looking for two common Continuity book. A direct edition Ms. Mystic #9 and a Revengers Trade Issue #1 2nd printing. No luck. A guy there had a Marvel Comics#1. I thought that was cool. What I did buy was art. 16 pages of stuff I want at a reasonable price of $200. I will be posting scans on my board. As far as the drive, I must say everything was fine until I got to North Carolina. That state has crappy roads. It's like trying to drive on a cheese grater. Terribly bumpy. Police were scattered throughout Georgia on the way up. South Carolina was mostly clear. I saw one on the way back, but that was it. I was wondering if they can't afford police or if they just don't care. Georgia uses police and tickets to boost revenue so you see police out a lot. The only problem I had getting back was finding an onramp for 277. I went the city roads rather than looping back the way I came. I found 277, but it took me 30 minutes to find an on ramp going the direction I wanted to go, I was doing a serpentine back and forth under 277 which was above me, but none of the on ramps were going the right direction. Finally I found a place and there was no sign telling you it's an onramp. If I hadn't gotten somewhat desperate and exploring every road by that point, I would not have found it.
Defiant1
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Post by G on Jun 22, 2009 13:54:45 GMT -5
Here are a few of my more major purchases. Which is kind of disappointing. Not because I don't like these, because I do. But because I could have had so much more. That seems to happen to me when I rush. I end up having regrets. I regret not snagging a lot of good stuff I seen when I had the chance. To start off, everyone on here should know I'm a fan of Yang. I mean Yang! With a name like that, it's hard not to like. Anyway, Im just about done with the collection but this one had been eluding me for some time and its one I've always wanted. Whenever I did see it, it was either in too cruddy shape or way overpriced. This one here rounds out around a FN/VF so for a Charlton it's in solid shape. And it was priced at $3. So I finally took what I think is the 2nd most important Yang home. I mean its a lynching cover! It seems kind of daring of Charlton in my opinion and it seems borderline that it got a Comic's Code Authority stamp. I know things were easing then, but lets just say Yang was black. How controversial would this cover had been then? In any event, its the one Yang I've been looking forward to having for some time and finally got. Speaking of searching out for a long time. Ive been going after the Starlin Capt Marvels which seem like forever. I think they are some classics and to this day, even though they are noticed, I still think they are underloved in the comics world. I feel there is plenty of room left for these to go. You know what I feel holds this book back? The ever lovin Lame cover shot of Thanos. This is his 1st ever cover appearance and after Iron Man #55 is his 2nd brief appearance, but not his 1st full appearance. If Thanos would have had a more prominent role on the cover, this book would be a lot higher in my opinion. In any event, I still feel good knocking it off my list. What really gets me about walking home with so few comics is I really seen a lot of great Charltons. I think they are finally being recognized as collectible comics and finally the prices are reflecting that. Where I used to see Charltons all the time for a buck, now the worst seem to go for at least $3. And anything moderate in collectibility or condition, has seem prices soar. This isn't the most awesome comic, but I think it's pretty cool. It's all prime Steve Ditko art. 64 pages of it. No, not the loose crappy Ditko. The higher detailed and great page layout Ditko. I'm telling you, Ive really learned over the years to truly dig this guys art when I used to hate it with a passion. Now I find myself getting giddy over Ditko Charltons. So, for $18, I took this solid copy home. It has a lot going for it besides Ditko. Double sized, nice shape and with a classic look and feel with a lot of cover lettering showing off the talents that seemed to be pushed under a rug today. Long live Comic Lettering!
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Post by defiant1 on Jun 22, 2009 20:43:13 GMT -5
I was going to buy some Atlas books, but I lost my list,
Defiant1
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Post by bigw1966 on Apr 17, 2010 10:55:18 GMT -5
I just wanted to let you guys know, that Me and Troy the guy inking and coloring my ZUDA submission will be in Artist Alley all weekend doing sketches and selling prints
BTW, Troy worked on a title with Pat Lee that was just revealed online. It is called WIDOW WARRIORS and it is from Dynamite. It looks awesome but sadly the negative press from Pat Lee will probably cause the book problems.
Anyway, hope to see you all at Heroes Con.
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Post by G on Apr 17, 2010 12:04:52 GMT -5
That's great news Mike! I hope it opens some doors for you! I think when you sit down with a lot of legit work in front of you, it'll be an even better experience! I'm going to try and make it again this year. It's hard for me to believe, but after a 10 year hiatus from the show, I've now been there the last 3 years. 3 years ago I went with my wife and kids and it was an okay time, but the kids get burned out before I do. 2 years ago I went with Az and Comic Kings and spent the weekend there, but the show absolutely blew chunks. Last year I went with my wife and arrived very late because I had a job interview that morning. I only got to be there for 4 hrs total. I thought the material was much better than the previous year, but I didn't have time to shop. Also, I had been out of work for about 8 months at that point and I really didn't have much money to blow. It would be nice to go this year with my life going a bit better. I'm trying to get back into comics in a big way. I find when I deprive myself of comics, I miss it. It would be great to go and see you on artist alley. I might have to get an autograph or something. Seeing how you are progressing, I can only see it as a positive event for you.
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Post by bigw1966 on Apr 17, 2010 13:16:17 GMT -5
Thanks dude. that is my hope also. I will be posting sketches on facebook between now and then. I am going to try to fill a couple of sketchbooks with images that I can sell without having to draw them there.
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Post by bigw1966 on Apr 22, 2010 13:00:05 GMT -5
Well it looks like I spoke to soon. We sent off our payment only to have it returned with a note informing us that the show was sold out for tables. I am kind of pissed because It would have been the cheapest for me to attend. basically, about $200 $150 for the table and my weekend creator pass, and about 50 for gas & food. We have friends in charlotte who were going to let us stay with them. We still may go but just to walk around.
so we went ahead and payed for a table at WW Philly. I can make money there, but now It will cost me about $400 for the trip that I must make back before I profit. Kinda sucks, but what can you do. If I do go down there to Charlotte, I hope to run into you guys there. I may go just to show off my portpholio.
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Post by G on Apr 23, 2010 0:11:11 GMT -5
Well it looks like I spoke to soon. We sent off our payment only to have it returned with a note informing us that the show was sold out for tables. I am kind of pissed because It would have been the cheapest for me to attend. basically, about $200 $150 for the table and my weekend creator pass, and about 50 for gas & food. We have friends in charlotte who were going to let us stay with them. We still may go but just to walk around. so we went ahead and payed for a table at WW Philly. I can make money there, but now It will cost me about $400 for the trip that I must make back before I profit. Kinda sucks, but what can you do. If I do go down there to Charlotte, I hope to run into you guys there. I may go just to show off my portpholio. That sucks you won't be on artist alley. I was kind of looking forward to that....that is if I go which is a big maybe at this point. Gotta start psyching my wife up for it. I'm pretty sure she'll want to go. If nothing else bigW, I think you should carry your portfolio down there and do some networking and getting some more critiques. I always felt the whole experience was good for you and who knows, you never know what might happen. But nothing will happen if you don't go.
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