Img 4081
We spent Saturday sitting on a sunny river bank watching loons dive and skim over the surface of the Delaware River.

200804201014

Meanwhile tens of thousands of comic fans were sitting on a sunny glass-enlosed river bank watching loons of another sort duck and dive. (Photo via ComicMix.)

We weren’t there, but apparently yesterday at the show was mad crazy, packed and busy as hell. There were, however, crowd control issues — the hall leading to the panels had to be shut down — and snafus — presentations in the IGN Theater ran an hour late.

But what we got from all the people we talked to last night was that it was an upbeat show, propelled by a love for COMICS. In addition the party scene was hopping last night. Image, Dark Horse, Yen Press and Marvel all had bashes, and most were packed, although the Dark Horse party had a last minute change of venue and wasn’t as crowded as the other two. Nonetheless, by 11:30 just about all the people we wanted to see were there, from Scott and Ivy McCloud to retailer Chris Powell. Everyone was in a good mood, and while no event can really take over a metropolis like New York City, comics had made a good start.

The big question; did exhibitors make money? New York booth prices are very, very expensive, and all the good will in the world won’t keep publishers and artists coming back if they lose money.

We’ll be on the floor today to find out the answer.

6 COMMENTS

  1. The booth prices are comparable to SDCC. However, New York is a much more expensive place to visit (in terms of Hotel, food, snacks, etc.) than San Diego — although San Diego has been trying to catch up. All of this of course factors into exhibitors’ bottom lines — although of course the Big Two and their employees enjoy a hometown advantage of sorts. What is harder to calculate is the value of public visibility and “buzz” generated by exhibiting.

  2. I’m glad NYCC does not have 125,000 attendees. There was a good crowd, the dealers and exhibitors were diverse, the kids day brought in a long line of Sunday attendees,artist’s alley was big,busy, and well mixed, and MTV had a big presence.
    Hotel and food costs can be budgeted. (breakfast bars and bottles bought outside) Flights are numerous (three local airports) and thus competitive. Transportation is easier.
    And nowhere else can you find the diversity and crosspollenization that exists in New York. Mediums are inspired by other mediums; everyone has a passion supported by a day job; here you can get ideas from everybody else, and eventually something exciting happens.
    Besides, everyone knows, if you want to make it big, you’ve got to come to New York!

  3. I guess I have no desire to make it big, since I have no desire to go to New York (or SD anymore).

    I’ll take the less claustrophobic shows like Charlotte or Baltimore or even Wonder Con, even if means less guests and cool panels.

Comments are closed.