Anyone who went to Wizard World Chicago this year find the convention itself kinda lacking? I know San Diego was last week but, man, where the hell were the creators? The panels sucked, event wise there just wasn't much going on.
Why have the two of them so close if everyone's going to go through the motions with Chicago? Yesterday(Sat) morning it was a zoo as to be expected. By mid afternoon (2pm) it thinned out substantially, which I've really never noticed happening in years past even if there's a tons of great panels going on.
Now on the exhibitor side it's always a blast. Who can't love a pop culture explosion like Wizard World?
However, I do think it would be wise to move the two largest shows (Maybe Wizard LA is bigger than chi, i'm not sure) a little farther away from each other. I understand the appeal of summer, but the truth is that the industry isn't THAT big. There are only so many creators and retailers and a good number of them are at both shows. The problem is if you move Chi to early summer, where does Wizard LA go? -- which is only a couple hours away. THey want to keep it in summer and it's probably as far away from San Diego as you can in the summer.
Artist Alley is always hit or miss. They need to discern the Working Artist from the Wanna-Be-Artist a bit better. I love/hate going through that area because while there's always talent like David Mack, Mahfood, Crossland, Rich Koslowski and many others which I love meeting-- lumped in with a bunch of people hawking books that have no attention paid to plot, story, character, and sometimes minimal artistist ability. Passion is admirable but some of the creators need to put more thought it to what it is they're trying to sell. I know, I know that's why they're there to learn, to network, whatever, but still it can reek of desperation. I just get tired of listening to the fourth ashcan pitch about a group of nerds who love comics and can't get girls...
When the Headlining Guests are: Kevin Smith, Kristen Bell, Thomas Jane, and Jeph Loeb, also with: Geoff Johns, J. Scott Campbell, Peter David (?) Rob Liefield, Paul Jennkins...
I don't know that isn't much to get too excited about. I'd hoped for Bendis, Brian Vaughn, Rucka, Whedon, Brubaker, or maybe even David Lapham. People I read at least. Usually, it seems that Chicago's able to draw a couple of these guys at least, so for me it was a disappointment. As much as I enjoy Kevin Smith, it's just not exciting to wait in a long ass line to see him plaster on a make ass smile and recite the usual stories. Entertaining as hell guy, but year after year and DVD speaking special after DVD speaking special don't make the stories any newer.
Artist Alley is always hit or miss. They need to discern the Working Artist from the Wanna-Be-Artist a bit better. I love/hate going through that area because while there's always talent like David Mack, Mahfood, Crossland, Rich Koslowski and many others which I love meeting-- lumped in with a bunch of people hawking books that have no attention paid to plot, story, character, and sometimes minimal artistist ability. Passion is admirable but some of the creators need to put more thought it to what it is they're trying to sell. I know, I know that's why they're there to learn, to network, whatever, but still it can reek of desperation. I just get tired of listening to the fourth ashcan pitch about a group of nerds who love comics and can't get girls...
I would like to see some kind of mark of the Bendis on those ppl's tables who are from this board. I am not a big fan of wondering around trying to find everyone. I am new to getting indy comics and I really only want to try my buddies from this board. I am sure I passed some in artist alley. If there was some kind of "BB" on the table I would have stopped at more. Sorry to anyone I passed without knowing it....
I thought watching Kristen Bell was funny.
The picture got handed to her, she scribbled friously, looked up, smiled, handed picture to you, and repeated the process. Not a lot of exchange, which considering that she's a hottie guest that many at the Nerd Prom want a minute or ten with, anyone in her shoes would prompt a similar hurried response to an awkward situation.
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