Comics / Cult Favorite

Conventional Thinking

By Philip Schweier
November 26, 2008 - 12:29

With the holidays upon us, the usual comic book/science fiction convention circuit comes to grinding halt.  One of the great things about it is the opportunity to see old friends and make new ones. For those that attend multiple conventions over the course of a year, it’s not uncommon to see some of the same faces, con after con. Not that this should be tiresome. It’s great to see people willing to take on the expense of traveling from city to city, often criss-crossing the country many times over.

Some conventions enter the realm of diminishing returns. They are so big, that having that chance to meet the comic book or movie personality that’s drawn you there becomes a battle. Jim Lee can only look at so many portfolios, James Marsters can sign only so many autographs. With lines stretching all the way back to shuttle parking, an attendee may be doomed to disappointment.

But for others, cons offer much more than the opportunity to meet a major player in their chosen fandom. They are abuzz with an energy than can be as invigorating as it is infectious. The constant commerce of the dealer’s rooms is enough to make a Ferengi’s lobes tingle. The wardrobe challenges range from coming up with a seldom-seen-anywhere true original to creating the one so unique there’s no way it CAN’T win the costume contest.

I’ve been to my share of conventions, but usually those within a few hours drive of my home. I have to be selective largely due to budgetary concerns. Hotel, food, admission don’t come cheap even now, let alone when I was a poor college student. While it might have been possible to share such expenses with other fans, sometimes I had to ask myself if I really wanted to share a hotel room for a weekend with some people.

My personal preference is for those cons which cross-pollinate, including elements of science fiction, fantasy, art, and other genre-based fandoms. After all, it’s kind of difficult to be a comic book fan and not appreciate other tales of heroes.

Dealers rooms and exhibitors rooms often feature an incredibly diverse range of merchandise, but the downside is fighting the crowd, especially when some unthinking (but well-intentioned) fan decides to share their Man-Bat costume for all to see. It’s crowded enough without the bat wings to contend with. Thanks, but save it for the costume contest.

Celebrities are a big draw, but something I’ve noticed in recent years is the participation of people with rather tenuous relations to genre fandom. Honestly, I’m not really interested in the Klingon extra from episode #139 of Star Trek: The Original Series, or the actor who provided the voice of Papa Smurf.

But to their credit, there is something to be said for celebrities, however minor they may be, who actually show up. It’s disappointing to pay for admittance, parking, hotel and meals, only to discover that person you hoped to see had unexpectedly canceled. It’s often unavoidable, but that doesn’t make the experience any more palatable.

Some actors new to the convention circuit set rather steep prices for their autographs and photos. As they become accustomed to comic book and science fiction fandom, they are better able to gauge what the fans are willing to pay.

Regardless of what movie star shows up, or what treasure you may come across in the dealer’s room, as I said it’s an opportunity to essentially party with like-minded people. The San Diego convention has been called “spring break for nerds,” and that’s not entirely a bad thing. Despite the oddities hotel employees may see, there are often other events, such as charity auctions and blood drives, that justify the positive impact of con attendees.

But the great thing about attending a con for me is coming away with piles of loot. Back issues of comics, autographs, t-shirts and assorted statuettes and toys make the experience so much fun. It’s like treasure hunting in the Amazon. You know there’s Mayan gold, and you pretty much know where it is, but the mystery lies in what bauble is going to catch your eye.

I latched onto a new process, largely because this past year my wife and I have gone to the allowance system in an effort to curb some our needless spending. We’re each allotted an equal amount of money from our respective paychecks to pay for entertainment. Though it’s not exactly an idea I would’ve come up with, I knew in the long run it would prove good for me (kinda like buying a suit). Ultimately it’s proved worthwhile.

What it did was it forced me to be more watchful about what I was buying and how much it cost. In the past I might have just bought whatever comics I stumbled across, but because I was making a concerted effort to plug holes in my collection, some titles I collect I never touched at all while shopping at conventions. Others I made massive inroads in eliminating from my want list. For instance, it’s allowed me to complete my 1970s run of Justice League of America and early 1980s run of Legion of Super-Heroes.

But just wait until next year. I’m making my list, checking it twice. Maybe I’ll find that Superman #233 (“Kryptonite Nevermore!”), or the Mego Green Arrow action figure. Come, Watson. The game is afoot.

Praise and adulation? Scorn and ridicule? E-mail me at philip@comicbookbin.com

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12