I’ve been to my share of comic-cons over the years as a visitor. It wasn’t the most mind blowing experience but there was almost always something interesting at each show that made the trip worthwhile.
I finally had an opportunity to exhibit at a small show near me one year and decided to take them up on the offer. I figured being a smaller show, it would be a good training exercise for if I decided to start attending larger events. So, how did the day go?
Not well.
It seems whoever planned the con decided to put the big Marvel guest right at the front door to the center. Meaning, most people who were there for him would come in, get their autograph and promptly walk out the door behind them never seeing the rest of the show.
Needless to say, the rest of us were extremely upset when we discovered this. Many creators I was with decided to pack up and leave early they were so put out by the way things went.
I ended up staying for the whole show despite this and barely made back enough money to pay for my table and other expenses.
Ever since, I’ve been careful to advise any younger creators to avoid doing comic-cons as a way to promote or “network”. The shows just aren’t made that way. You’re better off thinking of them as flea markets where you go to dump excess merchandise you can’t move online (even though they really aren’t great for that either). Time has only proven that view correct with shows either becoming dead or overrun with pop culture (TV, movies, etc.) to the point that comic artists are ignored completely.
So if for some bizarre reason you are just dying to go set up a table at a con, make sure you treat it like you would a day at the beach or amusement park. Assume you’re doing it for fun and that you won’t make any money (but spend a ton) for your day’s efforts.
If you’re ok with that, I guess you can do what you like. As for me, I’m going to stay in the studio and maybe get something accomplished that will more likely bring me some real value in the end.
