Comments on: Not the announcement so much as the event name… http://blog.newsarama.com/2009/02/05/not-the-announcement-so-much-as-the-event-name/ The Blog@ Team and prominent comics personalities share what’s on their minds. Fri, 24 May 2013 03:41:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.1 By: Gruff http://blog.newsarama.com/2009/02/05/not-the-announcement-so-much-as-the-event-name/comment-page-1/#comment-458577 Gruff Sat, 07 Feb 2009 04:18:05 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=10889#comment-458577 2010 is the year that changes everything. Chicago will mark the beginning of the end for Wizard, and moving New York to early October will seriously change the playing field for the new owners of Mid Ohio-Con. 2010 is the year that changes everything. Chicago will mark the beginning of the end for Wizard, and moving New York to early October will seriously change the playing field for the new owners of Mid Ohio-Con.

]]> By: Jimalsi http://blog.newsarama.com/2009/02/05/not-the-announcement-so-much-as-the-event-name/comment-page-1/#comment-458567 Jimalsi Fri, 06 Feb 2009 20:55:33 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=10889#comment-458567 I was excited about the new con until I saw it was to be at McCormick Place. It is very misleading for them to keep saying it's in "downtown Chicago." I drive by McCormick Place every day on my way into downtown Chicago. MP is at the far southern edge of what anyone would consider part of the Loop (downtown). Most of the entertainment in the city is on the north side of the Loop, at least two miles away from McCormick place. Parking is often difficult and expensive. It's also hard to simply walk there, like you can do at the San Diego Convention center, because most streets do not actually lead to McCormick Place. It's surrounded by ramps and highway-type streets, like Lake Shore Drive's layout is in that area. I'm not even sure if it's easy to stroll out of it to walk to the lakefront. There's probably public transportation, but nothing better than taking the El from the Rosemont Convention Center right into several places in the Loop. I'm no fan of the Rosemont location, but someplace near Grant Park or the Chicago River would have been better. I was excited about the new con until I saw it was to be at McCormick Place. It is very misleading for them to keep saying it’s in “downtown Chicago.” I drive by McCormick Place every day on my way into downtown Chicago. MP is at the far southern edge of what anyone would consider part of the Loop (downtown). Most of the entertainment in the city is on the north side of the Loop, at least two miles away from McCormick place. Parking is often difficult and expensive. It’s also hard to simply walk there, like you can do at the San Diego Convention center, because most streets do not actually lead to McCormick Place. It’s surrounded by ramps and highway-type streets, like Lake Shore Drive’s layout is in that area. I’m not even sure if it’s easy to stroll out of it to walk to the lakefront.

There’s probably public transportation, but nothing better than taking the El from the Rosemont Convention Center right into several places in the Loop. I’m no fan of the Rosemont location, but someplace near Grant Park or the Chicago River would have been better.

]]> By: Isaac Alexander http://blog.newsarama.com/2009/02/05/not-the-announcement-so-much-as-the-event-name/comment-page-1/#comment-458564 Isaac Alexander Fri, 06 Feb 2009 20:24:07 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=10889#comment-458564 Looks like Wizard was careless in purchasing a domain for ChicagoComiccon.com Reed purchased the domain for their event. http://www.chicagocomiccon.com/ Will someone at Wizard get a clue to running an event? Looks like Wizard was careless in purchasing a domain for ChicagoComiccon.com
Reed purchased the domain for their event.
http://www.chicagocomiccon.com/

Will someone at Wizard get a clue to running an event?

]]> By: Vaughan Johnson http://blog.newsarama.com/2009/02/05/not-the-announcement-so-much-as-the-event-name/comment-page-1/#comment-458561 Vaughan Johnson Fri, 06 Feb 2009 19:32:19 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=10889#comment-458561 The only people who are going to find the Reed con's location convenient are people who already live in the city. For the rest of us, it's much more inconvenient to drive to, especially on a Friday. The parking will probably cost more than the commuter lot at the Rosemont Convention Center as well and good food is still just as far away (they have cabs and buses in Rosemont too y'know). I'm looking forward to the Reed convention not because of it's location but because of what I hope they'll do with the con and it's guests. I also don't know if Reed's location is adjacent to any hotels which is going to be an issue for those people who like to take stuff back and forth from their rooms. As for Wizard changing their name? That's a pretty obvious attempt to confuse people now that Reed is moving in on their territory. They might want to try doing some actual convention planning instead. Maybe try catering to the fans instead of the pros. The only people who are going to find the Reed con’s location convenient are people who already live in the city. For the rest of us, it’s much more inconvenient to drive to, especially on a Friday. The parking will probably cost more than the commuter lot at the Rosemont Convention Center as well and good food is still just as far away (they have cabs and buses in Rosemont too y’know). I’m looking forward to the Reed convention not because of it’s location but because of what I hope they’ll do with the con and it’s guests. I also don’t know if Reed’s location is adjacent to any hotels which is going to be an issue for those people who like to take stuff back and forth from their rooms.

As for Wizard changing their name? That’s a pretty obvious attempt to confuse people now that Reed is moving in on their territory. They might want to try doing some actual convention planning instead. Maybe try catering to the fans instead of the pros.

]]> By: zach http://blog.newsarama.com/2009/02/05/not-the-announcement-so-much-as-the-event-name/comment-page-1/#comment-458560 zach Fri, 06 Feb 2009 19:16:57 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=10889#comment-458560 I can't say I'm surprised that Wizard would pull a dick move like this...dick moves are their M.O. I can't wait till they are run out of town by a real comic convention in 2010. I can’t say I’m surprised that Wizard would pull a dick move like this…dick moves are their M.O. I can’t wait till they are run out of town by a real comic convention in 2010.

]]> By: SniktSnakt http://blog.newsarama.com/2009/02/05/not-the-announcement-so-much-as-the-event-name/comment-page-1/#comment-458559 SniktSnakt Fri, 06 Feb 2009 18:50:07 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=10889#comment-458559 another nail in the coffin for Wizard, changing the name like that... can we start taking bets, how much longer Wizard will be around for?!? another nail in the coffin for Wizard, changing the name like that…

can we start taking bets, how much longer Wizard will be around for?!?

]]> By: Neal K http://blog.newsarama.com/2009/02/05/not-the-announcement-so-much-as-the-event-name/comment-page-1/#comment-458556 Neal K Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:38:24 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=10889#comment-458556 Amen, Kevin, amen. I haven't gone in a few years now, after being so excited about moving to a city with a major comics convention when I first came to Chicago. I also note that Wizard has again scheduled its show on the same weekend as Lollapalooza, which may not be a big deal for a lot of people, but for me its major. I literally jumped for joy when I heard the 2010 announcement, especially that it would be held at the MUCH more convenient and MUCH nicer McCormick Place, which is actually IN Chicago. Wizard World Chicago Comiccon of Comics (or whatever the hell they are changing it to) will soon be dead. Amen, Kevin, amen. I haven’t gone in a few years now, after being so excited about moving to a city with a major comics convention when I first came to Chicago. I also note that Wizard has again scheduled its show on the same weekend as Lollapalooza, which may not be a big deal for a lot of people, but for me its major. I literally jumped for joy when I heard the 2010 announcement, especially that it would be held at the MUCH more convenient and MUCH nicer McCormick Place, which is actually IN Chicago.

Wizard World Chicago Comiccon of Comics (or whatever the hell they are changing it to) will soon be dead.

]]> By: Kevin T. Brown http://blog.newsarama.com/2009/02/05/not-the-announcement-so-much-as-the-event-name/comment-page-1/#comment-458552 Kevin T. Brown Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:48:55 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=10889#comment-458552 Whoop-dee-doo. Still not going this year, for the first time in 30 years. I'll wait till 2010 and spend my money at a convention that's more about comics and less about self promotion. Whoop-dee-doo.

Still not going this year, for the first time in 30 years. I’ll wait till 2010 and spend my money at a convention that’s more about comics and less about self promotion.

]]> By: RavenProject http://blog.newsarama.com/2009/02/05/not-the-announcement-so-much-as-the-event-name/comment-page-1/#comment-458549 RavenProject Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:25:05 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=10889#comment-458549 Close, but not quite. "Chicago Comicon." Not "Comic-Con." San Diego, however, is called "Comic-Con." -J Close, but not quite.

“Chicago Comicon.” Not “Comic-Con.”

San Diego, however, is called “Comic-Con.”

-J

]]> By: GOOF http://blog.newsarama.com/2009/02/05/not-the-announcement-so-much-as-the-event-name/comment-page-1/#comment-458548 GOOF Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:17:13 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=10889#comment-458548 Oh Richard Ho, where for art thou? I miss that guy. Oh Richard Ho, where for art thou? I miss that guy.

]]> By: Scud-O http://blog.newsarama.com/2009/02/05/not-the-announcement-so-much-as-the-event-name/comment-page-1/#comment-458545 Scud-O Fri, 06 Feb 2009 13:38:10 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=10889#comment-458545 I've been attending this show for 22 years. My best memories are from the Chicago Comi-Con days at the Ramada Inn a little further west. Even though the event would be packed, it felt very homey in those hotel ballrooms... I'm glad to see the name return, at least. I’ve been attending this show for 22 years. My best memories are from the Chicago Comi-Con days at the Ramada Inn a little further west. Even though the event would be packed, it felt very homey in those hotel ballrooms…

I’m glad to see the name return, at least.

]]> By: James Shirley Jr http://blog.newsarama.com/2009/02/05/not-the-announcement-so-much-as-the-event-name/comment-page-1/#comment-458544 James Shirley Jr Fri, 06 Feb 2009 12:22:25 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=10889#comment-458544 11 Years after purchasing the great Chicago Comic-Con. Wizard finally decides to use the name. It must suck to be part of the Wizard con staff. Knowing that a group that knows how to organize and run a show of the magnitude of a Chicago Con is coming in 2010. Wizard will be gone from Chicago area in 2 years. Hopefully they can step up their game this year... Ah who am I kidding, they've had 11 years and couldn't do it, why start now? I look forward to seeing everyone in Chicago in April of 2010. JWSJr. 11 Years after purchasing the great Chicago Comic-Con. Wizard finally decides to use the name.

It must suck to be part of the Wizard con staff. Knowing that a group that knows how to organize and run a show of the magnitude of a Chicago Con is coming in 2010. Wizard will be gone from Chicago area in 2 years.

Hopefully they can step up their game this year… Ah who am I kidding, they’ve had 11 years and couldn’t do it, why start now?

I look forward to seeing everyone in Chicago in April of 2010.

JWSJr.

]]> By: Jessie http://blog.newsarama.com/2009/02/05/not-the-announcement-so-much-as-the-event-name/comment-page-1/#comment-458543 Jessie Fri, 06 Feb 2009 09:27:02 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=10889#comment-458543 I believe Millar was at Wizard World Chicago two years ago. The great weakness of Wizard World Chicago is its abysmal location: The convention is not in Chicago proper, but in the mafia-run satellite suburb of Rosemont, and is held in a dreary Soviet-style convention center surrounded by nothing but chain hotels and expensive, deeply cynical cafeteria food. It is not one of the "fun" conventions to attend for either creator or fans; it is essentially a shopping opportunity for local people. The one grace for creators is that the event is very close to airport. The new rival convention will be downtown on the lakefront, within easy bus and taxi reach of bars and restaurants. It is a much more convenient option for convention attendees, and likely a more appealing aesthetic prospect for creators. Wizard SHOULD be nervous. I believe Millar was at Wizard World Chicago two years ago.

The great weakness of Wizard World Chicago is its abysmal location: The convention is not in Chicago proper, but in the mafia-run satellite suburb of Rosemont, and is held in a dreary Soviet-style convention center surrounded by nothing but chain hotels and expensive, deeply cynical cafeteria food. It is not one of the “fun” conventions to attend for either creator or fans; it is essentially a shopping opportunity for local people. The one grace for creators is that the event is very close to airport.

The new rival convention will be downtown on the lakefront, within easy bus and taxi reach of bars and restaurants. It is a much more convenient option for convention attendees, and likely a more appealing aesthetic prospect for creators. Wizard SHOULD be nervous.

]]> By: r http://blog.newsarama.com/2009/02/05/not-the-announcement-so-much-as-the-event-name/comment-page-1/#comment-458539 r Fri, 06 Feb 2009 04:48:10 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=10889#comment-458539 I don't see this convention being around in two years. Who knows, maybe Wizard won't be around in two years, either. I don’t see this convention being around in two years. Who knows, maybe Wizard won’t be around in two years, either.

]]> By: Kimota94 http://blog.newsarama.com/2009/02/05/not-the-announcement-so-much-as-the-event-name/comment-page-1/#comment-458538 Kimota94 Fri, 06 Feb 2009 03:02:56 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/?p=10889#comment-458538 For some reason, I kept reading the bolded words as "Chicago-Con" (skipping the intervening "Comic") and thought, "Hey, they've gone back to the old classic name, from the days when the convention there was more about celebrating the entire history of the genre instead of focusing on the latest 'hot' comics or creators." But that conclusion's probably just as wrong as my misreading of the name. For some reason, I kept reading the bolded words as “Chicago-Con” (skipping the intervening “Comic”) and thought, “Hey, they’ve gone back to the old classic name, from the days when the convention there was more about celebrating the entire history of the genre instead of focusing on the latest ‘hot’ comics or creators.”

But that conclusion’s probably just as wrong as my misreading of the name.

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