Via Twitter, C.B. Cebulski posted an FYI for artists on the upcoming con season:
As there seems to be confusion among creators, this October’s Big Apple Con and April’s Anaheim Con are Gareb Shamus/Wizard shows… Marvel will NOT be at these two shows. Marvel is attending & supporting Reed Expo’s C2E2 in Chicago in April 2010 & NYCC in October 2010.
So what does this mean? Has Marvel chosen a side in the great Con War between Reed Exhibitions and Wizard Entertainment?
Well, I don’t know from a philosophical perspective (although with Disney now at the helm, there could be some modifications), but from a scheduling perspective, sure. And before anyone gets up in arms — it makes sense. The July-based San Diego Comic-Con has been the biggest market in the comic convention constellation for years, and all the comic book companies have to work around that. New York, a Reed event, is easily the second-biggest, and it’s been only recently that Gareb Shamus and Wizard have tried to get their own piece of the NYC turf with Big Apple Con.
Chicago, meanwhile, is the big turf war — and in my mind, I think Reed is going to win it. The major difference between the two conventions is location and time. While Wizard’s convention is known as Wizard World Chicago, it’s actually located in the area of Rosemont, whereas the CC&EE will be located directly at South Lake Shore Drive, in the heart of downtown, near the basin of Lake Michigan.
The more important item is timing: Reed, having shifted next year’s New York Comic Con to October 2010, will start the initial convention salvo by placing their Chicago Convention on April 16-18. Wizard, meanwhile, has their Chicago convention in August — just a few weeks after SDCC. And keep in mind that these conventions cost publishers, both in terms of time, stress, and resources. In other words, Reed allows publishers to have a naturally building schedule — starting strong in Chicago in April, nailing San Diego in July, and then capping a few months later in New York — whereas I feel Wizard is flat-tiring its Chicago event by placing it shortly after SDCC.
What do you guys think?
September 8th, 2009 at 10:33 am
Don’t forget that Marvel (and C.B.) were also just at the 2009 Fan Expo Canada show in Toronto 2 weeks ago, arguably the 3rd biggest show in North america. With Gareb seemingly wanting to try a Wizard World Toronto show, it would seem like Marvel does not want to help support GS/WW.
September 8th, 2009 at 10:37 am
Screw Wizard! They did everything possible to make the Chicago Con one of the worst comic experiences ever.
Long live Reed!
September 8th, 2009 at 10:37 am
Sounds like Reed’s Richer!
I’ll be here all week, folks. Try the veal.
September 8th, 2009 at 10:51 am
“While Wizard’s convention is known as Wizard World Chicago, it’s actually located in the area of Rosemont, whereas the CC&EE will be located directly at South Lake Shore Drive, in the heart of downtown, near the basin of Lake Michigan.”
Even before being purchased by Wizard World, the Chicago Comicon (no hyphen) took place in Rosemont. So that’s not really a great knock against it.
If anything, the big question mark over Reed’s head is how well the McCormick Place setting will work out. There are concerns about traffic, hotels, amenities and cost-effectiveness.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m hoping C2E2 kicks copious buttocks. But what you present as a positive for one and a negative for the other may flip-flop when it’s actually done.
-J
September 8th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Well, just personally, after going to the pitiful Wizard Chicago show this year, I know which show I’m attending in the Windy City next year.
Gareb isn’t getting any more of my hard earned cash…
September 8th, 2009 at 11:27 am
this makes me a bit concerned about the Big Apple Con this year. I’m bringing a family member with me, it’s going to be their first convention, and it worry it might end up being a bust based on all the bad press it seems these Wizard shows are getting.
September 8th, 2009 at 11:47 am
Don’t forget Wizard scheduled Anaheim directly against C2E2. It’s a war they want.
September 8th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
@JawaFather “I’m bringing a family member with me, it’s going to be their first convention, and it worry it might end up being a bust based on all the bad press it seems these Wizard shows are getting.”
Keep an eye on the web site and manage expectations. If they’re expecting a huge show like San Diego, this isn’t the place. But it’s got potential to be a decent midrange show.
-J
September 8th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Chicago, New York and Philadelphia are all large enough cities to support a major comics convention – the NYC and Chicago could EASILY support two. With some modicum of cooperation and careful scheduling, both companies could easily have strong shows without even a specter of “competition” between them. But alas, Wizard/Gareb wants to be the only game in town, and they are decidedly the underdog. They’ve been doing shows longer than Reed, but Reed has been doing them so, SO much better. Reed has made friends and business partners, Wizard has just lost friends and alienated people. Philly is on last legs thanks to two years in a row competing against Heroes Con. Chicago was a red-headed stepchild until Reed cast an eye towards the City of the Big Shoulders, now Wizard is protecting it like it was their lion cubs.
Wizard’s NYC show is WALKING DISTANCE from both DC and Marvel’s ossices, and they’re not going. That’s not a snub, it’s an embarassment.
Mike Carbonaro, a very nice guy, has been doing the Big Apple shows in NYC for years. But he does shows totally different from the Reed events, more like the old-school shows NYC used to have. He’s being asked to grow up REAL fast, and I simply don’t know if he’ll be able to. I like him, and I hope he has a good show. But Wizard seems to be going out of their way to make people THINK that their event is the NYCC, as CB’s message shows. A Pro friend of mine keeps calling the upcoming show “the NYCC” and I have to keep correcting him. As a result, people going for their “First Impression” may find it sorely lacking.
JawaFather – if you can spare the time and can make the trip, the Baltimore Comic Con is a week before Big Apple, is only a few hours away from NYC, and will be a FAR better show, based solely on the number of guests they have lined up. Far better a first impression to make if you can. Or go to both, and experience what The Residents call “The ear-numbing power of Difference”
September 8th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Sounds like Marvel’s giving Wizard the finger there. I’ll be heading to Big Apple Con like I always do, but probably only for a few hours to browse the back issues.