Con life... conned out??

[JoeRhyno]

So, I went to Wizard World Chicago: Comic-con 2016 yesterday. I think that is what they're calling it now, lol. I haven't been there in probably 5ish years and before that probably another 10... I remember 20 years ago, we'd get a hotel, spend the weekend there, it was a blast, back then, I was into comics more, it was more about the comics and not the autographs.

Not to say, there weren't autographs and such... I think they were more intertwined with the regular booths and such. I remember sitting and chatting with David Prowse and Peter Mayhew back in the day when you could just walk up and there wasn't a line. Heck, I even got to "be a good chap" and watch Mr. Prowse's luggage while he got his ride to the hotel, lol. I think right around the time we stopped going was when they started the "MEN BEHIND THE MASKS" tour.

 

Anyway, this weekend was a last minute decision to go, mainly to try and get an autograph for a friend, but also to hang out with my brother and 2 cousins. While that part was fun, I couldn't believe the prices on stuff there. Now, I do local toy shows in the area from time to time, one a large one with over 600 dealers... but I have a hard time selling stuff around retail prices, lol... some of the same stuff I can barely sell at $10, people had for $25-30+ it was crazy. I guess they're a different bunch that goes to national conventions.

 

The Cosplay has gotten better, a lot of cool giant pieces that you'd never see 20 years ago. But I swear I saw 400 Harley Quinn butt cheeks too many, lol. I'd have to say Suicide Squad Harley was the con favorite Cosplay costume, then her old school jester costume a close second and then Deadpool a good 3rd. I remember back in the day, it was Spider-Man and Wolverine with a Superman or Batman bringing up 3rd, how times have changed.

I didn't take many pictures, mainly just a few of us leaving, playing some games(perfect to rest the feet) and a couple cool things I saw.

 

Anyway, maybe it's just me getting old, but how about you guys? Who still goes to conventions and such? What are your thoughts and how things have changed?

 

In two months Im taking my son to a transformers convention TF-Con, so we'll have to see if that is any different. I didn't buy anything for myself over the weekend, I did see a couple transformers I knew my son would want, but I have a feeling I'll be able to get them cheaper in a couple months. I was mainly hunting for some cheap Mattel WWE elite figures, but that was a bust. Saw a few things I probably would have gotten if I didn't buy too much already leading up to SDCC, and some of the stuff that was available online afterwards.

 

And now my cousin is talking about getting a hotel for next year's con, doh!

[Belmont13]

I have gone to several conventions on and off since college, without getting into too much details the conclusion is that I had more fun in the smaller ones that I did in the bigger ones with more celebrities. It could be I'm getting old or the fact that I was never one for big crowds but I prefer the smaller more personal ones. There's also a pattern I'm noticing where almost all of the cons are moving to a more celebrity driven affair than a COMIC convention it happened with SDCC and it's happening or already happened top New York Comic Con.

[JoeRhyno]

Yeah, I think that is what turned me off back when it became Wizard World. It's funny, because earlier this year, we went to an anime convention, and while I liked it the last time I went, I really didn't care this time, but then, earlier in August, we had a mini-convention in my hometown and it was a blast, so like you, maybe it is just the big hugeness and the move towards celebrities that got to me.

[jjlecaros]

i just ended a for 4 week con circuit and I'm tired as hell.......but the $$$$ makes the pain go away lol

[JoeRhyno]

Haha, do you rub the money on your feet to make the swelling go down?

[GuitarDevil]

When I first moved to Hell on earff or Phoenix, I attended their Comic Con...kinda small compared to Kansas City's Con....but it was growing year by year.....I had some laughs & got some pics w/the cool cos-players....but the last year I attended it had nearly tripled in size!! More panels & celebrities & less space for comics & such...so I guess if your there to get "seen" its a good thing however I know that some of the local comic shop dealers said they never go to con's anymore because they don't sell much if anything......I quit going cause they priced me out of the fun....I can't justify spending $40 buxx on people watching & buying over expensive snacks....the panels are great if you can find a seat...but all in all its definitely gone into some other realm that I no longer feel apart of.....I used to go to cons when I was a lad & actually buy stacks of comics....those days are gone....( I feel like Dana Carvey's old man....we walked 10 miles in snow w/out galoshes to get our comics signed by Stan Lee who was 5 hours late & we never complained because "wee liked it!!")