![]() So where does this leave us? As much as I hate to admit this, it now seems obvious to me now that we finally have to end a lifetime of exhibiting at San Diego, and instead seek out relatively popular comics conventions in other cities. Being obviated by lifelong friends is particularly galling, especially when we it is clear that we are nothing more than collateral damage, in a battle being waged by giants. In many regards, that was the most depressing aspect of this entire fiasco. Given that he was only seeking to cover his own costs of exhibiting in this dreadfully expensive venue, however, he could muster no material reply to my pain. But as the validity of what I was expressing became clear, I could see awareness dawning in his eyes.Īll of the above having been said, my publisher friend is an extremely astute man, so he quickly understood the unintended consequences of his actions. My response was not at all what he expected to hear. I felt more than a little embarrassment and shame when I had to rain on his parade, by pointing out to him that the collective effect of his actions (combined with the other publishers and manufacturers at the show…) was devastating our sales. He was absolutely ebullient yesterday evening in describing the amazing success that they were experiencing in their booth as a result of selling vast quantities of exclusive variants. This man has been our friend and ally for decades. To illustrate my point, I had the leader of one of the major comics publishing houses stop by our booth on the way out the door last evening. ![]() A sad state of affairs, but also completely true. In a nutshell, the comics publishers with booths at the San Diego convention have so cleverly exploited the greed and avarice of comics fans through limited edition publications that are only available through their own booths, that there is no longer enough disposable income left in the room to sustain us. So how could an extremely successful back issue comics booth in Denver become so stunningly unsuccessful in San Diego? Because in Denver we were not being utterly crushed by the very publishers who’s goods we sell on a daily basis. That made all the difference, as we turned a reasonable profit in Denver, as opposed to a massive loss in San Diego. Despite our having about 20,000 fewer comics available in Denver, and that convention being only three days long (with half the number of attendees as San Diego…), our sales per hour in Denver were double (!) what they are here. ![]() The one factor that I would ask that you especially note when you read my first essay is the fact that our entire 7-booth display that we are operating at this year’s San Diego convention was first premiered six weeks ago, at the Denver Comic-Con. After 42 consecutive years in a row, it may finally (at long last…) be time for me to bid San Diego good-bye, forever.īefore I go further, I would encourage those of you who have not yet read my newsletter from yesterday to first read my analysis of some of the seismic changes that have contributed to our loss. As much as I like being a part of this wonderful gathering, I simply do not have the money to be able to pay $10,000 out of my own pocket for the privilege of providing the fans here with comic books. I have not yet found the courage to reach my final decision, but my best estimate is that, at our current rate of sales, we will suffer a loss of $10,000 at this year’s show. Sadly, that entire blessed reality may need to end after this year’s show closes tomorrow evening. I even passed this personal passion on my part on to my four daughters, all of whom spent their entire childhoods delightedly roaming the halls of the various incarnations of this great comics convention. Since I graduated, for all 42 years of my adult life, I have committed the heart of each of my summers to my personal obsession with experiencing the joys of the San Diego Comic-Con. I mention that major turning point in my life only because the last time that I did not attend a San Diego Comic-Con, I was 17 years old, and still in high school. In his latest newsletter to fans, President of Mile High Comics, Chuck Rozanski, explains how the publisher are driving him away. It’s a sad day indeed when you discover that Mile High Comics – yes THAT Mile High Comics, has come to the point where it will no longer attend the San Diego Comic Con.
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