Why the frantic rush to be there early? Well besides the joy of being able to spend the day surrounded by others that enjoy comics, it was also my first trip up for the LBCE. Although I had been to the Long Beach Comic and Horror Con in the fall and I knew that LBCE would be smaller. Would the size make it a disappointment? Would their be enough vendors and would there be the energy that makes a con or an expo fun?
Those were just a few of the thoughts that were jumbling around in my head even as I drove from San Diego to Long Beach. Not so far that a one day event wasn’t feasible but far enough that I really wanted this to be a great day. But at least it was Long Beach so if the worst should occur and I was done within an hour (as has happened at a small con before) there were things to see, do and photograph in the area.
I did better finding the venue this time than I did in the fall, so I managed to actually park in the parking structure attached to the convention center and then the fun began. As I finished getting my camera gear in order before heading up to the expo I started to chat with the cosplayer parked next to me who was getting himself put together. (Guess the day has some hope, haven’t left the garage and already talking with a cosplayer.)
Next is why some of these smaller cons and expos end up with a great vibe. I go to pick up my press pass only to have them not be able to find me on the list. In steps Martha (sadly didn’t catch her last name). She makes the executive decision to … “just go ahead and give her a press pass.” Funny part is after driving up there I would have just bought the pass as it wasn’t expensive but it was nice that she made sure I was taken care of just the same.
Badge on, camera in hand, time to wander around (which if you were at LBCE you know you already did some of that just to get to the registration windows as the lobby area had some of the tables set up.
Since I had all day, I took my time not wanting to look at my watch and see I was done and it was only an hour after I arrived. Chatted with artists and writers before even going into the main expo space. Most interesting conversation of the morning had nothing to do with art, comics, writing or anything related to those. It was funny to be at Keu Cha’s table and get distracted from talking about art by talking with his brother about my car.
Eventually made it into expo central and was happy to see it busy. People wandering the aisles, talking to artists and writers. Shopping. Stopping to take photos. And simply doing what we all enjoy doing at these events.
The highlight of my day managed to beat out the conversation with Cha. It was visiting with my friends at Top Cow and getting a sketch of one of my favorite characters from the Think Tank comic by Rahsan Ekedal, the puppy. Ok ok it might be a stretch to call the puppy a character but it is just so precious.
Wandered the floor several times, ran into Lady Thor as portrayed by Toni Darling. Not the first con I have been fortunate enough to be able to take photos of her cosplay. Very distinctive Lady Thor and a wonderful woman to chat with. Look forward to seeing her at other cons in the future.
One thing that is definite, at a small event such as LBCE it is even more obvious when a writer or artist doesn’t understand that you have to invest in what you are doing to have a chance at being successful. Having a table with nothing more than a single copy of your book and a clipboard to sign up for newsletters is a missed opportunity. While yes, you invested in the table, you didn’t create the opportunity to make some money by having copies of the book available to be purchased at the table. No portfolio of original size pages for people to look through. A sign up behind you to draw the eye and the traffic to the table. I hope they do manage to be successful, but there are things they need to consider if they wish to make that happen. Compare this to a table that has images up on a display behind the table, portfolios to look through and images for sale.
Overall, I am very happy that I took the day and the drive to visit the Long Beach Comic Expo and look forward to what the show will be like next spring when it is expanded to a two day event.
Check out the photos from the day in the following gallery.
