Wizard World Texas

[lordsmurf]

I went to Wizard World this past weekend, in Dallas, and it really didn't impress me. Not like comic/collectible shows have in years past. I cannot imagine other Wizard World locations being too much different, as a lot of the same dealers came to this one as go to the others. Shows were larger in the 1990s, I remember attending baseball card conventions that made WW look like a high school bake sale.

Anyway, with only a few exception, the place was packed with new comics, new toys, unauthorized merchandise (stickers, t-shirts), and DVD bootleggers.

It cost $25 to get in, including parking. Actually a bit less for me, as both me and my friend scalped our nametags outside as we left the convention center. So I paid money to get permission to spend money. Not a good deal there. The freebies sucked, and I really don't care about the autographs from barely-famous people (Sean Astin and Margot Kidder were here).

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I was really disappointed by the lack of 80s-90s stuff. No toys, no action figures, barely any comics even. There were almost no "cheap" comics, the bargain bins or great sales. The oldest action figures I saw were from the 2002 He-Man cartoon.

The exceptions were few, but enjoyable:

- One shop had golden age comics in absolutely lovely condition. They ran about $70-80 apiece, so I could not get them at this time. I hope that in a few years, I can maybe blow $500 on a half dozen issues of The Shadow (1930s-1940s comic books).

- A place had animation cels, and they own the entire Marvel Comics animated library from the 1990s shows. Cels range from $300-400 each, and they have lay-away plans, as well as deals if you buy 2-3 cels. Again, too much for me, but maybe someday I can buy 2-3 X-MEN cels for myself. These were cel packages too, complete with studio notes in the margins and on back. A number of cels were even a hanful of cels from the same scene, including elbows and feet and other things not worthy of being sold alone, in addition to a main cel that was really nice.

- One shop had a 50% off sale on it's golden age "funnies" and is where I spent the bulk of money for the weekend (my budget was only 2 digits, not a lot of funds). Grabbed a number of Top Cat and Blondie and Archie issues for $2-4 each, which is far below normal costs, and were in nice condition. More things to remove from my ever-shrinking want list of toons/comics/toys.

- Corey Sosner was there, selling copies and talking to fans about his final version of the Punisher vs Wolverine ("First Strike") fan film. I got one at a discount because I bought his last one directly from him, we had a nice chat for about 10 minutes. He really despises bootleggers, as they whored out his first version of the show, forcing him to release an early one too, to compete. But now he finished it, complete with a new intro, new ending, improved CG graphics, and some added voiceover work for narration. He still has some technical flaws/problems in his audio work, but the visuals is pretty much up to speed now. He asked me to give him a full review. His discs were pressed and screenprinted, not burns, and come with printed case artwork (not laser or ink, but printing press work). A number of bonuses on the disc, like a "making of" and trailers for another Punisher based flick. He did say, however, that this is his last Punisher fan film, the trailer for the sequal won't go anywhere, it's just a bonus. I believe he even said this is his last Marvel fan film, he was telling me about some other project.

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The bootleggers were amusing to watch.

As far as CPS sets go, I saw my Silverhawks and Dukes of Hazzard cartoon, I saw joker's new 30-disc Batman 1960s show, and I saw a couple of allaboutduncan's Superfriends shows (I think they were his). Everything else was your typical 20+ episodes per disc sets. They all wanted like $15-20 per disc.

The beauty was that I never saw anybody buy. And it wasn't for lack of seeing it, I watched some of the ta

[debwalsh]

I went to Wizard World Philly. I think we must have had a different group of guests - folks like Michael Turner, Kevin Smith, Joe Strazinski, my old buddy Peter David. The odd thing is that Rittenhouse Archives, makers of my favorite trading cards, are in the area, but they've only done one out of four WWPs. They tend to do San Diego, but not the local show. Inkworks is usually at Philly. I'm not in the market for older comics at the moment, so I don't do a lot of box surfing, but there were a large number of comic sellers. A lot of toys sellers, too - mostly newer stuff, but a fair number of older toys. A number of DVD bootleggers, all of whom had players at their booths. Freebies fairly sucked, but I mostly went to meet people and to see the latest prototypes at the Diamond Select booth.

I'll have to ask my friends who run New England Comics how Wizard World Boston was for them this year - this was the first year in Boston, I believe.

Hey, there was a time when a Creation Con was an amazing experience. I think the more successful a con becomes, the less cutting edge and niche-friendly it becomes.

[allaboutduncan]

WW Dallas is one of their smaller shows. My dealer friend said that Philly and Chicago are really the only 2 good shows to go to for Wizard. Much like him, I prefer the smaller conventions. They're less crowded and you have a much better chance to find items that are more than 5-10 years old.

That's one thing I hate about ebay. It's nice to be able to locate the hard-to-find item you need easily (and pay out the a** for it), but you no longer find good stuff at shows and even yard sales like you used to. It takes all the fun out of looking, because you know you're not going to find something.

[battle7]

Hey Deb, I know you were excited to see Michael Turner. Did you happen to get his autograph or any sketchwork?

[stoogedog]

hi, i do like ebay. i completed my 3 stooges comic book collection thanks to ebay. but like you said, it has taken the thrill out of looking at yard sales etc. people now put things on ebay instead of getting rid of it at a yard sale. thanks

[debwalsh]

Battle - No, I'm not a line-stander (chronic back problems). I have his autograph from a tour he did a couple of years ago - he came to my local (at the time) comic shop, but I was out of town, so the folks there got the autographs for me. I've collected some of his lithographs, but I don't have any of them on display - I love the art he does for Fathom, even though my rather conservative 78-year-old Mom may consider it a little too risque to display on the wall. :>

The lines for Turner are always long. I just want one of those transparent Fathom busts - they're just amazing. It can go alongside my transparent Casper figure ... :>