Comments on: “The monsters did tend to obscure the fauns and woodlings” http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/11/17/the-monsters-did-tend-to-obscure-the-fauns-and-woodlings/ The News Blog of Comics Culture Sun, 8 Nov 2009 13:45:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 by: Nick Marino http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/11/17/the-monsters-did-tend-to-obscure-the-fauns-and-woodlings/#comment-2629400 Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:01:00 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/11/17/the-monsters-did-tend-to-obscure-the-fauns-and-woodlings/#comment-2629400 I feel that Val's pity and Dorkin's hatred are both a little extreme in this situation. I feel that Val’s pity and Dorkin’s hatred are both a little extreme in this situation.

]]> by: Vinnie Bartilucci http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/11/17/the-monsters-did-tend-to-obscure-the-fauns-and-woodlings/#comment-2625325 Wed, 19 Nov 2008 04:48:56 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/11/17/the-monsters-did-tend-to-obscure-the-fauns-and-woodlings/#comment-2625325 I'm glad I chose to skip it. We were in town on Saturday to visit MoCCA for the Kim Dietch exhibit (Only a couple weeks left - see it if you haven't) and to visit the Museum of Natural History. We met Danny Fingeroth's family while there (they came up to us, seeing the MoCCA shirt my wife was wearing) who were doing things about town while Danny was at the national. Sounds like we all had more fun than he did. I toyed with dropping by the show, but there were no names on the guest list that leapt out at me, and the experiences from the show in the spring left me decidedly whelmed. Can't wait for the NYCC again. I’m glad I chose to skip it. We were in town on Saturday to visit MoCCA for the Kim Dietch exhibit (Only a couple weeks left - see it if you haven’t) and to visit the Museum of Natural History. We met Danny Fingeroth’s family while there (they came up to us, seeing the MoCCA shirt my wife was wearing) who were doing things about town while Danny was at the national. Sounds like we all had more fun than he did.

I toyed with dropping by the show, but there were no names on the guest list that leapt out at me, and the experiences from the show in the spring left me decidedly whelmed.

Can’t wait for the NYCC again.

]]> by: Ken http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/11/17/the-monsters-did-tend-to-obscure-the-fauns-and-woodlings/#comment-2622865 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:57:43 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/11/17/the-monsters-did-tend-to-obscure-the-fauns-and-woodlings/#comment-2622865 Which reminds me: good news for those, like me, with fond memories of the charming Ramapo HS Cons that the justly-praised Alan Rosenberg used to run is that Alan's similarly small-scaled and family-friendly Hawthorne HS Con reportedly will be back (after a one year hiatus) in May 2009. Nice guests, nice customers, an easygoing atmosphere, simple layout (in schools cafeterium)... and all for a great cause (raffle, etc. supports the school's art department). Which reminds me: good news for those, like me, with fond memories of the charming Ramapo HS Cons that the justly-praised Alan Rosenberg used to run is that Alan’s similarly small-scaled and family-friendly Hawthorne HS Con reportedly will be back (after a one year hiatus) in May 2009. Nice guests, nice customers, an easygoing atmosphere, simple layout (in schools cafeterium)… and all for a great cause (raffle, etc. supports the school’s art department).

]]> by: dave roman http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/11/17/the-monsters-did-tend-to-obscure-the-fauns-and-woodlings/#comment-2622217 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:55:04 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/11/17/the-monsters-did-tend-to-obscure-the-fauns-and-woodlings/#comment-2622217 I will add to Eva's praise of Alan Rosenberg. Even though the vibe of most NY cons leaves me feeling disenchanted, I've always found Alan and several other organizers of the these events to be solid individuals who go out of their way to keep things from going off the rails. It's a pretty thankless job running a convention, so I'm always happy to give proper credit the people who have been doing for so long. I will add to Eva’s praise of Alan Rosenberg. Even though the vibe of most NY cons leaves me feeling disenchanted, I’ve always found Alan and several other organizers of the these events to be solid individuals who go out of their way to keep things from going off the rails. It’s a pretty thankless job running a convention, so I’m always happy to give proper credit the people who have been doing for so long.

]]> by: Tim O'Shea http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/11/17/the-monsters-did-tend-to-obscure-the-fauns-and-woodlings/#comment-2622125 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:33:55 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/11/17/the-monsters-did-tend-to-obscure-the-fauns-and-woodlings/#comment-2622125 I already posted at the dissenting opinion's site (Dorkin elitist? Um OK). I read this rant as a parent and husband. I think part of what fueled Dorkin's rant was folks cussing around his small child and scaring the crap out of her in general. Also moments like the fanboy taking an unsolicited photo of his wife, Sarah Dyer. Sure this can happen at any con, but this con sounded like the perfect storm of bad con experiences. I already posted at the dissenting opinion’s site (Dorkin elitist? Um OK). I read this rant as a parent and husband. I think part of what fueled Dorkin’s rant was folks cussing around his small child and scaring the crap out of her in general. Also moments like the fanboy taking an unsolicited photo of his wife, Sarah Dyer. Sure this can happen at any con, but this con sounded like the perfect storm of bad con experiences.

]]> by: Mark Engblom http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/11/17/the-monsters-did-tend-to-obscure-the-fauns-and-woodlings/#comment-2622018 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:59:36 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/11/17/the-monsters-did-tend-to-obscure-the-fauns-and-woodlings/#comment-2622018 Whoops. Forgot the link: http://comiccoverage.typepad.com/comic_coverage/2007/10/convention-tips.html Whoops. Forgot the link:

http://comiccoverage.typepad.com/comic_coverage/2007/10/convention-tips.html

]]> by: Blog@Newsarama » Blog Archive » Best rant of the week (and it’s only Tuesday) http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/11/17/the-monsters-did-tend-to-obscure-the-fauns-and-woodlings/#comment-2622000 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:55:17 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/11/17/the-monsters-did-tend-to-obscure-the-fauns-and-woodlings/#comment-2622000 [...] Heidi McDonald, meanwhile, provides some perspective while Valerie D’Orazio offers a pointed rejoinder: Have a heart. I know I’m going to be laughed to oblivion for saying that, that it sounds ridiculous. But have a fucking heart. Some of these older collectors are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. I grew up around these people. I’m not ashamed of it. Some have used comics as one of their only bright spots in a life that in every other respect might have been awful. If it makes them happy, let them do it. If they aren’t bothering you (other than by the fact of their very existence, offending your delicate sensibilities), stop fucking ragging on them. I can’t fucking stand this anymore. [...] […] Heidi McDonald, meanwhile, provides some perspective while Valerie D’Orazio offers a pointed rejoinder: Have a heart. I know I’m going to be laughed to oblivion for saying that, that it sounds ridiculous. But have a fucking heart. Some of these older collectors are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. I grew up around these people. I’m not ashamed of it. Some have used comics as one of their only bright spots in a life that in every other respect might have been awful. If it makes them happy, let them do it. If they aren’t bothering you (other than by the fact of their very existence, offending your delicate sensibilities), stop fucking ragging on them. I can’t fucking stand this anymore. […]

]]> by: Mark Engblom http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/11/17/the-monsters-did-tend-to-obscure-the-fauns-and-woodlings/#comment-2621959 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:44:07 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/11/17/the-monsters-did-tend-to-obscure-the-fauns-and-woodlings/#comment-2621959 Sad thing is, most conventions I've been to are pretty shabby affairs. I worked out my frustrations <A HREF="http://comiccoverage.typepad.com/comic_coverage/2007/10/convention-tips.html "></A> after attending a Minnapolis/St. Paul "Fallcon". Sad thing is, most conventions I’ve been to are pretty shabby affairs. I worked out my frustrations after attending a Minnapolis/St. Paul “Fallcon”.

]]> by: Eva Hopkins http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/11/17/the-monsters-did-tend-to-obscure-the-fauns-and-woodlings/#comment-2619783 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 04:47:32 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/11/17/the-monsters-did-tend-to-obscure-the-fauns-and-woodlings/#comment-2619783 Tom, ha! Indeed, &#38; for different reasons. The Big Apple Con has been good to me &#38; Joe Linsner throughout the years. Indeed, as noted above, I remember in particular Alan Rosenberg, fixing up the last-minute things that went awry. But the general description above definitely fits the last one of these we attended, about 3 years ago. Alan actually walked out yelling about how that was it, he was quitting. Right then &#38; there. Guess it didn't happen. We're coming back to NY this winter, though. Tom, ha! Indeed, & for different reasons.

The Big Apple Con has been good to me & Joe Linsner throughout the years. Indeed, as noted above, I remember in particular Alan Rosenberg, fixing up the last-minute things that went awry. But the general description above definitely fits the last one of these we attended, about 3 years ago. Alan actually walked out yelling about how that was it, he was quitting. Right then & there. Guess it didn’t happen.

We’re coming back to NY this winter, though.

]]> by: Tom Spurgeon http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/11/17/the-monsters-did-tend-to-obscure-the-fauns-and-woodlings/#comment-2619703 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 04:23:07 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/11/17/the-monsters-did-tend-to-obscure-the-fauns-and-woodlings/#comment-2619703 Please, please, there's plenty of opportunity to hate all the New York Cons. Please, please, there’s plenty of opportunity to hate all the New York Cons.

]]> by: michael http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/11/17/the-monsters-did-tend-to-obscure-the-fauns-and-woodlings/#comment-2619438 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 03:01:51 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/11/17/the-monsters-did-tend-to-obscure-the-fauns-and-woodlings/#comment-2619438 I agree with Val, H. Though it might not be the big budget some expect of comic conventions nowadays, a comic con, is good, no matter what. Not some endless and unabashed self-promotion, H! Such as hawking one's own NYCC, by talking trash and ripping apart other conventions. I agree with Val, H. Though it might not be the big budget some expect of comic conventions nowadays, a comic con, is good, no matter what.

Not some endless and unabashed self-promotion, H! Such as hawking one’s own NYCC, by talking trash and ripping apart other conventions.

]]> by: Ken http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/11/17/the-monsters-did-tend-to-obscure-the-fauns-and-woodlings/#comment-2618501 Mon, 17 Nov 2008 23:34:22 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/11/17/the-monsters-did-tend-to-obscure-the-fauns-and-woodlings/#comment-2618501 For me, going to a comic-con is like rooting through the quarter bins: I might not like a lot of the stuff I see (and some of it might even smell a bit musty), but you get to see a lot of familiar faces, discover a few new ones that you might like, spot some things you somehow overlooked the first time around (but can now appreciate), and maybe even come across a golden (or silver or underground) oldie that really brings back some great memories. You learn to ignore the junk and focus on the occasional gems and surprises that make it fun! Also, it's important to remember that the very same stuff that I dismiss as junk is the kind of thing that'll totally make someone else's day. I understand what Evan is saying (and there's more than a pinch of truth in his descriptions), but even though the Big Apple conventions are far from my ideal vision of what a con could/should be, I'm pretty sure I'd miss them if they weren't around. For me, going to a comic-con is like rooting through the quarter bins: I might not like a lot of the stuff I see (and some of it might even smell a bit musty), but you get to see a lot of familiar faces, discover a few new ones that you might like, spot some things you somehow overlooked the first time around (but can now appreciate), and maybe even come across a golden (or silver or underground) oldie that really brings back some great memories.

You learn to ignore the junk and focus on the occasional gems and surprises that make it fun! Also, it’s important to remember that the very same stuff that I dismiss as junk is the kind of thing that’ll totally make someone else’s day.

I understand what Evan is saying (and there’s more than a pinch of truth in his descriptions), but even though the Big Apple conventions are far from my ideal vision of what a con could/should be, I’m pretty sure I’d miss them if they weren’t around.

]]> by: Spike http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/11/17/the-monsters-did-tend-to-obscure-the-fauns-and-woodlings/#comment-2617978 Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:05:10 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/11/17/the-monsters-did-tend-to-obscure-the-fauns-and-woodlings/#comment-2617978 Lets be truthful... even at big conventions... a lot of artists and writers sit at empty tables looking board and tugging on your heart string. I go to the Big Apple Con because it is "small" ...if you want to talk to anyone, or get Chewbacas autograph without a line.. then you can. THE BEST part of the convention is all the classic B actors from the 70s that no one talks to. You can have a great time talking to them and listening to their stories. Of course you will be guilted into paying 25 dollars for their autograph, but you make them feel good Lets be truthful… even at big conventions… a lot of artists and writers sit at empty tables looking board and tugging on your heart string.
I go to the Big Apple Con because it is “small” …if you want to talk to anyone, or get Chewbacas autograph without a line.. then you can. THE BEST part of the convention is all the classic B actors from the 70s that no one talks to. You can have a great time talking to them and listening to their stories. Of course you will be guilted into paying 25 dollars for their autograph, but you make them feel good

]]> by: Wilson Ramos jr http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/11/17/the-monsters-did-tend-to-obscure-the-fauns-and-woodlings/#comment-2617393 Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:06:06 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/11/17/the-monsters-did-tend-to-obscure-the-fauns-and-woodlings/#comment-2617393 sorry that should read, "This con Charges..." Not They con. sorry that should read, “This con Charges…” Not They con.

]]> by: Wilson Ramos jr http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/11/17/the-monsters-did-tend-to-obscure-the-fauns-and-woodlings/#comment-2617374 Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:00:59 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/11/17/the-monsters-did-tend-to-obscure-the-fauns-and-woodlings/#comment-2617374 They con charges way to much for admission, the room is too small, their tables are over price, it's a hassle to get in to artist alley and they never send back e-mail for people who wanted to do the show. For almost 3 years, I've try to get into the show either with artist alley or even as a small press publisher. My Partner has e-mail them time and again to do the show. We haven't sat as a guess in that show for almost 3 years now. For a while now, maybe 8 or more years they have been doing this show, they seem to get number of people but they never made it grow, it's not much bigger then when they did it in that old church. They con charges way to much for admission, the room is too small, their tables are over price, it’s a hassle to get in to artist alley and they never send back e-mail for people who wanted to do the show. For almost 3 years, I’ve try to get into the show either with artist alley or even as a small press publisher. My Partner has e-mail them time and again to do the show. We haven’t sat as a guess in that show for almost 3 years now. For a while now, maybe 8 or more years they have been doing this show, they seem to get number of people but they never made it grow, it’s not much bigger then when they did it in that old church.

]]> by: dave roman http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/11/17/the-monsters-did-tend-to-obscure-the-fauns-and-woodlings/#comment-2617188 Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:30:36 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/11/17/the-monsters-did-tend-to-obscure-the-fauns-and-woodlings/#comment-2617188 As much as I dislike going over to west side highway Javitts Center for the NY Comic Con...the convenience of the Big Apple Con location succumbs to the claustrophobic, submarine-esq conditions of the Pennyslvania Hotel. The organizers mean well, and I agree there are good deals to be found (although the $20 entry fee probably negates that), It's just the setting is so dreary...like the Roy Rogers/Nathans combo restaurant attached to it. As much as I dislike going over to west side highway Javitts Center for the NY Comic Con…the convenience of the Big Apple Con location succumbs to the claustrophobic, submarine-esq conditions of the Pennyslvania Hotel. The organizers mean well, and I agree there are good deals to be found (although the $20 entry fee probably negates that), It’s just the setting is so dreary…like the Roy Rogers/Nathans combo restaurant attached to it.

]]> by: cbrown http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/11/17/the-monsters-did-tend-to-obscure-the-fauns-and-woodlings/#comment-2616865 Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:24:21 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/11/17/the-monsters-did-tend-to-obscure-the-fauns-and-woodlings/#comment-2616865 I didn't go for budgetary reasons and because I frankly forgot about it. $20 is steep admission for that show. Has it always been that high? I seem to remember it being much less the times I've gone in the past. The only reason I've ever gone is because I always find some really great, great deals in the long boxes. But that's really the only reason. I do the whole show in 90 minutes max., but my stuff and get out. I didn’t go for budgetary reasons and because I frankly forgot about it. $20 is steep admission for that show. Has it always been that high? I seem to remember it being much less the times I’ve gone in the past.

The only reason I’ve ever gone is because I always find some really great, great deals in the long boxes. But that’s really the only reason. I do the whole show in 90 minutes max., but my stuff and get out.

]]> by: Torsten Adair http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/11/17/the-monsters-did-tend-to-obscure-the-fauns-and-woodlings/#comment-2616815 Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:12:52 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/11/17/the-monsters-did-tend-to-obscure-the-fauns-and-woodlings/#comment-2616815 Had I known I would be charged $20 for admission, I would have stayed away. $20? For one day? On top of every celebrity and dealer charging? Is the rent that high? Yeah, I found some cool stuff, at discount. Yeah, I got to talk to a few professionals. But I think I spent maybe five hours there (which included two panels). Ugh... I can find similar dealers at NYCC. And better ways to spend $20. Had I known I would be charged $20 for admission, I would have stayed away. $20? For one day? On top of every celebrity and dealer charging? Is the rent that high?

Yeah, I found some cool stuff, at discount. Yeah, I got to talk to a few professionals. But I think I spent maybe five hours there (which included two panels).

Ugh… I can find similar dealers at NYCC. And better ways to spend $20.

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