The Long Beach Comic Con launches
Can the LA area support a big comics show? Many have tried, and many have had mixed results. Now Martha Donato, a long time force at running past Wizard World shows, is trying to get a new show off the ground, the 1st Annual Long Beach Comic Con. We’ve been hearing about the show’s effort from behind the scenes for months now, but now the website is fleshing out some of the story:
Fall just got more exciting with the premiere of the Long Beach Comic Con. This October 2-4th will boast an exciting line-up of screenings, exhibitors, artists, writers, celebrities, previews PLUS some surprises!
LBCC wants to do one thing - make you love comic books more than you did when you first set foot on our show floor.
Not just the exclusives and toy deals.
Not just autographs and sketches.
Not just the teaser trailers and game demos.
We love everything about the medium and the message - from Silver Age bottle cities, to indy mini-comics based on poetry. We want you to experience it all. That’s why we’re lining up more than the trendy guests and sneak peeks that Hollywood wants you to see (though we’ve got that, too!).
We’re getting the best, the coolest, the most experimental and the … well, quite simply, the grooviest stuff we can.
The show enters a market that has never really developed a signature big show. While the unsnappily named Los Angeles Comicbook and Science Fiction Convention has been running monthly one-day shows at the downtown Shrine for decades, most comic-friendly Angelenos zip up or down the coast for San Diego or WonderCon for their big con thrills.
Wizard World launched in Los Angeles, a few years back, but despite its name, it was actually held in Long Beach, which seemed to make for a fun, well-positioned show. After a few years, it was moved to the actual LA convention center in downtown, and many felt the show never recovered its momentum. This year’s show was slated for March but has been postponed with no new date given.
The Long Beach setting for the new LBCC has a pleasant, seaside vibe reminiscent of a mini-San Diego. While it’s a natural setting in a market that seems underserved, launching a new show in a tough economy and a tough market is a big undertaking. More as it develops.
05/29/09 at 1:36 pm
Same weekend as the West Hollywood Book Fair. ARGH!
05/29/09 at 3:36 pm
I don’t see good things happening in this bad economy, and unfortunately this will probably more of a draw for other forms of entertainment than comic books.
05/29/09 at 4:21 pm
Michael, out of curiosity, what leads you to believe that?
05/29/09 at 6:16 pm
Wizard World LA, when held at the Long Beach convention center was a great show. I already know artists planning to attend and have tables.
-Josh
05/29/09 at 7:13 pm
I’m thinking I’m going to go. I’ve been checking out the site, and getting excited.
05/30/09 at 1:01 am
I will happily roll the dice and exhibit at this show. I wouldn’t do another Wizard LA show if they paid me.
It’s also the same weekend as a Lovecraft fest in Portland. Not that I think I’d have a lot of traction there, but Stumptown’s an awful nice place to visit.
05/30/09 at 2:14 am
I agree with Josh. I had a blast at Wizard World when it was in Long Beach. I’m convince the move to Los Angeles is what ultimately killed it. The Long Beach Comic Con definitely has me excited. Of course, I live less than 10 minutes from the LB convention center, so perhaps I’m a bit biased.
05/30/09 at 3:34 pm
“”The Long Beach setting for the new LBCC has a pleasant, seaside vibe reminiscent of a mini-San Diego.”‘
Except it’s Long Beach. Nothing pleasant or ‘vibey’ about it.
But then, I’ve never understood what was so great about New York style pizza. Domino’s is just as good if not better.
06/1/09 at 1:52 am
“But then, I’ve never understood what was so great about New York style pizza. Domino’s is just as good if not better. ”
Holy crap. Heresy! May you be struck down by the pizza gods at Ray’s or Carmine’s.
AND, to stay on-topic: I wish Martha Donato, who I talked with many times over the years when she worked for Wizard, lots of luck. It’s ballsy as hell to start a midsize show in an economy such as this one, but if it’s run the right way & has the fans there to support it - potential is there. The best show I’ve done, in terms of comics, mebbe in the past year, was Seattle. Not the biggest show, but one of the best: a tight 2-day show, as opposed to a medium show trying to be a bigger show. It was packed & busy. Nice mix of mainstream & indie talent. Great staff.
Good luck in Long Beach, Martha!
06/3/09 at 12:47 am
Matt, drop me a note and let’s chat about the show! For that matter, anyone can drop me a note about the show. Happy to talk about it!
I take care of booth and table sales at the show.
-Scig!
Mike [dot] Scigliano [at] gmail [dot] com.
06/3/09 at 12:48 pm
Well, we couldn’t book a booth at San Diego this year, so we’ll be at Long Beach. Hope to see some of you guys there, too!
10/1/09 at 9:48 pm
man i cant believe it,i’ve always wanted to go to a comic con but theyve always been too far,i’m a sick rookie and a few ppl might laugh but how much is entry into the comic con?