by Matman
Lately social media
has blown up with
comments about
comic cons! From
longtime creators seeing
a shift in sales,
cosplay controversy and
the overall etiquette at a con.
Now there is too much to cover for one column or even a two hour road trip but I do wanna point out some of my observations that may shed some light on things.
The biggest thing I have noticed over the past 10 years is that 'geek' has become cool. If you look at a show demographic; age, social and financial levels, it looks like any mall or high school hall. And with it sadly comes the crap that goes with it like peer pressures, bulling and sexual harassment. At one time we could go to a con and be with only our 'own kind', now our kind is everyone. The good and the bad. Like in school (and I hope at home) young adults are taught how to deal with these sort of situations and the proper steps to avoid them or get help when a problem arises. Posting on Facebook when something happens instead of going to someone in authority is not how to handle it.
Remember it is YOUR con too and you have every right to enjoy it free of stupidity. If someone is hindering you from enjoying it... get help!
As far as spending money I hear a lot of complaints from vendors and creators that people just aren't spending the money they used to. I think that is just the way the world is right now. I don't spend as much money at a show as I used to and I tend to wanna support the vendors giving huge deals and the local creator who has an interesting book to push. I always hear the 'cosplayers don't spend any money' and that may be true to an extent. I know many go just to have fun as their character of choice but I will say this on a selling point... I have sold more books to Doctor Who cosplayers that 'average joe' fan.
And something I never thought i'd ever say... but there are becoming far too many shows! I don't mean Boston, New York, Vermont and Rhode Island shouldn't all have shows but last year we had THREE in Connecticut within two months of each other. That hurts. I may go to all three but my spending will be much less.
WHY DOES NO ONE DO A MARCH OR APRIL SHOW? I know weather concerns but isn't summer hurricane season?
Just some thoughts I know I'll revisit soon...
Lately social media
has blown up with
comments about
comic cons! From
longtime creators seeing
a shift in sales,
cosplay controversy and
the overall etiquette at a con.
Now there is too much to cover for one column or even a two hour road trip but I do wanna point out some of my observations that may shed some light on things.
The biggest thing I have noticed over the past 10 years is that 'geek' has become cool. If you look at a show demographic; age, social and financial levels, it looks like any mall or high school hall. And with it sadly comes the crap that goes with it like peer pressures, bulling and sexual harassment. At one time we could go to a con and be with only our 'own kind', now our kind is everyone. The good and the bad. Like in school (and I hope at home) young adults are taught how to deal with these sort of situations and the proper steps to avoid them or get help when a problem arises. Posting on Facebook when something happens instead of going to someone in authority is not how to handle it.
Remember it is YOUR con too and you have every right to enjoy it free of stupidity. If someone is hindering you from enjoying it... get help!
As far as spending money I hear a lot of complaints from vendors and creators that people just aren't spending the money they used to. I think that is just the way the world is right now. I don't spend as much money at a show as I used to and I tend to wanna support the vendors giving huge deals and the local creator who has an interesting book to push. I always hear the 'cosplayers don't spend any money' and that may be true to an extent. I know many go just to have fun as their character of choice but I will say this on a selling point... I have sold more books to Doctor Who cosplayers that 'average joe' fan.
And something I never thought i'd ever say... but there are becoming far too many shows! I don't mean Boston, New York, Vermont and Rhode Island shouldn't all have shows but last year we had THREE in Connecticut within two months of each other. That hurts. I may go to all three but my spending will be much less.
WHY DOES NO ONE DO A MARCH OR APRIL SHOW? I know weather concerns but isn't summer hurricane season?
Just some thoughts I know I'll revisit soon...
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