When I first heard about Camden Comic Con in New Jersey my first thought was… New Jersey? Drive all the way down there for a one day show? It’s a 3 ½ hour ride… it’s almost in Phili!!! Well, I’m so glad that Keith Gleason, Amy Kukta and I took the trip because this show was fantastic.
Taking place at Rutgers University, CCC is a small show in the tradition of the old school and classic cons that seem to be a memory. With the main focus on comic books, the floor featured about 20 to 25 comic guests ranging from local talent and known names like Scott Hanna and Mark Poulton. The vendors were a great mix of cheap comics, mid-range books, toys and games. Now the insane part for all of us was the admission for con goers was FREE!!! Sure not every show can do that but this gave people a little more spending money and surprising to me was the flow of attendees never seemed to stop, even when the show officially closed at 4 PM. In fact I sold three books as I was packing up to leave.
The con was organized and staffed by Event Coordinator Bill Haas, Program Coordinator Miranda Powell, Zara Wilkinson and Julie Still from the Paul Robeson Library, Student and Volunteer Volunteer Jacola Philips and Pat Wallace who was the Campus Center Associate Director. All of them (including their volunteers) made this show what it was... a blast!
As shows try to bring more for the audience the addition of live music; bands and DJ’s seems to be the new thing, but they need to be performing in another room because it is hard to do business and talk to people over a ‘concert’. But the show organizers saw it didn’t work in its current configuration and will adjust next year.
Despite being in Philadelphia Flyers territory, and seeing a lot of orange jerseys, I had a great time meeting new people, talking comic books and Doctor Who. As far as my sales I did very well, making it more than worth the gas, tolls and meals to get out there. And Hero Envy (Keith and Amy) reported great sales as well making it a successful trip all around.
We already told the show promoters to plan on us coming back next year. And if you are within a drive to this show, YOU NEED TO ATTEND!