The first annual New York Comic-Con featured Milla Jovovich and was so successful that the organizers almost had to shut it down. The second annual New York Comic-Con was much better organized, even bringing Steven King and Stan Lee to meet fans.
Below are some insider tips for getting in touch with your favorite comic book artists and writers at various comic book conventions across the country …
Meeting in person:
While most comic book creators, artists, and writers will tell you where to send fan mail within their posts, the comic book industry also strives to make itself available to its fan base through conventions, exhibitions, and events. for fans.
The general rule of thumb is that if you wait a bit, a comic con (or “comic-con”) is likely to be announced in your area, and the organizers will make all kinds of promises about who will be there (most of whom won’t be there). will present). Buy your ticket anyway and grab a few hundred bucks and a good Sharpie pen, because even if the people who show up aren’t the promised ones, they are most likely worth meeting.
Most of today’s comic book conventions go way beyond comics. They often feature actors, directors, TV stars, set designers, comic book artists, writers, and a variety of retro names that will have you scratching your head trying to remember who they were. The show will generally charge around $ 25 for a ticket, but the attractions will last all day, from rare movie screenings to autograph sessions to pirated comics for sale. Most conventions travel across the country, so fans don’t have to spend money to travel.
What should you bring to sign? Not really, unless you know someone is going to be there and you have a great piece of memorabilia relevant to that person. There are usually many items for sale at comic book conventions that you can purchase to sign.
Prices at convention vendor booths are generally not cheap, however you can buy some really cool pieces of pop culture memorabilia if you look hard enough, and the chance of that item being signed by its creator may be something really special.
Comic book conventions and the comics themselves are a huge industry that grows every year. So comics are a great place to spot rising stars before their signatures are worth thousands of dollars when they really hit it big.
How do you find a comic convention in your area? It’s easy enough, just visit the Comic Book Conventions website. This resource lists all the upcoming comic book cons, usually four or five per weekend, and also announces scheduling changes, cancellation, and contact information.
The best conventions go back to the same time every year, like Mid-Ohio-Con, which takes place in Columbus, Ohio, on Thanksgiving weekend. The 2004 Mid-Ohio-Con lineup included Soup Nazi from Seinfeld and Noel Neill, the original TV Lois Lane, as well as many other names from the comic book industry.
Vancouver Comic-Con happens once every few months, while Dragon-Con takes place every September. Every corner of the country has some kind of gathering, but even if you have to get in the car and drive a few hours to a very good-sized convention near you, the money spent to do so can be recouped when you grab that authentic John Byrne sketch and put it up for auction on eBay.
Big names in the comic book convention business include the following:
San Diego Comic-Con International, PO Box 128458, San Diego, CA 92112-8458, 619-491-2475
The biggest and the best, Comic-Con has become a brand in business. Tens of thousands of enthusiasts gather each year, some traveling from across the country to hear expert panels, get autographs, buy souvenirs, watch special movie screenings, and just hang out.
Dragon * Con, PO Box 16459, Atlanta, GA 30321-0459, 770-909-0115
A solid number two, Dragon * Con takes on a more fanciful slant, but it’s not just for Dungeons and Dragons fans. D * C grows every year, and as collectors go from obsessed teens to well-funded adult fans, the money that goes through records keeps increasing too.
Big Apple Comic Book Convention, 75-34 Metropolitan Avenue, New York, NY 11379, 201-865-3288
This one is in New York City, so of course it’s big. If you live in the Northeast, Big Apple Con is the one for you.
Mid-Obio-Con, PO Box 3831, Mansfield, OH 44907, 419-526-1427
The Midwest really knows how to put on a show, and MOC always has an interesting list of names. It’s not the biggest comic-con out there, but it does have a reputation for being one of the best.
Mega-Con, PO Box 1097, Safety Harbor, FL 34695, 727-796-5725
New York Comic-Con, Jacob Javiz Center, 655 West 34th Street, New York, NY 10001, 1-888-605-6059
Sending fan mail:
To write your favorite comic book artist, find his fan’s email address printed on the comic. Or send your letter to the comic book publisher, whose address will also appear inside the book.
Visit Contact Any Celebrity for instant access to the best mailing address, agent, manager, publicist, production company, and charity for your favorite comic book artists and writers.
