Have you been to comic convention?

[ILGOART]

The title has the question of,

Have you been to comic convention?

I personally haven't yet, as Finland doesn't have too many events. Being rather poor, traveling abroad for such convention is out of my options.

[thepenmonster]

A generalized con:

The original HalCon back towards the end of its steep decline where it was just a place for nerds to hook up and for at least one organizer to get his rent paid. I don't have any good memories of it but none of them are bad either. I just remember the shabbiness of the hotel lounge and numerous egos.

Comics:

Local comic shop legend Calum Johnston ran a few mini-comic/ local artist cons. I had a table at one where I sold a handful of books, just covering the cost of bus fare to get there. I think I left early because I got bored and trying to be a salesman was never for me.

[Aeneas1]

No, not even once. Yes I’ve missed out.

[Kelheor]

Nah, never. Even after we moved to the capital.

[NickRowler]

I have been to Otakon several times. Some non-Japanese artists set up booths and have panels about comic/manga making. Otakon is a bit chaotic and can get really expensive. And if you aren’t really into newer anime shows, there might not be much for you to do.

I have been to smaller comic centric cons, which are more affordable. They tend to focus more on venders that sell back issues and collectibles. Usually they have a cosplay contest. And ones who have a higher budget will have guest stars. Like I was at one where Beast Boy’s voice actor was there and everyone was lined up to meet him.

[GumshoeComix]

I used to go all the time then stopped in my 20s cause $$$$
Although my husband and I went to a (pretty small) anime con earlier this year and that was the first time I had been to a con since 2015 and we're hoping to go to more
I've always wanted to do Artist Alley at a con but the tables now are so pricey

[Scarlet_Cryptid]

I used to go to them almost every year! We have a pretty decent one in my city, but when I could afford to, I'd spend a long weekend in Seattle going to Emerald City Comicon, which is huge. I always wanted my own artist alley table someday.

Unfortunately, I haven't been to a convention since Covid hit, because conventions were petrie dishes of disease BEFORE the pandemic, but money (or lack thereof) has been a factor too. I miss it, though. I even used to cosplay at cons-- that was half the point, for me.

[VibrantFox]

One very small local convention held by the city I live which seemed to host a lot of local artists and comic shops and had a couple panels about art, comics making and character creation. Dunno if it'll come back around but it was definitely a good starter as someone whose usually pretty overwhelmed by larger scale events

There are much much bigger events (Supercon or something) that are kind of in the area but require more travel distance but I've yet to go since funds and the dates of the events themselves have yet to really line up but it is a dream to get to go at least once

[abigaillmartin]

One in my local library. I entered an art contest.

[RedLenai]

I have assisted cons both as an artist or just a buyer.
Be it anime con, comic con, artist alley or just geek con in general

Here in argentina there are free events, paid events or even some by the Municipality of some cities which charge nonperishable food instead of money since it was for charity and such.

[feuersichel]

But you have cool metallbandsin exchange
Here in switzerland they are rare aswell. We have a big event each year in Basel and now also a smaler one in Zürich. I try to attend each one with or without a table
Being there as an artist is super fun but I also enjoy those events just as a visitor

[KSlinger]

I attend Thought Bubble in the UK every year along with a bunch of smaller events, and thought about tabling at London Comic Con with another artist in Tapas. The scene in the UK is heavily saturated with indie artists just selling amazing stuff. I go just for the vibe. Can easily spend £100+ on amazing hand printed shirts and prints, even ceramics. Not to mention all the amazing business cards you can collect. And how one of the large comic related events in the UK takes places in the Lake District covered in mountains and lakes, it's just an amazing day out overall.

[justanothernerdling]

I actually sold art at my first convention last weekend! ^^ It was a lot of fun!

[moontokkym]

I've been to a lot. I'm lucky to live in the second largest consumer of manga in the world so they're very common. There are 3 long running manga/otaku cons (one largescale at 30000+ visitors over their operating weekend) in my city alone annually, and I'm not in the capital.

I used to go as a wide-eyed manga-lover and spent all my pocket money there, to the point I would usually save up throughout the year. It was my dream as a little kid to be par of one of them as an artist, and I actually did that back in 2021

Since then I've only really gone to cons as an artist, it's really a different vibe and I don't think I can go back to "just visiting" anymore... At least not for now. I also know I prefer smaller cons, they're very hit and miss but the good small cons are really quaint and have much more of a friendly vibe.

I've actually got a con happening on my birthday this weekend, so I'll get to have an unofficial birthday party surrounded by people I love and random strangers coming and complimenting my work and giving me money for it, I couldn't wish for a better day

[kalmia]

No, but i’d like to! There’s quite a few cons a few hours away from where I live, one day i’d love to go to one and eventually do the artist alley. I’m not sure how anything about conventions work though, let alone selling at one. So I think I want to get my experience up before I try selling.

[conventurecomics]

I have been to several comic and anime convetions Galaxy CON, Anime Detour, CONvergence, MCBA Srping CON, Fall CON Doctor Who conventions, CONsole room Doctor Who convention, Star Trek conventions, been tempting to attend a video game and comic convention someday. I had a lot of fun making video clips of amazing cosplay, attending panels even made a webcomic about one if your interested.

Read CONventure | Tapas Web Comics

[Lensing]

There are comic conventions in Germany all the time but they are for a younger age group with
cosplay and the focus on Manga which is something I´m not into.

There is one that interest me and that is more like a meeting of comic artists and publishers.

[ILGOART]

Thank you for the responses. Interesting to hear your experiences.

[Insanebaker92]

Nope, haven't been there.

[allenT]

More than 10 years ago... been given a ticket to visit a 'toys & comics convention', lots of stuff to see and photograph. I enjoyed staying there for 4~5 hours, got really sick the next day. I don't think convention is for me.

I remember fantasizing being selling my "future comics" in a booth, but now i quit this little extravagant dream of mine (not that's it's so important to me other than making my comic)