I’ve seen your layout at SDCC, and was shocked at the sizes of those Mucha and McKean artworks— wow, didn’t know the originals were that LARGE! They were a nice contrast in visual offering after the 4-color
blasts of the MARVEL/DC booths there, and I look forward to seeing your presence at SDCC again this year…

Any responses from REED since?

Anyone who knows me- or has ever worked with me- knows that I always try to find the positive aspects of every little thing, and even at the end of the show when asked how things went I was mum on my disappointments, as I was scanning my mind, trying to find the upside. So far I’ve come up with: (1) had a great time seeing a lot of friends, (2) was thrilled that Chicago had a reason to celebrate comics culture, and… um, that’s it so far. Every artist I spoke to was optimistic as well, but certainly not celebratory, and more than one of the top guests at the show voiced mild displeasure at the way they were handled. Even one of the organizers of this event told one of my employees, “San Diego is known for bending over backwards for exhibitors” followed by a shrug of the shoulders. Isn’t Reed a company one hundred times the size of Comic-Con International? Why make a statement like that, and then NOT strive to top it????

On a devastatingly sad note for me: while we did well, only 1 in ten dealers that I ran across during tear-down would ever do the show again, which leads to me commenting: How could the response truly be “overwhelmingly positive”?

One artist I saw signed books sitting on the floor on Friday; admittedly, the table wasn’t ordered until Wednesday… so Reed didn’t bring one to the booth until Saturday. Have you ever seen that happen before, anywhere? And by “the world’s largest” convention company? All I’m saying is, hey, things DO happen, and I get that. But it would have been nice for it to seem during the show as though someone- ANYone- cared. And then… for someone to have fixed it.

My intention is not to complain for the sake of complaining, but it’s because I DO love Chicago so much that I believe that next year Reed needs to not try to bury this event in propaganda and patting each other on the back. Few of us on the floor were ever approached by event staff during the weekend, and a great many of the glitches that did occur were easily avoidable. It was insulting to those of us who spent money and time to set up there that- aside from any massaging they might have done for companies like Marvel and DC- the “behind-the-curtains” stuff felt like kids running their first show in a gymnasium.

(Speaking of shows in gymnasiums, the Windy City Comic Con last Fall was run infinitely better and with- and I can’t stress this enough- an amount of genuine love and caring for their event that eclipsed the attitude of the Reed employees.)

That being said, had I been a spectator, I would have ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT. One of the greatest amounts of talent in one room, ever. Awesome. As a visitor, I would have loved that the lines to meet artists were so short (and in some cases non-existent). The only caveat there, to those who have said “Why would we want a con any more crowded?” is that with fewer people attending, it’s important that they spend more money to pick up the slack. Shows like this are not easy or inexpensive to produce.

Would Century Guild ever exhibit at this show again? I loved bringing the Dave McKean paintings and all, and the fan reaction was off the hook, but… no. Probably not. We tried Wizard some years back and were equally displeased, so for the time being we will just have to settle for what San Diego Comic Con and Wondercon consider acceptable from an administrative point of view to be, for the moment, an unrealistic goal for any other show in Chicago.

Except, now that I’m thinking about it, Windy City Comic Con…

I wonder if the I’m so glad C2E2 wasn’t crowded! sentiment will still be in play next year or two, as the expected uptick in attendees play out. And whether or not will REED willingly raise the Con bridge and stop Hollywood and Gaming exhibiotrs from sullying the McCormick Floor— ie, will REED keep Chicago as the COMICS-focused sibling to the (more) Pop Culture-oriented New York? Or will the barriers come down and C2E2 just becomes a smaller and more-manageable brother-con to NYCC— ie, a “WonderCon” to NYCC’s “SDCC”?

And being primarily an Indie comics fan, I’ve been interested in reading the Beat’s coverage on how Indie creators and companies are represented in such ‘Big Tent’ Cons. Over the years, I’ve read the Beat’s voicing of concern on jsut how SDCC has evolved to the detriment of those Indie exhibitors… and I’ve read Heidi’s wistful wrap-up of that first NYCC as a potential lost in not embracing local Indie artists for exhibiting… and am somewhat surprised that this topic wasn’t even raised in discussing C2E2. Is it because Chicago is traditionally/historically a MARVEL/DC kind of town [Chicago is] that it was given those Indies are gonna be underrepresented in McCormick? Or has the battle for Indie presence in ‘Big Tent’ Cons a losing one— and Chicago is not friendly territory to stake such a spot on the Exhibition Floor? (Don’t think Dan Clowes will return to his hometown soon.) But, at least there’s SPACE nearby for area Indies…

Oh, and found this to present a differing view on REED by an attending local exhibitor:
http://centuryguild.wordpress.com/2010/04/22/c2e2-2010/ IF true, a little dispiriting in the light of the “Con Wars!”— seems to be positively “WIZARD”-like?

I didn’t go to Chicago this year, alas, but if it drew a good turnout but still felt roomy, I’d say it hit the sweet spot.

I’m also disappointed, Heidi, in your comment about “conformist” Midwesterners. I detect a bit of East Coast snobbery there. Just fyi, Chicago is the third largest city in the country (larger than San Diego, as a matter of fact), and there’s plenty of diversity there. I could also add that I saw quite a few people in costume, myself. If there were a dearth of cosplayers, then I personally didn’t notice it (and yes, I do travel outside the Midwest upon occasion.).

There was a changing area for cosplay on the second floor.

There was much less cosplay than at any of the last few Rosemont shows. The last two Rosemont shows were thick with cosplayers – a costume parade/contest last year filled the lobby area – sure many were taking pictures. Every year at Rosemont, the number of cosplayers has been increasing to the point that last year I felt like I’d come to a costume party in street clothes.

Why the cosplay was so greatly reduced at C2E2, I can only speculate (and it’d be irresponsible not to speculate!), but I don’t think the “Midwest Character” is what was holding us back. Wild speculation: Many cosplayers would rather spend the balance of the $19 parking fee on their costuming, or were reticent to travel on the CTA in costume.

Here’s what surprised me:
* an academic conference on comics and art
* vending machines! and they take credit cards! And there’s a McDonalds in the Center!
* the massive patio outdoors, just waiting for some autograph tents, cosplaying photos, and furniture.
* the waterfront a short walk away, for those who like to meditate before or during the show.
* the Arie Theater. Much better than ballroom seating.
* the ease of grabbing a shuttle bus. The ease of using a Chicago Card to ride trains and buses.
* the massive and spacious Artists Alley, treated just like another part of the convention (sans carpet).
* The amazing amount of talent in the exhibition hall! DC’s signing lineup could have been a regular convention by itself!

Reed will improve. I’m expecting it to take over the entire Center in 15 years, possibly anchoring the show to Holy Week to maximize attendance on Friday.

I did two cons in a row (MoCCA and C2E2) and I was wrecked (and broke). Heidi, you are a comics warrior! If you have time, go read “John Henry Days” by Whitehead. It’s fiction about junket journalism and how myths affect people.

Now to relax until BEA…