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By Carolina Cooney

After having to cancel their original mid-April date due to the Boston Marathon bombing, Boston Comic Con was back this past weekend and by all measures it was a resounding success. Their new location at the Seaport Convention Center was a big improvement over the original location, with better lighting, a higher ceiling, and much less of a basement feel. The date change, although unfortunate, was also likely a boon for attendance—hot on the heels of San Diego Comic-Con, fans from the tri-state area and beyond were itching to get a taste of the excitement in their own backyard.

Even with a rather hefty ticket price, $25 for a one-day pass, $40 for the weekend, lines snaked well past the convention center and down numerous blocks for hours on both Saturday and Sunday. While a few of the original artists planning to attend had to cancel due to the rescheduling, leaving an empty table here and there in Artist’s Alley, most were able to honor their commitment and spirits were high.

Artist George Perez was in high demand and seemed to having the longest line of any exhibitor. The quick-witted Howard Chaykin had a steady stream of fans waiting for signatures, and Steve Niles and Terry Moore both seemed to be enjoying visits from dedicated fans. Independent comic artist Tana Ford sold out of her latest work, DUCK 2, by Saturday afternoon. But while some artists seemed to have bustling sales, other HUGE names were surprisingly approachable. Neal Adams was wide open, selling quick sketches for $100, original pin-ups ranging from about $200 to $1000 (many still priced in pounds due to a recent European show), and a photo opportunity with him for $20. Bill Willingham, of FABLES fame, and Hellboy’s Mike Mignola also had some idle moments.

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Cosplay was in full swing, of course, and after San Diego’s polished professionals, participants in Boston were endearingly DIY. Batman, Superman, and the Joker were popular choices, with a few Deadpool, Spider-Man, and Harley Quinn thrown in for good measure.

No word yet on whether next year’s show will stick with the new location and later date, but if this year’s show is any indication, they would be wise to consider a permanent move.

[Carolina Cooney is a freelance reporter and a History of Comics instructor at the Academy of Art University.]

8 COMMENTS

  1. I was amazed and pleased to see just how crowded the convention floor was on Sunday. I haven’t been to BCC since two years ago at the old location and it has grown considerably bigger in both exhibitor / artists attending as well as attendees to the show. I like having the show a bit later in the year after San Diego as opposed to before where the first six months of the year are top heavy with shows. Well done, Carolina!

  2. It is quite nice to see the con growing. It was almost too much. I was prrtty tapped out fiscally and mentally, but some friends yalked me into going and I wanted to get some stuff signed for myself and for gifts for friends elsewhere. There were even some creators I had missed or couldn’t find comics for in my currently disorganized collection. Yeah.. there was almost too much to do there. Amazing. I remember how small and crammed this con used to be not long ago.

  3. Had the best time. Was there from opening to close. Had missed the last few comic cons due to nursing school, but after graduation was incredible to get back into the swing of things.

  4. Mark Bagley was extremely approachable and awesome. The amount of action figures around was definitely an improvement.

    They need to get HASBRO involved in it. Hasbro is so close to here that its insulting not to have them involved.
    They could improve the way that the lines moved to get in the place though.

  5. I went to Boston Comic Con in the past, never had much of a wait getting in. Over and done with within a couple hrs. So I arrived this year around noon, figuring the same. Was I wrong! Massive lines, even at that time. I didn’t want to wait in line for 3+ hrs, with a possibility of not getting in in time to see everything I had wanted to, nor pay $40 parking just to wait in line plus whatever time I spent indoors. I did my good will donation and passed my ticket to someone else for free. Upset I didn’t get to see Steve Niles or the GBNH, but now I know that if its there again, I will arrive in the morning like I did for NYCC. Don’t mind waiting if I can enjoy the show and have a flat fee parking spot!

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