Comic-Con International, held every summer in San Diego since 1970, is among the largest comics conventions in the world. But getting tickets is hard, and many comics fans have never attended. To remedy this, #NotAtComicCon will present a national alternative to Comic-Con on Saturday, July 24th, 2010.
Major Comics Companies at Comic-Con
The biggest comic book publishers in America are fixtures at Comic-Con International, and they often make their most important announcements and promotional campaigns at the event. Also, the biggest names in comics and other media gather to make rare appearances and sign autographs.
For example, at Comic-Con 2010 legendary creator Stan Lee will be signing autographs at the Marvel Comics booth. But not only will comics fans have to make it to San Diego, they'll also have to line up at the start of the convention on July 22 for the chance to get one of a limited number of tickets for Lee's appearance later that day.
Dark Horse Comics and #NotAtComicCon
Dark Horse Comics and ChinaShop Magazine are promoting #NotAtComicCon in an effort to include the many comics fans excluded from Stan Lee's appearance and the other attractions of this year's Comic-Con.
#NotAtComicCon is named for the Twitter hash tag used by those unable to go to the convention themselves. Event organizers promise that fifty-five comics shops across the United States (and one in Canada, Toronto's Silver Snail) will host parties with free refreshments – presumably from Red Bull, which owns ChinaShop.
Many of the venues are encouraging RSVPs through Facebook, further emphasizing the role of social media in the event.
Dark Horse Comics will supply prizes to be given away, and the company says that, in the spirit of #NotAtComicCon, it will make an important announcement on the afternoon of July 24 to #NotAtComicCon participants before that information is revealed to convention-goers in San Diego.
Similarly, ChinaShop Magazine will post interviews during the week of July 19th with comics creators not attending Comic-Con International.
Will #NotAtComicCon Catch On?
#NotAtComicCon will not likely become a major alternative to attending Comic-Con for die-hard fans. But if it is successful, #NotAtComicCon may become a welcome supplement to big comics conventions.
The key to this will undoubtedly be greater participation – if more publishers than Dark Horse are willing to support the event, it will grow its appeal, giving more local retailers incentive to participate. Free Comic Book Day, held every year on the first Saturday in May, could serve as a model.
For a list of the five "premiere" locations and the fifty other stores hosting #NotAtComicCon, see the Dark Horse Comics official blog.
Luke Arnott - Luke Arnott has a Master's Degree in Comparative Literature from the University of Western Ontario, where he is currently enrolled in the ...
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