San Diego Comic-Con International 2002 Report #1

Howdy! I'm writing this newsletter from within the immense confines of the newly expanded San Diego Convention Center. Joining me in this gleaming new facility are approximately 10,000 enthusiastic comics professionals and fans. The crowds throughout the day have been steady, with everyone I can see carrying shopping bags. It's very clear that folks came to this show seeking cool items for their collections, and that they haven't been disappointed. I have yet to walk the entire dealer's room, but the reports I'm getting from the members of the Mile High staff who accompanied me to this show are that there is more great new material here than at any other San Diego convention in history. The overall mood at the show is very positive, as most publishers and retailers are seeing definite signs of recovery from the depressed sales levels of years gone by. My time at this show has been spent primarily talking with visitors to the Edgar Church artwork display that we've mounted on the back wall of our booth. Church was the gentleman who accumulated the fantastic collection of 18,000 high grade Golden Age comics that I discovered in 1977. With over 200 original pieces, plus a number of printed works, the display gives an excellent overview of Church's career. The number one comment I'm hearing is "I never knew he was such a great artist!" That makes me very happy, as my primary motivation for bringing the artwork to San Diego was to bring some measure of recognition to Edgar Church's artistic legacy from the comics community. It has been particularly heartwarming how many well-respected comics artists are expressing their admiration for Church's work. This has worked out great! (click on image for large view) The one unfortunate note at the convention has been the closure of the I-5 freeway. The I-5 is the main artery between Los Angeles and San Diego, and the huge traffic jam midway between the cities caused by the wreck of several trucks (including one carrying a full load of gasoline) early this morning, made it nearly impossible for LA fans to come to the convention. That led to diminished crowds throughout the day, as compared with the same day last year. Everyone is optimistic, however, that once the highway reopens (at midnight?), tomorrow will be a huge day at the show. As we did last year, I had Pam run around the show before it opened this morning and take some great pictures of the various publisher booths. This survey gives those of you who can't attend the convention a glimpse into the layout of the largest comics convention in the world. Click on each one of the links listed below, and you'll see a different picture from the show. Tomorrow, I'll be back with yet another report, and even more pictures. Happy collecting! Chuck Rozanski, President - Mile High Comics, Inc. Moe's Bar from the Simpson's Our empty aisle before they let the fans in the convention Our full aisle high noon Cartoon Books Booth WizKids HeroClix map with buildings The CrossGen Booth before the con was open What every kid will want this Christmas - A Dragonball Z Hummer Vehicle! DC Comics Booth DC Hero Clix are here and going fast !!! Part of the Diamond Booth Dark Horse Comics Booth with Gene Simmons standing very still. Wait that's not the real Gene. Dreamwave (Transformers Armada) Booth The line outside of the con on Day 1 Lord of The Rings has a huge presence here at the con. Marvel Booth before the lines begin!! Our booth The Muppets 25th Anniversary Car Pioneer, a leader of Anime, Booth A little Harry Potter fan Robotech The new Rowan Rozanski action figure with her weapon of choice, Fruit Smoothie! Yu-Gi-Oh Tournament [San Diego Comic Con Report #2] - [San Diego Comic Con Report #3] - [San Diego Comic Con 2002 Report #4]