All the New York Comic Con media, articles, and photos have been online for a good while now that the con finally wrapped up. Now's the time I'd like to talk about it and how social media plays a role, my overall con experience, and where I think this is headed. There's going to be a bit of a debate here, but that's a good thing and I encourage it. If you love something you should vocalize your passion for it, especially if you think it's in danger. And frankly, New York Comic Con is in some serious danger.
The New York Comic con media online was either one of two types; the people who were commenting outside the show and fascinated with the costumes, art, and wonderment - or - the people inside complaining about two hour lines and not being able to move. At one point entering the press room I saw a line 34 people (yes, I counted) for the bathroom. I would probably have peed my pants.
There were vendors there that put their hearts and souls into their creations; their graphic novels lined up with business cards, stickers, and smiling faces. These people, these wild hearts, were put downstairs in a giant warehouse called artist alley and assigned aisles from AA to ZZ. The main floor was basically a videogame convention. Square Enix, Nintendo, and Capcom dominated the space with large bulky displays and hundreds of farting teens.
A third floor, The Block, combined artists, vendors, and signings into one plethora of miscommunication and unorganized mayhem. The entrances and exists were where these gaming booths were set up so entering and exiting became a hassle. If you went to New York Comic Con you were not eating food, unless you wanted to wait in a line for an hour or so (a bad deal considering the $50 to get in was steep).
It was the first time I saw a street vendor two blocks away sell that infamous New York dollar hotdog for three dollars. The sign said $1.00. He wanted three. People were paying it.
New York Comic Con is in trouble. I love Comic Con. I've always loved it and now I fear it's collapsing on itself. They oversold the center and the fans reacted the best way they knew how - social media. Throughout the internet are articles and with those articles come comments. And it seems regardless of the feature covered the fans have chosen to express their discontent. The comments are usually favoring the features at Comic Con, but exclaiming they weren't readily available to people.
Cutest Cosplay Ever
So what's my point and how does social media tie into all of this? Originally I went to New York Comic Con to visit DC and Comixology. My plan was to directly ask the people there whether or not social media was a driving factor to their digital marketing and how they both go about it. Comixology is a platform, not a publisher, and their marketing would be independent from DC Comics. However, DC Comics can market Comixology and benefit directly. Tying their social media together would compliment both companies. I was going to ask why they haven't done so. That was my plan.
And that didn't happen. It didn't happen because the person I would have spoken to at DC Comics was moved around the floor three times for signing sessions. When I tracked him down I found he had been moved due to overcrowding.
The Comixology people were readily available and awesome though - points for them. They were super nice.
I don't blame DC Comics for this and understand things happen, but they happened due to the structure of New York Comic Con. That structure lived of the guiding principle of 'lets sell as much as possible and deal with it later.'
Again, I love New York Comic Con. I'm not sure who will see this, but if it is within your power please don't destroy it. Please don't give the creators the basement and the companies the show floor. Find a happy medium. You had one for years.
Over 100,000 people came out this year and there will be more next. And if we're fortunate enough to keep this going they'll be more after that one. Look at their faces and their dedicated costumes. Try and imagine what you would like to have happen at New York Comic Con. Then imagine what they want. If it isn't the same thing (and you can ask them using social media - people are doing that right now) then reevaluate. Use social media, something I like, to save something I love. Makes for a good story, right?
So that was New York Comic Con. Not quite what I had expected, but it's the truth. I feel if enough people can share their experience without screaming and cursing we can get the message across. I have faith that it'll get better. The fans will talk and they will be heard.
..through social media.
The End.