We geeks certainly love a good comic con. The vendors, the guests, the artists, the events, and of course being able to congregate with fellow comic enthusiasts. Have you ever wondered what goes into putting on a comic show? Well we here at Comic Addicts had a chat with Tristan Gallagher and Ross Kearney at Coast City Comics (CCC) in Portland, Maine about what went into their comic con happening next week starting November 11.
(Ross Kearney [left] & Tristan Gallagher [right])
CA: How long have you guys been around?
CCC: 4 years between Coast City Comics and Monster Fun Box Emporium. We bought Coast City Comics and merged the two.
CA: What inspired you to do a comic show?
CCC: It was the lack of a traditional comic show in Portland. We were having to go to Boston (Massachusetts) for a traditional comic show. Portland Comic Art Show and Port Con are great, but they're not like the typical big shows that are in Boston, New York, or San Diego. We wanted to bring something like that to the area.
CA: When did you get the idea to do a comic show?
CCC: We've wanted to do a show ever since we opened. The biggest problems just starting out were getting it organized, finances, and the resources to do one. Especially since starting out we were two stores in two different locations. Now that we're a bit settled as it were and have a pretty good base we decided to go for it.
CA: How was it approaching vendors?
CCC: Vendors were the hardest cause it's convincing them to put up money for tables and hotel rooms. First year cons are the hardest, but if it goes well we will have established a working relationship with these people. Those who do support us will get special treatment for giving us their money to do this.
CA: Was it hard to get artists?
CCC: Luckily people we know who come into the store are doing very cool things. They were going to be there anyway attending the show, but now they get to be part of it. Chris Dingwell (will be doing a wet paint project live November 12-13 from 10-6) usually does his painting for tattoo conventions and wanted to do something different so he's doing it for comic con.
CA: How long has it taken you total to put this together? Like from when you decided to do a show up to this point?
CCC: 3 months (laughs). Once we got in contact with other comic shops who are friends and said they should come up and do this with us it took off on it's own. We didn't realize it was going to get this big this fast.
CA: Sort of like a monster you created that decided it had a mind of its own?
CCC: Pretty much actually. We started out with 20 tables and that number is now around 48. We weren't originally planning anything this big. We were originally thinking a mini con and we'll see how it goes, but it has just gotten so big so fast. (Tristan says) I've also been very fortunte to have a great staff to take care of the store because I have done nothing but work on the show. Ross and Chad have been the ones to make sure that the shop is running and picking up my slack.
CA: So despite the anxiety you've got a good feeling about the turn out?
CCC: It's always a bit daunting wondering if it will fail. Pre-registration helps because then you know that a certain number of people are going to show. It's just putting everything out there and hoping people like it. Overall it's been stressful, but a pleasently surprising experience. We've got a good feeling about the turn out that we'll get.
CA: So aside from working under pressure has the experience taught you anything else? Or has there been anything else you've gotten from putting a show together?
CCC: The biggest thing is to not take anything for granted. The other is to give credit to those who have actually done this before. Julie who takes care of Port Con has been a huge help in getting this together. We called her for advice on what we should do and she's been amazing in consulting us on what will work and what will result in a flop. We've also learned that cross communication when you're trying to cooordinate something like this happens A LOT!
CA: How has the overall experience been for you? What's it been like if you have to describe it?
CCC: It's been like a big explosion of what goes on in the store. Only bigger and scary. Overall though it is very much like taking care of things here at the store, but on a much larger scale.
CA: Is there anything you wish you had done differently?
CCC: We waited too long to get sponsors for the con book. As in, we just got sponsors like 3 days ago. We really lucked out though in that everyone we asked said yes, so now the comic con book is paid for and taken care of.
CA: Any hopes or plans for next year?
CCC: Yeah we've already got a few guests locked in for next year and we'd also like to push for more awesome entertainment and bands. It would also be really cool, we didn't have the money to do it this year, to get banners for all of the vendor tables. Our ultimate goal actually is in 5 years time to have this turn into a mini New York or San Diego show where it's a weekend just filled with shows that revolve around comic con. Have entertainers like nerd rappers, people in costume all over town in the street making it look like Halloween, local business taking advantage of the extra money to be made during the event, and things like that. Even if the businesses around here aren't really into comics or comic shows we'd just like them to realize, and take advantage, of the fact that there is extra money to be made from the event because it'll draw people to it. That's what we're aiming for anyway is to have it been a big community event like a comic show really should be.
CA: Any parting words of wisdom?
CCC: Wisdom? No, but we'll just say again that in doing something like this never take things for granted, you don't know what you can do until you try, and give credit to those who have done things like this before.
CA: Thanks a lot guys, and we'll see you next week at the show.
Coast City Comic Con takes place November 11-13 at the Eastland Park Hotel in Portland and features events such as a superheo themed rave with band War Animal, movie screenings, Super Mario 3 tournament Phillip K Dick events and much more. For more information visit the official site for Coast City Comic Con: http://www.wehatetshirts.com/Coast_City_Comicon/Home.html
For more information on Coast City Comics in Portland, Maine visit their offical website or stop into the shop located at 634 Congress Street, Portland, Maine.
Next week Comic Addicts will bring you coverage of the comic con. Hopefully we'll see some of you there.
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