Why I started my own comic convention

Comic conventions are getting too expensive, so creators and fans need to find new ways to connect.

Photo by Dev on Unsplash

I love comic conventions.

I love attending them as a fan, and I love tabling at them as a creator - as I discussed in a recent (February) post.

Cons are a vibrant, but occasionally, overwhelming experience for both creators and fans alike, and although they are an important community component for the comic industry, they are not without problems.

For those who don’t know how conventions work for creators, there is an application process for most shows. Artists submit their portfolios for review by a committee, who then select which creators can be offered a space at the show, and then creators pay for their table(s).

There’s nothing inherently bad with the peer review process; it’s there to ensure creators meet a minimum standard of perceived quality, but the lack of transparency and feedback, coupled with some unusual decision-making, leaves it open to accusations of politics.

Leaving the politics of tabling aside, even if you do get selected for a con, the costs quickly mount up. Table prices for some shows are approaching the $400-$500 range, and once you factor in travel and accommodation, you can easily find yourself in a huge financial hole.

No problem, you may think. You can easily make that back in sales.

While big shows certainly do bring in the crowds, they’re also charging them an arm-and-a-leg to get in. While table prices have gone into the stratosphere, so have day/weekend passes for shows.

As entry prices rise, consumers have less disposable income set aside for purchases once inside the con, meaning creators are competing for fewer available dollars. In such an environment, you have to quickly become good at selling your art, or you may not even make your table money back.

Moreover, as consolidation continues to swallow up more conventions, it becomes harder and harder for smaller shows to compete in the same environment. Yet these smaller shows are critical for creators, as their table prices are often very low and entry is free/low-price, meaning creators can often make a profit at such events.

The fear for creators is that the same market forces that have enshittified the tech industry, will also do the same to the convention circuit. Speaking with other creators, there is anecdotal evidence that this is already happening!

Cons aren’t the only places where creators can sell their products. Most creators also have online stores, crowdfunding platforms, and other revenue-generating platforms (such as this one).

But, with a few noted exceptions, it’s also very hard for audiences to find these online stores. Even if you pay for advertising, or optimize your SEO to the nth degree, you’re fighting against every other voice on the Internet for a femtosecond of attention.

The reality is that even online stores may not make you much money as a creator, as you simply cannot connect to your audience.

So, where does that leave creators?

Do we simply cower before the tech and convention giants, and fight for the meagre scraps they occasionally toss our way?

I thought long and hard about it. I’m just one creator. I have one voice and a small platform. But I wanted to do something to redress the situation.

So I decided to start my own con - one that’s online and free to access.

The first show is June 2, 2024, and I hope you’ll check it out.

My hope is to run this show on a quarterly basis, featuring comic creators from around the world, and try to emulate some of the best parts of these events.

The show lasts for a single day, and has a virtual artist alley, panels, other programming, and (eventually) a community zone, all accessible through a website! There’s no entry fee or log-in required, and you can access it from the comfort of your own home, without having to deal with the large crowds.

All panels and other content will only stay up for a single day before being removed, so you will have limited opportunity to check out the event.

This isn’t a big-money event. It’s about providing a low-barrier experience that benefits creators and comic fans alike.

Will it work? I have no idea. But I’ve always believed in the DIY ethos, and know that sometimes you just need to try things - even if they ultimately fail. There are lessons to be learned which can only be helpful for doing the next thing.

Wish me luck!

If you’re a creator and interested in participating in a future edition, please reach out and let me know!

I’m a comic book creator who digs deep into the crowdfunding research literature, in search of ways to optimize campaigns for success. In case you missed it, check out this recent post on re-thinking your crowdfunding prices.

---

Finally, the Kickstarter for my new sci-fi comic, “The Memory Machine,” is still live, and you can back it here. Be sure to back the book before Wednesday in order to be eligible for the backer contest.

Cheers.

John