What's wrong with the comic/con industry?
Jul. 14th, 2006 09:23 amI've long been trying to find ways to encourage people to read more comics. And I've thought long and hard about how one would make a convention successful. The below story, courteousy Dirk Deppey of The Comics Journal is yet another example of the comics and convention industries shooting cutting off their noses to spite their faces
Speaking for myself, the straw that broke the camel's back fell during this year's Emerald City Con in Seattle. I'd stepped out to smoke a cigarette and was watching the passersby. I noticed a family leaving the convention -- a Mom, a Dad, and a little girl no older than eight years of age. The girl was decked out in a beautiful, elaborate kimono and clearly distressed by what she'd just encountered. 'But they didn't hardly have any manga at all!' she said as they walked away.
When I was done with my cigarette, I went back inside and relayed this story to an acquaintance prominent in the art-comics publishing scene. 'I hate to say it, but *good*,' was his reply. Indeed, I told the story several more times that day, to both indy-comics and superhero-comics professionals, and the reaction was more or less the same each time. A young reader disappointed by the selection offered to her? *Good.* The future of comics walks out the door, unable to find what she wants? *Good.* I left the convention early, lost in a foul mood. I swear: I love the comics art form with a passion, but my utter contempt for the American comics industry grows like a cancer with each passing day.
Thanks to my friend, Chris, for drawing my attention to it.
Speaking for myself, the straw that broke the camel's back fell during this year's Emerald City Con in Seattle. I'd stepped out to smoke a cigarette and was watching the passersby. I noticed a family leaving the convention -- a Mom, a Dad, and a little girl no older than eight years of age. The girl was decked out in a beautiful, elaborate kimono and clearly distressed by what she'd just encountered. 'But they didn't hardly have any manga at all!' she said as they walked away.
When I was done with my cigarette, I went back inside and relayed this story to an acquaintance prominent in the art-comics publishing scene. 'I hate to say it, but *good*,' was his reply. Indeed, I told the story several more times that day, to both indy-comics and superhero-comics professionals, and the reaction was more or less the same each time. A young reader disappointed by the selection offered to her? *Good.* The future of comics walks out the door, unable to find what she wants? *Good.* I left the convention early, lost in a foul mood. I swear: I love the comics art form with a passion, but my utter contempt for the American comics industry grows like a cancer with each passing day.
Thanks to my friend, Chris, for drawing my attention to it.