Convention disaapointment

[Wildcard]

Hi all,

Spent the day in Toronto today at the Toronto Comic Con. While I did pick up a few comics, I couldn't help but be a little puzzled at how little Alpha Flight stuff is available at the conventions I go to. Ive been to the TO con as mentioned, as well as Niagara and Fan Expo and it always like finding a rare gem when I stumble upon anything Alpha related. I find even locating just the comics to be quite the exercise which is weird because the one place I would think you would be able o find Alpha Flight merchandise is at a Canadian convention.

Is this just me?

[-K-M-]

No I went to the convention today too and saw nothing. Only Alpha related stuff was the commission pieces I got from some artists.

Craig Yeung was selling his pencils of Puck from UXF but that's all I saw. It was just one page, and he was mostly covered by Psylocke so I didn't get it.

[Phil]

AF just isn't a draw these days unfortunately.
When faced with limited table space a dealer has to pick something that has universal appeal and is guaranteed to sell.

[rplass]

I find the exact opposite. I have no problem finding tons of Alpha Flight stuff at conventions. It's the reason I go to them. I have nearly everything there is to have that's Alpha Flight related and I still find stuff to buy without much fuss. Last show I went to I could barely carry all the stuff I got home on the 1st day and had to go back a 2nd day to pick everything else up.

Part of it might be a threshhold of how much of a completist you are: I'll buy an art book by Mark Brooks for a Wild Child illustration; others might not consider that an Alpha Flight item.

I'll buy a 2nd or 3rd printing of a tpb I already have just because it's neato.

And some are more willing to invest in a high end item like original comic art than others.

So you've got to know what you're looking for, be prepared with a well-researched want list and these cons can be a treasure trove of Alpha Flight items.

[Phil]

I'll buy a 2nd or 3rd printing of a tpb I already have just because it's neato.

Hmm.. I have a copy with the white/pink logo but it says First Printing inside...

[Phil]

Oh I get what you mean Rob; I never come away empty-handed or disappointed, but they're Alpha Flight related, or connected as opposed to actual branded/themed AF merchandise, which I think is what Wildcard meant.

[rplass]

Yeah they all say 1st printing. So on Ebay when you see a listing for a 1st printing, it's technically correct... the seller probably just sees "1st printing" inside the book and puts that in the description. But there were 3 printings of the Asgardian Wars tpb. Check the back cover for the price. What we would call the first printing has a blue/yellow title and says $14.95. 2nd printing has a white/pink title and says $15.95 and the 3rd printing also has a white/pink title but says $18.95.

[Le Messor]

I haven't been to a comic convention for years. I have to drive up to Sydney for them, and there hasn't been a big one specifically about comics in a long time.
(There've been general sci-fi ones, but they're too big. Read: I can't afford them. Yes, I'd love to meet half of Joss Whedon's cast and all those Star Trek actors, but I'm not a millionaire.)

What we would call the first printing has a blue/yellow title and says $14.95.

That would make mine a first printing!
Then again, I also have the hard cover. And the floppies.

~ Le Messor
"Mention money and the whole world is silent."
~ German proverb

[Phil]

Hmm... going by that I have the 2nd Print then. Damn.

[Wildcard]

Yes, I was referring to branded/official merchandise - toys, action figures, busts, shirts etc. And I do understand that Alpha isn't a big name anymore but with the multitude of comic fans and comic merchandise sellers, and it being a Canadian con and all that I would find something more than just comics. I didn't think of your point about limited table space and filling it with items that can move easier.

Its shame though as Im always on the lookout and always leave feeling a little disappointed

[Flightpath07]

Ah yes...I miss floppies.

[Phil]

Oh god yeah, I've got the storyline 6 times now all in all.

[rplass]

Oh god yeah, I've got the storyline 6 times now all in all.

Seven times now if you count the TPB which came out today. I didn't get it... yet .... but I'm wondering if there's anything new included.

[rplass]

I found a better link to the aforementioned art book by Mark Brooks:

http://brandstudiopress.myshopify.co...ts/groundworks

Brand new for $24.99 - it has original art from Uncanny X-Force #11 and #12 featuring AoA Wild Child

[Mekko Hotvle]

I been looking at various cons in my area and now I am wondering how did cosplay become such a big thing that now there are "big time" cosplay people who are now becoming special guest to comic con's these days. just rambling on today. sorry