PROJECT FOXHOLE PRESENTS: THE ULTIMATE COMIC-CON SURVIVAL GUIDE
By Pat Loika

By the time you read this, the 2009 convention season will be underway.

When you think of comic conventions, you think of writers, you think of artists and D-list celebrities trapped inside a giant room with you and a few thousand others just like you. There will be bargains and deals that you simply cannot say no to, despite the lack of space in your backpack. There will also be people running around in costumes, with a good number of them being utterly terrible. It’s a time and a place where you get to celebrate the things you love with other people just like you…which may, or may not be a good thing.

Unless of course, you come prepared.

What you’re about to read is a handy little guide to comic conventions. This was all learned after over 12 years of attending and exhibiting at these shows, and I can guarantee you that this can make your con experience so much better for you, and for other people. Trust me on this.

When I say know what you’re getting into, I mean learn about this show, its location, its surrounding area, and the dates of the show. More often than not, the big show you’re going to is not going to be within your area. You should also learn the length of the show. There are cons that only go for one day, and of course, the biggest show of them all, San Diego, has four and a half days. Schedule accordingly so you won’t get hit by some last minute surprise when you get to the con or even the hotel.

Pack some deodorant, a toothbrush, toothpaste, and hand sanitizer. Bring tissue paper or paper towels. Bring enough clothes to last the entire weekend. Remember that you’re likely going to be locked inside a large, poorly ventilated space. If you smell, people WILL know, and they will look at you funny. And half the time, those same people smell just as bad or worse. Don’t be one of those.

Stay clean, and for God’s sakes, be sure to wash your hands. You’ll be shaking a lot of hands. Probably a lot more hands than you’ll see all year. You don’t know where they’ve been, and if you’re not careful, you’ll end up with the infamous con-flu.

That last bit about keeping your hands clean is especially important if you’re a comics pro.

A comic convention is a rare opportunity to meet the folks that create your comic books. It’s a sure bet that you’ll be bringing a few books for the creators to sign. With that in mind, the first thing you need to pay attention to is the convention guest list. The convention websites usually show their full guest list, including changes to it, so pay attention to those sites. You wouldn’t want to travel to San Diego from Pittsburgh lugging around your four volumes of Absolute Sandman only to find out that Neil Gaiman’s not going to show up. Pay attention also to booth signing schedules at the convention floor, since they usually hold the final list.

Also: be sure to bring a camera for all the people in costume, or for the photo ops with your favorite creators and washed up actors.

If you’re traveling to a comic convention, you know you won’t be on the floor alone. With that in mind, you should know that you’ll be spending a lot of time walking and forming lines. A lot of these shows are crowded affairs, so try not to ram every single person in your path.

This is even more important if you’re wearing a costume with big, moving parts. Oh, and if you happen to be sporting a costume, the aisles aren’t the best place to stop for a photo op. You’re only blocking the flow of traffic and making things miserable for everyone else. If someone wants a photo, tell them to follow you to a nice corner, or at least get out of the aisle before you pose. Also, when lining up to get stuff signed, try to remember that there are a few dozen people behind you.

Don’t hog the creator or guest’s time by bringing their entire 10 year run on a book for them to sign; most creators are gracious enough to sign everything you bring, but that’s also because they’re considerate of YOUR feelings, too. Pick your favorites, and get those signed instead. It’ll make the lines go faster and it makes the entire experience a little more pleasant for everyone involved.

Speaking of which, don’t EVER bother a creator trying to eat, or use the restroom, or having a private moment. They’re human beings, after all. They need their privacy too.

Know where your favorite artist’s tables are. Know where your favorite publisher’s booth is. Know where you’ll be shopping for bargains. Keep a convention guide or a print-out of the floor map with you at all times; at most cons, they usually have guides available in the main lobby. It’ll make your life easier. Believe me. You might even make a point to make notes on the floor-map in the convention guide, if you’re not sharing it with anyone else.

Pack a lunch with you for the con. Or at least, know the surrounding area. Most cons are in the middle of a big city where there’s plenty of places to go and eat. You don’t have to subject yourself to eat a ten dollar pizza that tastes like dog food. Bring water or any liquids to keep yourself hydrated. You’re going to do a lot of walking and sweating.

Wear comfortable shoes and clothes. You’ll be doing a lot of standing and walking; you don’t need to wear something that’ll only hinder your movement, or make you sweat even more.

Plan out your budget. Have a back-up plan if you go over it. If you think you’re not carrying enough cash, hit an ATM before con hours, or you’re screwed. You wouldn’t want to go to your favorite artist to pick up your commission only to find out you’re short by a hundred bucks.

If you’re going to a con do to some shopping, the best time to go would be the ‘Preview Night’ of the con. Most retailers are giving out bigger discounts on that day since there are no panels and all attendees are going to be at the con floor. Try not to purchase anything on Saturdays, because they usually mark prices up on that day. Sunday is another good day to shop, because some retailers are just about ready to let stuff go for free if they have to.

Know when and where to go to line up, especially if it’s for a big panel. Lining up early is the smartest thing you can possibly do. It’ll also spare you the agony of listening to your sister bitch about how she never got to see Danny Trejo in person. This tip also applies to booth signings and sketch lines, especially with big name creators.

Occasionally, you’ll also find that they sell tickets to certain signings or events within the con separately; be on top of that, or miss out.

The post-con activities can sometimes be better than the con itself. Most of your favorites are probably hanging out at the con’s host hotel. You can actually get some decent face time with your favorite pros and talk about all kinds of stuff. Aspiring pros should also know that editors hang around as well, and this is a perfect time to chat with them. (buy them drinks! It may do wonders. Don’t ask for a portfolio review, though.)

That’s what these cons are all about, after all. Bring friends, bring family, it doesn’t matter. Sketch-hunting and bargain hunting is part of the fun. A lot of the people involved in this site got together because of hanging out at cons. There’s nothing better than having someone to talk to in line, or having someone to snap your photos for you, or scoring a free sketch because a comic artist thinks your lady is hot. Be sure to take plenty of photos, too.

IN CLOSING…

I will emphasize again the importance of STEP 4. Remember that the world doesn’t revolve around you, and by taking a few necessary precautions, you can make your convention experience, and everyone else’s, a great one.

Also, if you happen to get into Adam Hughes’ sketch list, do me a favor and hook me up.

P.