San Diego Reflections

Well, it's my last night in San Diego and I have to say it's pretty weird when it's not Comic Con. There were masses of people just like me and now, well, not so much.

I've learned a few things about SDCC. It's nothing like it's little sister, the NYCC. SDCC is about 3x the size of the NYCC and it's 10x crazier. People get in line for free stuff. Bags, posters, buttons, you name it. Warner Bros put out a different bag each day, big enough to carry your laundry in. Dark Horse did the same, but weren't as obnoxious. One day 1.5 (technically the first day) was the day they had the Red Lantern Hal Jordan figure. Limited to just 1,500, this was the exclusive to get (any color lantern to be exact). The hall opened at 9:30 and by 9:50 they had given out over 2/3 of the tickets (SDCC staff made Graphitti Designs hand out tickets after the preview night debacle, it was just crazy). They announced that the rest of the tickets would be handed out before noon. Fans started lining up to get their ticket at 11 and were told that the line had not started and that they could not stand in front of the booth. So what's a fanboy to do? Walk in circles of course! When it was discovered where the tickets would be handed out, a massive surge of people headed over to the booth. I was told 250-300 tickets would be handed out, so I left. Yup, I gave up. I had more improtant things to do. Needless to say, the only Hal figure I walked away with was the Green version. You needed a ticket if you wanted to purchase anything from Hasbro and/or Mattel. It's insane. Crazy. Nuts. I didn't get my Soundwave figure either. I was denied it during my childhood, so I'm feeling the same disapointment.

I also learned that many people don't want to wait to get their info off the interweb. Fans of the Venture Bros. denied my chance to see the Fables panel. I went an hour before the panel only to find Venture Bros. fans already in line (both were in the same hall, Fables first, VB second). Again, I gave up. They don't clear the halls between panels thus I had NO chance as the line went around the corner, down the hall, back and halfway up again. So, I waited to read about it online. Yeah, it would have been cool to hear the info from Bill, Mark and the gang, but oh well.

I did get to talk to some artists. Hopefully they'll be able to make it up to good old NH in 2010. I also met up with Patrick Gleason, Jamal Igle and Sean Murphy. All cool guys, all very busy.

All in all, I would like to return in 2010, but if I don't, I'll make it every other year. Oh, and I'll have a copy of the 40th anniversary book at the store. It's very cool to see how this mega event got it's very meager beginning.

7 years and San Diego

This past weekend Double Midnight Comics celebrated 7 wonderful years bring southern NH comic and game fans their fix. We celebrated with a in store sale and our good friend Kate labored into the wee hours of the morning making some Blackest Night themed cakes. Man, we're they sweet (pun intended!). Speaking of Blackest Night, I read a potential spoiler... if it's true, I'm going to be both excited and disappointed all at once.

I'm leaving this Tuesday for San Diego. My very first Comic-Con International. I'm really bummed that I'm not going with either of my Convention partners in crime, my brother Chris or my brother from another mother, Derek Stryder Bailey. Chris and I have been to many conventions together, from Wizard World East and Boston, my third New York Comic Con as well as various trade shows. Derek and I have been to every New York Comic Con and will when we're both old and gray (my money is on that happening to him first). I won't be hitting San Diego solo though. I'm meeting up with my college roommates little brother Jeff. Jeff is big into video games. When I was in college, Eric (his older bro) told me that Jeff would record video game music to listen to while he slept. Now that's hardcore.

I was looking at the programming for San Diego... wow. There's a lot of panels going on. Speaking of panels, I've been asked to reprise my role as a panel participant, reprising my role from the New York Comic Con. I'll be on hand with the general manager of Lone Star Comics in Texas, the guy who started Free Comic Book Day as well as having a hand in starting ComicsPRO and a guy who owns a store with Geoff Johns and is an Eisner Spirit of Retailing award winner (the Oscar of comic retailing). So their in great company!

Follow my exploits on Twitter throughout the whole show, DMComicsScott. It'll be fun, but stressful...

Comic Store Management

After a few months, we're finally getting the hang of our new POS (Point of Service) program at the store. As you may or may not have seen, we have a better system to manage customer pulls. We enter subscriber forms each month to make sure that you are getting what you asked for. This new system shows what you are getting pulled for the week (as opposed to the old system that was for the month!) so if you have a series that been delayed, such as... hmmm.... I don't know, let's say Kick Ass, well, when it does come in, it'll be on your pull form because the computer knows that no matter how long it's been, that you've ordered it! Again, the old system would have required us to A) hold onto older forms and B) go through those forms to see if someone did check it off. And in the case of Kick Ass, well, we'd have to go back pretty far! Imagine how yellowed the paper would have been for those of you who checked off Ult. Wolverine vs. Hulk! This new system, MOBY, let's us see what's in a subscriber's folder and what's on the shelf. So if ya take something off the shelf and add it to your folder, please let us know so we can make the change. Same goes if you no longer want a book that was previously in your folder.

As of July 1st, Double Midnight Comics is 7 years old. Personally, I've met and made some very good friends through the store as I know Chris and Brett have as well. Everyday I thank God that I get to sell comics! While I love teaching as well, there is something about introducing someone to a new series or chatting about what's cool in comics. Speaking of what's cool, Wednesday Comics is my new favorite! It's such a different take on storytelling and it forces creators to be, well, creative in telling their weekly part of the story in just one, albeit oversized, page.

July 18th we're officially celebrating our 7th anniversary with some very cool specials and events! Select Marvel tradepaperbacks and hardcovers for just $7!?! Back issues on sale, give aways all day and cool (and colorful) cake(s). be sure to come down to see what we have cooked up.

Oh, and Blackest Night #1 drops on Wednesday. The 1st 200 people to pick it up will also get a FREE Black Lantern ring that actually fits adults! We have a sample at the store, some come drool in admiration!