CGC's Long Beach Comic Con Show Summary

As I stood over the windowed "green room" up above, looking down on the spacious convention floor during set up, I knew this was not going to be any ordinary comic convention. With a layout like none other, putting Artist's Alley in the CENTER of the room, surrounded by dealers, exhibitors, celebrity signing areas and publishers, Long Beach Comic Con 09' was quite a sight, even with the carpets still being laid out and displays being put up. Martha Donato and company, or MAD Exhibits, brought a new kind of comic show to Long Beach, California on October 2nd through the 4th. Yes, it was one filled with celebrity guests, extraordinary comic talent, and exciting panels and special events lined up throughout the entire weekend, but something unfamiliar was in the air of this con, almost electric. And no, it wasn't the static electricity that our feet generated from the carpet. It was FUN. And people were feeling it everywhere, all weekend long.

After an entertaining ribbon-cutting ceremony with guests Jeph Loeb & Stan Lee, the floor was open. Fans worked their way through the doors to a convention filled with guests such as Jim Lee, Geoff Johns, J. Scott Campbell, Anthony Michael Hall and Berkley Breathed (Bloom County) in his first time ever con appearance!

CGC was on hand accepting submissions all weekend long, which many collectors took advantage of, submitting roughly 1300 books over the course of the weekend. And because of the easily accessible Artists Alley, our prestigious Signature Series was a hit with customers. CGC Signature Series reps were on hand helping customers fulfill their entire signature witnessing needs. (Below, CGC staff member Joe Pierson poses with a happy CGC Signature Series customer fresh from the Jim Lee line!)

Over the three day LBCC weekend, fans and collectors were treated to not only a great selection of comic dealers, toy vendors, and talent, but free entertainment as well. The barefooted Thomas Jane (Punisher, The Mist) worked his way around the floor, making mid-show announcements (or should we say, attendee roasts) that made the crowd laugh, and kept costumed con goers on their toes. After-hours entertainment was available as well, with a performance one night by fan favorite band Kirby Krackle and Thomas Jane screening two movies over the weekend (The Mist in black and white along with Dark Country) with Q&A sessions afterwords.

For information on next years’ LBCC, check out their website and for CGC’s future Signature Series opportunities with LBCC’s new guest announcements, stay tuned to our events page for more details.