Comicgong 2015 is done. A smallish area but a busy gathering of people at Comicgong Wollongong City Libraries mini one day mostly comic convention. There was a remarkable amount of creators there that you don’t usually see all in one place- I think the tables dedicated to creators was far more numerous then those dedicated to merchandise . You don’t usually see that many different creators at one place and I think this is likely due to two factors:
1. ‘TABLES WAS FREE’. As we are starting to see more and more little ‘comic’ themed conventions like this start up I would like to make this extremely clear to anyone who is thinking of running a comic themed convention and are confused/upset at having a lack of comic creators and other artists. Make your tables free or at least very, very, very, cheap. Why? Cause the vast majority of Artists /creators are not going to make money – let alone money to cover the cost of a table.. or accommodation..or petrol..or..probably lunch. Hell most people who print their comic have done so resigning themselves to the fact they will never see that money again and now just hope someone will be interested in the thing they made.The other expenses you get something out of it -food, a place to sleep etc. If you still have a crap day of sales you will still still think you are ahead and hey someone liked that thing you spent days and weeks on enough to give you a few dollars for it..
2. Really friendly and helpful organisers. We also had the local canteen people doing walks past the tables offering snacks, and drinks. which is really appreciated…and keeps us working.
The Bad – The cosplay. While I enjoy seeing people walking around dressed as the weird and wonderful we was placed in a really really bad position for it. The organisers had setup an area for people to stand and watch but it did not appear to be enough. We had hours of people all across our row and the next standing directly in front of the tables staring over our heads at the cosplay. Possibly the tables could be positioned lengthways to the stage in future? I’m not sure – at this stage I think we would have had a much better time in the first room.
The really bad- the kid who had had his Beemo cosplay stolen.We watched him slowly but surely drag his adult over to our table to get some of our buttons at the end of the day. He got some shiny discount and free badges.
The day ended with dinner at a local Chinese restaurant with other creators as organised by Marcelo Baez which was fun and we heard tales of cats, crazy con stories and the regret of working for the devil and not charging enough. Next time I’ll be getting that massive plate of noodles.
-Gavin the hungry Thomson