IDW Says “No More Comic-Con?”
There’s been no shortage of discussion, complaints and analysis to be found around the ‘Net the last few months with regard to the changing focus of San Diego’s Comic-Con International, but the recent suggestion that this year’s show could be the last for publisher IDW still created quite a stir. Tom Spurgeon recently spoke with IDW’s president, Ted Adams, about his buzz-worthy proclamation, and the interview is must-read material for anyone interested in the evolution of comics’ place in both Comic-Con and the convention scene as a whole.
SPURGEON: How much has the way the show’s transformed itself the last half-decade had an impact on your decision?
ADAMS: It’s part of it.
I should make a point of saying that the people that put on San Diego Comic-Con are pretty extraordinary. This show, what they do every year is I think is flat-out unbelievable. You couldn’t pay me enough money to take on any of their jobs. They’ve done nothing but treat us with respect. The decisions I’m weighing have nothing to do with the way we’ve been treated by San Diego or really this sort of perceived — I see these things on-line about the perception that Comic-Con is getting away from comics and becoming an entertainment show, and there’s no question that’s true. But I don’t have the angst over those things. I think we’re just seeing the free market at work here with San Diego Comic-Con. The market is saying "We want to see Hugh Jackman." [laughter] I don’t know how Comic-Con could make that not be. What are you going to do, go to Fox and say, "You can’t have Hugh Jackman here"? [Spurgeon laughs] You’re going to disappoint the tens of thousands of people that want to see that.
Head over to The Comics Reporter for the rest of the interview.
It would be unfortunate if IDW's decision led to others making the same choice. On one hand, I think that those of us who do attend SDCC for the comics would be disappointed to find fewer publishers and creators available. On the other hand, I can also understand why smaller publishers feel they are lost among the huge exhibits and shows put on by the likes of DC/Marvel and the film companies associated with them.It seemed at times that the convention was more a Star Wars gathering than one for us comic geeks.
That's really extraordinary since IDW is based in San Diego. On a personal note, I'm glad they were there this year at least so they could announce my husband's new project with Peter David. :) And speaking of husbands, if even my con-going ex-husband is getting overwhelmed by San Diego, it's definitely time to rethink any possible future pilgrimages!