Comic-Con International 2003 Report

Comic-Con veterans Jerry Beck, Kellie-Bea Cooper, Mark Evanier, Fred Patten, Sander Schwartz, David Silverman and Linda Simensky share their take on the annual convention in San Diego.

By Sarah Baisley | Thursday, August 21, 2003 at 12:00 am

Posted In | Magazines: AnimationWorld

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It’s become the greatest show on Earth. The Comic-Con International drew more than 70,000 participants at the San Diego convergence July 17-20, 2003, which has become the preeminent sci-fi, fantasy, animation, gaming and comic book gathering. Conventioneers waited upwards of three hours just to get inside as the hot San Diego sun beat down on them, particularly causing discomfort for those in makeup and costumes. Some finally gave up.

It’s become an increasingly important venue for motion picture companies such as Warner Bros., Universal, Sony and DreamWorks to build interest in upcoming theatricals. The WB and Cartoon Network have been particularly aggressive in the past five years, offering screenings and panels about new and returning series. The fire marshals were busy monitoring the huge halls and meetings rooms that often overflowed capacity. This editor could not attend the CN presentation on Teen Titans and Duck Dodgers. Nearby was an informative panel on the migration of videogames to movies and back. SCI FI Channel hyped its Battlestar Galactica remake while a concerted band of diehards at SaveFarscape.com worked up support for a fifth season of the canceled show. The UPN sneak peak at its first-ever CGI animated series, Game Over, drew lots of laughs.

The show offers many informational panels for the animation-minded, including how-tos on design, writing, pitching and voice acting. Ditto for gamers and people who want to do comics. Plus there’s lots of information to be gleaned from the studio and the professionals’ presentations, including access to talent, agents and development execs plus prizes, autographs and photo-ops.

Schools are making a bigger presence at this show with booths. The DAVE School, a computer animation training center in Orlando, screened its film, Chimera, based upon the GrossGen comic, during a panel and at the comic publishers booth.

AWN asked some Comic-Con veterans for their perspective and observations on the show. These regulars include Jerry Beck, animation author/historian; Kellie-Bea Cooper, industry ambassador (animation and games), Art Institute of California – Orange County; Mark Evanier, writer/producer; Fred Patten, anime/animation journalist; Sander Schwartz, president of Warner Bros. Animation; David Silverman, producer on The Simpsons; and Linda Simensky, svp original programming, Cartoon Network.

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great coverage-sara B. however, there were some of us not able or willing to go to this(long-lines+expensive) MONSTER of a show, and stand in line for 'three hours'.in fact, it has been four years-now that i saw no 'sane'reason to attend this continualy eroding concept of the origional "CON"...that being an (inexpensive) gathering place for CARTOONISTS to show their 'stuff'-especially all the NEW artists, who are seeking recognition.my origional reason for going to the 'cons' show, was meant to showcase my concept(actual gemstone cartoons)and hopefully 'break-even' in sales of t shirts+ any publications-such as; comic books-childrens books-and graphic art-such as posters + gallery prints,from my concept.the con staff and their 'worship' of the big money, toon(except DC comics who alledgly boycott this show) goons "TAKEOVER"...may soon face a 'class -action'law suit for such 'corruption' of a so-called "non-profit" outfit.it reeks of... pure "COMMERCIALISM" bullshit! sara's comments of some of those noted personalities(interviewed) also appear to agree.it is sad that the "CON" has allowed the 'big toon goons' and others who would crowd out all the deserving-origional toon folks, who just wanted to get their concept 'out there'. now , where do we go from here? herez some 'suggestions'; 1. remind the 'con' sponsers(they claim it is non-profit)that giving in to big(toon goon) money and bigger showspace, with impossible to 'see in the days-allowed' has strayed from the origional idea! 2.the 'con' show should provide(first time) new comic book creators with FREE booths-yes FREE... and not in some obscure area , where no traffic ever walks.since big 'toon goons' booths have so much money=influence on the 'con' staff and they are now overshadowing-dominating the show-this makes for a fair trade-off.and demand the big toon goons PAY for the free booths! 3."law of diminishing returns" ;comic-con is now a out of control MONSTER! attendants are no longer going to this show with 'limited funds'-rather "only the wealthy are allowed".costs to exhibit and attend are far to high + downtown san diego fails -miserably to keep any 'costs' of going- there sensible.this city has violated the above "LAW". 4. there is a place in nevada(laughlin nevada) where an 'extension' comic con show would provide CONSIDERABLE... less costs for both attendants and vendors.the rooms are cheap+food+ free parking.the wealthy-and folks with limited funds are able to 'survive' there, and laughlin casinos have excellent convention rooms, where each hotel can spread out the "CROWD" with various interests and categories can exhibit, without crowding out other-less notable vendors. its time to organize a comic show in laughlin and see a return to the 'old' concept. dawk