Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo: 2012

Last year was hard to beat for the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo. Mignola. Lemire. The Immonens. The convention hall was big and beautiful and there were vendors as far as the eye could see. It was quite obvious that the CCEE was getting bigger. DC had their own booth and people were everywhere. This year the convention experienced what can be lightly described as "growing pains."

Before the boom.

Friday proved to be remarkably busy but as Saturday morning rose over the horizon the twittersphere cracked in half. Attendees could expect a four-hour wait to get into the show and many who had spent hundreds of dollars on photoshoots with the Star Trek: The Next Generation cast were trapped outside because of a Fire Marshall cap on the population. Expo organizers said that they were unable to accomodate so many attendees at entrances at the same time but by mid-morning accusations were flying on twitter with rumours of overselling tickets and confused volunteers became faced with a serious dilemma: did the town with the "Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth" just outgrow its capacity?

Out of sight, out of mind?

Word on the street is that in recent years the turn-out was for Leonard Nimoy's appearance at the 'Con was attendees ranging in the mid 30k's. With this weekend's Star Trek: TNG cast in attendance, estimates have doubled to 60k. It'll be interesting to see how many people are beamed-up this weekend, especially since the BMO Center is the largest convention hall in the city (at 265,000sq. ft). There are few other places to go: the second largest venue is the Big Four building at 118,000sq. ft. and depending on attendees this Sunday it might be high time for the convention to sprawl out. While logistics would become a problem (and some people have expressed a desire to move to con off-site) there are few other options. Expanding to another building on the Stampede grounds would've been the best bet and might be required in the future.

Despite the packed-as-tight-as-sardines hallways and online ravings the crowds inside the 'Con seemed genuinely uplifted. Talks in lines and crowds were personable and everyone seemed to be having a great time.

Next trend in superheroes: Men's open shirts.

To my surprise the vendors for trades were down to three and the wide assortment of comic collectors selling their issues from all-ages were replaced by Silver-Age goodies. In terms of quality-of-books the competition from the Red & White Comic and Toy Expo at the end of 2011 won out and I fear that this lack of modern-collections represents the growing trend for people buying online. Then again, this years convention pushed the "Entertainment" in the title so it might be that the vendors decided to dial-back on comics.

On creators, everyone was a gem. Yanick Paquette was the star for me, being a true gentlemen and I am always pleased to see Tyler Jenkins and Kurtis Wiebe and their enthusiasm. Bernie Wrightson's table was threatened by the CRITICAL MASS of Tony Moore's enveloping crowd (which is a shame, considering Bernie's contribution to horror) and Canadian-sweethearts Fiona Staples and Kate Beaton saw crowds that they so rightly deserve. The gems of artist-alley for me remain Crystal Yates of Earthsong Saga and Cloudscape Comics who were good for a talking-to. I am always pleased to be in the company of these creators.

Costumes, well, there can only be one champion of the 'con. Last year was Galactus at the Kirby Booth. This year I give it to: Doctor Fate and the glowing helmet. 'Till next year.

By Nabu's bulge!