So I went ATL COMIC CON

-COST OF BOOTH: 319 DOLLARS for 3 days
-LOCATION: The Georgia World Congress Center
-Artist Alley Score: 5/10
-Attendee Score: 8/10

This was a trial run for me see whether or not I should try and travel out of the states to sell my artwork, and my comic books. There were some ups and down doing a convention out of my general area which is in California. Just add my grandma in Marietta, so I made an opportunity to go see her as well. I had to take an airplane trip to get there which is pretty pricy get a round trip ticket for a con, which was fortunate that I had an American Express card on hand and was able to purchase the ticket thru the point I gathered over the years. I was not able to bring every single product with me because there is a weight limit to Baggage claim thru Delta Air line, so the Mystery Folders, and several poster had to stay home, due to size and weight restrictions

I packed all my books with me in my carry on luggage and computer since there isn't a weight limit to how much you can carry on... "Why didn't I just mail them to my grandma?" Well that was the first thing I did, I sent a package to my Grandma, thinking that I will only have to bring my clothes and my posters (including a new back drop that fits inside my large suitcase) on the trip to Georgia and bring everything back (I'm a strong lad). The Package did made it to Grandmas, just the content inside of it didn't made it. Some where along they way the package ripped during transition and I lost about 40 graphic novels, and 50 comic books. Many other artist had the same outcome like what I had and basically said "Really their nothing you can do about if they lost your work thru the mail. Make a claim if you can, but really you are out of luck there." So I carried my book with me.... Thank USPS....

Ok so I rambled a bit about the travel issue, I traveled to the Home 2Suite by Hilton in Atlanta for the con. How was the con? For me I did well, I was expecting to gain a lot of followers and a lot of sale at the show. I was under the impression that ATL Comic con company also run the Phoenix Fan Fusion (mistaken it for FanX expo in Salt Lake)  I made my table in the first day, which was very nice. Second day I did better. It was my most profiting day for sales. Sunday are usually a hit or miss people were buying, or saying that they spend all their money too soon. If I was living in Georgia, I would of made a lot on profit. But expense took a bit of my income, I made less than expected. So as a seller make sure you have a lot to sell. My issue 1 of Joe hero and the Graphic Novel were the most bought item at the con. The new Spiderman poster was the best seller at the con.

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Most of the other artist around me had struggled a bit to sell their own stuff. I only know of two other artist that I met at previous cons were able to make profit without any real worries on their finances. It is a shame to see many artist struggle to barely get cover the table for selling the past three days. The venue had the artist alley section dead in the middle of the exibit hall directing traffic in a different walking pattern from the rest of the show. Some attendee got confused but it not that complicated. It was not an issue for me. Still, morale was pretty low for many seller. I made some friends at the show too.

Will I come back?   Maybe...
For me to keep selling at conventions, I have many thing to determine. I made good money, just not a lot. I am still planning to experiment with out-of-state convention to see how profitable they can be. I'll need to prep a little harder to do a show this far away to try again. But for now I'll keep closer to the West Side of the USA.

Other recommendation, Future club was fun, wish I knew more people to get comfortable with. The Marietta Hobbs Museum was a fantastic art museum, containing many illustrator art inside. The World of Coca Cola was fun to go try the experimental soda and international drink they made, and the Aquarium was alot of fun to go to as well. I ate at the Hudson Grill where they had a lot of beer and burger and more Chief Fans cheering for a disappointing game for the 49ers.

up next, Simi Valley Comic con.


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