Sorry for the long delay since I last posted.  The reason being is because the last few years at the Philadelphia comic book convention have been, well different lately.  I'm sorry to say that there has been little if any representation from the big two comic book publishers. (D.C. & Marvel).  The reason I believe is two fold.  Reason number one could simply be because that the economy is terrible and travel has become to expensive for the editors, writers, and artists to visit conventions any more.  Reason number two is the fact that very little is given out in terms of information.  It used to be that when you went to the convention you were rewarded with insider information that on one else could get.  With the advent of the internet and blogs like this one that instantly broadcast information the comic book executives are on the the fact that what is said in the convention does not stay in the convention.  This Las Vegas approach has diminished the convention goers experience because there is no feeling of getting that insider information any more.  You can't get angry with the comic book industry to much because they are trying to generate interest in their product.  So the information age has had some unforeseen consequences to the comic book fan.  The advanced preview of the stories and the art to be showcased in comic books at the conventions may be a thing of the past.

     There is some good news in all of this and that is I discovered that I spend more time with the comic book dealers on the convention floor.  I have to admit I always got a kick out of bartering and haggling over the price of a comic book that I want to occupy my grubby little fingers.  I also enjoy discovering a new book that I may not have considered looking at in the comic book stores.  The independent titles get more attention because they don't have to complete with the major more well known titles.  This is a good thing for  those new artists and writers who are trying to break out into the mainstream and get recognized.  The same can be said for the artists.  I also found myself spending time in the artists alley and discovering the work of new artists and finding out where their work is showcased and in what comic books.  I have to admit I love comic book art.  It's the thing that grabs my attention and gets me to pick up the comic.  I'm sorry to say, but I have to admit that if a comic has good writing but bad art, I won't buy it.  I hate to say it but there it is it's true.  I find that that is mainly what you pay for is the art.  Unfortunately I have had read many comics with art that was in my opinion just awful and yet had a good compelling story.  The bad artwork made the reading of the comic work.  The bad art was a distraction.  At the conventions as they are structured now I spend more time meeting artists and discovering their work.  I like not only to purchase their work but getting them to sign the art.  Hey you never know.  I enjoy taking the work home and putting it up on my wall at home.

     So while there is some diminishment because you don't get that inside scoop on the latest comics to come out in the fall, you do get to spend more time with the people who actually wheel and deal in the comics industry, make the art for the comics we like, and get that collectible or comic book we may have overlooked in the comic shop.  With a little bit of a change in attitude you can still enjoy the Philadelphia Comic book convention or any convention for that matter.  They still have use and value, it's just in a different way.