First 2 day show in Virginia in 25 Years!

[cristos]

Hey all, I'm really psyched about the first 2 day comic book convention to come to Virginia in 25 years! This gives me my chance to go to my first convention and meet my favorite comic book artist
Billy Tucci. The con takes place at Richmond, Va. on November 21-22. The website is http://www.vacomicon.com/home.html for more details. As I mentioned this is my first convention so I'm open to any advice from fellow Crusade members. Any tips would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance, Cristos

[Delvie]

Take a woman w/ you that likes to flirt. It's amazing how deep the discounts get for a smile & cleavage.

[cristos]

Take a woman w/ you that likes to flirt. It's amazing how deep the discounts get for a smile & cleavage.

That's good advice! I also need to know about really basic stuff like how to go about getting sketches and any other ins and outs I might not be aware of.

[pctchuck]

Make sure she wears something low cut.  Colorful and frilly helps.

Last com I went to I took my son, and he was 10 or so.  An artist overheard us talking about Transformers.  10 minutes later he coms over to us and hands us an Optimus Prime drawing that he had just whipped up.  He gave it to my son at no charge. 

Talk to the artists, even if you aren't going to buy anything.  Compliment them on what they have out or are working on.

A sketch book is good to bring, I've even brought along index cards for quick sketches and/or autographs.  Always ask for at least an autograph.  If you give them a card, often they'll do a quick drawing as well.

Candy is a good bribe also.

If staying overnight, find a bar in the host hotel.

[cristos]

Thanks for the info! I've got to sell some stuff on ebay to be able to get some original art. Hopefully, I'll be able to post a pic of me and Billy and some stuff I scored after the con.

[pctchuck]

Good luck, both with selling, and with the con.

[cristos]

Good luck, both with selling, and with the con.

Hey, thanks a lot, pctchuck. Half the stuff is definitely going to sell. The other half, people are playing the waiting game. I wish if people were going to bid they would just do it and get it over with. As for the con, there's a bunch of people there I want to meet. Randy Green is supposed to be there, I've always liked his style. The great up-side of the con is I won't have to pay sky high ebay prices or wonder if the stuff is a fake.Of course, meeting Billy and getting some original Shi art is the ultimate goal.

[sllamky01]

My secret to getting good art at the show.
First have a plan. What I mean is make a list of who you want stuff done by, and  put them in order. You have to hit your top stars first. And if you want something from Randy Green I would make him your first stop. Why? Because these guys fill there list up fast.  What you want to ask is if they are doing commisions or just sketches.  A sketch is much quicker with less detail. And is less cost, and sometimes free.
   If he is doing sketches you will most likely just hang around.  Now as your hanging around. Look at what he has on the table. They are there to make money so it allways helps to buy a print or a book or something. Stroke his Ego. Tell him something he has done that you like. You will get better results. 
   Often they will have original art for sale just thumb thru their book.  If you see something you like ask how much. And remember that is a starting price. I haggle all the time. 
   Now if you are after a commission that is a drawing that they take there time on. And they only do limited number of them. NEVER LET THEM TELL YOU THEY WILL MAIL IT TO YOU!!!!!!  Get it done there or don’t get it.  I have paid for a number of commisions that I still have not recived.  Here you will not stand there. But I recommend that you stop back by to check on it.  Some of these guys need to be pushed a bit. And they do not like to give you your money back.  You should be ready to pay $50-$200 for a commission. 
  Also your should take some refferance not all artist know the details of all charters. But do not give him a prised rare book for referance. They tend to get beaten up some times.
  So like I said hit the big stars first.
Now when you go to meet Billy.  Make sure you introduse yourself as a member of the fourm. Also Billy will have a good group around his table. When it first opens up. If there is a lot of people make sure you get on the list tell him who you are. And then come back later to talk with him he is a blast to chatt with.
  If your after Autographs I save till later. Wait for lines to go down. Sundays are allways slower than Saturday. That is if your going for the weekend.
  I also recommend hanging at the host hotel bar Saturday night. And allways go with a pen or sharpie. And a pad that fits in your pocket.  Sometimes really cool things come from the bar.

There is an outside chance I will show up at this show. I would love to get a randy green commision for my Shi collection.

I hope this helps.  If you have any other questions just ask. And I will try to answer them before the show.

[cristos]

Those are all great pointers! It's good to know that I need a plan of attack. I will make Randy Green my first stop as suggested. Everyone's input is very appreciated. The advice about reference material
is well taken, I hadn't thought of that. I'm going for the weekend, so I'll hold off on autographs until Sun. I think everyone's advice covers all the questions that I can think of.

[cristos]

I almost forgot, It would be cool to meet you Slammy! I remember one time you helped me with a make an offer situation on a Shi statue listed on Ebay. I also tried to buy a Witchblade piece from you.
That deal fell through on my end though. Anyway I've seen pics of you on here, so I'll keep a lookout.

[Delvie]

Billy definately knows you're coming.


I might need to send some Green books to be signed. ;)

[pctchuck]

One last thing... check to make sure that the artists are going to be there both days.  Sometimes they are there only for one day or the other. 

[cristos]

One last thing... check to make sure that the artists are going to be there both days.  Sometimes they are there only for one day or the other. 

Cool, thanks.

[cristos]

Hey all,
I made it to the con. I met Billy today and he's a really cool, and friendly guy. So far I got sketches from Tucci, Louis Small Jr. And A. Saviuk. Everyone here is great and easy to get along with. I will post pics of art on Mon.

[pctchuck]

Great to hear that everything is going well.  Can't wait to see the art you've picked up.  Hope my suggestions were a help.

[cristos]

Thanks, pctchuck! I got some great stuff, including original art from Billy. Your suggestion to bring a sketchbook was very heplful. I brought one of the ones Billy sold and got a cool Spiderman and Green Lantern sketch. I wanted to get a Randy Green sketch, but I ran out of dough.