The last decade has seen comic books go from the 98-pound weakling of the entertainment industry to a Charles Atlas-eque He-Man you wouldn’t dare cross. Comic book movies clean up at the box office, Disney recently purchased Marvel for $4 billion (that’s billion with a “B”) and even President Obama is a comic reader. At the center of this rebirth of the previously uncool are comic conventions like the San Diego Comic Con, which draws more than 100,000 fans annually.
While larger conventions (San Diego, New York, Chicago) have become destination locations for fans and pros alike, regional comic conventions still take place across the country. Minneapolis has Fallcon, Kansas City has Planet Comic Con, and Des Moines has Comic Book I-Con, which is Saturday in Altoona.
They aren’t cultural juggernauts like the big boys, but these small cons draw a healthy crowd of fans who are just as likely to be interested in tracking down the “Avengers” where Iron Man wore roller skates (issue No. 94) as learning who Tony Stark will be fighting in the next “Iron Man” movie.
“This is a rebuilding year, the way the economy is,” Iowa Comic Book Club treasurer Scott Wirth, 38, said. After years of competing with summer events and the crowded comic convention season, I-Con was moved to the fall. Wirth said that no matter when the con is they can count on two fairly loyal types of fans.
“About half come because we have a lot of dealers and they know they can get their book shopping done in one shot,” Wirth said. “The other half are excited to meet the artists. You discover someone new every time you go to a show.”
Unlike San Diego Comic Con, you won’t run into Kevin Smith or Samuel L. Jackson browsing the long boxes in Altoona. But you can chat with guests like Iowa artist Phil Hester (who has drawn comics for director Kevin Smith), novelist Brad Meltzer and Judd Winnick, who appeared on “Real World: San Francisco” and now writes comics. Storyboard artists like Sean “Cheeks” Galloway and Adam Van Wyk have worked on everything from “The Spectacular Spider-Man” to “The Simpsons.” And if you’re looking to buy comics and toys, you’ll discover that vendors are more likely to cut a better deal, since their travel fees and convention costs are lower.
Strip away the Hollywood glamour and shows like Comic Book I-Con are what the hobby are all about: Passionate fans and creators talking about the comics they love, buying a few mementos, and maybe trying to track down that “Incredible Hulk” issue to complete their collection.
“I think having a con in such a central location in the Midwest is incredibly important,” said William Hunt, 31, who’s attended the last three I-Cons. “If it does get built up to what I know it can be, it means we don’t have to drive 4-5 hours to Chicago. Some of the people who go to comic cons spend tens of thousands of dollars. It’s good to see something here generate money for Iowa.”
Go to dmJuice.com to read profiles of four locals on the comics scene.
Comic Book I-Con
When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday
Where: Adventureland Inn, 3200 Adventureland Drive, Altoona
Cost: $5
Info: iowacomicbookclub.com
Scheduled guests
• Sean “Cheeks” Galloway (character designer for “The Spectacular Spider-Man” animated series)
• Bob Hall (artist, co-creator of “West Coast Avengers”)
• Ryan Benjamin (artist for “Dead Romeo,” “Wildcats”)
• Phil Hester (Iowan, artist for “Green Arrow,” writer of “The Darkness”)
Also appearing: Adam Van Wyk, Douglas Paszkiewicz, Ant Lucia, Chad Spilker, Chris Rich-McKelvey, and many, many more.
Local comic book shops
Cup O’Kryptonite: Half comic shop, half coffee shop with a full line of comics and graphic novels, as well as a rental library of books.
Where: 4521 Fleur Drive
Hours: 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Friday,
7 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday
Info: cupokryptonite.com
Jay’s CD & Hobby: A used CD, DVD, and video game store with a substantial comic book selection, also featuring an extensive stock of action figures and statues.
Where: 5912 S.E. 14th St.
Hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday.
Info: jayscdandhobby.com
Mayhem Comics and Games: The Des Moines area’s oldest comic shop. In addition to comics, Mayhem’s two locations feature a large assortment of role-playing games and a dedicated gaming room.
Where: 7500 University Ave.; 2352 Lincoln Way, Ames
Hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Saturday,
11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday.
Info: mayhemcomics.com
