At The Counter #2: Convention Season

September was a tumultuous month to say the least. After all of… that, retailer Greg Gage and our own Tony Thornley found time to sit down again and talk about an evergreen comics topic- especially with FanX Salt Lake, LA Comic Con and New York Comic Con all happening within a week- comics conventions from the retailer perspective. Plus, we take a moment to look at the biggest comics news of the month.

Tony: Hey Greg, welcome back! It’s been a heck of a month, hasn’t it?

Greg: Yes, September has been a heck of a year.

Tony: So there’s an elephant in the room that I think we need to talk about, but let’s talk about something a little lighter first… This past week was our local comic convention here in Salt Lake, and you’re tabling for the first time in a while. Generally speaking, why is convention season so important to a retailer?

Greg: Well, whether you’re setting up or not, the fact that comics are roaming the mindscape of people’s brains makes them want to buy them, or at least check them out. The main problem for people when they go to a con is that it’s typically pretty spendy. That’s why I have a bunch of very inexpensive boxes along with the high dollar stuff. I’ve never had a problem selling things for a dollar or even a quarter as kind of a gateway drug, if you will. I believe if you give them an affordable option to find something they may keep following. The exposure is also nice. There are people at a con that don’t even realize brick and mortar stores even exist!

Tony: Have you ever found yourself checking out a new series or creators based on what you find at a convention?

Greg: Absolutely. I usually wander and try to find some indie books, but I really didn’t have a chance this time. It was thankfully too busy this year!

Tony: You took a break from tabling at FanX Salt Lake for a little while. I understand that you’re returning for a very specific reason though- you got to moderate a panel with two industry heavy hitters, Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner! Besides your friendship with them, why is doing a panel fun?

Greg: Well, I’ll share a secret with you. I’ve never moderated a panel before in my life. I’ve been on them, but never moderated. The nice thing about diving head first into the unknown with friends is that it puts some of that nervousness in your back pocket where you don’t have to worry about it. It also helps that these two have been in the industry for so long that they have a ton of stories to tell. And they’re both hilarious and very personable, so the audience never gets bored.

Tony: You have done something at every convention I’ve seen you at that I really like. Besides having the usual boxes of back issues, dollar bin stuff, etc, you have a box of sketch covers and a box of books by the creators at the con. Have those two things driven sales for you? And what caught you by surprise?

Greg: The thing that absolutely, ultimately, and whatever other alternate universe you have, shocked me is the blind boxes. I brought a ton of [mystery] boxes with extra inventory that I sold for $50. At that price, the books are about a quarter each, because there are around 200 books in there. I brought a stupid amount, mainly to fill up the area (the booth was an end booth with a lot of room), and they were all gone by panel time on Saturday!

Tony: Have you been able to get any really cool sketch covers out of this for you personally (he asks, knowing about one he inspired at one of your shop signings)?

Greg: Not a one. I really have to bring some extra help so I can get away for a minute next year…

Tony: I told you, I’d come help!

 Now, changing subjects, since we last talked, there was another huge controversy regarding a book. Now, this is a loaded subject because there’s a hell of a lot to this. But let’s talk primarily about the business side of it- Red Hood wasn’t just canceled this month. It was recalled, based on comments on social media from the writer. Have you ever seen a circumstance quite like this in your nearly 22 years in business?

Greg: No. Not at all. This is truly unprecedented. 

Tony: Now, I can remember multiple instances of recalls for other reasons- the Marvel douche ad in League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, microwaving baby Kal-El in Elseworld’s Finest, etc. Is this the first time you can remember a recall for something other actual content within the book?

Greg: I think that certain comments by writers and artists have certainly helped remove them from books before, but this isn’t a personnel change. It’s a complete cancellation of a book and a recall of the first issue to boot! 

Tony: Outside of the politics of it, which is still complex as hell and has been discussed thoroughly the last three weeks already, how has the recall affected the business side?

Greg: Thanks for leading that way. There isn’t the faintest chance I’m going to discuss the politics. I have no tightrope experience, and have never seen a billionaire in here that would adopt my daughter if I fell off.

It’s definitely piqued interest in the book, but it doesn’t matter, because it’s gone. You can’t buy it. At least it gets butts in the seats, so to speak, though. My major complaint is the business side of how DC handled it. I didn’t know it was cancelled, nor did I know I couldn’t sell it until I saw a post on Facebook. Considering how big of an issue it was, pun fully intended, I think they could have done much better with communication. I hate this phrase, but, really, do better, please.

Black Cat Comics is on the web at https://blackcat-comics.com/ and via all the usual social media channels. If you live in or are visiting the Salt Lake City area, you can visit the store at 2261 Highland Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84106, or call Greg and his team at (801) 461-4228.