Conventions

Conventions are still the best place to network for comics. They are also a lot of fun. Th is can be a bit of a problem if you let it. Excessive drinking, partying, yelling and even touching can lead to big problems for your potential career. So it’s important to stay focused. Your goal is to impress colleagues and professionals, and that does not mean leave any impression, just a good one. There are only two things you need to remember to do.

WHAT TO DO AT CONVENTIONS

1 Research before you go. Go to the convention website and find out which publishers and creators are going to be there. If you are not already familiar with the publishers or creators, research them so you know who you’re going to try to talk with and ensure that you can speak intelligently with them about their needs. Find out what editors from a publisher are going to a convention and research their work. Th is way, if you find yourself in a conversation with an editor, you can speak about his projects— finding something nice to say is usually a plus. Don’t stop at just publishers. Make sure to meet as many creators as you can while at the convention. The more you can find out about how they work and what working in the industry is like for them, the better prepared you’re going to be for the start of your own career. Remember, at the end of the day, if you’re looking for paying work, you’re trying to help them get what they want, not the other way around.

2 Know where you’re going. Most conventions off er maps online, but even if they don’t, you should get one at the door. Take a few minutes at the beginning of your day (or the night before if the map is online) to figure out where you want to go, who you want to see and in what order. Conventions are crazy busy, so you’ll miss something the first time around. Plan for time to go back and check out things you wanted to see but missed.

Art Reviews at Cons

While at a convention, many publishers offer art or portfolio reviews free of charge. Here, I’m standing with Walt Simonson and Klaus Janson, reviewing their work.

INSIDER VOICE
Gene Ha on Conventions

Comic conventions are great because I can see how everyone else is doing their job. It’s always nice seeing a beautifully inked page on Bristol. It’s exciting seeing a page where you can’t figure out how they did it. Eastern European artists like Esad Ribic and Adi Granov come to mind. Their artistic influences and techniques are so different than American ones.