Where have the comic book convention deals gone in the last few years? Do you remember the day (not too long ago) when we could find graphic novels for $2-$3 at comic book conventions? Do you remember being able to pick up a short box full of comics for less than the price of con admission? Let me take a moment to explain why those days are now gone – but will come back in the future.
2010 Detroit Fanfare comic book convention
Comic Book Convention Deals: The Way it Was
A few short years ago, there were fewer shows around the country and comic book conventions deals were easy to come by. Local dealers might be at a show and not have another one for a few months. Instead of hauling all of their stock back to a store or warehouse, many dealers would do everything they could to dump product to make room for new product. This need to rotate stock caused the great comic book convention deals we remember.
Comic Book Convention Deals: Why it Was
A few years ago, the comic book convention market was becoming dominated by Wizard World shows. Various companies were doing what they could to buy up smaller conventions in the hopes of opening solitary conventions in various markets. The attempted expansion and contraction of the market caused for Wizard World to have to cut the number of shows they produced and put other convention promotion companies out of business. With less shows to potentially make money at, dealers tried to rotate stock as much as possible and were willing to give greater deals.
Comic Book Convention Deals: NOW
The number of cons skyrocketed last year, and is doing the same this year. Instead of con season typically being about 7 months long, it is almost 12 months. I am just waiting for someone to schedule a con during the week between Christmas and New Year’s. With another show always around the corner, dealers do not have enough time to rotate stock. Much of what they have at the current show will have to be brought to the next show to fill up the tables.
Comic Book Convention Deals: Will They Return?
I have a feeling we will see the return of the infamous comic book convention deals sooner than later. The comic book convention market will eventually thin as smaller shows fall to the side of larger shows and competition leads to attrition. As the number of shows decreases, the number of comic book convention deals will increase as dealers find they need to turn stock again.
