Geek Syndicate
After the show loud speaker announces that SDCC is officially open, there’s a round of applause. Then two security guards slink over and stand next to our table. We soon see why. A stampede of excited people rush through the hallways. There’s a wild look in many of their eyes as they speed-walk past all of our tables and to the far end of the hallway. The security guards, not wishing to share the fate of Mufasa in The Lion King, knew what was coming. “It’s the exclusive stuff,” explains one guard. “Toys, mainly. People rush to buy them before ABOVE: Our stand in all it’s glory. they sell out. Some even sell them on eBay before they’ve actually purchased them here at the show.” We’re stunned. Eventually, the guards make their escape, but the exclusive hunters keep pouring in. Our fellow exhibitors in our row all seem to wear a tired look of resignation on their faces. One tries to take advantage of this traffic by holding out flyers, hoping passers-by blindly take them. Sometimes it works, most of the time it doesn’t. There’s a single mindedness that’s clear. “It’s the same every year,” our neighbouring exhibitor laments. “They don’t bother looking at the good comics. People just walk on by and never even look at you.” About thirty minutes later, the tide literally turns the opposite way. Some triumphantly walk back with large numbers of boxes in tow, mostly from Hasbro. Others look crestfallen. It’s a strange thing to observe. And even stranger, the tone of SDCC eventually just… shifts. The rush for exclusives over, the whole show switches to what feels like a more typical, sociable convention. And with this leisurely mood comes genuine curiosity from consumers now looking to see what’s on display. As some pass by with film cameras, others on Segways, San Diego starts to show the face we’re here for. Friendly people stop and chat, taking an interest in both Clockwork Watch and Magic of Myths. Our free postcards and bookmarks are a hit, although free stuff often is at conventions. And while sales are slow,
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