While a large pop culture show such as Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) is always an experience, there is something to be said for a smaller more intimate show such as Long Beach Comic Con (LBCC).
You usually aren’t in a constant press of people. You can actually have conversations with each other and the professionals. It is a little more relaxed while still bringing many of the things the larger shows bring.
Long Beach Comic Con still brings in a few of the bigger names to draw the fans. The show floor layout tends to put artist alley in its center. This ensures that unless you keep to the outskirts you will walk through at least some part of artist alley. Isn’t art what a visual media such as comicbooks is all about?
You may come across names that are iconic in the industry sitting right next to the creative that is just starting out. Or perhaps they are sitting next to a creative they have been a huge fan of themselves and they are enjoying sharing the space and getting to know each other.
You can turn a corner and have your jaw drop as you stumble upon art that just takes your breath away. It happened to me this year as I found more art I was just unable to resist even though my walls at home are out of room.
If you have gone to a variety of shows over the years you may have started some friendships and a smaller show is often the only time that professionals have time to slow down a little and catch-up. They are still there to showcase their work, but the slightly slower pace also allows for a little more socialization. So when it comes time to pick the next comicbook convention to check out, don’t overlook a show such as Long Beach Comic Con, or if you can’t wait until fall you could go to Long Beach Comic Expo (LBCE) in February 2019. Same wonderful group of people put this show on, at the same venue and just as wonderful an experience.
If Long Beach California is a bit far for you to get too, check out some of your local shows that may be very similar in size and nature, and arm sure just as wonderful.
