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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>You can see a few photos at http://groo230.blogspot.com/2010/04/boston-comic-convention-report-2010.html<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Boston</span></font></st1:City></st1:place><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> Comic
Convention Report – 2010<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I was supposed to go with a friend, but when his house
received some flood damage during the storms last week, he had to cancel. At
that point, I was unsure I was going to go. But, how often do you get to see
Sergio? Normally, I would park out side of <st1:City w:st="on">Boston</st1:City>
and take the T in. (The T is <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Boston</st1:place></st1:City>’s
subway system.) On the way up, I changed my mind. The web site said there were
lots in area for $10, so I figured, ‘What the HE double hockey
sticks.’ Turns out, the Westin Hotel was right next to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Boston</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Convention Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>.
Their lot was only $10 & there was a shuttle from the lot to front of the
Convention Center. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I got there about 9am, an hour before the show. As I said
the hotel and convention center are right next to each other. This creates a
wind tunnel between the two, and as I was crossing over, a gust came up. It
caught the bill of my 25th anniversary hat and blew it off my head. Lucky,
there was group of 20 somethings behind me and the hat hit a girl in the face. The
Savior of the Hat was unharmed and returned to the hat me. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>As I had said before, I had met the promoter of the show
before. He had talked about how the Westin was a new venue for him. He had said
that he was worried about the lines to get in, and he recommended that I show
early. I was among first 100 or so, but is still took about 15 minutes to get
in. The line was set up where you waited in the lobby and had to go down
escalator to get to the entrance. They where letting people down in groups of
10-15 at a time. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I will admit that room was much smaller than I expected. It
was divided ½ dealers and ½ artists. I took advantage that most of the people
went directly towards to artist to browse the dealer tables. (I bought a set
1980 Creature Feature Stickers, some 1975 Marvel Stickers & a couple of
1960 Topps Outer Limit cards.) I was looking for non-sports cards and picking
were slim. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I, also, talked to Paul from Popfun Merchandising
(http://www.popfunmerchandising.com). He markets Toon Tumblers. They are pint
glasses with cartoon characters on them. He has licenses from both Marvel &
DC. He also has done small licenses such as <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Casper</st1:place></st1:City>, Little Dot, Richie Rich and
Bullwinkle & Rocky. As a glass collector, these are top quality items. You
know where I going with this. Paul said he has talked with Sergio & Mark
about doing a glass (or set?) but the haven’t been able together to get
it done. I, personally, would love to see this item. I know Sergio & Mark
worry about quality items, but the Toon Tumblers are a quality item. I know
there are other obstacles. Here’s to hoping!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> After the dealer’s section, I headed into
Artist’s Row. Some very good artists. Not being a current collector, many
of theses I never heard of. I did purchase a small canvas painting & 4X6
art card of Wonder Woman from Brian Kong. Mr. Kong does a lot sketch card
insert work. He also has done the artwork for several sports card series for
Topps. I got a Dan DeCarlo (Archie & Josie & Pussy Cats fame) Trade. In
the mid-50’s, he did book called Jetta, before he worked for Archie.
Jetta was set in 22nd Century at Neutron High, with jet cars and anti-gravity
packs. You can really see the style he brought to Archie. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Sergio was set up out of the way. (He was a last minute
addition to show, which may have explained the out of the way set up). George
was there with family and friends (Sorry George, I don’t remember who
they all were.) Of course, Sergio was great. I had brought all my ACEO’s
that I gotten from him. Sergio added Minstrel to my collection. While, I
didn’t buy any of the prints (no where to put them), I highly recommend
them. I did buy the last box of the trading cards. I have the complete set, but
not all the chase cards. I’m not sure what I am going to do with it. At
$100, it was a great buy. Unlike the Art Cards, I purchased this for possible
investment reasons. The question is do I open the box. While you’re not
likely to get a full set. A couple of chase cards & possible sketch card
offer some incentive. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>While there was never a line of people at Sergio’s
table, it seemed to me pretty steady. Overall, it never seemed that crowed in
the room. I did talk to Jim as I was leaving and they were number of people. To
make it worse, one dealer opened a side door and let in 30 or so people. I also
talked to some dealers at smaller show on Sunday. They said the fire marshal
was having them shut down admissions to let the crowd thin out. When I left
around 1:00pm, I would estimate the line at 300 people. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>All in all, I’m happy I went <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>John P. Torregrossa</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on"><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>PO Box</span></font></st1:Street><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> 28184</span></font></st1:address><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Providence</span></font></st1:City><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>, <st1:State
w:st="on">RI</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">02908-0184</st1:PostalCode></span></font></st1:place><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>eBay ID: Groo</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>eBay Store: ParaFANalia Toys & Stuff</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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