USA: The success of Comic-Con has certainly raised the attention of Hollywood, which has some hardcore comic fans complaining that the convention is losing its focus on the comic books themselves

Record ID: 574969

  • Title: USA: The success of Comic-Con has certainly raised the attention of Hollywood, which has some hardcore comic fans complaining that the convention is losing its focus on the comic books themselves
  • Date: 24th July 2009
  • Summary: SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (JULY 23, 2009) (REUTERS) WIDE SHOT OF PEOPLE OUTSIDE SAND DIEGO CONVENTION CENTER PEOPLE WALKING OUTSIDE CONVENTION CENTER PAN FROM COMIC-CON SIGN TO SIDEWALK (SOUNDBITE) (English) VINCENT RUBINO, EVENTS MANAGER FOR LEGO, ON THE IMPORTANCE OF COMIC-CON, SAYING: "It does that misname too it. It is very serious and the fans are incredibly passionate. They are very avid fans and it is being recognised. You look at the entertainment industry as using this as an opportunity to introduce new properties. Just to get things out on the street. They are talking to the creme-de-la-creme of the fans." (SOUNDBITE) (English) JOHN BROWN, OF HAMILTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ON COMIC-CON, SAYING: "This place is huge. The only other convention that I have been to is wizard world and that was last year. Compared to this, that was small time. This is massive." CONVENTION MODELS WAIVING AND BLOWING KISS COMIC-CON FAN WEARING BLOODY MAKE-UP PULL OUT FROM PROMOTIONAL CHARACTERS TO STAGE FANS POSING NEXT TO SPONGE BOB LEGO FANS PLAYING ROCK BAND FANS TAKING PHOTO OF BATMAN BIKE ACTOR TYRESE GIBSON PROMOTING UPCOMING FILM (SOUNDBITE) (English) TRENT HENSON, OF HOUSTON, TEXAS, ON THE OF COMIC-CON, SAYING: "Over commercialization, would be my gut reaction. I love comic books and have since I was my son's age and I still do. But, there are Some many of them being turned into movies to capitalize on the name, that you kind of lose the story and the art work behind the scenes." (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHRIS WILSON, MIAMI, FLORIDA, ON COMIC-CON, SAYING: "All of the attention from Hollywood is the result of comic books being the main focus of that. I feel that the concerns are understandable, but for the most part it is still Comic-Con and there is still comics here." (SOUNDBITE) (English) MICHAEL BOHY, PINE VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, ON COMIC-CON, SAYING: "There is something for everyone. The comics are still here, it is pretty much a wide spectrum of things being offered." (SOUNDBITE) (English) ANDREW LOCKERBIE, HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA, ON COMIC-CON, SAYING: "It is a nice generous mix, I get a little bit of comic books and then I get to see what is up-and-coming. Being a filmmaker myself, I enjoy seeing the previews of what is coming up in the next year." FANS POSING MODELS DRESSED AND POSING ROBOT WALKING
  • Embargoed: 8th August 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVACWD6EEYGA9XONUYWXZ9RV6WN9
  • Story Text: The great news is that the comic book convention Comic-Con is "all-grown up," with the entertainment industry battling for space in hopes of getting a grip on 126,000 fans - many dressed as their favourite comic superheroes - traveling to San Diego for the annual event that began in 1970.
    This year, more than ever, comic books though are having to share the spotlight with promotions for Hollywood blockbusters like "Iron Man" and video games, further blurring the line between the genres.
    For people like Vincent Rubino, a marketing executive for Lego, the convergence of mediums is a real opportunity.
    "It is very serious and the fans are incredibly passionate," explained Rubino. "They are very avid fans and it is being recognised. You look at the entertainment industry as using this as an opportunity to introduce new properties. Just to get things out on the street. They are talking to the creme-de-la-creme of the fans."
    This year Comic-Con celebrates its 40th year with a preview of new comic books, graphic novels, science-fiction and action movies, television shows and videogames.
    Starting in the 1990s, Hollywood began to see that their core, target audience -- mostly teenagers and young adults -- either turned out for "The Con" or followed it closely on the Internet. The studios learned they could utilize the event to promote films and generate ticket sales at box offices.
    The result is that the crowds at Comic-Con are a far cry from the 300 comic book fans who first congregated at the convention in 1970.
    Still, there are some who believe that the event has lost its way.
    "Over commercialization," said comic book fan Trent Hanson, of Houston, Texas, on what is wrong Comic-Con. "That would be my gut reaction. I love comic books and have since I was my son's age and I still do. But, there are so many of them being turned into movies to capitalize on the name, that you kind of lose the story and the art work behind the scenes."
    Others like Chris Wilson, who traveled from Miami, Florida for the event, disagrees.
    "All of the attention from Hollywood is the result of comic books being the main focus of that," explained Wilson. "I feel that the concerns are understandable, but for the most part it is still Comic-Con and there is still comics here."
    While Hollywood will aggressively market major upcoming film releases like "Iron Man 2," there of course will remain new comic books to tout at the show, too. In addition to stalwarts like DC Comics and Marvel Comics, companies like Radical Publishing are making noise with their new Nick Simmons comic, "Incarnate."
    Comic-Con International runs from July 23rd through the 26th.
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