East Coast Comic Con Review

Thanks to Mel V. who attended East Coast Comic Con for us.

What’s up CHU? Mel V here with my review of the East Coast Comic Con. Before we get started I would like to give a shout out to my good friend and friend of the site and one of the best writers on the scene Steve Biscotti, he just launched his new site http://universalmonstersuniverse.com/. Horror comic and Monster fans check it out. Ok on to the Con review The East Coast Comicon is an annual comic book fan convention that takes place in New Jersey. It began in 2012 as the Asbury Park Comicon, and took place in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Due to its expansion and the need for a larger venue, it was renamed the East Coast Comicon in 2015, and moved to the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, New Jersey.

This was my first time attending this con and I must say it was a great experience despite a heavy price tag to get in (almost 40 bucks at the door, but prices were cheaper if you got them in advance).
Upon my entrance the first thing that was noticeable was how much space the Meadowlands Exposition had and how great the setup was. Rows were very easy to navigate, even for a fat man like myself. East Coast Comic Con kind of reminded me of Baltimore Con in terms of space and set up. I made my move towards the vendors looking to see what’s hot and what kind of deals were to be had, I got to tell ya these vendors were on top of their game, it was as if they all hit eBay and spec sites and then priced the wall books accordingly. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, I was hoping to find some epic deals. However with my newly found bin digging skills, and my homie Van Demby on deck via Hangouts, I found a Lois and Clark #1 Variant. That book is ON FIRE Thanks to Van Demby for the tip. I also picked up a Salvation Run #7b Variant in the $10 box I was tempted to have Neil Adams sign it, but his lines were long.

I also picked up StraightJacket #1 in a 3 dollar box as well as Amazing Spiderman #316. Only 1 vendor had anything Superman American Alien related, no vendors had Monstress. Sheriff of Babylon was very scarce at the con as well. Justice League 40 Variant was going for 75- 125. I saw only one Henchgirl #1, asking price was $75 . Walking Dead 100 variants were hitting 25-30 with the Todd McFarlane variant was hitting 45-50. The 2nd print Negan’s were well over $100 Highest.
 
One of the standout vendors were the fellas over at Comic Dunes (facebook.com/comicdunes) they had a ton of key books and they were killing it with their Del Otto section, these guys are new and up and coming keep an eye on them at your local cons. They had the super rare Invincible Iron Man (2008) #512 Venom Variant, the 1st time I have seen it in the wild. All in All I had a great time bin digging finding some good things in the day.
There were a great cast of celebrities there like Sam Jones, that dude is cool we chatted for a few minutes. It was cool to meet a legend from my childhood. Speaking of legends from my childhood, I ran into Tim Vigil (LOL my childhood was twisted. If you’re not familiar with Tim Vigil. Remove the kids from the room and Google him and the classic book Faust.) Its always great to see Tim at the cons and chop it up with him, a real cool guy. I also met Billy Tucci, artist of the classic Shi, fans of the book will be happy to know that Shi is coming back soon, be on the lookout for the Kickstarter.
The lovely Kristen Gudsnuk did a pretty sweet commission for me with Henchgirl wearing the official Comicsheatingup shirt (Anthony posted this earlier) and it was a honor for her to let me get her last copy of the original Henchgirl from 2014. These things are super rare, she said the print run is around 700 or so. She also told me some more news about the possible TV deal that I have to keep a secret. Kristen is truly one of the great people in the comic world and I wish her nothing but the best, she will be at NYCC so make sure you stop by her booth and get a commission and pick up some of her sketch pages. Also, buy her books and make her happy. Its a possibility that she may be at Baltimore Comic con.

Even though I spent a ton of time bin digging for Marvel and DC stuff, you know I got to show some love to the Indy creators. Millennials written by Dimitrios Fragiskatos (New Yorkers may know him from Midtown comics Grand Central), is a well written first issue with a ton of potential, think X-men meets X-Files. The character Mr. Hideous, an anthropomorphic porcupine beast full of self-pity and who takes a lot of selfies, will be a hit if this book takes off. Frank Cassuto from Creature Lab has some stunning artwork. I came across his booth as I was leaving and I was so in awe of his detail in his work I missed my bus back to New York, check him out at https://www.facebook.com/cassutoillustrations/

Paul Harding Sculpture Studio had some NICEEEEEEEEE statues. Paul Harding is one of the industry’s top traditional and digital sculptors on the hottest action figures and collectible statues available today. He is best known for his sculpture work with DC Direct, Sideshow Collectibles, and Marvel Legends. Paul is also well known within the urban vinyl community for designing and sculpting such toys as Extreme Hellboy, The Notorious B.I.G., Public Enemy, and Sprite’s Miles Thirst campaign figure. When Paul isn’t sculpting, he is designing collectibles, drawing pin-ups for comic books such as Topcow’s Witchblade, Shinku from Image and illustrating covers for the New York Times best-selling horror novel series The Demonata. Take a look at this Joker and Spartacus sculptures, also check the Mech Wonder Woman on his site http://hardingstudios.blogspot.com/
 

 
All in all East Coast Comic Con was a hit with me I will be going back next year hope to see y’all there.
Pros-Very Spacious, Felt like a comic convention, Great Guests, Fun Bin hunting
Cons-A Bit pricey at the door (but that was my fault, I should of ordered in advance)