BALTIMORE COMIC-CON SEES ATTENDANCE DOUBLE

press release:

Baltimore Comic-Con Shines with Stars, Raises $$$ for Actor, CBLDF, Katrina

Fans and Pros Cheer 6th Annual Con in Charm City as Attendance Doubles

"I didn't know this was such a big show!"-- This was the statement of one attendee at the jam packed Baltimore Comic-Con last weekend, as DC , Image, IDW, and a slew of mainstream and independent creators, hit the scene in the Baltimore Convention Center. Golden-, Silver-, and modern age retailers were also well represented, and a coty of Superman #1 was sold during the weekend's festivities. To many in attendance, Baltimore was noted as one of the "...few great comic shows still about comics."

Marv Wolfman, Erik Larsen, Walter & Louise Simonson, Frank Cho, Howard Charkin, Mike Wieringo, Robert Kirkman, and local boy Frank Cho were all on hand, meeting fans, signing comics, and doing sketches. All-Star Wrestler-turned comics author Mick Foley was a big draw to the show, promoting his series of childdren's books with artist Jill Thompson. Rob Liefeld was also in attendance, making his first East Coast appearance in nine years, and thousands flocked his table for him to sign issues of "Teen Titans" #27, given out in the thousands by organizer Marc Nathan. Liefeld, like many of the exhibitors at the show, was impressed with the fun, comics-centric feel of the convention, proclaiming, "I'm digging this show!"

Other creators, including Howard Porter, Ron Garney, Mike Manley, Joseph Michael Linsner, Jim Starlin, and JG Jones, were equally pleased with the throes of fans visiting their booths, many to get autographs for "Drawing Strength," a Katrina benefit sketchbook they contributed art for (and for the auction during the show) produced by Sky-Dog Press specifically for the Baltimore Comic-Con, raising over $4000 for Habitat For Humanity. Across the aisle, special guest John Romita raised thousands for ACTOR, by auctioning custom sketches, helping to raise upwards of $9000., and CBLDF Executive Director Charles Brownstein also mentioned a healthy contribution total, including a $4000 check from one publisher.

Programming was packed, as Adam Hughes, Phil Noto, Matt Wagner and others discussed comics cover creation, show favorite Mike Wieringo, Cho and special guest Wolfman discussed the current and past Spider-Man series, and Dan DiDio gave a bit of Crisis Counseling, explaining the current Earth shattering events in the DC Universe. Other panels included inking greats Dick Ayers, Terry Austin and Jimmy Palmiotti discussing embellishing, and decidedly all-ages creators John Gallagher and Rich faber moderated panels regarding Kids Comics, including a How-To Create Comics forum, with many kids and teenagers on hand, drawing their own mini comics, and learning the secrets of fun comics form the likes of Todd Dezago, Louise Simonson, Jimmy Gownley, and Andy Runton.

Regarding attendance, convention organizer Marc Nathan estimated a doubling from last year, without getting too specific. "I don't want to get into the new math that conventions seem to be using in determining numbers lately," stated a very happy Nathan, "but I will say, based upon how packed the show was, and retailer response on both Saturday and Sunday, I am very grateful to have had such great guests to help double attendance at the Baltimore Comic-Con--we could not do it without them."

Nathan was happy to announce September 9-10, 2006, as the date for NEXT YEAR's Baltimore Comic-Con. What does he have planned to top 2005? "Whatever it is," Nathan said, "...it will be all about COMICS."