SPONSORED BY: Last Modified: Wed, Jul 30, 10:48PM

FRIDAY, JULY 25 Programs: Room 22 ALL WEEKEND Retailers' Lounge: Room 21

CONGRATULATIONS!

2008's Recipients

Atom! and Portlyn Freeman of Brave New World in Newhall, California

Click for more on
» The Spirit of Comics Award
» The Eisners

ComicsPRO 2008 Retailer Programming

Comic-Con International once again offers exclusive programming to our friends in the comics retailing community. In addition to the programs taking place in Room 22 on the upper level of the San Diego Convention Center, a special Retailer Networking Lounge is set up in Room 21. This room is available to retailers all weekend long. It’s a quiet place to sit and network with fellow members of the retailer community.

Retailer programming at Comic-Con 2008 has been arranged by ComicsPRO, the Comics Professional Retailer Organization. For more information on this organization, attend the following Friday panels, including the opening event at 9:00 AM and the special break at Noon, both in Room 21, or visit www.comicspro.org.

Please note: All retailer programs listed below takes place in Room 22 on Friday, July 25, unless otherwise noted.

FRIDAY, JULY 25

9:00–10:00 ComicsPRO "Fresh Start Friday"—ComicsPRO board members Joe Field (Flying Colors Comics, Concord, CA), Chris Powell (Lone Star Comics, Dallas, TX), Amanda Fisher (Muse Comics, Missoula, MT), and Carr D'Angelo (Earth-2, Sherman Oaks, CA) and other ComicsPRO members welcome retailers, publishers, creators, and fans to this event, which will include a buffet of pastries, fresh fruit, juices and coffee, as well as gifts from ComicsPRO. Note: The cost for "Fresh Start Friday" is $5 per person, payable in cash at the door, and requires advance reservations. Room 21

10:00–11:00 Retail Relevance!—Comic book shops have always been the goldmine of popular culture—even more so as stores exist today. So how do you keep your store the center of excitement, the place to be and be seen? Join the discussion with publisher Dan Vado (Slave Labor Graphics) and retail comic divas Nancy McCann (Comics Unlimited, Westminster, CA) and Mimi Cruz (Night Flight Comics, Salt Lake City, UT) for the inside track of what to look for, how to look for it, and why you should stock it!

11:00–12:00 Full Coverage: Making the Most of Media Coverage—ComicsPRO president Joe Field (Flying Colors Comics, Concord CA), newspaper writer and comics retailer Matt Price (The Oklahoman, Speeding Bullet Comics) and Diamond Comic Distributors’ Elissa Lynch (Free Comic Book Day coordinator) present ways to improve your relationships with the media to get better coverage for your store. Caution: There may be some role playing involved!

12:00-12:30 ComicsPRO Update and Cookie Break!—Hey, retailers! Find out all the latest news about your trade and advocacy group from board members Joe Field, Chris Powell, Carr D'Angelo, and Amanda Fisher. They’ll fill you in on what plans are in store for ComicsPRO members, what benefits you can reap by joining, and what a difference everyone can make when they pitch in to improve the state of comics' retail. All that and cookies, too? It's a no-brainer! Room 21  

12:30-2:00 Showing of the Spirit—The Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award is the industry's "hall of fame" for progressive retailers. Spirit facilitator and award recipient Joe Ferrara (Atlantis Fantasyworld, Santa Cruz, CA) shows the video presentations for this year's award finalists, with discussion about each nominated retailer, the store’s display techniques, and the other notable features. Lots of lessons for retailers here!

2:00-3:00 Atom! & Portlyn Pack ’Em In!—Use the power of event marketing to push the limits of your shop! When Portlyn and Atom! Freeman bought Brave New World Comics in Santa Clarita, California, it resembled most comics shops in most suburbs. Today it's a vibrant, family-friendly center of the pop culture and comics community of Los Angeles County. Find out how you can use the same techniques they have carefully stolen from smarter retailers to make your comics shop a Brave New World of Fun! This program focuses on community outreach, fun, and profitable events and the spectacular disasters that can overtake even the most well-thought-out event.

3:00-4:15 Remembering Rory: The Rory Root Tribute—When Comic Relief owner Rory Root passed away in May, a huge void was left in the comics' world. Please join Joe Field and many other of Rory’s friends to pay tribute to a man who helped everyone in the world of comics—from publishers to creators to aspiring artists to retailers. Rory left a lasting legacy, so please join the tribute to share stories, anecdotes, and maybe some laughs and some tears along with memories of perhaps comicdom's most ardent supporter and best friend.

4:30-6:00 So You Want to Be a Comic Book Retailer?—This is where the dream takes flight! You have questions—this panel of experts has answers. Host Joe Field (Flying Colors Comics & Other Cool Stuff, Concord, CA) is joined by retailers Joe Ferrara (Atlantis Fantasyworld, Santa Cruz, CA), Annette Price (Speeding Bullet, Norman, OK), and Jay Bardyla (Happy Harbor Comics, Edmonton, Alberta) and Diamond Comic Distributors field sales manager Dave Hawksworth to discuss your future as a retailer of comics and graphic novels. Room 32AB

Remember to visit the Retailer Networking Lounge all weekend long in Room 21.

return to top