Best US Con?

[mez]

So I'm an aussie who is a big fan of comic books and comic book art. Next year I'm thinking of heading over to the states with the intention of a bit of travel and at least one con. But which one?

I know San Diego is the 'comic con' but I have the feeling that the whole number of people means as an experience it will be amazing but will limit what I can actually do at the con. Is this the case?

Is NYCC more comic/art focused? I saw the list for Baltimore CC and holy crap was that a nice bunch of guests. I mean in australia, we have some very hard working people (Royd, Rocket) who get us some great guests but we can't really compete.

So what cons do you recommend?

On a side note, if I do go to the states next year it will likely be around E3 (June 11-13).

Philadelphia Comic Con is around that time, has anyone been/any feedback?

[Simplyrob]

Heroes con in Charlotte (June i think) is supposed to be one of the best for artists, along with Emerald City in Seattle, or so I understand. I think our (my family) goal for 2013 will be Heroes, haven't been up that way in years.

[mwf6171]

The only big con I have been to is Heroes. I have gone the past two years. I love it! If you are coming over in June, I would say shoot for Heroes Con in Charlotte, North Carolina. For the most part the artists are VERY easy to get commissions/signatures from as the lines aren't terribly long. I was able to sit around and chit chat with many artists. It is a very laid back con. Saturday gets kind of busy, but you can still move about quite freely. JMO.

[Rocket]

Liam NYCC is the con for you mate But you're right our cons are like a yard sale compared to be US cons and you will miss as much as you see, there's just too much going on! I actually purchased the Bruce Campbell meet and greet in 2010 and was so rushed I still have the ticket I never got to cash it in

[Wrothy]

Given the timing of your trip, HeroesCon would be perfect (7-9 June 2013).

I was planning to go this year, but unfortunately the fates conspired against me. Hoping to make it next year.

[mez]

Heroes Con sounds pretty cool. How expensive are flights between US cities? Are there budget airlines?

[JMH]

In no particular order but Baltimore, Heroes, MegaCon, and Emerald City would be the ones I would look at. They are huge enough to get huge guests but still seem to be very attendee friendly.

[rychehitman]

Dayton Ohio puts on a nice little one-day GEM CITY mini con

just sayin'......................

[JadeGiant]

You should target Heroes Con. It is right around your target time and really is focused on comics. SDCC and the Wizard shows have really started to branch out and lose some focus on comics. Heroes has a feel like cons did many years ago before many of the shows started to change. The best thing about Heroes? The show is GREAT from a comic art perspective. They get a ton of great artists and the atmosphere is much lower key than many of the “other” shows. They have a really fun comic art auction on Saturday night and the artists are pretty laid back and willing to discuss art, comics, etc. The price is cheaper than the other shows and the downtown Charlotte area (where the con is held) is a great atmosphere. I have not been to SDCC so I cannot compare but I have been to Chicago and NYCC and while those are good shows as well, they don’t stack up to Heroes. Heroes is my new show of choice and where I hope to go each year. Are you planning to incorporate sight seeing into your trip? If so, LA, NY, Chicago, etc. might have more to offer but in terms of a pure comic show perspective, Heroes is hard to beat.

Disclaimer: I was not paid in any way by the management of Heroes Con for the above endorsement

[joefixit2]

Pretty much exactly what Dave said.