This Is How My Last Comic Convention of 2023 Went - Des Moines Con 2023 Recap

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[@majesticcollectiblesIA]

My son just found your video of the DSM Con and sent me a link! Thanks so much for the kind words, it's much appreciated! I wish I had more time to shop at the convention and check out other booths, but I was pretty much locked in place most of the time. The cartoon comics came from a 35,000 book collection located in SW Minnesota. The story I was told was that they were unsold copies that the local distributor didn't destroy like they were supposed to. I still have several long boxes of cartoon comics remaining and have 20+ copies of certain issues. I doubt I'll ever see a collection like that again!

[@CoMoComicBooks]

That’s quite a haul! It was really fun for me to dig through all of those things. Took me back to being a kid and flipping through the spinner racks at the local grocery store!

[@beckermin]

Been going to cons annually since 2001 and my trip last week to Heroescon was one of my best. Definitely the best con I've been to in the last decade. All about comics and the dealers came to move books.

[@CoMoComicBooks]

Heroes is the premiere actual COMIC convention in the country. It’s unlike any other show I’ve ever seen and I hope to see it again and regularly. Glad to hear you had a good show!

[@seadogswork]

My home community is located at about the midpoint between Chicago and Des Moines. That seller that you mentioned with the overpriced 9.2 Spider-man sets up at local shows that we have here, from time to time. The first time I visited his booth at one of these local shows, he had a lower-midgrade raw copy of Brenda Starr (Superior) #9 (July, 1949) that I was interested in. It features a delightfully wacky cover depicting Brenda fending off a quartet of pint-sized gangsters (popping out from file drawers) with a giant pencil. I think it was sticker-priced at $240, and it was definitely pre-pandemic and before the more recent surge in prices for interesting esoteric precode books. At $240 it was priced well above then-current market (in my opinion). So I asked for his best price on the book, and he told me that $240 WAS his best price, and that it would be firm. Well, any owner is entitled to price his stuff as he pleases, but I quickly concluded that this dealer needed that book more than I did, and so I moved on, feeling frustrated. If he'd adjusted the price even just a little I probably would have pulled the trigger. Looking at his other offerings, though, seemed to confirm over-market prices on pretty much everything. A similar experience followed, the next time this seller set up in my community, with nothing at all off sticker price, when I asked about another book in the same price range. And nearly the same story a third time, maybe six months later (he did propose $10 off on an expensive (and, again, over-market) comic). And then yet another similar episode after that. Regrettably, the man always has something (and often lots of stuff) that interests me, but I have yet to consummate a purchase with him. And now I don't even look to see what he has available. What would be the point? I guess I'd rather pass right by his booth, than to waste any time looking at overpriced books that I have no reason to believe that I would be able to purchase. As to Airboy Comics, though, I met that dealer at one of our local shows, too, and really enjoyed talking to him - very sensible about his stuff, and a real comic book guy, in the best old school sense of the phrase, with lots of passion for the hobby, and very good taste.

[@CoMoComicBooks]

It’s a tough balance to keep pricing books, so I can understand it. Especially if you’re buying too of the market and then having to sell when the market has slumped. That said, if you discourage too many buyers, especially what would seem like regular buyers, I imagine that sooner or later you run out of buyers. It didn’t break my heart that we couldn’t make a deal, but overpaying for run filler issues is one way to take an already extremely expensive goal and turn it into a ludicrously expensive goal.

[@PapasDino]

Thanks for letting us ride along vicariously Drew! Not many shows here in eastern Virginia.

[@Gammaworlds]

I agree, it’s unfortunate as I believe we have a good comic book market.

[@CoMoComicBooks]

Bummer! I know our buddy Automatic Comics has a few shows out that way that he has some luck with. Though East Virginia is a pretty wide area, so it may not be worthwhile for you.

[@leeniren3706]

I absolutely love your stopping between each booth to explain what you saw, and what was on display. It gave much more content to the video and made me feel almost as if I was standing there with you. I wish more people would follow this example. Thank you so much.

[@joshuaalvey]

I appreciate the nostalgia buys, not everything has to be spec for profit. Thanks for this vid

[@CoMoComicBooks]

I definitely got tired of spec during the boom. It’s still fun in small doses, but I’d much rather talk about comics that are fun or harken back to those after school days or Saturday mornings of yesteryear!

[@calebleland8390]

Things went sideways, so I didn't get to go this year. I was looking forward to meeting you down there. Looks like it was a fun time.

[@CoMoComicBooks]

We definitely had a good trip, but just didn’t do enough business to warrant loading everything up and dragging it back up there next year. Unless there is a conflict, I wouldn’t be surprised if we popped in for a day or two for some shopping though!

[@philcamacho127]

Nice footage. Thanks for taking us with you. Because of distance, I'll probably be unable to ever attend this one. Also, there's so many closer to me on eastcoast I still haven't been to. I agree that Gene is a very nice dealer with an amazing collection. The few times I met him, his booth was hopping w inquiries. Please keep taking taking us (less fortunate) subscribers to future cons!! 👌😊

[@CoMoComicBooks]

Don’t mention it Phil! I’m glad to hear you enjoy the con footage. I wasn’t sure how it would play, so the feedback is quite helpful!

[@jamesortiz3425]

I have to hand it to you Como, I haven't been to a comic show since the price of getting in skyrocketed beyond 20 dollars!!! I didn't even go to any shows anymore because of prices it's gotten ridiculous! 🥺

[@CoMoComicBooks]

The smaller one day shows is really where it’s at. Not that I’m surprised that old school is the best school though. I’m fortunate that between KC and STL there are lots of smaller, more affordable shows. And I’m starting my own here in Columbia too!

[@jamesortiz3425]

@@CoMoComicBooks Good luck, my friend, and. May the best of anything you do , go well for U!!! 🤗

[@vancouvercomicjunkie4508]

You never fail to impress with your videos man. The comic community appreciates it!

[@CoMoComicBooks]

Thanks for the kind words man! Your IG posts with your latest VHS pickups make me all sorts of envious! I appreciate getting to live vicariously through your collection!

[@dandelatorre1870]

I’m with you Drew, I miss the true ComicCons which focused on comic books.

[@jesselynch1928]

Drew I am so glad you got your Darkwing Duck 1.

[@Pancajayna]

Hail Ripperverse!!!

[@uglyewok6715]

Dealers are over extended. Spent big on inventory and now are over priced. I can tell things are slowing down considerably. My LCS has a raw copy of GI Joe 21 for a good price… been sitting there for 6 months. That is a bell weather book…. Would have sold almost instantly a year and a half ago.

[@CoMoComicBooks]

FOMO has definitely moderated a lot as well. I feel like as buyers we’re all more discerning today. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

[@michaelll]

The YT algorithm popped up this video from you I no idea you were out of Columbia. Im from there too. I recently moved but i still worn out of Columbia. Do you have a store in town??

[@CoMoComicBooks]

Hi Michael! No store here in town, we just do shows and conventions, but I am putting on a show at the Knights of Columbus Hall here in Columbia on August 19th!

[@dandelatorre1870]

My only suggestion is you slow down the video footage of the back wall comics and comics of note.

[@thatlostinspaceguy]

ANOTHER Awesome Video! 😉

[@CoMoComicBooks]

Thanks for checking it out Spike!!!

[@The_Troll_Lord]

Any Con attended is a good Con in my book!

[@CoMoComicBooks]

I have seen some bad ones, but this one definitely wasn’t one of those. Sales just weren’t where they needed to be to justify dragging everything up there next year, but I suspect we’ll still drive up and do some shopping.

[@jacob_comics]

Thanks for the shoutout was great meeting you at the show!!

[@CoMoComicBooks]

Likewise! I suspect you’ll see us again at some point in the future.

[@staticxtreme27]

I have a massive soft spot for 80's and 90's cartoon/video game comics, so those Sonics looked awesome! Unfortunately, everyone has caught on and now the prices of those books are getting outrageous, but that's all part of the hobby! Thanks for sharing!

[@CoMoComicBooks]

It’s definitely not like it was when all kids comics from the 90s were instantly dumped into the $1 boxes anymore.

[@timothybrandt6911]

Gene is awesome! I've done shows with him all over NC and SC.

[@CoMoComicBooks]

Such a good guy. He always has remarkable stuff too!

[@supersteve76]

In my experience (and in my opinion), conventions are supposed to be a place to find killer deals. Vendors should be pushing product out, liquidating the stock they dont want or need. Comic Cons are probably the only cons that are all about price gouging.

[@CoMoComicBooks]

Yeah, that’s definitely not the way at a comic convention. Cons are for premium books, shows tend to be where the deals live and bulk moves.

[@jedimasterham2]

2:30 The music is pretty nice! What artist?

[@gkarman]

I went to my first show and it was difficult to find comics; funko galore but few books...

[@CoMoComicBooks]

Big conventions are turning more and more into pop culture cons, under the name of a comic convention. I prefer smaller local or regional shows to big conventions. Hopefully you can find something similar in your area.

[@siner2442]

I’ve never been to a Con… but I’d feel like the smaller ones are a better environment for me. No huge lines,exclusive covers and Artist charging $20 for a signature… also u love those Tales from the Crypt 😂

[@CoMoComicBooks]

Small shows are great! And yes I do love my Tales from the Crypt!

[@tensixtythreecomics]

Video looks great! Well done! How did you film it? What camera and where was it? How was it walking around like that? I was just at Niagara Falls comic con and bought a 9.2 uncanny 120. Same story price was 2022 high 425 can. Walked away and then again and guy came after me and adjusted his price. Ended up getting it for 300 can.

[@CoMoComicBooks]

Thanks! It’s a GoPro with a backpack strap mount. A trick I picked up from Froggy Flips when I met him in Indy!

[@tensixtythreecomics]

@@CoMoComicBooks cool thanks!

[@Nerdsonearth]

I love Froggy Flips.

[@alexmathewmendoza]

Fun box, you say? 😏😝

[@magicgeeks1955]

I’ve got a nhcc white variant if you need one

[@CoMoComicBooks]

I could definitely be interested. I’d prefer a raw copy or a mid-grade slab, similar to the copy of the error variant #4 reprint I picked up. I want/need the issue, but I’m not worried about having a 9.2+ copy.

[@chadmagee4107]

Did you find any early Prize Comics or Frankenstein Comics at that event?

[@CoMoComicBooks]

I saw a couple of issues of Frankenstein, but I don’t recall seeing any Prize. Very easily could have over looked it though.

[@dandelatorre1870]

Wow, why didn’t this guy simply make photo copies of the trade dress and post those on his comic dividers???!!! 😳

[@MichaelHollen]

Drew, do you know the name of the vendors you showcased at the show?

[@CoMoComicBooks]

Hi Michael! Just the ones where I mentioned their names unfortunately.

[@MichaelHollen]

@@CoMoComicBooks I’m one of the many many collectors looking to fill in an ASM run and always on the look out for spider keys at decent deals, especially at cons that are 1,000 miles from me.😂

[@stampscapes]

Cool vid. Maybe rather than adding on a full extra day, they should just have a Friday night preview night so there wouldn't be a full day of added expenses. That's what some coordinators used to do in my industry. Set up by Friday morning/afternoon with a preview night from 6-9pm or so.

[@CoMoComicBooks]

If it were a primary comic show, I’d agree, but I think their bread and butter is the celebs and guests, so from that approach it makes sense. They’re going to make their money off of ticket sales and don’t have to be too concerned about sales like vendors do.

[@chadnelson1150]

Looks like some decent PCH horror at the con. Verrrry nice! Just don't see it often at cons. Or much of it. You guys have a shop in Columbia, Mizzou?

[@chadnelson1150]

Read some of the comments. No shop. Live in Omaha NE. Would definitely swing by to check out the Columbia comic book scene.

[@CoMoComicBooks]

Yeah, I’m a weekend warrior when it comes to the comic selling game. Though, I am putting on a one day comic show here in Columbia on August 19th! I’ll have a large setup and I believe we’re up to 15 other vendors at this point.

[@daviclar867]

Heard Superman #1 sold for a million dollars less than last sold. Same copy. Obviously it was too soon to turn around to flip that book.

[@CoMoComicBooks]

There have definitely been some hard drops this year. We just got out over our skis and had to smack our face into the water to get back to reality.

[@RealTechGeek]

Why would be this you're last con? It is only June lol 😆 😂

[@CoMoComicBooks]

I’ve got some smaller shows on the schedule, but this is the last multi-day con we’re setting up at. The midwest shows start pretty early in the year and the coasts get most of the summer and fall shows.

[@horvathsogranfume658]

how much did they want on startling 49? that 5.5 is siiiiiiick, i dont care if its restored

[@CoMoComicBooks]

Great book right? I believe he had $9,000 on it. The thing about that book, it was unnecessarily restored and would be a great candidate for resto removal.

[@horvathsogranfume658]

@@CoMoComicBooks definitely a grail for me!

[@bestcore1214]

Sure beats cons in Montreal!

[@CoMoComicBooks]

Not the best up there? That’s a bummer. The Midwest, specifically St. Louis has a pretty storied history of shows and conventions.

[@eggplantcomics8336]

Just a crazy suggestion but maybe next time describe the video before showing it not after.

[@CoMoComicBooks]

THANK YOU! I’ve asked a couple of people what their opinions were on that. I couldn’t decide which way to go with and just flipped the coin.

[@eggplantcomics8336]

@@CoMoComicBooks the reason why I mentioned it is you pointed out some cool things I missed so you’d have to rewind if you wanted to see what you described. Either way it’s great content.

[@mathchemboss7487]

You have to take a class or two on how to film something. Really, when I can't see any of the books clearly, why do you film at all. I am very interested in shows like this, but not when the footage is so bad, After 5 minutes I quit... too bad

[@CoMoComicBooks]

Thanks for watching. I hope you’re able to find the kind of content you’re looking for.