Tag Archives: reed exhibitions

NYCC 11 – First Thoughts

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As always, I had an amazing time at a comic book convention.  While I go to check out the latest releases and the new talent in Artist’s Alley, it’s the friendships I’ve made that makes it worth it (sappy I know).  The 2011 New York Comic Con was fantastic and seemed about a quarter to 50% bigger this year than last.

While the floor was amazing, the convention rooms were a bit packed and there were quite a few panels I wasn’t able to get into (bummer).  Hopefully that gets fixed next year.  The people attending were fantastic with great costumes and attitudes that made it fun for everyone. The displays weren’t as impressive, I saw most at San Diego earlier this year.  But, I got to see my name on the cover of Archaia‘s Critical Millennium hard cover, I giggled every time I saw it.

Here’s the checklist of the thoughts on top of my head:

  • Always great seeing Charles Soule and Len Wallace (and Jessica), good friends and great talents.  I especially had fun sitting behind Charle’s table and selling some of his comics for a bit (27 and Strongman).  Also chatting with Drew Gaska as always was fun, some day we’ll figure out a time for a radio interview.
  • Fantastic to hang out with Chip “Cuddles” Mosher and get to know the comiXology crew.  They’re an upcoming tech company everyone should be watching.
  • I bumped in BOOM! Studios and Ross Ritchie and some of his team.  Such nice folks.
  • The CBLDF deserves your support people!  Get involved!
  • I still don’t get anime and manga but the GEN Manga folks were so nice.
  • I got to meet a great talent Palle Schmidt and can’t wait to spotlight him more.  So smart and interesting to talk to.  He opened my eyes on a few things I’ve covered with a better perspective.
  • The Reed Pop crew do an amazing job putting together shows.
  • Mel and Archaia, Filip and Top Cow are class acts, so happy to see them every show.

Best items I returned home with besides the stacks of comics and graphic novels to read…

  • A new guitar pic for Charles Soule‘s 27 in honor of the launch of the second volume
  • I finally bought show exclusives including Hasbro‘s Hulk and the Spidey/Fireman Mini-mate
  • I got Spidey Mega Blocks!
  • DC had one of the oddest promotions, a light up Kryptonite ice cube to promote Smallville.
  • I grabbed both AKA video games, such a creative promotion.

And that’s it for convention season for me…. until 2012.

Hobby Star Fan Expo vs. UFC Fan Expo – Fight!

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Pop culture conventions are in a resurgence across North America with what seems to be dozens of added shows in the last year.  Well, it looks like some of those cons will not be fighting it out in who has the best guests, coolest exclusives and biggest attendance.  Hobby Star Marketing, who handle the Toronto Fan Expo Convention, have filed an injunction against Zuffa LLC, which operates the Ultimate Fighting Championship league (UFC), and Reed Exhibitions over the name of Zuffa’s upcoming event, UFC Fan Expo.  That show is taking place in Toronto this weekend which also hosts the latest UFC pay-per-view event, UFC 128 which features some high profile fights including legend Randy Couture vs. Lyoto Machida and a title belt fight featuring headliners Georges St. Pierre vs. Jake Shields.

Hobby Star has filed a trade-mark infringement over the use of the term “fan expo” as well as the slogan “the ultimate fan experience.”  They’ve also taken issue with the website http://www.ufcexpon.com.  The lawsuit was filed in a  federal court in Toronto.  The UFC has held other events with the words “fan expo” throughout the world.  There’s no mention of those in this suit.

Zuffa is the primary defendant while Reed Exhibitions as the organizer is also mentioned.  What makes this more interesting is Reed Exhibitions puts together the New York Comic Con and New York Anime Festival.  Both of which could be seen as a competitor to Hobby Star’s Fan Expo.  Could this really just be bad blood between two comic book conventions?

Who knows how serious this is and how far in the courts it’ll go.  My gut tells me there’s more to this than a complaint over two words.  In the end, maybe one will give up in the fight and tap out?