Baltimore Comic-Con 2003 will be in less than a month. To be held the weekend of September 20 and 21, 2003, at the Baltimore Convention Center, the con will be celebrating its fourth year in existence. The guest list is extensive and includes Jim Lee, Mark Waid, Geoff Johns, George Perez, Frank Cho, Judd Winick, Greg Rucka and many more. Last year’s con was of interest to many for a number of reasons, including the Fantastic Four 60 (Waid and Mike Wieringo’s first issue) giveaway (inserted into copies of the local newspaper, The Baltimore Sun). Last year, amidst the convention’s many events, it raised money for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF). This year, More Fund Comics, a star-spangled anthology benefiting the CBLDF, will debut at the con. To find out about plans for this year’s convention, SBC interviewed the convention’s promoter, retailer Marc Nathan. Nathan opened his Baltimore comic book store—Cards, Comics & Collectibles—almost 20 years ago. He also pursued another passion, baseball, by being the Baltimore Orioles mascot—the Oriole Bird--from 1986 to 1990, and then becoming the mascot for the Bowie Baysox (the Orioles AA team) in 1997-1998 (he helped develop the mascot and the minor league team’s public relations program). He has been the Baltimore Comic-Con show promoter since its inception (all four years).
Tim O’Shea: This year marks the fourth year for the con. By most accounts, with each year the show improves substantially, which is really notable given that last year the con was held in the midst of the sniper chaos. What were some of the other larger challenges (logistics and otherwise) that you faced at last year's con.
Marc Nathan: Some of things that we faced last year that we had not faced before when the show was at the Towson Sheraton were more about logistics than anything. Folks had trouble in parking, this year most have learned that light rail, Metro and MARC trains go right to the Convention Center. Hotels are plentiful and beautiful, but in some cases a little pricey. Much like Philly. I think that took a few people aback. Other than that, the downtown area is perfect for what we are trying to do. Great night life, right on the water. Lots to do and easy to get around.
TO: What lessons did you learn from last year, that going forward will help make this year even more entertaining?
MN: The only lesson really is that some things are out of anyone’s control. Weather, snipers and football. For those out there who would say" why did you put the show’s dates against a Ravens game" I'd say when are they playing in 2004 because my dates are already set.
TO: Your approach as a retailer and as a con organizer is distinctive, partially because of your perspective/philosophy toward marketing. How much do you credit your success/management style to your earlier marketing/public relations career in the Baltimore Orioles organization?
MN: A lot. The five years I had with the Orioles public relations helped me see things on a much bigger picture. When you believe in your product and you have a good understanding on how some else MIGHT enjoy it too, it becomes important to try to reach them. At the Orioles, we had one program after another to try to reach every age. And we never stopped. We worked harder at in the winter than in summer if you can believe that. Same thing applies. You have to try every avenue. It won't work unless you are sure that other people could be interested in your product.
TO: In the end, what kind of more mainstream recognition/elevated profile did the con garner with the Fantastic Four giveaway last year? Were there one or two memorable reactions to the FF promo that sticks out in your mind? What do you hope to pull off this year to top last year's attention grabber?
MN: The Fantastic Four #60 idea must have worked, right? Did not Marvel and the NY Post do the same thing with Ultimate X-Men? It's very expensive to do. Contrary to what everyone thinks, Marvel DID charge me more than 9 cents a copy. The Baltimore Sun did charge me a large insertion fee. To get all that money back through the turnstiles was an impossible task. So from that end, which what many folks would gage, it did not work. However, there was a much more desired effect which did work. It isn't always about dollars and cents. It’s about a long-term commitment to what we do. The Baltimore Comic-Con wasn't just promoting itself for 2003...it will have an effect for a generation and it has already helped in this year.
TO: You manage the con along with your wife, Bonnie. What skills/experience/knowledge does she bring to the project that you consider essential to its success?
MN: Bonnie is a General Manager of a major restaurant chain. She brings a certain hospitality to the show that can't be beat. I put it together and she's the boss on game day. She's brilliant, ask any of our guests.
TO: At one point there were plans for the Small Press Expo (SPX) to shift to Baltimore this year. But due to communications snafus within SPX and other factors, this move has pushed back to 2004. What value do you hope to add to the Baltimore Comicon with the inclusion of SPX next year?
MN: The SPX question is one that even if I wanted to answer I could not because it is still evolving. Check back.
TO: How did it come to pass that More Fund Comics will debut at Baltimore?
MN: More Fund Comics, an anthology that will greatly benefit the CBLDF will debut at the show this year. We made a lot of money for the fund last year and wanted to top it. One night in January, myself Frank Cho and John Gallagher and a few others were having dinner and we spoke on how to go about beating the total raised last year. John had just completed his collection of Buzzboy and was tuned in to make a trade. The idea to ask mainstream creators to fill the book was a reflection of our annual guest list. Frank got on the phone, I asked George Perez, who received his Defender of Liberty award in a ceremony in Bonnie’s restaurant, Charles Brownstein got permission from Marvel for the Hulk cover and big name creators with stories came flowing in. At the show, we will also have an auction for some of the art, including the Perez cover. We hope to make a zillion dollars for the Fund. Frank Cho and Scott Kurtz will be launching a new strip in the book that will make the book important for years to come.
MN: Steve Conley has told me that he intends to make the Baltimore Comic-Con issue of Astounding Space Thrills a sketch cover. I think he's crazy, but everyone will not only get a free comic from Steve, but a sketch too. This could be the end of Mr. Conley.
TO: As a retailer who attends cons in addition to running one, what cons strike you as having the understanding and execution/follow-through to succeed?
MN: I would not want to point a good or bad finger at any show promoter but I think everyone does the best job the can with the money and time they have. The shows that have been around a long time are doing lots of things well. I like most every show I attend, that's why you see me everywhere.
