Chicago Comic-Con 2009: Preview Night and Day One

They say that denial is the first stage of grief.

CEO of Wizard Entertainment, Gareb Shamus, told the Daily Herald this week --

We're expecting record attendance... We're absolutely committed to the show and its location. As far as I'm concerned, we'll be there forever.

Which is certainly what the business owners of Rosemont, IL, want to hear --

"A good portion of the hotel rooms will be occupied, and our restaurants absolutely thrive during an event like this," said Chris Stephens, general manager of the [Rosemont] convention center. "Plus, it's fun to see the fans who dress up walking down River Road."

Indeed it is, Chris.  Fun for all.

Supergirl has chin stubble

Man in golden undies buys glass bong from the booth with the neon samurai swords  

But an elite operative for Publishers Weekly's The Beat news blog of comics culture filed a very revealing report on the what the Chicago Comic-Con's Thursday "Preview Night" scene was like --

The entire show has of course been re-branded “Chicago Comic-Con” on the signage and con program. No mention of “Wizard World” anywhere!

It's true!  On my way in I spotted the hastily assembled "Chicago Comic-Con" branding --

Simple banner at lobby entrance

Entrance to Exhibit Hall

More from PW's Beat --

The best action was in the Artists Alley, since Chicago is still a great “comics pro” hometown and there’s always a renewable source of indie artists looking to sell their art and promote their newest comic.

I noticed this too.  Without any major exhibitors on the main convention floor, the mostly local talent in Artists Alley was buzzing more than usual this year.

And Wizard, to their credit, extended a higher level of service to the Artists Alley creators, who are mostly independents subsidizing the comics industry in even these depressed financial times with money from their day jobs.

This Artist Alley directory they put up was new this year 

But it looks like the Chicago Comic-Con's main Windy City rival, the Chicago Comics & Entertainment Expo (C2E2), which debuts at McCormick Place next April, is throwing an after-con party at the famous Chicago Comics store Saturday night --

via Twitter 

Looking for something to do tonight? Chicago Comics is throwing a party! Details at www.C2E2.com!

-- Perhaps trying to make Wizard's moribund Chicago Comic-Con irrelevant one year earlier?

More on that next time.