User:ConCreator/sandbox

In mid 1969 the organization and creation of San Diego's First Comic Con was initiated over a coarse of four meetings by two separate groups of local comic book enthusiasts. One group included Shel Dorf and four young men, all of high school age or younger. The other group included Steve Garris and four friends, the youngest being 19 years of age. That group included Steve's brother, noted artist Philip Garris, Marvin Nelson, Robert Carbury and Mark Borneman. Of note, Steve Garris was elected as The Comic Con's first President by both groups and won by a single vote (5-4). Shel Dorf graciously removed himself from voting to prevent a tie.

The first two small comic book gatherings were each affectionately referred to as "The Comic Con" as were many following conventions. Much later the first two were incorrectly referred to by others as "minicons" The "first" Comic Con was held in a local San Diego recreation center gymnasium. It had less than 100 attendees but made enough money to insure a second gathering. The "second" Comic Con was held in the basement of the Grant Hotel and was attended by approximately 300 comic book enthusiasts.

Unfortunately the Comic Cons first president, Steve Garris, fell from a 150 foot cliff on January 1st 1970. He was confined to a body cast for over a year and was unable to attend the "second" Comic Con, or the following "third" larger convention, which was also held at the Grant Hotel. In 1970 it was renamed the Golden State Comic Book Convention by Shel Dorf and later contributors.