User:Connecticut ComiCONN/sandbox

== About == Connecticut ComiCONN (a.k.a. ComiCONN) is an annual convention focusing primarily on comic books and their creators, but the con also encompasses pop culture memorabilia, gaming, science fiction/fantasy/action films and television programs and cosplay. Started in 2010 the con is held in the South Western part of Connecticut near the New York border and is the with it's 2014 three day event and venue size comprised with of 300+ tables of dealers of comics, toys, collectibles and creator guests it is the largest con within 100 miles of the larger annual New York Comic Con. The show’s attendance has doubled year after year, as has its guest list, exhibitors and events making it the largest comic con of its kind in Connecticut. It has earned the reputation of a family, friendly fun event gathering fans of 'cool stuff' of all ages!

== History == Adding an extra “N” to the end of the word “comicon” utilizing the old postal state abbreviation “CONN” and to honor the state that it was located in, ComiCONNItalic text had its humble beginnings on as a one day event on May 15, 2010. The first ComiCONN was held at the Holiday Inn located in North Haven, Connecticut and was the first comic book focused event of its size in the state in over 15 years it was billed as “a show for the fans by the fans”. The con was so well publicized it had nearly 900 attendees and was featured on ABC’s “Nightline” which included an interview with Connecticut native, former actor Ray Hassett, who appeared in “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” (1980) “Superman: The Movie” (1978) and the James Bond film “The Spy Who Loved Me” (1977). The con had such notable comic creators as writer Ron Marz, artists; Jerry Ordway, Jamal Igle, Mike DeCarlo, Frank McLaughlin, legendary wrestler Ox Baker, and was to be attended by legendary DC Comics/Chartlon Comics artist/editor, and former Connecticut resident Dick Giordano, who sadly passed away weeks before the event. The show delivered on its promise as being a fan powered event leaving those who attended wanting more. In addition, the con also raised funds to support the Tommy Fund, a nonprofit charity that benefited the Yale-New Haven Pediatric Cancer Hospital. The con was widely popular and covered on all local television news, newspapers, radio programs and featured on podcasts; TheForce.cast, The IndyCast and many others.
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2011 The following year, ComiCONN was moved to a larger venue at the Stamford Plaza hotel in Stamford, CT on August 27, 2011. The guest list included "Star Wars" actor, Anthony Forrest, artists Matt Busch, former Marvel Comics artists Michael Golden, Mark McKenna, writers Paul Kupperberg, Bob Greenberger and others. The show was again well publicized and scheduled to appear on cable news channel; CNN, however due to Hurricane Irene which hit the east coast of the U.S, that weekend, many of the guests and attendees were forced to cancel their plans since airports, highways and even trains were shut down due to the massive storm. Despite the severe weather over 1500 fans braved the elements to attend the show, earning the con the nickname “the little con that can”

2012 In 2012, the show was officially rechristened “Connecticut ComiCONN” to clearly establish what state called the con home. Connecticut ComiCONN hit new heights in not only attendance but also featuring even more respected comic creators including; comic book and New York Times best-selling author Peter David, “Ben 10” creator Joe Kelly, artists Billy Tucci, Chris Giarrusso, Cliff Galbraith, Rob Bruce from AMC’s “Comic Book Men” and many others. Highlights included cosplayers, stormtrropers and Star Wars charcaters from the 501st Conn Squad and CT Jedi, including a mock “light saber” duel between the Dark Lord of the Sith and local WPLR deejay the Wigmaster. The con was also fortunate to have support and prizes donated by Hasbro, Robot Chicken, Lucasfilm, Activision and posters signed by Stan Lee. The con was held at the Marriott hotel in Trumbull, Connecticut on August 18, 2013 and was a smashing success with over 3,000 fans in attendance for the one day event. One artist went on to comment that he had earned more in sales at Connecticut ComiCONN than he had at one day at the much larger San Diego Comic Con.

2013 On August 24, 2013, Connecticut ComiCONNBold text had almost 6,000 folks in attendance and nearly 200 tables of exhibitors, dealers of toys, collectibles, toys, movie memorabilia and more. The guest list was once again impressive with more comic greats such as; J.M. DeMatteis, Tom DeFalco, Mark Bagley, Ron Garney, Tom Palmer, Joe Staton, Michael Jan Friedman, Danny Fingeroth, Jim Salicrup, “Ren & Stimpy” co-creator Bob Camp, “Thundercats” voice actor Larry Kenney, from the television series “Ghost Hunters International” Shannon Sylvia, “Comic Book Men”’s Ming Chen, Rob Bruce and Michael Zapcic, and the star of the comic book based series “The Flash” John Wesley Shipp. The con included a costume contest for both children and adults, a trivia contest, an arm-wrestling match between local WPLR deejay legend the Wigmaster and the “Man of Steel”. Also on hand were the 1966 Batmobile, 1966 Batcycle, R2-D2 Builders Dana Power and his Star Wars Landspeeder, a replica of the BatPod cycle from the film “The Dark Knight” and even a phone booth with a life size replica of actor Christopher Reeve clad in his iconic Superman costume.

2014 In Late 2013, due to the demands by its ever-growing attendance and needs for a larger venue, it was announced that Connecticut ComiCONN would be expanding to a three day event and be held in the Webster Bank Arena in nearby Bridgeport, located off Interstate 95, the Metro North and Amtrak Bridgeport train station and Port Jefferson Ferry dock. The larger venue allows Connecticut ComiCONN to host panels, gaming tournaments, cosplay contests and more exhibitors and guests. Connecticut ComiCONN continues to add to its impressive guest list by announcing that the show would have comic book artist David Finch among many of its guests and sport over 300 with dealers of comics, toys, original art, gaming and more and is expecting to have crowds over 10,000. The 5th annual Connecticut ComiCONN will be held on August 15 - 17, 2014.

== Reception == The action-packed 2014 Connecticut ComiCONN - The State's BIGGEST celebration of comic books, sci-fi, toys, collectibles and cosplay returns for its 5th annual family-friendly event at the bigger Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, CT during the weekend of August 15-17, 2014!

== Media Attenetion == Connecticut ComiCONN's success has gathered it unheard amount of media attention for a con of its brief history and size. The event has doubled its attendance year after year since its first show in 2010, CT ComiCONN is a phenomenon drawing media attention from CNN, ABC, PBS and a host of local radio and TV stations. It was filmed for ABC's "Nightline' and PBS's "NOVA", featured on dozens of newspaoers, radio, televison news, and podcasts, even spinning off it's very own podcast. The con is often cited by reporters for its unique publicity from social media, original comedy videos often depicting ComiCONN Mitch dressed as Captain America along with various cosplayers from the cosplay troupe the Hero Army and on the series "Con-Men" - a definite key to its vast appeal and attention from fans.

In Novemeber, 2013 titled "Mitch's ComiCONN-versations" recorded by promotoer "ComiCONNMitch" it features interviews with actors from Marvel's "The Avengers"; actors Tom Hiddleston, Clark Gregg, Chris Evans, "The Walking Dead" creator Robert Kirkman, "Batman" producer Michael Uslan and "Indiana Jones" stuntman Vic Armstrong among other comic book related professionals.

== Demographics == About 60 percent of attendees are male and 40 percent are female. There have been big gains in female attendance over the past few years, as ComiCONN moved beyond highlighting superhero movies. The average attendee is a male ages 16-34. Attendees have come from the Tr-Sate New York, New Jersey and Connectciut area, as well as fans from all over the North East from Maine to Maryland and as far as Autria.

Connecticut ComiCONN (aka ComiCONN)
== About == Connecticut ComiCONN (a.k.a. ComiCONN) is an annual convention focusing primarily on comic books and their creators, but the con also encompasses pop culture memorabilia, gaming, science fiction/fantasy/action films and television programs and cosplay. Started in 2010 the con is held in the South Western part of Connecticut near the New York border and is the with it's 2014 three day event and venue size comprised with of 300+ tables of dealers of comics, toys, collectibles and creator guests it is the largest con within 100 miles of the larger annual New York Comic Con. The show’s attendance has doubled year after year, as has its guest list, exhibitors and events making it the largest comic con of its kind in Connecticut. It has earned the reputation of a family, friendly fun event gathering fans of 'cool stuff' of all ages!

== Conventions == Adding an extra “N” to the end of the word “comicon” utilizing the old postal state abbreviation “CONN” and to honor the state that it was located in, ComiCONNItalic text had its humble beginnings on as a one day event on May 15, 2010. The first ComiCONN was held at the Holiday Inn located in North Haven, Connecticut and was the first comic book focused event of its size in the state in over 15 years it was billed as “a show for the fans by the fans”. The con was so well publicized it had nearly 900 attendees and was featured on ABC’s “Nightline” which included an interview with Connecticut native, former actor Ray Hassett, who appeared in “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” (1980) “Superman: The Movie” (1978) and the James Bond film “The Spy Who Loved Me” (1977). The con had such notable comic creators as writer Ron Marz, artists; Jerry Ordway, Jamal Igle, Mike DeCarlo, Frank McLaughlin, legendary wrestler Ox Baker, and was to be attended by legendary DC Comics/Chartlon Comics artist/editor, and former Connecticut resident Dick Giordano, who sadly passed away weeks before the event. The show delivered on its promise as being a fan powered event leaving those who attended wanting more. In addition, the con also raised funds to support the Tommy Fund, a nonprofit charity that benefited the Yale-New Haven Pediatric Cancer Hospital. The con was widely popular and covered on all local television news, newspapers, radio programs and featured on podcasts; TheForce.cast, The IndyCast and many others.
 * }

2011 The following year, ComiCONN was moved to a larger venue at the Stamford Plaza hotel in Stamford, CT on August 27, 2011. The guest list included "Star Wars" actor, Anthony Forrest, artists Matt Busch, former Marvel Comics artists Michael Golden, Mark McKenna, writers Paul Kupperberg, Bob Greenberger and others. The show was again well publicized and scheduled to appear on cable news channel; CNN, however due to Hurricane Irene which hit the east coast of the U.S, that weekend, many of the guests and attendees were forced to cancel their plans since airports, highways and even trains were shut down due to the massive storm. Despite the severe weather over 1500 fans braved the elements to attend the show, earning the con the nickname “the little con that can”

2012 In 2012, the show was officially rechristened “Connecticut ComiCONN” to clearly establish what state called the con home. Connecticut ComiCONN hit new heights in not only attendance but also featuring even more respected comic creators including; comic book and New York Times best-selling author Peter David, “Ben 10” creator Joe Kelly, artists Billy Tucci, Chris Giarrusso, Cliff Galbraith, Rob Bruce from AMC’s “Comic Book Men” and many others. Highlights included cosplayers, stormtrropers and Star Wars charcaters from the 501st Conn Squad and CT Jedi, including a mock “light saber” duel between the Dark Lord of the Sith and local WPLR deejay the Wigmaster. The con was also fortunate to have support and prizes donated by Hasbro, Robot Chicken, Lucasfilm, Activision and posters signed by Stan Lee. The con was held at the Marriott hotel in Trumbull, Connecticut on August 18, 2013 and was a smashing success with over 3,000 fans in attendance for the one day event. One artist went on to comment that he had earned more in sales at Connecticut ComiCONN than he had at one day at the much larger San Diego Comic Con.

2013 On August 24, 2013, Connecticut ComiCONNBold text had almost 6,000 folks in attendance and nearly 200 tables of exhibitors, dealers of toys, collectibles, toys, movie memorabilia and more. The guest list was once again impressive with more comic greats such as; J.M. DeMatteis, Tom DeFalco, Mark Bagley, Ron Garney, Tom Palmer, Joe Staton, Michael Jan Friedman, Danny Fingeroth, Jim Salicrup, “Ren & Stimpy” co-creator Bob Camp, “Thundercats” voice actor Larry Kenney, from the television series “Ghost Hunters International” Shannon Sylvia, “Comic Book Men”’s Ming Chen, Rob Bruce and Michael Zapcic, and the star of the comic book based series “The Flash” John Wesley Shipp. The con included a costume contest for both children and adults, a trivia contest, an arm-wrestling match between local WPLR deejay legend the Wigmaster and the “Man of Steel”. Also on hand were the 1966 Batmobile, 1966 Batcycle, R2-D2 Builders Dana Power and his Star Wars Landspeeder, a replica of the BatPod cycle from the film “The Dark Knight” and even a phone booth with a life size replica of actor Christopher Reeve clad in his iconic Superman costume.

2014 In Late 2013, due to the demands by its ever-growing attendance and needs for a larger venue, it was announced that Connecticut ComiCONN would be expanding to a three day event and be held in the Webster Bank Arena in nearby Bridgeport, located off Interstate 95, the Metro North and Amtrak Bridgeport train station and Port Jefferson Ferry dock. The larger venue allows Connecticut ComiCONN to host panels, gaming tournaments, cosplay contests and more exhibitors and guests. Connecticut ComiCONN continues to add to its impressive guest list by announcing that the show would have comic book artist David Finch among many of its guests and sport over 300 with dealers of comics, toys, original art, gaming and more and is expecting to have crowds over 10,000. The 5th annual Connecticut ComiCONN will be held on August 15 - 17, 2014.

== Reception == The action-packed 2014 Connecticut ComiCONN - The State's BIGGEST celebration of comic books, sci-fi, toys, collectibles and cosplay returns for its 5th annual family-friendly event at the bigger Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, CT during the weekend of August 15-17, 2014!

== Media Attenetion == Connecticut ComiCONN's success has gathered it unheard amount of media attention for a con of its brief history and size. The event has doubled its attendance year after year since its first show in 2010, CT ComiCONN is a phenomenon drawing media attention from CNN, ABC, PBS and a host of local radio and TV stations. It was filmed for ABC's "Nightline' and PBS's "NOVA", featured on dozens of newspaoers, radio, televison news, and podcasts, even spinning off it's very own podcast.

The con is often cited by reporters for its unique publicity from social media, original comedy videos often depicting ComiCONN Mitch dressed as Captain America along with various cosplayers from the cosplay troupe the Hero Army and on the series "Con-Men" - a definite key to its vast appeal and attention from fans.

ComiCONN-Versations Podcast In Novemeber, 2013 titled "Mitch's ComiCONN-versations" recorded by promotoer "ComiCONNMitch" it features interviews with actors from Marvel's "The Avengers"; actors Tom Hiddleston, Clark Gregg, Chris Evans, "The Walking Dead" creator Robert Kirkman, "Batman" producer Michael Uslan and "Indiana Jones" stuntman Vic Armstrong among other comic book related professionals.

== Demographics == About 60 percent of attendees are male and 40 percent are female. There have been big gains in female attendance over the past few years, as ComiCONN moved beyond highlighting superhero movies. The average attendee is a male ages 16-34. Attendees have come from the Tr-Sate New York, New Jersey and Connectciut area, as well as fans from all over the North East from Maine to Maryland and as far as Autria.

Website: www.comiconn.com

--Connecticut ComiCONN (talk) 03:17, 26 January 2014 (UTC)