CGC attends Phoenix Cactus Comicon 2008
by Joshua Hanin
During the last weekend of January, CGC once again returned to the mountains of Mesa, Arizona for our second appearance at the Phoenix Cactus Comicon. Growing larger and larger with each year, this convention is one of the best opportunities on the West Coast to meet and greet your favorite comic creators and not have to wait in long lines. As always (as well as at all shows that CGC attends), we were there, ready to witness your prized books being signed and/or sketched by the talented writers and artists that attended this show - thus ensuring the authenticity of your signature and making them eligible for CGC's prestigious Signature Series designation. The coveted yellow label of our Signature Series program is much desired, but surprisingly, there are still people unaware of this service. During the Phoenix Cactus Comicon, we made sure to spread the word and introduce as many new customers as possible to the fact that this wonderful program exists.
In the last few months at the CGC offices there has been a surge in submissions of "Fallen Son #3 - Sketch Edition" and the Cactus Comicon proved that this book is still very hot! The blank cover on this book gives fans the opportunity to have their favorite artists personalize a sketch for them. With artists like David Finch, Arthur Suydam, Howard Chaykin, Whilce Portacio, Don Rosa, Clayton Crain, and Tone Rodriguez, among many others attending this show, it was a no-brainer for many fans to use this particular book to get their sketches done while being witnessed by CGC.
Only one book came in competition with the very popular "Fallen Son #3 - Sketch Edition" for being our biggest Signature Series submission of the weekend and that was the new Hulk #1. One of the reasons for the increase was that Hulk artist Ed McGuinness was at the Atomic Comics booth signing for most of the show and a few lucky fans had their books also signed by Hulk writer Jeph Loeb, whose signing time was more limited. One attendee took advantage of the fact that Lou Ferrigno (star of the Hulk television series) was attending and was able to get his signature as well as both creators' signatures on his copy of this popular book.
Our Magazine tier saw an increase in submissions because of the presence of Lou Ferrigno as fans submitted copies of Hulk Magazine signed by him and artist Howard Chaykin. Also popular were the special Star Wars issues of Famous Monster Magazine, which people brought to be signed by Peter Mayhew and Jeremy Bulloch, stars of the popular films.
The Phoenix Cactus Comicon is a great opportunity for Signature Series submissions. Not only will CGC be able to witness your autographs and sketches, but you will have bragging rights to your friends about the long one-on-one conversations that you enjoyed with your favorite comic talents because of the short lines. CGC's next couple stops will be WonderCon in San Francisco (February 22nd through the 24th) and MegaCon in Orlando (March 7th through the 9th). We will be taking regular submissions at these shows. Also, March 14th through the 16th, CGC will be at Wizard World Los Angeles, where we will not only be taking regular submissions but also grading on-site. These events would be great opportunities for you to finally try our Signature Series program. Hope to see you there!
