When I was a kid, my dad and I would go fishing a lot.  No matter where we went, what time of year or whatever weather we almost always heard the same thing: You should have been here last week - when the fishing was really good.

That's the feeling I got attending the Anaheim Comic Con today and Friday - I probably should have been there on Saturday.  Unfortunately, I couldn't so I went in-between the show's busiest day.  

Today you really got an end-of-show feeling.  Booth denziens were looking a little ragged; merchandise was discounted, and there wasn't a lot of people there when we walked in at 10:00am.

I didn't stay until the end of the show today but I did stay until about 2:00pm and it unfortunately seemed light in attendance all throughout. I really thought there would be more people there today.  Sunday is usually a zoo at San Diego Comic Con.

As I walked the hall with OCSWA board member and fanboy Victor Phan, I talked to the booth inhabitants about their impressions on the show.  I didn't hear any serious griping about the event organizers or the setup which is good news.  Most felt the space was adequate and even generous.  Some of the vendors I questioned said they were happy with the event attendance on whole and some not.

Both Victor and I noticed that, unlike the big Con, this one you could see everything which was nice.  There is such a thing as too much success.  In San Diego, you really can't even move at times through the aisles.  Here you could and it was much appreciated. 

Most of the celebs were still signing; the Jedi Knights and 501st Legion were still walking the hall and faux fighting, and there were plenty of costumed fans so the energy got higher as the morning wore on even given the lighter-than-expected turnout.  I'm sure next year will be better and better attended.  The organizers obviouly have enough room to grow.

I liked some of what the organizers tried to accomplish regarding the dancing girls of scifi, some of the kids stuff and the "B" celebrities in attendance.  The food was terrible, though.  I'm still belching up the horrible vegetarian egg rolls I ate there today.  Insipid and greasy - not a great combo.  The coffee was good.

Perhaps as the show grows there will be more panels and workshops.  That's become a big part of San Diego Comic Con and it was missing here.  A lot of excitement is generated in the S.D. Con by the idea of listenting to and talking to some of the writers and creators of the various comics, movies and Internet properties.

All in all, today was fun (as was Friday) and I think the organizers have to count the whole event as a success.  Wizard, the company behind this event, is also doing events in various other big cities like Atlanta, Philly, Austin, etc. - 12 in all.  Anaheim was the first.

Perhaps with some additions to the slate, better notice, better press and better word of mouth this event will someday rival the big daddy in San Diego.  I certainly hope it will continue.  It was a solid thumbs up for me and I'm looking forward to going back next year...

Many thanks to the organizers and to Jerry Milani who helped with the press passes and press kits.

Next week - on to the Newport Beach Film Festival