As for gear: Backpack, want list, comics to be signed, a bottle of water (trust me).

You should be able to do fine around the dealer tables with just a backpack unless you plan on purchasing quite a few books. If I buy a large amount, say a long box, I usually will take them on out to my truck and lock them away.

For your want list, you can get by with the ole paper and pen, but I highly recommend a PDA. It's easy to keep your collection on, samll enough to use in at a crowded dealer table.

Comics to be signed is a must if you are going for autographs. Get there early as there might be a line. Some collectors take a stack out books, but this is kinda rude to the other people waiting. I always try to keep it to 3 things. Usually 2 comics and 1 comic card (if the artist has had one printed). Why a card? I like to display these on my desk as mini atuos and it reminds me of meeting that person. You also can ask for a "sketch", but be respectful if they decline. Some artist will take time to do that, others won't. Just be polite. Sometimes you can come back after the line dies down abit and the artist will be more likey to do a sketch as there will not be as many people waiting.

A bottle of water?? Yes, you will get hot and such mingling in and out of the crowd. Having a bottle of water in your backpack is always nice when you want to "take 5" over in a quite corner away from the crowd. Sometimes there are soda machines around the show, sometimes there is nothing. Better to be prepared.

Dress up or wear a comic shirt? Absolutely!! This is the time to totally "geek out". Who cares at a show, right?

Make a day/weekend of it and most of all just have fun. That's what comics are about!

1. Feel free to wear as geeked out an outfit as you want. There will ALWAYS be someone there more geeky than you.

2. Check to see what pros (artists, authors, executives) will be there, and highlight the ones you REALLY want to meet. If you manage to meet the others, it's a bonus, but at least you'll know who to hit first.

3. Large Cons usually have a floor plan posted on their site before the show begins. Print it out and make notes. Put stars on the booths that you want to visit. You will probably have to write names on the floor plan as well. It usually is just a layout with booth numbers.

4. If you are taking books to be signed, I recommend a rolling cart and a short box to put them in. I use comic dividers (you can get them at a LCS that carries supplies) to seperate the comics by whos sig I want. I print labels of the names, but you can just as easily get labels and write the names by hand. That way if you run across the person you want sigs from, you can just pull out the issues in a jiffy and hand them over. BIG NOTE HERE... ALWAYS take them out of the bags and boards before handing them to the pro. They'll like you even more.

5. Make sure to chat with them while they sign your comics. Regardless of how "cool" they want to look, they enjoy hearing how much you love their work. Be as detailed as you like. An example: When I met Bryan Hitch, I had him sign a sketch cover to a book that originally came in a super glossy version. I mentioned that I enjoyed the sketch much more, since you could see details in his art that were blotted out by the heavy reds and oranges on the glossy regular cover. He chatted with me longer than anyone else in line, because I took time out to mention something specific about the thing he loves doing. I also told him I loved his shirt, and he found me the next day to show me the inside of his jacket. He will remember me anytime he sees me. That's how I've made friends in the industry, and trust me, there's NOTHING cooler than having friends that draw and write comics!

6. If you're planning on getting any sketches, make sure to get there EARLY and RUN to the artist you want the most. Their lists fill up quickly and that's the only way you can guarantee you'll get some art done especially for you. MAKE SURE you don't just run over people walking though. It's inconsiderate and people will really hate that. Personal space is VERY small at conventions already - and nobody has manners anymore. I make sure to be considerate of the people around me, and in turn, people treat me with the same respect (in most cases). A lot of people were apparently raised in barns. ;)

7. Buy what you like! If you're getting some higher priced books, do that first so you'll know what your budget is for the dollar and fifty cent bins. That way you won't go home wondering where all your money went. You'll have some really nice books in your hands.

Last, but not least, HAVE FUN!! Talk to people, make friends, get to know the dealers. We know a lot of the vendors now after going to many many shows, and it translates into very reasonable deals. Sometimes we get almost 70% off the price shown because the dealer knows us and knows how much we love comics. Most of them got started by just loving comics too. Your enthusiasm will make them happy.

Karen has been interested in comics since dinosaurs roamed the earth. She loves all genres including Horror, Superhero, Mythology, and Grant Morrison.

1) Note pad and several pens.
2) Mail tube for art and posters.
3) If you have the Money a pull cart of some sort. I have one the that looks like a file box that expands and hold a short box and also has room for sketch books. Or you can use a back pack.
4) Spare comic Bags and boards for your newly aquired booty.
5) all ways go online to the Con your going too and plan out your days.

You don't have to stick to the plans you make but they can help get the most out of your day. Like what Panels to go to or whos signing and when/where. As Far as what to chose. that's personal preferrence from what I can see. East cost for K and I was Heroes Con. and then Baltimore. We will go to Wizard World events, but they can be costly. Oh last but not least a digital camra for those sweet moments with an artist or writer. I hope this helped.

Sean has been collecting off and on for 15 years, it was not untill he got married that he really found some one to share the hobby with and go all out collecting. He was a Marvel collector only but now is into all comic vendors. "I love to read and that's what's important."

Also, DC and Marvel usually have panel discussions where people from those companies discuss upcoming events and answer questions. Those are usually fun to go to and the times will also be in that program you'll be given.

Dress comfortably cause it will get warm and you'll be on your feet almost the entire time. If you have any comic-related shirts, that's always a plus to wear. It's great to wear something like that at a con and not be judged like you would outside the con.

Also, bring a bag with you or rolling cart to carry whatever books you bring to get signed, as well as for whatever you buy. Most vendors will provide you with a plastic bag, but sometimes you don't want to have them out in the open.

There will be those at the con that will be a bit "elitist" and also fit the stereotypical comic collector. It's best to ignore them and not get into any sort of debate because, "never argue with a fool - people may not know the difference.".

Bring a list of whatever books you want to buy, it'll come in handy so you don't buy something you already have. Plus, vendors will sometimes take a look at your list and will help you look for those books.

Bring a camera if you want to take pics of yourself being with certain people or for the whole setting in general. Most importantly, have fun!

Jeremiah has been collecting comics since 1991 with a focus on X-Men, Sin City, the works of Frank Cho and studying the history of the comic art medium.

What to see?
Be sure to get a list of guests/events before going to the show. You can plan on which people you want to meet before even getting to the show (you'll have enough to deal with once you get there).

What to buy?
This is just like going to the LCS, but on a much larger scale. Buy books that you like or something that you can't find on your normal comic shop visits. Look for discount boxes (usually eith 50 cent or dollar comics) because you can usually find some gems hidden in those boxes.

What to wear?
Lightwight clothing is the key. With a lot of people in a confined area, it is going to get rather warm. I wold also bring an extra shirt. I got a little sweaty at the last convention I went to with my daughter and I had to drive home in a damp shirt.

Clyf started collecting in 1989. His interests mainly include Spider-Man, Batman and the X-Men. His collection is 5,900 strong and growing.

David came back to the comic medium in 2003, with emphasis on Marvel and creator books falling into the Sci-Fi, and Fantasy genres.

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