Now, with the increase in size from last year, the show was divided into two rooms, one main room for exhibitors and retailers and another room set up down the hall complete with artist's alley, small publishers, a gaming area and other media guests. Noticeably absent from the show, were Marvel, Image and Dark Horse Comics, who was there last year with Mike Mignola to promote his upcoming Hellboy movie.
With the lack of these publishers, it looks like gaming cards and video games were there to quickly fill the void. Hopefully, it's not symbolic of the industry as a whole. This year, New Line Cinema was also there to hype their upcoming movie, Blade: Trinity, and the other big booths belonged to Score, Aspen, DC Comics, NCsoft, Playstation, Palisades, Wizkids and Wizard Magazine.
Artist's alley was definitely less crowded than the main room too. George Lowe, the voice of Space Ghost, would also come over the loud speakers letting everyone know they were there, so that may've helped bring some more people over. The Crypt Keeper would also come onto the PA system, but I have no idea what he was saying, because it was always too loud.
I'm sure a lot of fans would've preferred to hear Jessica Biel's voice though.
Another thing you couldn't help but notice at the show, was all the fans walking around with fruit smoothies in tiki cups or with beer bottles going in and out of the show floor. There were a couple of vendors set up in the lobby selling plenty of both. Who said comics are just for kids?
