It looks like Wizard World Texas has been canceled (click here or here or here).
Oh well.
While in theory it should be disappointing that Wizard World Texas couldn't continue, I'm not really that concerned. It's hardly the only convention in town or even the best. Also, try explaining the name "Wizard World" to someone outside the comic book industry. I feel like a loser trying. It's a dumb and confusing name.
Dallas Comic Con has run a great show for several years now. Well before WWTX invaded. DCC is locally owned and operated. They are friendlier to small time comic book creators. Where a booth at WWTX might cost $300, I've always been an honored guest at DCC without having to pay for a table. No matter how insignificant I may be, they promote me. Wizard World Texas charged $50(?) for a weekend pass. DCC charges only $10. Not to mention, DCC has consistently better media guests -- Bruce Campbell, Carrie Fischer, Billy Dee Williams, Jake Lloyd, Sean Astin, Michael Keaton, Alan Tudyk, Adam Baldwin, Jewel Staite, Ron Glass, Robia LaMorte, and Iyari Limon. There are more. I just can't remember them off the top of my head. Who does WWTX bring every year without fail? Lou Ferrigno. The problem with Wizard World Texas, from what I've heard, is that it looks like every other Wizard World convention. It doesn't change. I feel like I'm in a time warp attending the exact same event over and over again, but with fewer people each year.
I haven't even mentioned CAPE yet. Free booths for anyone and everyone (!), free admission, and consistently much better comic book guests than WWTX -- Mark Waid, Gail Simone, David Mack, Robert Kirkman, Bryan Hitch, Chynna Clugston, Jamie S. Rich, Marc Andreyko, Dave Crosland, Jim Mahfood, Scott Kurtz, and on. It's a more family friendly event. So between these two events (or the awesomeness that is STAPLE), how does Wizard World even compete?
Because it's Wizard, I guess. Because Wizard has this odd monopoly on the hearts and minds of comic fans.
With WWTX gone, I would make two suggestions:
(1) Comic book fans, creators, and retailers need to stand behind the Dallas Comic Con. It benefits everyone locally to have a strong convention that will bring in people from around the area, even better if we can get people to drive down and stay the weekend at a nearby hotel.
(2) Online sources like CBR, Newsarama, and The Beat need to cover this event. Somehow, Dallas Comic Con gets lost. We exist, dammit!
The real thing that everyone wants to know: Will the annual cook-out and house party live on? But of course.
