With the advent of Covid in 2020 and beyond, all kinds of social events and gatherings in all types of venues and types got shut down. One of the biggest shutdowns to occur was the comic and fan conventions. Some companies tried virtual conventions which added safety for attendees and guests, however, it was very self-contained and the biggest backbone of conventions was ignored. The vendors, artists, and creators only provide congoers with comic books, props, and crazy items that can be found at these types of shows.
Some of these folks were able to go back to their day jobs and actually survive while the shutdown was going full force. Others had to sell the entire stock, the gear they used to make their special one-of-a-kind items, or had to shut down altogether just to make ends meet. For quite a few of these whose main skill set might be in crafting leather or selling comics and toys, they were not able to rarely and easily enter the workforce, especially the virtual workforce, during the pandemic.
When people go to a con, not everyone thinks about the vendors, cosplayers, or artists who go to the shows. Hope fully this slidewhow can put you in mind of the people that are affected by shutdowns in collective fandom. All photos by Wayne Kelley.
The economics of it, taking away their major source of income for multiple years, has been very difficult on artisans.
-Robin Hummel-Fuller, from Viral Hare interview on how convention shutdowns have treated show vendors
We also spoke to Robin Hummel-Fuller, Fan Expo Dallas fan meetups ambassador, and long-time congoer gave us some insight on how cons were affected and what she sees in what’s to come.
With other health challenges and economic issues becoming harsh realities for fandom, both for convention goers, guess, and the vendors and pros in artist alley there’s no telling what changes will occur.
Hopefully, con’s in the time of covid and beyond will be able to meet these challenges. And also for those who make a living working at conventions, the artist who shares their work, celebrities that use the cons to connect to their fans, and those who love to attend them will be able to continue as a long-loved tradition going forward.
