Whew! I’m still grinning ear-to-ear from all the good times we had hosting ITHACON. It was an outstanding experience— a lot of work and a lot fun. As you probably know, ITHACON is the nation’s second longest running comic convention.

As ITHACON is nearing its 50th anniversary, we’re naturally looking back to the past with wonder and appreciation.

Only San Diego’s Comic-Con International has been continuously in business longer. And that’s why it was funny as I stumbled across two old Marvel Comics from the Bronze Age that talked about a nascent San Diego Comic Con.

The first shout-out was from Amazing Adventures #25 (July 1974), starring Killraven and featuring the War of the Worlds storyline. It’s an ambitious issue authored by our pal Don McGregor. He was an ITHACON guest this year so we’ve been re-reading a lot of his classics lately.

On what was billed as an extra Bullpen Page in this particular (actually, in most Marvel Comics that month), the tip of the hat to SDCC started like this:

As you may already know, for the past nigh-decade, there have been colorful Comic-Book Conventions held all over the U.S.A.—as well as in Canda, England, and elsewhere—in fact, just about everywhere that the comic-mag itself is in vogue.

These fan-oriented conclaves—which feature panel discussions on the comics, big-name guest stars, back issue comics for sale, etc., etc., etc. —are generally held at fine hotels and over a several-day period, and thus usually cost several dollars for admission alone.

Then the Bullpen Bulletin talked about how fans could bring their completed/filled up Marvel Value Stampbook in order to get a discounted comic-con ticket. This promotional blurb was actually promotional copy for this strange part of Marvel history. And the article talked about the first two comic conventions to make this offer:

(1) Easily the number one, most prestigious, most star-spangled of all is the New York Comic Art Convention hosted by Phil Seuling at a major hotel in Manhattan itself. As you doubtless know from past Bullpen Bulletins Pages, this New York con attracted many of the most talented titans of the comic-book, (and comic-strip) field; in fact, it’s safe to say that at least half of Marvel’s editor, writers, and artists will turn up sooner or later at this con, which is held each over the weekend closest to July 4. In ’74 a couple of guys name Rascally ROY THOMAS and Jazzy JOHNNY ROMITA —ever hear of ‘em?—will be among this convention’s major guests, hosting panels and answering questions about everything in sight.

Modern fans please note: this was NOT the New York Comic Con of today run by Reed Pop. This show significantly predated it.

Then this article, on this page that was officially called “Another Bombshell Bullpen Bonus Page” talked about the San Diego Comic-Con. I find it fascinating to see how people then, or at least how the Marvel hype machine, viewed it all.

And that brings us to –
(2) The star-studded San Diego Comics Convention., to be held in sunny California later this summer. (See? Just ‘cause Marvel’s editorial offices are on the East Coast, that doesn’t mean we’ve forgotten the rest of the country!) In addition to those Bullpenners and other comics pros who inhabit the western half of our fair land —including, for instance, STEVE ENGLEHART, Mischievous MIKE FRIEDRICH, Far-Out FRANK BRUNNER, and others — one of the San Diego Con’s special guests will be the selfsame ROY THOMAS listed above.

Other guests at the 1974 San Diego included Milt Caniff (writer/artist of Terry and the Pirates and Steve Canyon), filmmaker Frank Capra (admit it – you’ve always liked his classic It’s a Wonderful Life), Animator Chuck Jones, Charles Schulz (Peanuts), author Ray Bradbury, up-and-coming (at that time) artist Dave Stevens, and from Star Trek : Majel (Nurse Chapel) Barrett and Watler (Lt. Chekov) Koenig.

Another Bulletin

Let’s contrast this to the story found in a 1977 Marvel comic. Although only a few years later, it’s interesting to see how Marvel then embraced the San Diego Comic-Con. Savage Sword of Conan #20 (July 1977) included a meaty article about the robust Red Sonja cosplay of that time, and they gushed about it particular at the 1976 San Diego Comic-Con.

Each year in July, San Diego, California is host to one of the greatest, grandest comic-art conventions in the country—certainly the best outside the pro-strewn New York area. Greats and near-greats from the worlds of comic-books, comic strips, fantasy, science-fiction, and what -have-you meet with several thousand adoring (and occasionally argumentative) fans, hopefully to the betterment of all.

The 1976 convention, already a fleeting memory by the time we managed to get this piece together on it, was no exception.
One of the major features of most comic-art and science-fiction conventions, of course, is a costume contest, in which fans re-create as best they can the appearance of their favorite heroes, heroines, and villains.

Imagine comparing and contrasting these write-ups to modern day SDCC reporting. I will admit: I’m really looking forward to this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, also now known as Comic-Con International (although I’ve never heard anyone use that name out loud). Maybe I’ll see you there?