"Convention concerns Adelaide" Topic

Planning on going to mega toy fair in Adelaide in June. Should be Ace.

Checked and comic con is on at the same time next door.

Just checked the comic con site…

I would strongly suggest any parents/grandparents give the site a thorough look. And then another. Very careful looks. Just to be sure it is appropriate for your family and children/grandchildren.

Got in for free last year, only had a writer and some comics of interest.

Will have to give it more thought this time, especially if I'm expected to pay for/towards it.

Just remember, toy fair will be on next door. Family friendly atmosphere there. Cheaper too.

This year I'm looking for action figures, as usual.

I'll just add that, when I went to comic con last year it was basically all kids!

I remember when it used to be about film, tv, comics and games. And mostly adults.

It was also tiny last year, compared to when I used to go pre COVID.

It used to be all elves and Starfleet. The mind boggles now.

Not sure whether to go and have a good look around to try to figure out what in blazers is going on, or just stay the heck as far away as possible. Decisions.

I went to the toy fair last year because I happened to be in Adelaide at the time.

Highly recommended! All the toys you remember from your child hood and more, and all the things that are not available anymore. I picked up some 54mm plastic toy figures, including some cowboys and Indians, police, and British Buckingham palace guards. A lot of stuff there that I had never seen anywhere else. And a lot of it cheaper than ebay.

I put my head in to the building next door to see Comicon. Didn't end up paying money to go in. The impression I got from the outside was similar to H man's

H man, are you prepared to be more explicit about your concerns over the Comicon site?
Concerned parents may want to know.

Cosplayers will be my guess: lots of barely dressed girls.

It is advertised as "for fans of all ages" -
ozcomiccon.com

but I think it's probably more an adult event now. Comic books aren't really for kids anymore & Comiccon reflects this.

Thanks all.

According to the site it's being run by persons of a particular demographic and their "allies".

But thats not the concern.

It's that their particular interests are being presented as part of the convention itself.

That's not the Australian flag they are flying on the website.

"but I think it's probably more an adult event now. Comic books aren't really for kids anymore & Comiccon reflects this."

Not last year, it was almost all kids. It used to be at least 50/50.

Some parents may not want their kids exposed to such things. And it's got nothing to do with comic con, at least no more than any other disperate interests, like tattoos or golf.

I have/do know of some people of the demographic, but I've never seen them promoting it, especially to kids.

As far as comic con, it should stay at the door, like golf.

Obviously, these days, it may come up here or there, but not like what I'm seeing on the website. Is that really necessary?

I'm sure there are some other demographics that may want safe spaces (like women, just saying), so where are those then?

Hope that's a hint enough.

Leave comic con alone. And the kids too.

PS "inclusive or mental health activity or space" – from the site, again, relevance?

What happened to pop culture?

To boldly go where no man has gone before…to the psychiatrists.

Still a bit cryptic.

Here's a direct link.

link

Make of it what you will.

PS Whaaaat!

link

I was actually joking on tattoos. See, read the site very carefully.

Mystery hole tattoos!?

Luckily the legal age is 18. So that's one bullet dodged for uniformed parents at least. But maybe check your kids for fake IDs, just in case.

Also looking on Facebook.

Well down this rabbit hole.

There's a post all about Mardi gras.

Great, so the traditional south American shin dig, right. Well, we can't really say, as they don't tell us, but a funny flag may give us a gentle hint.

Maybe I'm just paranoid and they are just being slack with the post, or…

At the end of the day this is all sounding more like se*po and less like comic con.

Like a kiddie primer, or something.

Hideous.

PS Your entry fee will be paying for them to promote this stuff to children, as well as disinterested adults.

Sucks, as I enjoyed buying comics from one chap, and talking to an author last year. Not to mention the pre COVID cons.

At least there are usually comics being sold at toyfair, so there is that.

And there you go, it's the people who don't want to fund this tripe and the poor stall holders stuck there among it that also pay the price.

Worse yet, the news suggests there's a push to stop efforts to help the effected.

Talk about a rock and a hard place.

Punks and goths were ok, I could deal with punks and goths.

I dread to think what the future groups will be. Probably grafting themselves together or such horror.

There are already people cutting and pasting, so to speak.

I did see mention a while ago of some guy wanting a womb to have and abortion…

Apart from making your skin crawl, this also brings us to some rather nice (in the horror sence) figures with McFarlane's tortured souls range. I believe they were by Clive Barker? (Look him up…). They feature a guy who grafted on a womb and had some abomination or other. Creepy stuff.

But it's another of their team ups with the Hellraiser line that probably best illustrates the chaps you may see on the street in years to come.

Then, again, I think I've seen people who look a bit like them about already, so think a few steps beyond (pun intended) if you dare.

Note to self, don't start these conversations with one's self.

PS just checked out tortured souls. I can't see much that I haven't already heard of for real, for the most part. I was going to make a list, but won't.

I fear the future may get a little dark. Er, darker.

Keep them safe at home.

Or at toyfair, of course (the only tortured souls there will be made of plastic).

I still can't get over this.

Just checked the comic con site again.

A bunch of questions arise.

Remember, it was basically all kids last year, at least when I was there.

"the Oz Comic-Con CommUnity Space."

What the heck does CommUnity mean? I had been reading it as community, with out the capital U, but now I'm not sure.

I would have suggested that an isolated area dedicated to one group is not very community minded, but now I'm not even sure it's community at all.

"safe and inclusive haven for members and allies…at the show."

So their own con is apparently so horrible that they need to make a safe space???

Again, it doesn't scream inclusive to do this.

I wonder if they have one for bunny girls too, I'd be there with bells on.

"an environment where everyone can feel comfortable and accepted"

Because they can't find it at comic con in general?

Again is their own con really this bad? The guy selling comics seemed very friendly and helpful. If the con is making you feel bad, I'd recommend hanging out at his stand.

"while they celebrate what they love at Oz Comic-Con."

Because you can't do that out in bad old scary comic con? You can only do it in one corner?

To me comic con is about…comics! And tv and film, maybe games. Not being shoved in a corner. "Mum! The comic con kids won't come out of the corner!"

"The CommUnity Space is designed to be a place where attendees can come together to socialize"

In segregation?

"and celebrate their love for all things…pop culture."

What about a corner dedicated to all things grumpy old man pop culture? Now there's an idea!

"welcoming atmosphere where you can engage in activities, discussions and meetups…representation and diversity in pop culture."

Parents note: "meetups"

As if R and D aren't alarming enough.

"Our team is comprised of individuals who identify as members of the…community and allies."

What about having people who identify as hard working, friendly and knowledgeable on popular culture? Maybe that should be what's important at Comic con?

"providing a safe, inclusive space for all."

So they are having a bunny girl space then? Yippee! They can sign my magazines!

Honestly I think people with disabilities or young children should have been first thought of, not people with crazy hair.

I know I ramble, but it seems exclusive to me. And with all the young impressionable kids attending, quite concerning.

Anyone should be able to go to comic con. And I guess they still can, if they want to, which is a question.

I don't think one particular group should be treated differently to any others.

Well, it's happened.

A book has been banned in Sydney.

Now, perhaps there's a glimmer of hope for the kids at Comic con.

Perhaps the snowball is finally rolling. But will it make it in time for this year's event? I suspect not.

Maybe interested parent/church/what have you groups will go and peruse the literature on offer. The more adults the better, from what I'm reading.

That's the big question, do you stay away or go against good advice and simply walk into comic con?

I just don't want to financially contribute to such things. That's my issue.

I got in free last year, before I knew what was going on, or I would have taken a keen interest.

If parents aren't keeping kids safe at home, hopefully they will go with them. And remember what Jack said to Daniel in the SG1 episode The other side, "ask questions, lots of questions".

I don't think it's a coincidence that this is going on at Oz comic con.

It's been said, and I tend to agree, that it's just the next teen subculture like punks or goths.

If you follow it from WW2, you can pretty well go greasers, hippys, punks, goths, emos, and here we are. I probably skipped a few, but you get the point. Starting with mostly attitude towards elders and clothing/hair style, to drugs, then add piercing, then tattoos, cutting, oh and we're here with an amplification of it all. Makes sense. Though I think I prefer punks.

Also add the concept of treating adults like children. This is a marketing thing and Star Wars is a good example. Infact the change from children's toys early 90s, to adult toys late 90s is both enormous and spectacular.

Action figures in particular went from toys for 10 yearolds, to being toys for adults. Thanks Todd! I'm on both sides, missing Kenner style things, but loving the McFarlane stuff.

Problem was, every one copied him and except for huge franchises like marvel, action figures are basically gone from toy stores. Game stores and collector stores have adult action figures instead.

Girls Toys are silimar, going from wholesome Barbie and such to brats and monster high, perhaps not really for kids.

Not so odd, as last I saw the head of Mattel was a lady with a very very keen interest in Barbie, if you understand. Even joking around and suggesting some future Barbie ideas with a similar minded lady interviewer.

I guess playing doctor has also turned adult.

Sounds like proposed banning of kids on (anti) social media.

I can see a lot of good coming from that if it pans out.

Not least the fact the commUnity space is on the comic con Facebook page.

No surprise this type of thing has gotten popular among kids since the internet boom.

Saw a good YouTube speach by January Littlejohn, for any concerned parents, so there is hope.

This is certainly an evolving situation.

Looks like there's a push to put age restriction on adult sites.

I think this decade will see a lot of positive changes, both on line and in the community.

I just wonder how far it will go. Will you have to prove your age to shop at Woolworths online?

I feel if there is data to collect, they (being most companies/sites) will want to collect it.

Looking at some of the comic con ads about the web.

I would question some of the wording.

"Step into the extraordinary world of Oz Comic-Con, where age is just a number and passion know no bounds!"

I'm sure that's comforting for any parent to read.

"Mingle with fellow fans, exchanging stories, and forging unforgettable friendships that transcend fandoms."

I thought the con was about fandom.

These quotes aren't going well when combined.

Seems there was a last minute addition to the community space page on the Oz comic con site.

No comics at comic con, from what I heard, they are all at toy fair next door!

But don't worry (yes, worry, a lot), because comic con have wheeled in a group from across the boarder.

"Yay, a group of comic sellers!!!"

No, not a group of comic sellers.

A group of people to push certain lifestyles, and we are not talking nose jobs.

It used to be ash cans (comics hastily made, and barely, to secure rights) that were cut up and stuck back together. It's true, Google it.

Greif.

Popped in to look at comic con, the entrance area at least.

Huge!!!

The entrance area that is, as it took up at least a third of the pavilion, along two sides.

45 dollar adult tickets, v about 8 dollars? at toy fair.

I guess ferrying people around the country costs a bit, and make up ain't cheap (I guess??).

I certainly didn't put any money towards it.

I remember when it used to be 2 full pavilions, one was used for the guests and the bazillions that turned out to see them with lines going for over 100 meters to get into some appearances.

How the mighty have… gone broke.

Hmm…

Conventions of this type used to be about actor and writer/illustrator guests. Still there, to some extent.

Then this cosplay thing popped up. So now they have "celebrity" people like that.

Now with all the latest occurrences I do wonder if that will be the direction they will take?

Eg. I remember on Botched, I think it was, a guy was trying to be Jessica Rabbit… Don't worry, the show usually has some rational surgeries as well.

I could imagine them bringing such people from the states.

The way they are going I would not be surprised.

I get it. For a different event, for adults. But not for comic con.

On the plus side!!!

There is now plenty of room for the smaller cons to take the lead.

You know the ones that focus on the shows and actors that we love. And not on what a small number want you to do with your life/body.

Bring on the mini cons, baby!!!

I have noticed a lot of their funny flags popping up at various rallies, certainly in the US, but I believe also here.

Rallies about the health of the ultimate youngest of children, for example. Future wargamers, perhaps.

This brings up questions as to the con's stance on these issues also.

In their defence, you could take your country's flag (dark blue with stars and a union jack in the corner, for those who obviously don't know what flag it is) to rallies and it doesn't speak for the country whole.

But may well have others question it.

Just heard the Olympic Games are sending out demands that the news outlets not tell their viewers some of the Olympians true identities.

I think some of China's swimmers were often in question.

Also the medals = money for countries.

It appears the poorer countries are generally sticking to their nations flag these days, from what I've seen, so may end up loosing even more events.

If this goes on some countries may just give up on the Olympics.

Hey, Brissy already has!

The Victorian government are now running ads.

Apparently women should have to suffer being in a confined space with people who make them feel uncomfortable.

I only wish they had ads like this for Trekkies back in the 90-2000s.

Being out and about in a city or populated area, we all have the right to remove ourselves from situations we don't appreciate.

Perhaps Victoria is a state to be concerned about.

Are wargames clubs all funny colours over there?

I'd assume people of all persuasions, but is one dominating when it comes to decorations?

It's the goths I feel sorry for, where have all the gloomy colours gone?