Category: Convention Reviews

Show Review: Renninger’s Antique Extravaganza 2014

There aren’t many shows left in Florida that offer the sheer variety of items that the November Renniger’s Antique Extravaganza routinely supplies, so it’s understandable that the buzz surrounding this show usually starts months in advance.  Whether you collect paintings, ...

Fanboy Expo 2014

I am always up for trying something new where conventions are concerned, especially given the disappointing stagnation many of the Florida shows seem to be in these days. I was sold on Fanboy Expo thanks to both the appearance of ...

Megacon 2014

I have always believed that there is an entity or entities that protect the fanboy in his pursuit of fandom and after Megacon 2014 weekend in Orlando I am certain of it.  I have always been a creature of habit ...

The Comic Book Connection: A One Man Show

Joe Peace takes the old adage “if you want something done right do it yourself” a little too literally when it comes to putting on comic books shows.  After participating in and even partnering up on other people’s comic book ...

Megacon 2013

As a regular attendee of the Megacon convention in Orlando, Florida I have seen it go through many changes in the last decade.  Some of these changes have been for the better and some for the worse and many of them ...

Show Review: Renninger’s Antique Extravaganza 2012

I am a regular attendee of flea markets, swap meets, garage sales, and the like but I can still say with 100% certainty that there is nothing else quit like Renninger’s fall Antique & Collectors Extravaganza in Mt. Dora, Florida. ...

Spooky Empire 2012

I have passed on the last couple of Spooky Empire events due partially to the lack of enough interesting guests to warrant the time and money and partly to the incredible Cult Fiction Drive-In show in Jacksonville ruining me for ...

Cult Fiction Drive-In

I almost could not believe what I was seeing the first time I visited the website for the Cult Fiction Drive-In show, which billed itself as an “Underground Film and Cult Cinema Convention”. Not only was this a show dedicated ...

MegaCon 2008

Traveling to Orland ofor Megacon this year, I was already bracing for what I thought would be certain disappointment. The guest list was the weakest I have seen in the several years I have attended this show, comic books are ...

FX 2008

Variety is a crucial element to a collectibles show. If the dealer base is not constantly evolving or their inventory is not turning over to make way for new merchandise, collectors will quickly tire of paying admission. Variety has always ...

FX – The Mike Herz Interview

In 1991, at the insistence of a close friend who wanted me to get an autograph for him from guest Butch “Eddie Munster” Patrick, I attended my first Florida Extravaganza (FX) show. My original intention was make a quick run ...

MegaConned ’07

I was still reeling from the wake of the FX show a mere two weeks earlier when the 2007 Megacon stormed in to Orlando the weekend of February 17. With both events held at the Orange County Convention Center and ...

Monster Mish-Mash: ScreamFest ’06

On the return trip from Screamfest 2005, my friend Byron and I were unanimous in our resolution that the only way we would head back to Ft. Lauderdale next year was if the 2006 show looked a lot more promising ...

Draggin’ On: DragonCon ’06

I have always had a standing rule about not attending shows outside of my native Florida. It’s not a bias against other states, it’s just that I have always found that the expense and travel involved always negated any positive ...

ScreamFest ’05

With Megacon and FX both in the early part of the year, I usually experience a long dry spell in between conventions. To break up the monotony this year, my friend Byron had suggested we attend Necronomicon in the fall. ...

MEGACONNED ’05

Megacon 2005 proved to be a year of changes, but most of them were not for the better. Admission prices were raised $2 to $17 (advanced, $20 door) this year and the number of dealers appeared about the same. The ...

FX CON 2005

Anatomy of a Collectibles Show At the 2004 Florida Extravaganza Collectibles Show, I learned the intriguing bit of information that the 2005 show would be returning to the Orlando Expo Center. For the past several years, the waning show has continued ...

Megaconned Too

For those keeping score, 2004 is now my third time at bat for Megacon, the giant comic book / media convention in Orlando. Please see last year’s review for my philosophies regarding comic books, autographs, and “celebrity” status, if you ...

F-ex 04

On Saturday, January 10, I attended FX 2004, the 15th annual Florida Extravaganza collectibles show in Orlando, Florida. The first FX I attended was in 1991 and my mind was immediately blown the moment I set foot inside the show ...

MEGACONNED

The March 2003 show was the second Megacon I have attended. For those unaware, Megacon is large (for Florida) comic show held annually in Orlando, FL. The show is notable for both it’s size, selection, and what is probably the ...