Great Eastern Conventions

Great Eastern Conventions, Inc. was an entertainment company which produced comic book conventions, most actively during the years 1987-1996. In New York City, the Great Eastern shows filled the gap between the mid-1980s demise of the annual Comic Art Convention and Creation Conventions, and the establishment of promoter Michael Carbonaro's annual Big Apple Comic Con in 1996. From 1993–1995, Great Eastern hosted two New York City shows annually at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. In addition to running shows in the Northeastern United States,[1] Great Eastern also ran shows in Georgia, Florida, California, Oregon, Minnesota, and Texas.

Great Eastern Conventions
Founded1977 (1977)
FounderFrederic Greenberg
Defunctc. 1996 (1996)
HeadquartersRingoes, New Jersey
ServicesComic book conventions

Great Eastern was founded in 1977 by New Jersey-based promoter Frederic Greenberg.[1]

History

Greenberg, a comic book fan himself, began hosting conventions in 1977 after he discovered that there weren't regular shows in his area.[2]

From 1983–1987, Great Eastern hosted monthly conventions in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, routinely drawing between 150 and 175 people.[2] Originally based in Boonton, New Jersey, by 1989 the company had moved its offices to Ringoes, New Jersey.[3]

By 1990, Great Eastern was running one-day shows weekly throughout the Northeastern United States, as well as larger shows in cities likes San Francisco, Tampa, and Atlanta. Their June 1990 convention at the New York Penta Hotel was billed as "the biggest show of the year."[4] Great Eastern hosted comic book conventions in South Florida from 1990-1994. Venues included the Howard Johnson Hotel—North Miami Beach,[5] the Marriott Hotel—Coral Gables, and the Marriott Hotel—Hialeah Gardens.[6] Featured guests varied based on availability, such as Stan Lee, Todd McFarlane, George Pérez, Rob Liefeld, Jim Starlin, John Beatty, Pat Broderick, Martin Nodell, Joe Staton, Mike Zeck, Dick Giordano. Great Eastern pulled out of South Florida after 1994 as a result of after-effects from Hurricane Andrew's impact in August 1992.

In 1992, Great Eastern Conventions partnered with Cerebus creator Dave Sim in promoting small conventions in over 20 U.S. locations,[7] including Indiana, Oregon, Texas, as well as in South Florida.

From 1993–1995, Great Eastern hosted two large-scale conventions annually at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, which were dubbed "The New York Comic Book Spectacular." The February 1994 show was affected by a large winter storm which forced about one-fifth of the special guests to cancel their appearances.[8] Great Eastern mounted a "Philadelphia Comic Book Spectacular" in October 1994; Greenberg was soon sued by David Greenhill, promoter of Philadelphia's Comicfest '93, for scheduling the Philadelphia Comic Book Spectacular the same weekend as Greenhill's planned Comicfest '94.[9]

Despite their large fan attendance and expansive venues, Great Eastern's large shows were criticized by many within the industry for pandering to dealers and spectacle. As frequent participant Evan Dorkin stated, "The New York shows are extremely unfriendly to both creators and fans. . . . There is limited programming, limited professional appearances at these shows."[10]

In March 1996, Greenberg, at a very late point, cancelled what had been advertised as a larger-than-usual Great Eastern show, scheduled to be held at the New York Coliseum on 59th St. & Columbus Circle.[10] As a substitute event, comic book retailer Michael Carbonaro and others on the spur of the moment mounted the first Big Apple Comic Con.[10] Greenberg and Great Eastern Conventions disappeared from the fan convention circuit from that moment forward.

Publications

Greenberg also published two magazines which covered the comics industry, Comic Book Week (est. 1993) and Comic Talk. In mid-1993 he had to cut down the frequency of both publications due to the slowdown in the industry.[11]

Dates and locations
DatesLocationVenueOfficial guestsNotes
February 22, 1987Mount Laurel, New JerseyBudget Motor Lodgec. 175 attendees; five dealers and about 25 exhibitor tables[2]
January 6-7New York City
April 1, 1990Albany, New YorkAlbany Marriott
April 8, 1990San FranciscoSheraton S.F. Airport Hotel
April 29, 1990Tampa, FloridaHoliday Inn Ashley Plaza
May 6, 1990AtlantaColony Square Hotel
May 12, 1990Boston57 Park Plaza Hotel
June 1-3, 1990New York CityNew York Penta Hotel
July 12, 1992Indianapolis, IndianaSheraton-Indianapolis HotelDave Sim[12]
November 1, 1992Portland, OregonMarriott HotelDave Sim[13]
December 13, 1992Houston, TexasSheraton Grand HotelDave Sim[14]
January 23–24, 1993New York CityJacob K. Javits Convention CenterWendy & Richard Pini (launching their Elfquest '93 Tour)[15]
April 3–4, 1993New York City
June 12–13, 1993New York CityJacob K. Javits Convention Center
February 11–13, 1994New York CityJacob K. Javits Convention CenterArthur Adams, Murphy Anderson, Dick Ayers, Terry Austin, Mark Bagley, Jim Balent, Tony Bedard, Tom and Mary Bierbaum, Barry Blair, Ruben Bolling, John Byrne, Rich Buckler, Jim Califiore, Jim Califiore, Jim Callahan, George Caragonne, Richard Case, Paul Castiglia, Paul Chadwick, Bernard Chang, Howard Chaykin, David Chelsea, Sean Chen, Mark Chiarello, Jan Childress, Ernie Colón, Gene Colan, Amanda Conner, Howard Cruse, Paris Cullins, Geoff Darrow, Peter David, Dan Decarlo, Mike DeCarlo, Kim DeMulder, Steve Dillon, Chuck Dixon, Evan Dorkin, Chris Claremont, Dave Dorman, Steve Ellis, Garth Ennis, Mike Esposito, Lee Falk, Bob Fingerman, Robert Loren Fleming, Sandu Florea, Greg Fox, José Luis García-López, Ron Garney, Nat Gertler, Vince Giarrano, Dave Gibbons, Keith Giffen, Tom Gill, Dick Giordano, Stan Goldberg, Richard Goldwater, Gene Gonzales, Jorge Gonzalez, Archie Goodwin, Victor Gorelick, Dan Gottlieb, Ron Goulart, Steven Grant, Gary Guzzo, Lurene Haines, Cully Hamner, Scott Hampton, Scott Hanna, Irwin Hasen, Fred Haynes, Don Heck, David Hillman, Dave Hoover, Jed Hotchkiss, Kevin Hopgood, Stephen Hughes, Dave Hunt, Greg Hyland, Mark Hyman, Janet Jackson, Dan Jurgens, Michael Kaluta, Len Kaminsky, Gil Kane, Jay Kennedy, Hannibal King, Scott Kolins, Adam Kubert, Andy Kubert, David Lapham, Batton Lash, Carol Lay, Bob Layton, Jae Lee, Rick Leonardi, Joseph Michael Linsner, Aaron Lopresti, Frank Lovece, John Lowe, Tom Lyle, Mike Manley, Ron Marz, Bob McLeod, Mark McKenna, Frank McLaughlin, Shawn McManus, Mike Mignola, Frank Miller, Bernie Mireault, Steve Mitchell, Rags Morales, Tom Morgan, Will Murray, Josh Myers, Fabian Nicieza, Graham Nolan, Michael Avon Oeming, Kevin O'Neill, Jerry Ordway, Richard Pace, Tom Palmer, Jimmy Palmiotti, Jeff Parker, Rick Parker, Ande Parks, Don Perlin, Joe Phillips, Adam Pollina, George Pratt, Brian Pulido, Joe Quesada, Alan Rabinowitz, Ted Rall, Tom Raney, Ralph Reese, James Robinson, Adrienne Roy, John Rozum, Paul Ryan, Julius Schwartz, David Scroggy, Steven T. Seagle, Val Semeiks, Eric Shanower, Jim Shooter, Louise Simonson, Walter Simonson, Will Simpson, Ted Slampyak, Bob Smith, Frank Springer, Jim Starlin, Arne Starr, Alec Stevens, William Stout, Larry Stroman, Arthur Suydam, Art Thibert, Anthony Tollin, Kevin VanHook, Tom Veitch, Charles Vess, Matt Wagner, Lee Weeks, Alan Weiss, David Wenzel, Mark Wheatley, Bob Wiacek, Mike Wieringo, Kent Williams, Gahan Wilson, Barry Windsor-Smith, Marv Wolfman, John Workman, Berni Wrightson, and Mike ZeckCalled "New York Comic Book Spectacular"[16]
March 13, 1994Bloomington, MinnesotaMarriott Hotel400 attendees[17]
June 4–5, 1994New York CityJacob K. Javits Convention Center
October 21–23, 1994Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPennsylvania Convention CenterStan LeeCalled the "Philadelphia Comic Book Spectacular." 200 exhibitors; charity auction to benefit St. Jude's Hospital and Goodwill Industries.[18] Hosts the 1994 Wizard Fan Awards.[9]
January 22, 1995Boston, Massachusetts57 Park Plazac. 750 attendees[1]
February 24–26, 1995New York CityJacob K. Javits Convention CenterGene Simmons, Paul Stanley,[19] and Hart D. FisherCalled "The New York Comic Book Spectacular"[20]
September 9–10, 1995New York CityJacob K. Javits Convention Centerfinal comic convention at the Javits Center until the New York Comic Con in 2006
March 2–3, 1996New York CityNew York ColiseumN.A.Cancelled a few days beforehand; replaced at the last minute by the first Big Apple Comic Con.

References
  1. Doten, Patti. "Comics convention a real draw," Boston Globe (21 Jan 1995), p. 23.
  2. Reuter, Nancy. "Comic Books Are Serious Business To The Devoted," Philadelphia Inquirer (Feb. 15, 1987).
  3. Butash, Titian. "Human conflicts make superheroes appeal to fans of all ages," Austin American Statesman (01 Jan 1989), p. E11.
  4. Great Eastern Conventions Comic Book Schedule" (advertisement), The Amazing Spider-Man #332 (Marvel Comics, May 1990).
  5. No longer in existence; it was demolished in the early 2000s.
  6. No longer in existence; the property was sold and renamed under another hotel chain in the late 1990s.
  7. Hibbs, Brian. "Blood & Thunder: Who Bears the Burden: Retailer or Publisher," The Comics Journal #148 (Feb. 1992), p. 7.
  8. Sangiacomo, Michael. "Storm no Match for Comics Fans," The Plain Dealer (Feb. 14, 1994).
  9. Newswatch: Greenhill Sues Great Eastern and Wizard," The Comics Journal #172 (Nov. 1994), p. 40.
  10. "Newswatch: NYC Comics Convention Cancelled, Fans Irate," The Comics Journal #185 (Mar. 1996), pp. 18-19.
  11. "Newswatch: Comic Book Week on Hiatus," The Comics Journal #161 (Aug. 1993), pp. 27-28.
  12. Buckman, Rebecca. "Aardvark attracts loyal fans," Indianapolis Star (07 July 1992), p. C.1.
  13. Turnquist, Kristi. "Comics to Take Seriously," The Oregonian (October 31, 1992).
  14. Westbrook, Bruce. "Comic book aardvark keeps its maker creative, fulfilled," Houston Chronicle (10 Dec 1992), p. 1.
  15. "Newswatch: Elfquest '93 Tour," The Comics Journal #156 (Feb. 1993).
  16. Sangiacomo, Mike. "Marvel's Stars Are Going to be Kept on the Run," The Plain Dealer (Feb. 20, 1994).
  17. Marquez Estrada, Heron. "Serious about comics: Collectors congregate in Bloomington to pore over the classic and the quirky," Star Tribune (15 Mar 1994), p. 07B.
  18. Selvin, Rick. "City Hosts a Gala for Comics Lovers," Philadelphia Daily News (21 Oct 1994), p. 63.
  19. Runnette, Charles. "I Wanna Rock and Roll Until a Reasonable Hour," New York Magazine (Mar. 13, 1995).
  20. Szadkowski, Joseph. "A `Wow!' and a ho-hum from Fleer," Washington Times (18 Feb 1995), p. E.2.
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