This past weekend, I had the absolute pleasure to take in what is becoming a late Summer/early Fall tradition for comic fans all across the United States, the 13th annual Baltimore Comic-Con.

Having started in the year 2000 as a one day event in a hotel ballroom in Towson, the event has grown into a two-day monster, embedding itself in the Baltimore Convention Center in an ever-growing, ever-expanding room.  Each year, the event has taken over more and more of the convention center, and while the show has yet to match the size of the biggest geek event in Baltimore (Otakon, pulling over 32,000 fans this past July), it never the less has shown a remarkable level of growth, especially for a show which keeps the eye on one thing and one thing only - comics.

I attended the convention on Saturday, and immediately was struck by the year on year change in attendance. Perhaps it was a different way of routing lines, but fans were seen lining up around the building, something I had never seen in years prior.  Upon walking on the show floor, the proof was in the pudding, as the walkways were full with fandom, ever enthusiastic to find the important book for their collection, to meet their favorite creators, or to have their minds blown with something new from the Artist’s Alley.

Perhaps it was the guest list, featuring such big names as Marvel icon Stan Lee; the superstar writing and art duo behind DC’s relaunch of Batman, Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo; and Baltimore Comic-Con first timers Frank Quitely (All Star Superman) and Garth Ennis (Preacher). That’s just a drop in the bucket in terms of big name guests, as Baltimore Comic-Con has always, and has continued to, bring an amazing combination of star talent from the golden age through the artists making their names today.  I mean, just look over the 2012 list. If you can think of someone in comics, chances are, they were there, and if they weren’t, they were kicking themselves on Twitter for missing it.

For me, the highlight of the event was getting to meet and obtain a signature from writer/artist Jeff Lemire.  I became aware of his work last year with his DC/Vertigo published title Sweet Tooth, and after having read, and loved his latest book The Underwater Welder digitally, I just had to get a physical copy signed, and thank the man for his work.  He was incredibly friendly to the large line that came for him (Lemire has gained serious traction in DC since taking over Animal Man), and tirelessly signed each book.

All and all, the large mass of fandom that descended upon Charm City seemed to have a great time, and based on my conversation with members of the Artist’s Alley, that enthusiasm was met with solid sales for the exhibitors as well, a positive sign for future growth of the show.  While the miles and miles of longboxes may be the lifeblood of the show, it’s the fostering of new talent which will keep the show going, and based on the assumed increased attendance, this bodes positively for future shows.

If anything, that’s the true value of a show like Baltimore Comic-Con - while larger events on the East and West coast are drawing more bodies by grabbing Hollywood names and talent, this show has grown exponentially by focusing on the product that got them started - the modest and humble comic book.  Perhaps this will some day allow Baltimore Comic-Con to rival shows like Otakon in attendance, if not start to take on certain rivals in New York and San Diego.

All I know is this - I’m very lucky to have a show like this in my backyard, and I cannot wait to go back next year.