Alpha and Omega Con

So this past Saturday, the store had the chance to participate in its first Con! We were so honored to be the only comic book shop invited to participate at Alpha and Omega Con at Redeemer Church. Thanks to Pastor Ralph Miley (who is the biggest Walking Dead fan) and the members of the CCAS (Christian Comic Arts Society) for inviting us. It was an awesome experience being able to see Christians who are also into comics. There were many different kinds of exhibitions from Christian comic book creators like Clint from Faithwalker,  as well as Christians who are in Hollywood and voice acting (the man who plays Abe Sapien and the dude who voice acts Edward Elric in Full Metal Alchemist). 

Our store front made from two tables, two table covers, and like 8 cardboard boxes upside down and used as risers.

Thanks again to Pastor Ralph Miley (Director Fury) for inviting us!

Mike Kunkel and the Eisner Award winning Herobear~!

A quick view of the rest of the con

My one commentary from our store's first con experience, and a Christian con experience at that, was that people weren't really buying from our store. There may be a couple reasons why, and I am not satisfied with one of my fellow exhibitor's answer of "Christians are cheap" as an answer.

1. The crowd there was convinced that supporting only explicitly "Christian" exhibitors was the right thing to do. 
2. Christians are okay reading Deadpool or watching Walking Dead in the privacy of their own homes, but to make a "public statement" at a Christian con by buying a Deadpool comic or any non-Christian comic book for that matter may bring judgment down on them from onlookers. 
3. People who don't know much about comics are under the misunderstanding that comics are still primarily for kids.

Whatever the reason may have been for our lackluster sales, it was clear that many people at the con were almost intimidated by us. I wish that would have not been the case. All they had to do was strike up a conversation with us. Then they might have discovered that I am many things besides the manager of a comic book store. I am a husband, I am called to minister, I am a seminary student, and most important of all I am a child of God. But then again, perhaps this is a lesson for all of us who find so many reasons to be divisive with one another. Let's pray that we can become more like Paul who was everything for everyone and this was possible because He depended on His relationship with God.

Blessings~!