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Great Eastern Conventions, Inc. was an entertainment company which produced fan conventions for comic book lovers, most actively during the years 1987-1996. In New York City, the Great Eastern shows filled the gap between the 1984 demise of the annual Comic Art Convention following promoter Phil Seuling's death, 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. Great Eastern also ran shows in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts,〔 Oregon, Minnesota, and Texas. Great Eastern was founded in 1977 by New Jersey-based promoter Frederic Greenberg.〔Doten, Patti. "Comics convention a real draw," ''Boston Globe'' (21 Jan 1995), p. 23.〕 == History == Greenberg, a comic book fan himself, began hosting conventions in 1977 after he discovered that there weren't regular shows in his area.〔Reuter, Nancy. ("Comic Books Are Serious Business To The Devoted," ) ''Philadelphia Inquirer'' (Feb. 15, 1987).〕 From 1983–1987, Great Eastern hosted monthly conventions in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, routinely drawing between 150 and 175 people.〔 Originally based in Boonton, New Jersey, by 1989 the company had moved its offices to Ringoes, New Jersey.〔Butash, Titian. "Human conflicts make superheroes appeal to fans of all ages," ''Austin American Statesman'' (01 Jan 1989), p. E11.〕 In 1992, Great Eastern Conventions partnered with ''Cerebus'' creator Dave Sim in promoting small conventions in over 20 U.S. locations,〔Hibbs, Brian. "Blood & Thunder: Who Bears the Burden: Retailer or Publisher," ''The Comics Journal'' #148 (Feb. 1992), p. 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.〔Sangiacomo, Michael. "Storm no Match for Comics Fans," ''The Plain Dealer'' (Feb. 14, 1994).〕 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.〔Newswatch: Greenhill Sues Great Eastern and Wizard," ''The Comics Journal'' #172 (Nov. 1994), p. 40.〕 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."〔 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.〔"Newswatch: NYC Comics Convention Cancelled, Fans Irate," ''The Comics Journal'' #185 (Mar. 1996), pp. 18-19.〕 As a substitute event, comic book retailer Michael Carbonaro and others on the spur of the moment mounted the first Big Apple Comic Con.〔 Greenberg and Great Eastern Conventions disappeared from the fan convention circuit from that moment forward. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Great Eastern Conventions」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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