Atlanta Fantasy Fair

Last updated
Atlanta Fantasy Fair
StatusDefunct
GenreMulti-genre
VenueDunfey's Royal Coach (1977–1978, 1980–1981)
Omni Hotel & Georgia World Congress Center (1982–1987, 1990)
Atlanta Hilton & Towers (1988–1989, 1991)
Hyatt Atlanta Airport (1992–1993)
Location(s)Atlanta, Georgia
CountryUnited States
Inaugurated1975
FoundersGary Cook and Lamar Waldron
Most recent1995
Attendance4,000 (1989) [1]
Organized byA.C.F.F., Ltd.
Filing statusNon-profit[ citation needed ]

The Atlanta Fantasy Fair (AFF) was a multigenre convention which took place once each summer in Atlanta, Georgia from 1975 to 1995. Organized by A.C.F.F., Ltd., the convention was a nonprofit entity designed to promote the fantasy genre in the American Southeast. Over its two-decade run, the AFF featured hundreds of guests, encompassed hotels in downtown Atlanta and ran thousands of hours of programming for fans of science fiction, fantasy, comic books, and other elements of fandom.

Contents

Most AFFs took place over three days, from Friday to Sunday. The convention featured a large range of pop culture elements, primarily comic books but also science fiction/fantasy, film/television, animation, anime, manga, toys, horror, and collectible card games. Along with panels, seminars, and workshops with industry professionals, the AFF often featured previews of upcoming films, and such evening events as a costume contest. The convention featured a large floorspace for exhibitors, including comic book dealers and collectibles merchants. [2]

The Atlanta Fantasy Fair was a family-friendly event [3] that worked on a "membership" basis, which enabled attendees to gain admittance to the show for the entire weekend. The show was known for its program booklet (titled Visions) and for the annual presentation of the Atlanta Fantasy Fair Award for Outstanding Achievement.

History

The Atlanta Comics & Fantasy Fair was founded in 1975 by Harley Anton, [2] Lamar Waldron, and Gary Cook. The first convention was held July 22–24, 1975, at the Ramada Inn and Conference Center located near Interstate 85 and Monroe Drive. The guest of honor was Marvel Comics figurehead Stan Lee. The convention offices were in Morrow, Georgia.

Dr. Kenneth Smith, a local fantasy illustrator, small-press publisher, and philosophy professor, was a guest of every show from 1975 until 1988, when a dispute with an attendee led to him leaving and not coming back.[ citation needed ]

By 1977 the co-chairmen of the convention were Harley Anton, Gary Cook, and Lamar Waldron.

By 1982, the convention was officially being organized as a nonprofit through the organization Atlanta Comics & Fantasy Fair, Ltd. In 1984, the AFF headquarters were in Marietta, Georgia.

Waldron was displaced as convention chair after the 1986 convention.[ citation needed ] Terry (alternately spelled as "Terri") [2] Loggins was convention president from 1986–1989. In 1989, the AFF headquarters were in Norcross, Georgia. [2]

The Atlanta Fantasy Fair, Inc. registered as a Georgia Domestic Non-Profit Corporation on August 12, 1991. Their headquarters were in Stockbridge, Georgia, and the two principals were listed as CEO (Felton) Wayne Loggins and CFO David Denton.[ citation needed ]

By the early 1990s, attendance at AFF was declining, in many ways due to competition with the also Atlanta-based Dragon Con (est. 1987), [3] as well as the collapse of the comic speculator market. The quality of guests began to decline and the show petered out in 1995.

Former Atlanta Fantasy Fair co-organizer Wayne Loggins attempted to rebrand the convention the next year, producing Atlanta StarCon & Comics[ citation needed ] on November 1–3, 1996. Held at the Atlanta Marriott North Central Hotel, the show boasted such guests as George Pérez, Michael O'Hare, Kane Hodder, Frank Marshall, and Kathleen Kennedy. Programming included a party at Planet Hollywood, a masquerade contest, meals "with the stars," a dealer room, and gaming. The show was not enough of a success to continue the following year.

Dates and locations

DatesLocationOfficial guestsA.F.F. AwardNotes
August 22–24, 1975Ramada Inn Stan Lee, Kenneth Smith, and collector Mike Curtis N.A.Membership: $3.50 before June 30; $4.50 at the door
1976Marriott Downtown Frank Brunner, Steve Gerber, Dick Giordano, and Kenneth Smith N.A.
August 12–14, 1977Dunfey's Royal Coach (Castlegate) Jenette Kahn, Dick Giordano, Kenneth Smith, Neal Adams, and Jim Steranko.N.A.A Conan the Barbarian van was parked inside the convention hall
1978Dunfey's Royal Coach Stan Lee, Jim Starlin, Howard Chaykin, Jim Steranko N.A. Robert Conrad was seen in the hotel lobby on Saturday night[ citation needed ]
1979Downtown Atlanta Sheraton John Byrne, Dave Sim N.A.
July 25–27, 1980Dunfey's Royal Coach Robert Bloch N.A. Gil Kane drew the cover of the program and was a scheduled guest, but didn't make it.
1981Dunfey's Royal Coach Al Williamson, Michael Whelan, Bob Burden, Mike Jittlov Dave Cockrum N.A.
August 13–15, 1982 Omni Hotel & Georgia World Congress Center Frank Miller, Ray Harryhausen, Will Eisner, Philip Jose Farmer, Forrest J Ackerman, Bob Burden, Mike W. Barr, Dick Giordano, Brad Linaweaver, Somtow Sucharitkul, Len Wein, musical guests "Axis" Forrest J Ackerman
August 5–7, 1983Omni Hotel & Georgia World Congress Center Chuck Jones, Theodore Sturgeon, Chris Claremont, Wendy & Richard Pini, Forrest Ackerman, Mike Grell, Ted White, and Bob MacLeod, Gerald W. Page, Bob Burden Chuck Jones Membership: $19, rooms $44 a night
August 3–5, 1984Omni Hotel & Georgia World Congress Center Larry Niven, Forrest J Ackerman, Robert Bloch, Sharon Webb, Richard Pini, Peter Laird, Kevin Eastman, [4] Fred Hembeck [5] Robert Bloch [6] Membership: $25
August 2–4, 1985Omni Hotel & Georgia World Congress Center Newt Gingrich, Will Eisner, Frederik Pohl, Theodore Sturgeon, Gerald W. Page, Ted White, Forrest J Ackerman Will Eisner
August 2–4, 1986Omni Hotel & World Congress CenterComics guests included Chris Claremont, Denny O'Neil, Stan Lee, Ralph Bakshi, Matt Feazell, Kelly Freas, Dave Gibbons, Greg Hildebrandt, Jim Starlin, John Romita, Sr., Boris Vallejo, and Bob Burden. Science fiction/fantasy writers included Robert Asprin, John Varley, Brad Strickland, and Diane Duane. Media guests included Carl Macek, Don Kennedy, and Steve Jackson of Steve Jackson Games. Stan Lee 5,000 attendees
July 31–August 2, 1987Omni Hotel & Georgia World Congress Center Adam West, Caroline Munro, Robert Bloch, Boris Vallejo, Kelly Freas, Jennifer Roberson, and Tom Savini Tom Savini
June 24–26, 1988Atlanta Hilton & TowersGuest of honor was Stan Lee; official guests included Mark Gruenwald, Archie Goodwin, Steven Grant, Bob Burden, Kevin Maguire, Julius Schwartz, and Chris Claremont. [7] Julius Schwartz [8] Convention location changed due to 1988 Democratic National Convention in Atlanta; 4,000 attendees) [2]
July 21–23, 1989 [2] Atlanta Hilton & Towers [2] George Pérez, Michael Dorn, Jerry Robinson, Gary Gygax, Todd Bryant, June Chadwick, [1] Marc Singer, and Marina Sirtis George Pérez Membership: $27 before July 7, $30 at the door; [2] 4,000 attendees; [1] scheduled guests Bob Kane and Tom Savini were forced to cancel [1]
August 17–19, 1990Omni Hotel & Georgia World Congress Center Jack Kirby, John de Lancie, Sandahl Bergman, Catherine Hicks, Julius Schwartz, Sharon Green, Linda Thorson, Martin Caidin, Greg Theakston, Boris Vallejo, Bobbie Chase, Danny Fingeroth, [9] and Carl Macek  ?
July 26–28, 1991Atlanta Hilton & Towers Marina Sirtis, Dean Stockwell, Marc Singer, Matt Wagner, Julius Schwartz, Greg Bear Greg Bear Attendees were offered a sneak preview of Beastmaster 2: Through the Portal of Time , not due to be released until August.
June 20–21, 1992Hyatt Atlanta Airport Peter David, Stephen R. Donaldson Stephen R. Donaldson
June 25–27, 1993Hyatt Atlanta Airport David Prowse, Grace Lee Whitney, Caroline Munro, Monique Gabrielle, Jeff Rector, Gunnar Hanson, Irish McCalla  ?Membership: $27 until June 5, $30 at door
June 17–19, 1994Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza Sarah Douglas, Bruce Campbell, Jeff Rector, Geraint Wyn Davies, John A. Russo, Ted V. Mikels  ?Membership: $27 until June 5, $30 at door. Rooms $79 single/double, $99 triple/quad
June 23–25, 1995Castlegate Hotel Claudia Christian, Dirk Benedict, Dwight Schultz, Jeff Pittarelli, Don Hillsman II, Wayne Vansant, Joe Phillips  ?Membership: $35 for 3 days. Rooms $69

Visions

From 1979 to 1987, the convention produced Visions, a program booklet given out to convention attendees. Each issue of the AFF zine highlighted that year's special guests, publishing biographies and checklists of their work. Each issue also featured pinup illustrations by professional and amateur artists. Visions was published by convention organizers Gary Cook and Lamar Waldron, and then, beginning with issue #4 (1982), under the name Atlanta Comics & Fantasy Fair, Ltd. Visions was edited by Lamar Waldron and was typically 12 in × 9 in (300 mm × 230 mm) in size.

Visions #1 (1979) features the first appearance of Bob Burden's Flaming Carrot. Visions #3 (1981) contains an extremely rare early Flaming Carrot story by Burden.

The AFF published 4,000 copies of Visions #4 (1982), which contained a Frank Miller Batman pinup, a Miller checklist, a Forrest J Ackerman article written by Robert Bloch, artwork by Ray Harryhausen and Will Eisner, and the fourth appearance of Burden's Flaming Carrot.

Visions #5 featured checklists of the books of Robert Bloch and Larry Niven, and "Remembering Boris Karloff" by Forrest J Ackerman. The cover depicted model Susan Barrow (a.k.a. Susie the Floozie).[ citation needed ]

Atlanta Fantasy Fair Awards

In 1982 the Atlanta Fantasy Fair Award for Outstanding Achievement was established, bestowed for lifetime achievement in the fields of science fiction, fantasy, horror, comics, and related fields in any medium. The prize (sculpted by Edward Knox) was a sterling silver statuette of "Miss Fantasy Fair," with an elaborate headdress and a diamond in one eye.

Winners were required to be present to claim the award, or it would pass to the next choice. The inaugural recipient was science fiction and fantasy fan, spokesman, and promoter Forrest J Ackerman.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forrest J Ackerman</span> American writer and collector (1916–2008)

Forrest James Ackerman was an American magazine editor; science fiction writer and literary agent; a founder of science fiction fandom; a leading expert on science fiction, horror, and fantasy films; a prominent advocate of the Esperanto language; and one of the world's most avid collectors of genre books and film memorabilia. He was based in Los Angeles, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dragon Con</span> Annual pop culture fan convention in Atlanta

Dragon Con is a North American multigenre convention, founded in 1987, which takes place annually over the Labor Day weekend in Atlanta, Georgia. As of 2017, the convention draws attendance of over 80,000. It features hundreds of guests, encompasses five hotels in the Peachtree Center neighborhood of downtown Atlanta near Centennial Olympic Park, and runs thousands of hours of programming for fans of science fiction, fantasy, comic books, and other elements of fan culture. It is owned and operated by a private for-profit corporation, with the help of a 1,500-member volunteer staff. Dragon Con has hosted the 1990 Origins Game Fair and the 1995 North American Science Fiction Convention (NASFiC).

<i>Flaming Carrot Comics</i> American superhero comic

Flaming Carrot Comics is an American superhero comic book created by Bob Burden, featuring the absurd, surreal adventures of the Flaming Carrot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob Burden</span> American comic book artist and writer

Bob Burden is an American comic book artist and writer, best known as the creator of Flaming Carrot Comics and the Mystery Men.

Notable events of 1989 in comics.

Notable events of 1995 in comics.

Notable events of 1982 in comics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fan Expo Chicago</span>

Fan Expo Chicago, is a comic book convention held during the summer in Rosemont, Illinois, United States, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. It was traditionally a three-day event, but in 2006, it expanded to four days. It was founded in 1972 as Nostalgia '72, Chicago Comic Con and later as the Chicago Comic and Nostalgia Convention by a local dealer named Nancy Warner.

The East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention (ECBACC) is the Philadelphia region's first black comic book convention, bringing together hundreds of comic book, science fiction, and fantasy creators, their colleagues, and their fans. The ECBACC is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit community-based organization focused on education, literacy and the arts. ECBACC, Inc. was founded in 2002 by Yumy Odom, a multidisciplinary educator, scientist and researcher affiliated with Temple University, and Maurice Waters.

Roxanne Starr is an American graphic designer and comic book letterer.

Lamar Waldron is an American writer and historian who often writes about conspiracies and cover-ups.

The Dallas Fantasy Fair was an annual multi-genre fan convention held between 1982 and 1995 in Dallas, Texas. From 1989 until the show's demise in 1996, it was the home of the Harvey Award ceremonies. During its heyday, the show was one of the largest comics conventions in the country, third in attendance behind the San Diego Comic-Con and the Chicago Comicon.

Houstoncon was an annual multi-genre fan convention which was held between 1967 and 1982 in Houston, Texas. Houstoncon started out as a member of the Southwesterncon series of regional conventions, but eventually became an independent con. Most Houstoncons took place over three days in June, from Friday to Sunday. The founders of Houstoncon were Roy Bonario and Marc Schooley; Houston area entrepreneur Ed Blair, Jr. was also a key member of the organizing committee.

Comix Fair was a comic convention that was held annually between 1983 and 1996 in Houston, Texas. It was produced by the Houston-based company Utopia Entertainment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Magnum Opus Con</span> Annual science fiction convention in U.S.

Magnum Opus Con (MOC) was an annual multigenre convention which generally took place each spring in various cities in the U.S. states of Georgia and South Carolina from 1986 to 2001. Organized by comics retailer Roland Castle, the convention was designed to attract science fiction fans of all stripes. Over its 16-year run, MOC featured hundreds of celebrity guests and ran hundreds of hours of programming for fans of science fiction, fantasy, comic books, gaming, and other elements of fandom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Comic book convention</span> Event with a primary focus on comic books

A comic book convention or comic con is a fan convention emphasizing comic books and comic book culture, in which comic book fans gather to meet creators, experts, and each other. Commonly, comic conventions are multi-day events hosted at convention centers, hotels, or college campuses. They feature a wide variety of activities and panels, with a larger number of attendees participating with cosplay than for most other types of fan conventions. Comic book conventions are also used as a method by which publishers, distributors, and retailers represent their comic-related releases. Comic book conventions may be considered derivatives of science-fiction conventions, which began during the late 1930s.

Southwesterncon was a series of regional multi-genre fan conventions held annually in Texas and Oklahoma between 1966 and 1971. On a rotating basis, conventions were held in Dallas ("D-Con"), Houston ("Houstoncon"), and Oklahoma City ("Multicon"). Most Southwesterncons took place over three days in June. Southwesterncon is credited with being one of the earliest ongoing comic book conventions in the United States.

<i>M.I.C.R.A.: Mind Controlled Remote Automaton</i> American comic book series

M.I.C.R.A.: Mind Controlled Remote Automaton is an unfinished creator-owned American science fiction comic book series written by Lamar Waldron and drawn by Ted Boonthanakit. It was published between November 1986 and Spring 1988 by Fictioneer Books, an imprint of Comics Interview publisher David Anthony Kraft. Set in 2048–49, the story concerns a young paraplegic college student who is able to take control of the titular robotic body via telepresence.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Keefer III, John. "Escape From Reality: The Atlanta Fantasy Fair Had Something For The Kid In Everyone," Archived 2015-05-18 at the Wayback Machine Sun-Sentinel (July 29, 1989).
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Keefer III, John. "Indulge Fantasies At Atlanta Sci-fi Fair," Sun-Sentinel (June 18, 1989).
  3. 1 2 Henry, Scott (January 20, 2002). "The wizard of Dragon*Con stands trial: The force behind Atlanta's largest sci-fi convention finds himself in his own world of darkness". Creative Loafing (Atlanta) . Retrieved February 27, 2017.
  4. ↑ Wiater, Stanley & Bissette, Stephen R. (ed.s) Comic Book Rebels: Conversations with the Creators of the New Comics (Donald I. Fine, Inc. 1993) ISBN   1-55611-355-2
  5. ↑ Merrill, David. "The Atlanta Fantasy Fair," Archived 2015-05-19 at the Wayback Machine Drunken Catspaw (Jan. 2007). Accessed April 22, 2008
  6. ↑ "Periodic Table of Ultimate Mystery Fiction Web Guide". Magicdragon.com. Retrieved January 21, 2011.
  7. ↑ "Summer Comic Conventions," The Comics Journal #122 (June 1988), pp. 26–27.
  8. ↑ Schwartz entry Archived May 18, 2015, at the Wayback Machine , Who's Who of American Comic Books, 1928–1999. Accessed May 13, 2015.
  9. ↑ Marvel Bullpen Bulletins, Spider-Man vol. 1, #2 (Sept. 1990).

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.