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I've been lurking a lot here and in the AD thread but some how I feel that an Anime convention artist alley is very very very different from a normal comic con AA.

The thing is I don't go to anime conventions. Never did never will. I only go to comic conventions, and since I'm poor only the ones in my area (NYCC and Big Apple con I go to ALL the time).

However I only go to stock celebrities, prance around in my costumes, but comics/toys and view panels. I never really go into the AAs there unless I'm hunting an artist I know down.

As a comic artist struggling for money and a name I figure since sooo many people on this site go set up shop at AAs that I might give it a chance too. But the more I look on the conventions site the more I feel like I don't have a chance at those cons. They'll, like, all pros. I feel as if I'll stick out like a sore tumb and look silly selling prints and stuff.

From what I have managed to remember from the AA I've pasted by teh artist sell either copies of their comics, commissions and originals comic pages (the 11x17 ink work).

Is there any hope for me in the AAs of my feild? Do I have to wait until a publisher has one of my comics to consider a table? Or should I just pic my most siney art and try to blend in at anime AAs where no one will know my stuff?

(link my work in case you wondering
zammap.sitesled.com
and coloring
http://s76.photobucket.com/albums/j15/zammap/art samples/
)

Okay... I THINK what you're asking (correct me if I'm wrong ^_^ ) is whether or not you'd stand a chance at a regular anime convention's Artists Alley, right? The link you gave didn't work for me, but from what I've seen of your art around the site and in your signature, I'd say yes, you'd be fine.

As far as selling comics, lots of artists sell comics in the Artists Alley, and the vast majority of them do it without any major company owning any rights--most are either self-published via small press, or via print-on-demand (the route I go, since I'm too broke and don't do brisk enough business to do small press. Not to mention the lack of storage space.) What's available at an anime con is pretty open to interpretation--hell, what shows up at an anime con is pretty varied too. I see probably at least a dozen Star Wars cosplayers a year just at the anime cons (including, most years, Boba Fett and Baby Fett), as well as lots of gaming characters, Disney characters (thank you Kingdom Hearts for that one), American cartoon characters... you name it, people will dress up as it. So even if you're not really in the "anime" style of things, you'd still stand a chance.

I was puddling around both really. I feel comic cons have a more pro envirnment and anime cons a more amature setting a side from the style difference.

I... I'm just confused
D:
I don't know what to do

I think you do happen to live in a highly competitive market area, which probably does make things harder. Anime cons really for the most part are relaxed at AA, and you see all levels of talent at a table because most keep prices low enough for it to be a good entry point for people not sure if they will be successful. Comic cons seem much more cutthroat because that's directly tied to an artist industry, whereas at an anime con (at least in the US) you're pretty unlikely to see any of the folks who actually make the big studio anime, manga, or artbooks in the AA.

I think many people go the comics route, because getting people interested in your characters makes them more loyal regardless of your level of art, whereas pretty art is a passing fancy.
However, I think the days of 'get your stuff out there and hope some publisher sees you' are past. So many people have been successful through self promotion and self publication, and then they get noticed later.

I finally plucked up the courage to get a table at Megacon this year (its the largest mixed con in the region, ie comic, sci-fi/fantasy, gaming, and anime has increasingly encroached with its popularity). I'm still wondering if it was a mistake. I've taken a careful look at all the folks there in previous years, and I feel like if I've seen people I feel I can do better than, then there's no reason I shouldn't try. Just because I don't work for someone as an artist as a day job doesn't mean my work is invalid.
I will say I've noticed the rules seem much more strict. Its got a different feeling from how anime cons are held. But the bigger the con, the more convoluted the rules.

There is a bit of 'know your target audience'. I would go to a straight sci-fi/gaming con, because my work wouldn't appeal or fit in as much there. But there is a lot of crossover in geekdom, which is part of what makes it wonderful. Few people only like ONE type of thing.

But I'd say go for it. Everything its a learning experience, and its better to try and know than not try. At the very least you'll get some exposure and get to chat with some folks. I'm sometimes surprised at the number of people who walk up to me and say they're fans of my site biggrin

It may be a little easier starting with an anime con, since pretty much any style is welcome there and if you're more unique you stand out well and its a bit less competitive, but I don't really have comic con experience to compare to. Anime con goers also tend to be cheap at times, they'll 'ooh' but not buy (I do get the kids complaining about the cost of a $2 pin stare ).

I think comic cons are open about fanart. When I go, most of the artists have fanart of some comic character or other unless they only do their own work (ie they have an original comic they do). Heck I think its fairly common for professional artists to do fanart of characters from series they don't work on. I asked about Megacon and they said fanart was fine. I think they're ok with it because I don't see fanart hurting the companies at all, the folks that love the characters will still buy the books and merchandise, and its pretty common for fans to like to see their favorite character in different styles and pro artists get a pretty penny from commissions to supplement whatever salary they have (that can't be all that great). It is kinda different from anime cons, which look the other way unless a company brings it up.
I don't think they're that keen on seeing a lot of fanart in a portfolio if you're looking to get a job or portfolio review, though. I guess it depends how its presented.