Article by Bloody-Ian

While the celebrity guests take up much of the attention at Flashback Weekend, what would it be without the tireless toils of the vendors’ room? A big empty room. If it’s horror you can get it here; from horror-themed ties, to guitar pick earrings, to vintage horror comics, to original horror art.

Often unnoticed is the effort these vendors go through to make a living off these events. It’s blood, sweet, and rolling carts that transform these drab folding tables into a mobile store front usually no more than eight feet by four. It’s all about getting the fan to stop and look be it huge posters, videos playing, racks with their most collectable items, or just good old fashion sex appeal.

Larry of the MOJO RESIN table has a wide array of classic magazines stacked in front of model kits. His passion for model kits started when he was stationed in Japan and over the decades he has gone to countless conventions. While several comic-cons have become multi-media spectaculars, “…horror conventions have remained grass-roots.” He comes year after year, because he enjoys meeting with people and the celebrity’s are still approachable.

Next to his table is VOODOO COMICS table run by Jim and Griff (pictured above). Box after box of just horror comics overflow their table as they preside over the collection like demented genies granting any request they can.

Jim shared that the vendors (fans, themselves) often barter with each other; be it simply trading collectibles, to logo designs and graphics printing. They are a community within a community, spending their days in the hustling Dealer’s Room and their nights hanging out in somebody’s hotel room. Each event is like a convention within a convention for the vendors. They catch-up, share information, and just have a lot of fun…all while trying to pay the bills.

New this year is a slightly smaller table full of tiny delights. It’s BENT METAL CRAFTWORKS run by John and the artist Stacey. Glittering in the florescent lights is a wide variety of jewelry, row after row of guitar pick earrings featuring Freddy, Jason, and KISS.

Stacey’s (the artist) has been growing Bent Metal online for 5 years but just recently realized how big Chicago’s appetite was for horror. She’s very pleased the convention-goers and the Flashback Staff and expects to do more conventions.

It’s thanks to the efforts of these fans, craftsmen, and artists that a typical hotel ballroom is transformed into this dark caravan of macabre delights.