The 3 Rivers Comicon and the Man Behind It

by Anthony Nocera and Jonathan Cortez

3 Rivers Comicon, a two day comic book convention, is coming to Pittsburgh this weekend. Todd McDevitt, the organizer and host, was once a teenager who got into collecting comics thanks to his friend, Matt Brady.

While still in high school, Todd became intrigued by the business side of comic books. His business started without an actual location as he simply sold comic books in school and through mail. The first physical New Dimension Comics was in a small storefront by PeeWee’s Hot Dog Shop.

Todd’s business would continually grow and eventually become the most successful comic store chain in Western Pennsylvania. New Dimension Comics will celebrate its 30 year anniversary this summer and has expanded to six locations: Ellwood City, Clearview Mall in Butler, Century 3 Mall in West Mifflin, Piazza Plaza in Cranberry Township, Pittsburgh Mills Mall in Tarentum, and Ohio Valley Mall in St. Clairsville, Ohio.

This year will be another first for Todd: organizing a full-scale comicon. He stepped up to fill a void after customers expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of a solid comicon in the Pittsburgh area.

“We’ve run one day shows in the past on a small scale, but there was a rising clamor from customers,” Todd said.

While there are some comic-related events in Pittsburgh, such as Wizard World, they aren’t dedicated comicons. Todd described Wizard World as focusing more on celebrities instead of comic books and carrying a hefty entrance fee.

Since taking the role of organizing the 3 Rivers Comicon, Todd has been spreading the word through his store, through artists and publishers he does business with and by advertising through restaurants such as Buffalo Wild Wings.

“We already have more creators and vendors than other [Pittsburgh] events combined,” Todd said.

According to Todd, his duties as host will be smiling, shaking hands, making sure things go smoothly and jokingly said potentially cleaning the bathrooms.

As a beer connoisseur, Todd teamed with Helltown Brewing in Mt Pleasant to create a limited edition Imperial Russian Stout with a portion aged on bourbon and oak and blended into the batch. This beer will only be available at the release party on May 21 at 7 p.m. One of Todd’s favorite artists, Joe Linsner, created the label image and will be attending to autograph bottles.

Through his 30 years of managing a comic book store, Todd has created a sizable network of contacts. When attending other events, he introduces himself to artists and writers and has contracted work through publishers, who are in turn able to reach out to their artists.

In addition to this weekend’s comicon, New Dimensions Comics three decade anniversary will celebrate other advances for the chain and its owner.

According to Todd, the perception of comic books has changed over the years, largely from the popularity of Marvel and DC blockbusters, such as “The Avengers.”

Indeed, the last three years have had record sales for New Dimensions. While the digital medium poses a potential threat to the industry in the long term, Todd is confident his business has grown enough to not be challenged, adding that comic books are the only print medium that has experienced growth in recent years.

“Comic books used to be a little hobby that we kept secret, a clubhouse that we always knew was cool but now everybody knows is cool,” Todd said, adding that his stores have also seen an increased turnout among women customers.

Due to the increased popularity of comic books among the general population, the content of some franchises has shifted away from children to adults. Todd said that occasionally he has to warn parents that not all comic books are suitable for children.

About the Comicon

3 Rivers Comicon will be held at next to the Century 3 Mall in West Mifflin on May 21 and 22.

Guest artists and writers include Darryl Banks (Green Lantern), Pat & Shelly Block (Disney Comics), Chad Cicconi (Fracture), Dan Fogel (Underground Price & Grading Guide), Ron Frenz (Spider-Man, Thor), Justin Jordan (Green Lantern), Joe Linsner (Dawn, Harley Quinn), Kevin Maguire (Justice League), Bob McLeod (The New Mutants), Pat Olliffe (Spider-girl), P. Craig Russell (Sandman), John Totleben (Swamp Thing, Miracleman), Dave Wachter (Godzilla), Mark Wheatley (Doctor Who), and many more.

Tickets are $40 and include weekend VIP admission to 3 Rivers Comicon, a t-shirt, two graphic novels (a $20-50 value), catered food and free sample of the beer including a free bottle for fans to take home. Tickets are on sale now at 3riverscomicon.com/tickets.

There will be a cosplay costume contest Saturday with awards for craftsmanship, judges’ favorites, and best in show. Plus, a special kids costume contest on Sunday. Kids under 14 in costume Sunday get in free.

Other events include Magic: The Gathering tournament and Uncanny X-Men Booster Draft, art auction, statue Unveiling at noon Saturday and family events.

Every attendee will get a free Pittsburgh-themed exclusive cover to Awake #0 courtesy of Action Lab Entertainment.

3 Rivers Comicon runs Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A weekend pass is $14.99, Saturday is $9.99 and Sunday is $9.99. VIP packages at $25 get fans a t-shirt, weekend early (9:30) entry, two free graphic novels, and two exclusive comics.

Curious fans are encouraged to sign up for details at www.3riverscomicon.com; and follow us on Facebook at 3 Rivers Comicon, Twitter @3riverscomicon and Instagram at 3riverscomicon.