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36-534: The Detroit Triple Fan Fair ( DTFF ) was a multigenre convention generally held annually in Detroit from 1965 to 1977. It is credited for being one of the first comic book conventions in the United States. The Triple Fan Fair also gave balanced coverage to historic film showings and science fiction literature, in a manner that provided a template for many future convention organizers — most of which have yet to attain

72-487: A five-day affair that shared events with "Dum-Dum '70" (put on by Burroughs ' Bibliophiles). Guests and attending professionals included Philip José Farmer (the Dum-Dum Guest of Honor), Jim Steranko , Algis Budrys , Don & Maggie Thompson , Jerry Bails , Marv Wolfman , Len Wein , Bernie Wrightson , Alan Weiss , Mike Friedrich , and John Jakes . Panels were held on such topics as Carl Barks & Walt Kelly ,

108-656: A for-profit endeavor called the Motor City Comic Con ; it continues as an annual show to the present day. The Detroit Fanfare, established in 2010, openly acknowledged its debt to the Detroit Triple Fan Fair: Detroit has a very strong connection with comic conventions and fandom. Some of the earliest fandom magazines came out of the Detroit area in the late 1960s and the Detroit Triple Fan Fair

144-477: A less caste-like differentiation between professional and fan. Anime conventions , gaming conventions , filk-music conventions, and furry conventions may all be considered derivatives of science-fiction conventions, which began in the late 1930s. While the wearing of costumes—and even a costume competition (known as a "masquerade")—has been an occasional feature of traditional science-fiction conventions since Morojo and Forrest J Ackerman wore them during

180-467: A local artist who draws "way out".... The comics panel convened later in the evening. Panelists included Don & Maggie Thompson , Ed Aprill Jr., Marvin Giles, Eugene Seiger, and Shel Dorf, moderated by Robert Brosch. The principal subject was "Are Modern Comics Better Than The Golden Age?"... Early Sunday afternoon the committee auctioned off several hundred pieces of original artwork and manuscripts. Following

216-584: A major Denver-area comics retailer, hitchhiked to Detroit for the Memorial Day DTFF, slept in Jerry Bails ' home, and set up as a dealer at the show. Rozanski converted 50 high-value comics he brought with him into an inventory of more than 2,000 comics. By the end of the show, he had made more than $ 400 and had over 1000 comics which he sent back to Denver for future sales. (Rozanski opened his first store in Denver

252-527: A not-for-profit basis, though some events catering to fans are run by commercial interests for profit. Many conventions have award presentations relating to their genre (such as the Hugo Awards which have been presented at The World Science Fiction Convention (WorldCon) since 1953). At commercial events, performers often give out autographs to the fans, sometimes in exchange for a flat appearance fee, and sometimes may perform songs that have no relevance to

288-501: A selection of Hammer Horror films; an uncut version of Night of the Living Dead ; four Marx Brothers films; and 12 Star Trek episodes. In addition, Vaughn Bodē debuted his "Bodē Cartoon Concert" at the 1972 show, in front of a crowd of 80 people. Admission each day to the 1972 DTFF was $ 4 at the door. (Illustrator Joe Barney — who later worked for Neal Adams ' Continuity Studios — claims to have met his idol Jim Steranko at

324-655: The First World Science Fiction Convention in 1939, this has never been the dominant feature of such events. From press coverage of comic book and anime conventions has arisen the widespread image of fans' tendency to dress up as their favorite characters in elaborate costumes (known as cosplay in anime terminology) that are time-consuming and/or expensive to assemble. Different conventions use different methods to count their attendance, which leads to some confusion about actual convention size. Fan conventions for various genres of entertainment extend to

360-411: The 1965 DTFF, and Rich Buckler also attended the initial shows as a teenager, eventually "running things." Arvell Jones recalls many members of the so-called "Detroit Mob" making appearances at various shows, including Buckler, Greg Theakston , Tom Orzechowski , Keith Pollard , Jim Starlin , Mike Vosburg , Al Milgrom , Terry Austin , and Michael Netzer (Nasser) . The reputation of the convention

396-490: The 1971 Detroit Triple Fan Fair, but there is no record of a DTFF being held in 1971. Barney remembers Vaughn Bodē , Jeff Jones , Greg Theakston , Michael Nasser , and Keith Pollard being at the same show, which means he was probably thinking of the 1972 edition of DTFF.) One of Theakston's first acts as official DTFF owner was to hold two shows in 1973, one over Memorial Day weekend, and one in October. Chuck Rozanski , later

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432-689: The 1977 DTFF included the Harryhausen movies It Came from Beneath the Sea , The 7th Voyage of Sinbad , and Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger . Comic book artist Gray Morrow claimed to have illustrated the 1978 DTFF program booklet, but there is no record of a show being held that year. From 1984 to 1986, local-area grad student Gary Reed (later publisher of Caliber Press ) ran a local convention known as King Kon . Starting in 1989, comics retailer Michael Goldman launched

468-499: The 1981 Worldcon , Denvention Two (he had attended Denvention One in 1941). He was particularly likely to participate in panel discussions on the history of fandom and fanzines, and in panels of the form, "So: This Is Your First Convention? Here's What To Expect." Hevelin was the 1986 recipient of the Big Heart Award for service to the science fiction community. He was well known as a collector of science fiction materials, and

504-626: The DTFF also sponsored an amateur film contest. On May 24, 1964, at the Hotel Tuller , teenagers Robert Brosch and Dave Szurek organized a Detroit-based convention for about 80 fans of the comic book medium. Jerry Bails , the "father of comics fandom," was on the organizing committee, along with members of the Michigan Science Fiction Society (the so-called "Misfits.") The next year Bails and local comics enthusiast Shel Dorf took over

540-466: The DTFF in various capacities at least through 1970. The first official DTFF took place July 24–25, 1965, at the Embassy Hotel in Detroit. Admission charge was $ 2.00 for both days. In what soon became a trend, aspiring local comic book creators flocked to the early events, and often became involved with organizing the show each year. For instance, the then-18-year-old Carl Lundgren was co-chairman of

576-520: The Triple Fan Fair was "alive and well," Theakston staged a DTFF from October 19–22, 1972. That year's show shared billing with Al Schuster 's Star Trek Convention ; guests included Gene Roddenberry and Majel Barrett , as well as Neal Adams . "Films till dawn" shown at the 1972 DTFF included such Pre-Code Hollywood classics as The Invisible Man , Bela Lugosi 's Dracula , and Boris Karloff 's Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein ;

612-609: The annual "masque" with a $ 150 first prize. Thursday night's "films till dawn" and "fractured flickers" included six Amos 'n' Andy episodes. Artist Michael Netzer (then known as Michael Nasser) remembers that Greg Theakston introduced him to Neal Adams at the 1974 DTFF. Adams took interest in Netzer's art and invited him to join Continuity Studios . By the mid-to-late 1970s, many of the Detroit-area creators who had helped organize

648-457: The auction a pulp panel convened, chaired by Lynn Hickman, including Rusty Hevelin , Marvin Giles, Fred Cook, Howard DeVore , and Clara Griffis.... Then came the widely billed "Inquisition of Ellison” by Detroit area sf writers. They put Harlan to the ’Question’ . It consisted of all these writers asking Harlan questions and when he gave an answer asking him to explain his reasons for doing this. Needless to say Harlan held his own. The 'inquisition'

684-640: The award was to be the Rusty Hevelin Service Award. The Munsey Award survives, but the Rusty Hevelin Service Award has been introduced as a new award. His collection of pulps, fanzines, and science fiction books became part of the University of Iowa Library Special Collections and University Archives in April 2012. The library is digitizing the Hevelin Collection's approximately 10,000 fanzines, for

720-505: The benefit of scholars and fans alike; and the Collection has its own frequently-updated Tumblr page. The 2012 Liaden universe novel Dragon Ship by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller is dedicated to Hevelin (and to Anne McCaffrey ). One of the supporting characters in the novel is a telepathic non-human creature named Havelin, described as graying (younger members of the species have rusty-colored hair), old and knowledgeable. Hevelin

756-558: The event, christening it the Detroit Triple Fan Fair (referring to fantasy literature, fantasy films, and comic art) and organizing it as an annual event (although no show was held in 1966). The board of the initial official Detroit Triple Fan Fair consisted of Bails, Carl Lundgren , Tom Altschuler, Ed Aprill, Noel Cooper, Gary Crowdus, Howard DeVore , Marvin Giles, Dennis Kowicki, Larry Larson, and Eugene Seeger. Robert Brosch, an authority on horror films, also stayed involved with

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792-592: The first conventions held in the 1930s. However, while a few conventions were created in various parts of the world within the period between 1935–1960, the number of convention establishments increased slightly in the 1960s and then increased dramatically in the 1970s, with many of the largest conventions in the modern era being established during the latter decade. Impetuses for further establishment of local fan conventions include: Rusty Hevelin James LeRoy "Rusty" Hevelin (February 16, 1922 – December 27, 2011)

828-458: The following year.) The October 1973 show, featuring Barry Smith , Michael Kaluta , George A. Romero , and Russ Heath , sponsored an amateur film contest and the annual " masque " (with a $ 100 first prize). In 1974, DTFF was considered the largest fan convention, in terms of attendance, in the Midwest. The 1974 edition featured an Academy of Comic Book Arts exhibit, an amateur film contest, and

864-532: The future of comics, and a " sword & sorcery symposium." The Academy of Comic Book Arts provided an exhibit of original art. The dealer room was known as the "Huckster Room" and "movies till dawn" were shown every night from Sept. 3–6. A masquerade ball, with prizes for the best costume, was held Saturday night. In addition to co-organizer Buckler, other attendees at the 1970 DTFF who later became comics industry professionals included Arvell Jones , Tom Orzechowski , Greg Theakston , and Tony Isabella . No DTFF

900-688: The masters of the medium. In another nod to the DTFF, the Detroit Fanfare also distributed the "Shel Dorf Awards". The Detroit Fanfare ceased operations after the 2012 convention. The Nova Award was created by Jack Promo and Marvin S. Giles, and was first presented in 1967. The DTFF published "progress reports" in 1969, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, as many as three for some of their conventions. Contributors included Allen Park and Robert Brosch; cover illustrations were by Al Williamson , Frank Frazetta , and Neal Adams (Batman). Multigenre convention Fan conventions are traditionally organized by fans on

936-463: The program cover was by Gray Morrow. Films included Fritz Lang 's Metropolis , Douglas Fairbanks ' The Thief of Bagdad , Arthur Conan Doyle 's The Lost World , and Humphrey Bogart 's The Maltese Falcon . Greg Theakston became a major player in the DTFF after Shel Dorf left, coming to own it from 1973 until its 1978 dissolution. In response to the Detroit Tri-Con, and asserting that

972-483: The promotion of another Triple Fan Fair in mid-1969.") The convention started Friday night with a "Welcome Harlan" party at the home of Hal Shapiro. Saturday morning the huckster room did a booming business in old comics and movie materials. Science fiction moved rather slowly. At noon the program began, with introductions, followed by a chalk talk by Bob Taylor of MAD magazine... The evening banquet presented Guest of Honor Harlan Ellison, sharing honors with Ken Muse,

1008-461: The same level of equal service to this sort of linked fan base. In addition to the typical convention features like a dealer room and panel-led discussions, the Detroit Triple Fan Fair featured a costume contest, and "films till dawn" (often running all night long for the convention's duration). From 1967 to at least 1969, the show presented the Nova Award to that year's guest of honor. In later years,

1044-541: The show had relocated to New York City to work for Marvel and DC. The DTFF would continue sporadically through the 1970s. There was no DTFF held in 1975. In 1977, there was a final Triple Fan Fair held at the now-defunct Hilton in Troy, Michigan — that edition of the DTFF was known as the "Detroit Triple Fan Fair (in Exile)." Guests of honor at that event were Chuck Jones , Charles H. Schneer , and Ray Harryhausen . Films screened at

1080-472: The shows or otherwise entertain the fans. Commercial conventions are usually quite expensive and are hosted in hotels. There is often tight security for the celebrities to protect against potentially fanatic fans. Such features are not common at traditional science-fiction conventions , which are more oriented toward science fiction as a mode of literature, rather than toward visual media, and do not include any paid appearances by famous personalities, and maintain

1116-472: Was a science fiction fan , fanzine publisher, collector and huckster . Hevelin was an active member of the science fiction community from the early 1940s, publishing his own fanzines such as H-1661 , as well as contributing to many others. He had been Fan Guest of Honor and Toastmaster at so many science fiction conventions that everyone (including Hevelin) lost count. He was the Fan Guest of Honor at

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1152-798: Was held in 1971, and Detroit-area enthusiasts Tom Orzechowski , Terry Austin , Tony Isabella , Arvell Jones , Martin Pasko , and Jerry Bails feared it would fade away entirely. Accordingly, in August 1972 they organized the Detroit Tri-Con , held August 3–6 at the Pick-Fort Shelby Hotel . Official guests were Gray Morrow , Lin Carter , and Fan Guest of Honor Rick Yager ; other guests included Edmond Hamilton , Leigh Brackett , Al Williamson , Russ Myers , John Jakes , T. Casey Brennan , and Robert Taylor ;

1188-458: Was probably the best portion of the entire program. Letterer Ken Bruzenak attended the 1969 convention, where he met his hero Jim Steranko , and also crossed paths with future collaborator Howard Chaykin for the first time. Co-founder Dorf left Detroit and the DTFF for Southern California in late 1969, where he shortly founded what became San Diego Comic-Con . The 1970 show, organized by Buckler and DTFF originator Robert Brosch, expanded to

1224-503: Was such that a number of other industry professionals would appear at the event unbilled. The 1968 DTFF, held on the weekend of June 15 and 16 featuring guest of honor Harlan Ellison , took place at the Pick Fort Shelby Hotel (the site of the 17th World Science Fiction Convention , dubbed "Detention", held in 1959). According to reports, the convention cleared a "$ 60 profit on a budget of $ 1,100." ("Profits [were] banked toward

1260-469: Was the first convention of its kind. ... Detroit Fanfare is both proud and excited to bring back home some of the major participants that helped to grow the comic industry into the behemoth it is today. There will [be] panels and discussions where the people who started so much will have a chance to discuss the early days, and reflect on their memories of the great stars that attended the convention. They will provide rare pictures and original drawings of some of

1296-482: Was the recipient of First Fandom 's 2003 Sam Moskowitz Archive Award for excellence in science fiction collecting. Hevelin was one of the founders of PulpCon , an annual convention dedicated to pulp magazines . In 2012, PulpFest announced they would be renaming the Munsey Award, which has been given annually to a person who has given of himself or herself for the betterment of the pulp community. The new name for

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