The Super DC Convention

The DC Super Convention (also called the DC Super Con) was the first and only DC convention held in New York in 1976. It was organized by Phil Seuling, already known for founding and running the New York Comic Art Convention (1968-1983) and had the full cooperation of the DC Comics publishing company who provided guests, produced the program book and hosted activities. The date - February 29 - was chosen specifically despite it being a leap year because it had been established as Superman's birthday. 
Guests included Golden Age and Silver Age DC creators, with special guests Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster and Sheldon Mayer. 
The staff were a combination of fans and DC staffers: 
Chairmen: Phil Seuling (fan) and Sol Harrison (NPP president) 
Managers: Jonni Levas (fan) and Paul Levitz (fan on the cusp of becoming DC staff) 
Treasurer: Arthur Gutowitz (DC accountant) 
Publicity: Jenette Kahn (DC publisher) 
Events & Exhibits: Midge Bergman (fan), Carl Gafford (DC), Jack C. Harris (recent fan-turned-staff), Kelly Harris (fan), Bob Rozakis (DC), Anthony Tollin (DC), Shelley Weissberger (fan), John Workman (DC). 
Registration: Norma Levine (fan), Paul Messina (fan), Gary Arkin (fan). 
Security: Mitchell Zykofsky, Ken Pisani, Warren Wolf, Howie Kustern, Allan Griman, Artie Galmitz, Ernie Flowitz, Spencer Leibman, K.C., Ron Jordan, Peter Schwartz, Rona Scala, Ravi Siriam and Larry Adler. 
==Program==
Despite a last minute change of venue due to a strike of hotel workers at the Hotel Commodore, the convention opened on Friday with a dealer's room, radio room (for the playing of DC-related radio serials?), art exhibit, Superman memorabilia display, merchandise exhibits and cartoon showings, as well as autograph sessions. There was also a program of panels, talks and events for each day:
=== Day 1 ===
4:00 p.m. - convention opens
4:00 p.m. - "How a Comic Book is Created" (until 6 p.m.)
5:00 p.m. - official welcome by Sol Harrison, convention co-chair and president of National Periodical Publications.
6:00 p.m. - Workshop in Comic Book Writing
7:00 p.m. - Auction I - Bargains and Oddities
8:00 p.m. - Art Exhibit, Radio and Memorabilia Rooms and Dealer's Room closed for the day.
8:00 p.m. - "The Educational Value of Comic Books"
8:00 p.m. - Film Program
12:00 midnight - convention closes for the day.
=== Day 2 ===
10:00 a.m. - convention opens
11:00 a.m. - "Comic Book Scripting - Then and Now"
12:00 noon - "Batman: The Darknight Detective" - Panel Discussion
1:00 p.m. - Keynote: Sheldon Mayer
2:00 p.m. - "The Legion of Super-Heroes: More Heroes, More Fans?"
2:00 p.m. - "How a Comic Book is Created" (until 4:00 p.m.)
2:30 p.m. - Auction II - Artwork & Treasures
3:00 p.m. - Workshop - How to Draw Comic Books
4:00 p.m. - Costume Parade I
6:00 p.m. - Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster, A Tribute
7:00 p.m. - Trivia Contest
8:00 p.m. - Art Exhibit, Radio and Memorabilia Rooms closed for the day.
8:00 p.m. - Film Program II (until midnight)
10:00 p.m. - "Tarzan and his Team" - Panel Discussion
10:00 p.m. - Dealer's Room closed for the day.
12:00 midnight - convention closes for the day.
=== Day 3 ===
10:00 a.m. - convention opens
11:00 a.m. - "The Art of Storytelling"
12:00 p.m. - "Superman - The Man and the Myth" - Panel Discussion
12:00 p.m. - "How a Comic Book is Created" (until 2:00 p.m.)
1:00 p.m. - "The Golden Age & The Men Who Made It" - Panel Discussion
1:30 p.m. - Auction III - Junk & Jewels
2:00 p.m. - "Who Are Today's Heroes? A Personality Panel" - Panel Discussion
3:00 p.m. - Cartoons (until 7:00 p.m.)
3:30 p.m. - Costume Parade II
4:00 p.m. - "How a Comic Book is Created" (until 6:00 p.m.)
5:30 p.m. - Superman's Birthday Party
8:00 p.m. - all areas close, convention ends.
===Program Book===
The program book was a special issue of volume 3 of DC's prozine The Amazing World of DC Comics, edited by Paul Levitz with Carl Gafford, Jack C. Harris and Bob Rozakis as contributing editors. A scan of the entire program is available at Carl Cafarelli's blog.
Contents:
*Welcome from the DC Staff
*"DC Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow" by Anthony Tollin - a brief history of DC
*"Interview with 2 Supermen" by E. Nelson Birdwell - "interview" with the Earth-1 and Earth-2 versions of Superman
*"Super-Artists" - Superman art by Joe Shuster; Dick Sprang; Al Plastino; Wayne Boring; Jim Mooney; Kurt Schaffenberger; Nick Cardy; Curt Swan and Murphy Anderson; Neal Adams and Murphy Anderson; Ross Andru and Dick Giordano; Dick Dillin and Joe Giella.
*"Happy Anniversary, Hero" by Carl Gafford and Franklin W. Maynard - article on the various Superman anniversaries.
*"Siegel, Shuster & Superman" by E. Nelson Birdwell - article on the creation of Superman.
*"Superman 1940s: How Superman Would End the War" by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.
*"Super-Heroes in Miniature" by Fred Schneider - article on comic character miniatures.
*Con Program
*"Comic Collecting: Hints for a New Hobbyist" by Paul Kupperberg
*"Superman 1960s: The Supershow of Metropolis" by Curt Swan and Stan Kay - comic strip
*Costume Party Capers by Jack C. Harris - article on cosplay and costume parades.
*For More Information - The Amazing World of DC Comics reference guide for articles on comics, films, animation, creating comic books, DC hero origins, and memorabilia.
*Superman's Photo Album - various photos from "live" appearances and movie stills
*Superman 1970s by Len Wein and Neal Adams - comic strip
*Advertisement - Phil Seuling's comic dealing business and the New York Comic Art Convention
*Autograph page.
==Gallery==
File:Posters-supercon program.jpg|Program
File:Super DC Con interior.jpg|inside front cover, with Twinkie the Kid wishing Superman a happy birthday, art by Vinnie Colletta
File:Super DC Con Staff.jpeg|Convention Staff
File:Super DC Con TOC.jpg|Table of Contents
File:Super DC Con interior 2.jpeg|Title page for Paul Kupperberg's article on comics collecting; art by Carmine Infantino
File:Posters-ballot.jpg|Legion of Super-Heroes leadership ballot form, produced by DC Comics
File:Posters-superconform.jpg|DC questionnaire, produced by DC Comics
==Convention Reports==
== References ==
Category:1976 Conventions
Category:Comics Conventions
Category:DC Comics
Category:Conventions in United States