Selling Funko!: ECCC Reportedly Now Offering Refunds to Artist Alley Exhibitors as Coronavirus Fears Continue

Thursday, March 5, 2020

ECCC Reportedly Now Offering Refunds to Artist Alley Exhibitors as Coronavirus Fears Continue

As the world continues to grapple with the spread of a novel form of coronavirus causing the deadly disease known as COVID-19, Emerald City Comic Con, set to take place in one week in Seattle, at the heart of the largest known outbreak in the U.S., is now reportedly offering refunds to Artist Alley exhibitors who no longer plan to attend the show. In the past week, we've seen major exhibitors such as DC Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Penguin Random House, CGC, Oni Press, and more announce they would pull out of the event, in addition to many of the independent comic book creators who were planning to table in Artists Alley. Even Bad Idea Comics doesn't think it's a good idea to be at ECCC.

Due to concerns surrounding the spread of the COVID-19 virus, BAD IDEA must regrettably withdrawal from this year's @emeraldcitycon.

We love Seattle and look forward to attending in 2021 and beyond.#ECCC #ECCC2020

— Bad Idea, Only Available In Comic Book Stores (@badideahello) March 4, 2020

However, Bleeding Cool's Ian Melton believes the con will go on regardless so long as Funko does not pull out.

Yesterday, ECCC released a statement offering to refund ticketholders who no longer plan to attend the show, but they did not yet have any information for exhibitors who wanted to request refunds. However, it seems emails have been going out to individual exhibitors offering refunds while continuing to insist the show will go on as planned and that ReedPOP is following safety precautions to protect attendees from infection. San Francisco Bay Area creator Der-Shing Helmer posted a screencap of one such email.

In case you missed this email last night, ECCC Artist Alley exhibitors can now receive a full refund for their table if they are uncomfortable with attending given the current COVID-19 situation in Seattle. pic.twitter.com/VZQHw6jvv7

— Der-shing 德馨 Helmer @ 🌱 ECCC – CC5 🌱 (@shingworks) March 5, 2020

"If you're not comfortable attending Emerald City Comic Con," the email reads, "we are happy to fully refund your Artist Alley table price. This community is one of the most important aspects of our event, and we all want you to feel good about your decision to attend or not attend. Your decision to not attend will have absolutely no impact on your status with ECCC or any Reedpop event going forward."