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One factor about the Buchmesse that has been very disturbing is the lack of attendance by the American comics publishers. DC Comics broke a string of 25 years of Buchmesse exhibits by not attending. Dark Horse also failed to make it. They were joined by over 50 other publishers, from various nations, who chose to stay home this year. The reasons given by all these organizations revolved around complications resulting from the events of September 11th, and/or the subsequent increased perceived risk to their staff of flying, and/or International travel during this period of political instability.

Frankly, the failure of these organizations to attend this year's Fair has cast them in a very poor light. Everyone here is well aware that there is some measure of increased risk in exhibiting over previous years. On the other hand, the more than 9,000 publishers who did chose to attend the fair can't help but feel some measure of disdain for those who would let their fears of terrorism so cloud their minds that they would leave their booths empty. What can the publishers of the world (not to mention 200,000 German visitors)be thinking when they pass the stand that sshould feature Superman and Batman, only to see a empty display? Doesn't Superman stand for "Truth, Justice, and the American Way?" Is the American way to stay home in the face of danger? Even if the DC Comics staff had mitigating circumstances that made it very difficult to exhibit this year, it is my opinion that they should have at least hired someone here in Germany to fill their booth with promotional mater! ials. That huge empty booth, with the DC Comics name on the sign the Messe provides, gives a very bad impression.

In a small attempt to counter the perception of American publishers as a timid lot, I borrowed a large American flag from my Uncle Christoph, and hung it on the outside of our stand. I'm not usually into such nationalism, or into public displays of patriotism, but I'll be damned if I let the world get the impression that Americans are afraid to be seen in Europe. So far, the reaction from everyone here to the flag has been very positive. In other times I think that my actions might have been seen as grandstanding, but for the first time in many years, there is a genuine sympathy for America among our European friends. I saw a few other flags in the American hall (we're in one of the German halls), and they were seemingly equally well-received.
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