Of Supermen and Superbudgets: Comic-Con New York 2009

According to the Reuters news agency, though attendance is up slightly from last year's Comic-Con--one estimate puts the figure at around 15 percent--the majority of the 18 to 49-year-old demographic buying comics and video games closer to home because of the economic recession.

"There are less people," said Ordalina Acevedo, an employee who works at the Javits Convention Center's food court, where the 2009 Comic-Con was held last week. "It's because of the economy."

Despite the glum news, men and women still lined up outside the convention to get in, an indication that fandom is alive and well even in tough times.

"We turned away thousands of fans on Saturday because we simply could not accommodate them safely." said Lance Fensterman, vice president of the New York Comic-Con. "I was overwhelmed by the fan response to the event we created, and by the demand, even in spite of the economy."

To be sure, there were a few individuals walking around dressed up as the Joker or Anakin Skywalker, but they were only a few. One reporter spotted no less than 15 individuals on the floor at a given time.

Traditionally, in lean times, convention planners could rely on hard-core fans to show up. The same is true for 2009. But it's the middle of the road conventioneers--the ones who don't get dressed up as Leia or Luke--who really vote with their feet.

The pain can be felt in the aisles, where comic book merchants are seeing their profits zapped by the malaise. Said Eric Stoltz, who paid $2,400 for a book at the Con, "I'd be happy if I'd do 60 percent as much as last year."

But there is a flip side to the equation. Eric Goldstein and his brother drove their kids to the festival. It was the first time they have ever been to a convention, and they took it to heart. "I want this cup." Said Jeremy, 7, as he pointed at a piece of memorabilia. Eric complied and shelled out $10 for it. But for the most part, it was look, don't buy.