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Detroit Triple Fan Fair

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 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, 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 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 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 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 was such that a number of other industry professionals would appear at the event unbilled.[citation needed]

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 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, 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 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' was probably the best portion of the entire program.

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