Comic Con 1st timer.....advise??.......

[azdbacks1998]

So, I won 4 tickets to my towns' 6th annual Comic Con in Tucson, AZ. I've never been to a comic con, I dont collect comics, & I dont collect ANYTHING non-sport, really. BUT, I am a collector, so im not against obtaining some cool items from some well-known guys to add to my collection (sketch's, cards, comic books, signed or not signed, etc.) Problem being is I dont know comic industry names. I'd like to list the names that will be attending and maybe you guys can help me out by pointing out the notables (hopefully there's at least a few....lol)
Here's the list:

ARTIST/WRITERS/EXHIBITORS A-Z
James Babcock (Madame X)*Sara Balbuena (Transglobal X Art)*
Henry Barajas*
Alexa Boccieri*Andy Bohn*Jonathan Bolerjack*Jacob Breckenridge*Natalie Carpenter (ApocalypseToo)*Andy Carreon*Santino Castañeda (SP)
Tim Champion*
Josh Cicci*Rachel Cook*
Jenn Corella*
Mario Cruz*
Michael De Alba*
Mike DeBalfo*
Ross Demma*Donald Ensign* (Christian Comic Arts Society)
Michael Esham
Eric M Esquivel (H&V Booth)
Robert Evans
Jessica Feinberg*
Zachary Finger*Jay Fotos ’68*Brian Garvey*Benjamin Glendenning*Jonathan Goff*Thomax Green*Jim Hanna
Travis Hanson*Matt Hawkins* (Image Comics/ Top Cow)Juan Heinrich*Joey Hernandez (BlackBoxDesigns)Zach Howard* (Fantasy Comics Booth)Evaristo JimenezRuss Kazmierczak*Thomas Keith*
Bo Kimbro*
Alec Kozak*
Michael Macropoulos*Tavis Maiden*Bryanna Marie*
Meredith McClaren*AJ Moore*
Rob Osborne*Hannah Nance Partlow*
Jason Pedersen*Karen Poulsen*Frank Powers (Frankenstylin)*
Brian Pulido (CC)Denny Riccelli*Hans Rivas*Shelby Robertson*
Ernest Romero*Ruban Rosas (Spiral Ink Comics)*Leah Rose*Rosanna Rocha*Ruben Rosas (Spiral Ink Comics)*Rebecca Sachse (Vanquish Studio)*Natali Sanders*
Eric Schock*
Josh Shalek*
Ryan Huna Smith*
Chad Stafford*
Kyle Stephens (SP) Michael Stewart*Ben Truman* (Fantasy Comics Booth)
VanAnnies
Christian Vilaire*
Samantha Violette*Mariah Wall (SP)Ben Warner (Yellow Jacket Comics)*
Eli Wolff*Nicole Wooster (Nix’s Pix)*
Adam Yeater* Ken Kristensen (Image Comics)

Here's a list of companies that should be attending (granted some are local companies that wont be know by anyone outside of my city) Just let me know if there are any I should be aware of, and definetly stop by to check out.

COMPANIES/STORES A-Z
Absolute Audio/Forbidden Records*AZ Browncoats*Black Metal Craft*Brick Cave Media
Candle Comics
Coffin Comics
CollectorTheHuttCon-Nichiwa*
Crescent’s Creations
Electric Tiger Design
EvilRobo
Fantasy ComicsGareth Von Kallenbach*Grindhouse*
Hats Games
Heroes & Villains
Hound ComicsKid KIDOKI Co*
Media Collectibles*
Midnight Comics and ToysModelers Or Mice*Monster Comic Books*
Nancianne Web Design, L.L.C.
Nerd Dollz
Old Pueblo Comics*
Onigiri Amigurumi*Pak Rat Collectibles*Razorz Edge*Red Nebula Studios*
Richard Deck*
R-Galaxy*Sapov Graphics
Shannon Marie Green Jewelry*
Showtime Cards*Sketchy Tea Company
Sour Apple Gallery
Studio Hadra
Syndicate Press*
The Comic Store*The Katerpillar*
The Peculier Magpie*
QuartermoonCreative LLC
The 3 Drunk Geeks*TusCon 40*
Tucson Graphic Novels*
TyPodMaryUncanny X-Bros!!
Wolfgang & SonsZia Records*
Zolgar’s Forge*

So, there you have it, any help you guys can provide, I'd appreciate it. I've heard of people bringing sketch books, or even those thick-stock card fillers to these artists to sketch something on them. Is this an OK request of these artists? Do people frown on asking for "freebie" sketches? I just dont know the ediquette when asking for this stuff. If ANY of you have attended these conventions before I'd love to hear your stories and/or advice on what to expect...do's and dont's so I dont get jumped by a bunch a cos-play kids....lol.

Here's the link to the site:
Tucson Comic-con, Tucson, Arizona, Comics, Graphic Novels, Games, Cosplay

Im sure I'll have a few more questions as you guys reply, so if you have the least bit experience at these things, please let me know. I might even spend some time obtaining some signing material before the show, IF you guys think its worth it......and heck, if there's something YOU'D want from one of these artists, let me know and hopefully I can hep out.

One more thing....is there ever sport cards dealers at these things? ....or is it strictly comic-related?

Thanks!

[Hoffmoen]

Comic cons are always fun to go to. I was in the business many, many, many years ago. The only name that is familiar to me is Brian Pulido and his work with the Lady Death comics. Getting autos are always cool because even though most are independent writers and artists you never know who might be the next superstar in the comic world. Have fun and enjoy.

[azdbacks1998]

Have you ever asked for sketches.....I think it would.be cool to get one on those thick blank stock filler cards you get in packs....would I be out of place asking for that?

[Hoffmoen]

It depends on the artist and how busy they are. Some of the more independent artist might. I would see if anyone else is asking to have that done.

[azdbacks1998]

Thx for the info!

Anyone else?????