Home » Convention News

Rob Granito Doing a One-Man Show at New York Comic Con?

8 April 2011 30 Comments by

Oh, this Rob Granito story gets better and better. He and his wife are still posting comments under fake names on our previous two articles about the whole situation. But that’s not the best part. After we firmly told Alison (who apparently represents “Rob Granito Art Services”) that we would absolutely not pay for an interview with Granito, she dropped this bombshell on us:

I am sorry to hear that. I will give you a scoop though. That is is illegal to ban Rob Granito as a vendor at all conventions. And currently Rob Granito is working on material for a one-man show/panel in which he admits and apologizes for his past mistakes, while at the same time shedding new light on the politics within the comic book community, and lets you know the REAL story. Rob will also be telling jokes and doing humorous sketches on stage, so it will show a whole new side. We are looking towards premiering this at the New York Comic Con in October. The name of the show will possibly be “Controversey Creates Ca$h”. We believe there is a band wagon making it trendy to hate Rob Granito without knowing him, and the claims that he has stolen all his work has been blown out of proportion, thanks to people like Mark Waid, Ethan Van, Bleeding-Cool, and Jammar Igle. Again, giving us a chance to tell you the WHOLE story would benefit both your website and the comics convention community. Please reconsider. We are open to working out a payment plan if that works better for you.

I have no further comment on this, because I think it clearly speaks for itself in its utter lunacy.

Also, I’ve informed Alison and Rob that if they continue to post comments here under fake names, I will ban their IP address. Enough is enough.

UPDATED – April 9, 2011:

We contacted the programming director of New York Comic Con and asked for a comment on Granito’s latest claims. This is the response we received:

“Mr. Granito has not been in contact with the New York Comic Con. Beyond that, we have no comment.”

30 Comments »

  • Rob Granito's Ghost Artist said:

    Wow… where to begin…

    ALISON WROTE: “I am sorry to hear that.”

    Sure you are, Alison, because you and your criminal hubby have lost your meal-ticket and can no longer con people since no one wants to hear it.

    ALISON WROTE: “I will give you a scoop though. That is is illegal to ban Rob Granito as a vendor at all conventions.”

    No. No, it isn’t. Rob committed crimes. The conventions banned him accordingly. He’s not a working artist in the comics industry, and thus has no place manning a table there signing artwork he didn’t create, based on lies about his background. It’s called fraud, and the conventions are well within their rights to prevent your husband from continuing to con people in their establishment. Your nuttier than a fruitcake, and as stupid as Rob is.

    ALISON WROTE: “And currently Rob Granito is working on material for a one-man show/panel”

    No one cares. He’s never done anything to make himself famous–only infamous. He’s entirely irrelevant.

    ALISON WROTE: “in which he admits and apologizes for his past mistakes, while at the same time shedding new light on the politics within the comic book community, and lets you know the REAL story.”

    Everyone knows the real story. He lied. He stole. He created fake credentials. He never worked in the comics industry. He’s a loser. And you’re as corrupt, amoral and self-humiliating as he is.

    ALISON WROTE: “Rob will also be telling jokes and doing humorous sketches on stage, so it will show a whole new side.”

    It’ll never happen.

    ALISON WROTE: “We are looking towards premiering this at the New York Comic Con in October.”

    It’ll never happen.

    ALISON WROTE: “The name of the show will possibly be “Controversey Creates Ca$h”.

    There is no controversy. Controversy implies people are divided on an issue. They’re not. He’s a criminal. No one believes otherwise. Every single post that has ever supported him on blogs has been written by either you or your husband, using fake names.

    ALISON WROTE: “We believe there is a band wagon making it trendy to hate Rob Granito without knowing him,”

    Nope. He dug his own hole by being fraudulent. End of story.

    ALISON WROTE: “and the claims that he has stolen all his work has been blown out of proportion,”

    Nope. He dug his own hole by being fraudulent. End of story.

    ALISON WROTE: “thanks to people like Mark Waid, Ethan Van, Bleeding-Cool, and Jammar Igle.”

    Jesus, lady, at least make SOME attempt to spell these guys’ names right. You keep misspelling them, every time. You’re only slightly less illiterate than your husband is.

    ALISON WROTE: “Again, giving us a chance to tell you the WHOLE story”

    Everyone knows the whole story. He lied. He stole. He created fake credentials. He never worked in the comics industry. He’s a loser. And you’re as corrupt, amoral and self-humiliating as he is.

    ALISON WROTE: “would benefit both your website and the comics convention community.”

    Non-sequitur. Rob Granito isn’t part of the comics community, having never actually worked in the comics industry. And having an interview from him would dilute a site, not help it.

    ALISON WROTE: “Please reconsider. We are open to working out a payment plan if that works better for you.”

    Let’s get something clear, Comical Ali: NO ONE WILL PAY YOU OR YOUR HUSBAND MONEY FOR AN INTERVIEW. That’s not how journalism works, and he’s just not important or interesting anyway, to warrant the payment.

  • Comicsdude said:

    How is it illegal for Reed to ban an individual or company as a vendor at their own convention?

  • Rob Granito's Ghost Artist said:

    Furthermore, Alison: New York Comic Con rarely pays anyone to appear on or conduct a panel, unless that person is famous–not “criminal famous,” like your husband, but rather a movie star. Otherwise, no. So if you two ass-hats think that a hastily thrown-together one-conman show is going to bring in your missing revenue, think again. Rob Granito is not Charlie Sheen. One of them is a well-respected person in his chosen profession who, despite some problems, has achieved a LOT of success from working hard and not stealing others’ work. The other is Rob Granito. This time next year, instead of asking “Would you like that image signed?”, your husband will be saying, “Would you like mustard on that corndog?” Know this: Reed Exhibitions has already been warned about your plans, and there is no way they’ll agree to host your husband’s show. He belongs in a jail cell and in a courtroom, not at a convention.

  • CaptainRon said:

    And he can’t even come up with an ORIGINAL title for his show:

    http://www.amazon.com/Eric-Bischoff-Controversy-Creates-Cash/dp/141652729X

  • Rob Granito's Ghost Artist said:

    Question: How is it illegal for Reed to ban an individual or company as a vendor at their own convention?

    Answer: It isn’t, of course. We all know that. The Granitos, apparently, do not. Alison Granito is, in addition to being married to someone criminally stupid, criminally stupid herself. She’s also, quite possibly, the worst management rep I’ve ever seen. Her press releases read like badly written Ain’t It Cool News talkback follow-ups, she has no idea how to use English properly, she can’t spell anyone’s names, she doesn’t include a letterhead or contact info, and she makes a complete jackass of her client/husband every time she writes to a blog, since NO ONE is buying her story. And the fake-name thing is just the icing on the cake, as it’s OBVIOUS every time she or Rob post a pro-Granito follow-up. How they don’t realize that is mindboggling. As someone who writes press releases and marketing materials for a living, I find her attempts to represent him hysterically absurd. Seriously, she’s AWFUL at this–I truly hope she doesn’t do this for a living. She’s digging his hole so deep for him that he might as well just lock himself up now and be done with it. “Granito” is synonymous with “theft,” “Rob” is synonymous with “steal” and now, we can see that “Alison” is synonymous with “inept.”

  • Rob Granito's Ghost Artist said:

    Oh, and “Controversy Creates Cash?”

    Really?

    Really?

    That’s not even a name you guys came up with.

    Even NOW, the Granitos are STILL stealing other people’s work. Check it out:

    http://www.amazon.com/Eric-Bischoff-Controversy-Creates-Cash/dp/141652729X

  • Brian F. said:

    The FAIL is strong in those two. They’re like the two Dunce Lords of the Simps. Darth Tater and his bride Emperor Awful-tine.

  • Admin said:

    We have reached out to NYCC for an official comment. We’ll let everyone know if we get a response.

    Thank you.

  • Sammy T said:

    His Show will be called Controversy creates Ca$h?
    Dear lord he swiped the title from someone else
    http://www.amazon.com/Eric-Bischoff-Controversy-Creates-Cash/dp/141652729X

    Eric Bischoff: Controversy Creates Cash

    But I guess adding the $ is a tribute.

  • Chris Ca. said:

    As someone who has run a convention (Small, in comparison to the likes of any Comic Con…tiny, even), it is perfectly within the rights of a show to ban whomever they wish. Anymore, at least with the ones I’ve helped (small one I’ve run, and at Gencon I’ve actually helped a dealer, so it’s not like I know their inner works), there is a clause that says, effectively, “We reserve right to refuse service to anyone”. That goes for both attendees, AND for artists. Much like if we found out that there were dealers selling bootleg material, we’d have to ask them to either remove it, or have them removed from our show.

    Oh, and a side note…I graduate, this semester, with a degree in tourism, conventions, and event management. I don’t know all, but I’ve learned a lot.

    Conventions, especially small ones, have a pretty decent word of mouth campaign with others. First thing I did, when reading this story way back, was ask the head of our Dealers if they had been asked anything about this. They’d never heard of RG, and will be keeping an eye out, JUST in case he attempts to make it to the small convention circuit. That just seems like a controversy we should avoid.

    Either way, I’m enjoying reading this…haven’t grabbed the popcorn yet, but I’m just…amazed at the cluelessness involved.

  • Moon said:

    Has anyone ever given the thought to the fact that even after they’ve been found out, that they’re just fucking around with all the press releases and blog posts? Fake names and all? That they’re just doing the rest of the crap for their own amusement? They’re both pieces of sh*t, don’t get me wrong. I think both of them should take the time out of their lives to go play in traffic, but perhaps they like the attention? They get a kick out of it? Misspelling words etc…so grossly misspelled that people can’t help to jump all over it? It’s just a thought is all…

  • Herb Fine said:

    I do hope someone makes a documentary about all this!

  • PynDragon said:

    Apparently he never learned the rules of Grifting. 1. Don’t get caught 2. Don’t pull a con for more than 6 months. Anything longer than 6 months and you start believing the lies you are telling to pull off the con. He’s been grifting conventions since ’99 if I remember Acid Poptart’s first complaint. It could have been the Darth Maul artist he ripped off, I can’t remember the name. He should have gotten out then but, he didn’t and now we have a new verb “Granito’d” and it isn’t a compliment.

    These two need to move on, he’s no artist and she is definitely not a PR agent. A coyote would have a better chance of talking his way out of a hen house covered in blood and feathers than these two have of ever seeing Artists Alley again at any Con.

    I’m sorry, I rambled and probably didn’t make any sense but, I wanted to throw in my two cents just because.

  • otinarg bor said:

    holie cow, thees guy sonds sooper intteristen i wood reely like to heer wut he haz to say. i thank it wood bee a gud idae to mabee git a scoup on a intterveew wit him befour he duz the niw yoke comecon. and hee now haz paymint planss wow thet is a gud bargin.

  • Daryn guarino said:

    I’m tired of hearing Granito’s invoke the law when they clearly have no idea how the law works. The person or company that runs a convention has total autonomy to accept or reject ANYONE at any time. They can stop you from buying a ticket, they can kick you out after you have bought a ticket, they can kick you out after you bought and setup your table…they can do anything they want. The convention is their place of business and they can choose to serve or not serve people for any reason at all, stated or unstated. They can simply not like your shirt, they can not like your face, they can not like your girlfriend, whatever, they can boot you at their whim. People who own local comic book stores can boot Granito’s from their store at their whim as well, for any reason, at any time. The people in his town can start banning him from their stores if they want (go buy your groceries elsewhere, you criminal). It’s a free country (sort of) and you have the legal right to refuse to serve and/or drive customers away if you want.

    And, since it has come up a few times, this concealed carry manager of Rob’s, if he is real, is no threat at all. Unless his life is under dire threat, he can’t even show you the gun. If he so much as MENTIONS the gun while you speak to him, you can have him arrested for the threat.

    Legally, Rob Granito and his entourage of losers can do NOTHING if the people choose to shun him, NOTHING AT ALL.

  • Tony Z said:

    “The founder and creator of The Convention Fans Blog is Kelly Rowles.”

    Lyes! Eye kree eighted Convection Vance Block! End eye m knot Bob Bandito!

  • Fred Chamberlain said:

    The funniest aspect to the “Granito Comeback” is that I see no controversy here. If anything, it is the opposite of controversy. Rarely in my 16 years of being online have I seen an issue bring more individuals together in universal opinion than the Granito story.

  • nando said:

    this guy is no charlie sheen…more like milli vinilli (sp?).

  • Victor said:

    Since everyone seems agreed that Rob should be in jail, and the evidence against him is mounting, is anyone or any group of artists, prepared to take him into court? Why have I not heard anything from the publishers to assist the artists they generally rely on?

  • nando said:

    so, if he (or anyone else) really wants to ‘cash in’ on this, they should make dart boards with his face or pin the tail on the donkey or something like that.

    then if he really wants to cash in he could set up a dunk booth or maybe a thing so people can throw pies at his face.

    or just put him on stage and let people throw tomatoes (or painted rocks).

    that would actually be him earning legit-o-mite money.

  • Gabe said:

    again plans being made it doesnt allways happen overnight and listen theyre will be another anouncement this week it will be an excert of a interview with rob granito for the web sites so people can get a prevue of what he will talk about please dont be quick to judgment for his wife and staff the hole story is going to come thank you

  • Admin said:

    Dear “Gabe”: I am approving your comment so you can see this reply. I had told you quite clearly that if you continued to post comments under fake names that I would ban your IP address from commenting, and that is exactly what I am doing. If you wish to contact us, Alison has our e-mail address on file.

  • Scott said:

    What a fucking moron. *slaps forehead* lol He STILL doesn’t understand that his IP address has been tracked…

  • PynDragon said:

    WOW! Not only can he not draw but, he also apparently has no idea how the internet works.

  • Rob Granito's Ghost Artist said:

    Rob Granito wrote:
    “again plans being made it doesnt allways happen overnight and listen theyre will be another anouncement this week it will be an excert of a interview with rob granito for the web sites so people can get a prevue of what he will talk about please dont be quick to judgment for his wife and staff the hole story is going to come thank you”

    Rob, you are a complete and utter idiot. It’s truly astounding.

  • nando said:

    i’m telling you guys its not him or his wife.
    its his staff of nigerian email writers that handle his ‘press’ releases.
    just look at those unmistakable typos!! there’s no way someone raised in the US would ever spell that bad!!

    actually, wait….now that i think about it…maybe he’s cutting and pasting his fake responses from nigerian email spammers…

    that would make more sense

  • Rob Granito's Ghost Artist said:

    Kelly, I just read your post at the “Rob Granito Is a Fraud” Facebook group, regarding the e-mail you received from Rob Granito’s wife, Alison, stating the following…

    “I don’t know what you’re talking about. This is more proof that you are bias against me because I work with Mr. Rob Granito. There is no need for your tone of voice. Are you going to report on the interview preview this week or do you want people to stop having a reason to visit your blog? I would really like to work with you Kelly but you should know in news coverige there are two sides to the story every time.”

    …and also this…

    “Well I feel you feel pressure from what is trendy right now among the comics kliq and it is popular to jump on the hate Rob Granito bandwagon. I will still send you the interview preview so you can see what Mr Rob Granito has to say about a few topic but yes I did make a comment but not every comment anyway! I noticed you dont restrict anybody else when they insult Mr Rob Granito so what does it say about you? Rob Granito is the top name in comics right now just like Charlie Sheen is the top name in Hollywood and you KNOW IT girl. Infamous or not he is putting asses in seats and will continue to do so”

    …and I can only assume that Alison Granito is developmentally disabled, or possibly brain-damaged. The above comments are simply insane. She “works with Mr. Granito?” What the heck? She’s his WIFE, for crying out loud. And she actually thinks people will “stop having a reason to visit your blog” if you continue to block the Granito ass-hats from commenting? Seriously? Holy cow. She’s a complete moron if she actually believes that’s why people come to your blog.

    But THIS statement is so incredibly inept that I’m rendered speechless: “Rob Granito is the top name in comics right now just like Charlie Sheen is the top name in Hollywood and you KNOW IT girl. Infamous or not he is putting asses in seats and will continue to do so.” That is so stupid that words are inadequate to expressing its stupidity. Rob Granito doesn’t work in the comics field and never has, so there’s no way he can be said to be the “top name in comics.” He’s not a comics professional–he’s just a conman and a thief who pretended to be one, and he has no fan base or support whatsoever. I have no idea how the hell Alison Granito can actually type any of that with a straight face.

    Her husband has already been banned at most conventions, no bloggers are willing to talk to him, her attempt to get people to pay to interview her louse of a husband earned them zero dollars and universal ridicule, their IP address has been blacklisted in the comments section of this site and Duy’s since they keep posing as other people, and Comic-Con has already indicated it has no intention to run their supposed one-man stage show.

    Does she ACTUALLY believe that people don’t know she and her husband are the ones making those posts? Really? Is she honestly that stupid? Unbelievable. Simply unbelievable. She just may be the WORST PR rep I’ve ever seen. I realize he can’t fire her since she’s his wife, and that he probably can’t get anyone else to help him since his name is mud in the comics field, but still… he needs to get someone competent to represent him, because she’s a complete embarrassment.

    Let’s face it, friends–the guy’s already yesterday’s footnote.

    And what, pray tell, is a “kliq?” I think the Granitos really need to take some of their ill-gotten gains and buy a dictionary, because neither of them can spell worth a damn.

  • Dog Welder said:

    So, if he does a one man show and tell jokes and stuff, would he steal the jokes? And wouldn’t that also be stealing Carlos Mencia’s modus operandi?

  • Basque said:

    To be honest, I think you guys should stop reporting on the e-mail conversations you have with these people. At this point, all you’re doing is giving them the attention they desperately crave. Sure, they made money and they’re still attempting to scam people with the interviews. But I think what Rob thrives on more than money is the attention he gets. He wanted to be a comic book artist but had no talent, so he stole people’s work and managed to fool himself into thinking he was a legitimate artist. Now that his bubble has burst, he’s doing everything he can to hold onto the spotlight with this “bad boy of comics” routine. And, sadly, it’s working. Not quite like he’s hoping it would (i.e., people don’t buy his lies), but at least he’s still getting the attention. And as long as you keep reporting it, they’re going to keep making these ridiculous “announcements.”

    You know what they say about trolls: Don’t feed them. The same thing applies here. I forget who said it where, but I recently read a comment saying: “The best thing our community can do now is turn our back on them.”

    Rob Granito needs to sink back into total obscurity. He doesn’t deserve the spotlight.

  • Mister Blisterfists said:

    I agree completely on turning our backs on these hucksters, but not to COMPLETELY turn our back in the sense that we lose vigilance.

    we need to make sure they don’t register at any more cons, and report any websites, or claims of legitomacy to the real copyright holders/people he’s ripping off.