Spring Break
B-N to host comic book convention
Heather Bowers
Issue date: 1/25/08 Section: News
Wannabe Supermen, Batmen and Spidermen (and women) can rejoice.
Bloomington-Normal will host the Twin City Comic Book Convention on Tuesday, Jan. 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Signature Inn in Normal.
Comic books from the golden era and related collectible items will be on hand and dealers will buy comics that collectors no longer want. Organizer Alan Morton anticipates between 100 to 150 collectors in attendance.
"Collectors are mostly college age students and middle age people. Kids don't usually come unless they're with their parents," he said.
Both longtime and new collectors are encouraged to come to the event. Local owner of ACME Comics, Jim Schifeling, considers the event a good place for beginners to attend.
"[The convention] might be a good place to start and look into a series and get them for cheap," he said.
According to Schifeling, comic book collecting is a popular habit that consists of all age groups.
"It's a niche market. It's made up of regular everyday folks and it is as popular as it has been, but there was a slight downturn in the 90s," he said. Aside from the popularity of comics, related memorabilia have always been a hit with collectors.
According to Morton, action figures became popular in the 1960s.
"Action figures were termed in the 60s because boys didn't want to collect dolls. Instead of a Superman doll, they wanted a Superman action figure," he said.
The event is held during a single day and travels throughout the Midwest providing people the opportunity to find comic books to complete their collections.
"People will be able to find good deals on hard to find items you can't find in Bloomington-Normal because there is only one comic book store in the area," Morton said.
The most popular comic book series at the events are those based off of superheroes such as Spiderman and Superman.
Morton believes this has to do with popular movies involving these characters. "People love to make movies about these characters because the comics have made a lot of money," he said.
Admission to the event is free. For more information, visit the convention's Web site at epguides.com/comics or call Alan Morton at 309-657-1599.
Bloomington-Normal will host the Twin City Comic Book Convention on Tuesday, Jan. 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Signature Inn in Normal.
Comic books from the golden era and related collectible items will be on hand and dealers will buy comics that collectors no longer want. Organizer Alan Morton anticipates between 100 to 150 collectors in attendance.
"Collectors are mostly college age students and middle age people. Kids don't usually come unless they're with their parents," he said.
Both longtime and new collectors are encouraged to come to the event. Local owner of ACME Comics, Jim Schifeling, considers the event a good place for beginners to attend.
"[The convention] might be a good place to start and look into a series and get them for cheap," he said.
According to Schifeling, comic book collecting is a popular habit that consists of all age groups.
"It's a niche market. It's made up of regular everyday folks and it is as popular as it has been, but there was a slight downturn in the 90s," he said. Aside from the popularity of comics, related memorabilia have always been a hit with collectors.
According to Morton, action figures became popular in the 1960s.
"Action figures were termed in the 60s because boys didn't want to collect dolls. Instead of a Superman doll, they wanted a Superman action figure," he said.
The event is held during a single day and travels throughout the Midwest providing people the opportunity to find comic books to complete their collections.
"People will be able to find good deals on hard to find items you can't find in Bloomington-Normal because there is only one comic book store in the area," Morton said.
The most popular comic book series at the events are those based off of superheroes such as Spiderman and Superman.
Morton believes this has to do with popular movies involving these characters. "People love to make movies about these characters because the comics have made a lot of money," he said.
Admission to the event is free. For more information, visit the convention's Web site at epguides.com/comics or call Alan Morton at 309-657-1599.
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