The Virginia Vintage Comics and Collectibles Show returns to the Salem Civic Center Saturday, Aug. 24. Since beginning in 1998, the show has been held 26 consecutive years—including the pandemic years—making it the longest-running comic book show in the commonwealth.
Show promoter Roger Mannon said, “There are a growing number of comic book shows, and you can find old comics at all of them, but we are the only show dedicated to old comics. When we started, we were the only comic book show between Richmond and Bristol. This year there are five other comic book shows in the Roanoke Valley, and in recent years there have been shows in Blacksburg, Dublin, Hillsville, Abingdon and even the little village of Woodlawn had a comic-con.”
Over the years the show has drawn vendors and collectors from 16 states, as far away as Florida and New York. Chris Budel, of Nostalgia Zone in Minneapolis, called Virginia Vintage “the best one-day, small city show in the country.”
Mannon added, “When we started the show, people were stunned when a comic book (Action #1, which introduced Superman) sold at auction for $100,000. A recent auction of that issue brought $6 million. While select issues are worth a fortune, most of the comics at our show are less than $5. It’s a fun and affordable hobby.”
In addition to comic books, other vintage items are featured, including pulps, books, paperbacks, digests, sports items, advertising, toys, original art, and memorabilia.
The show hours will be from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is $5, with 12-and-under free.
-The Salem Times-Register
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