On January 22, St. Louis comics’ lovers can attend a convention for the true devotée. The event, hosted by a group of local comics fans called Stl Comics, features Eisner Award–winning comic artist Rick Burchett, as well as 60 tables of vendors, artists, and dealers selling all things comics.
“I wanted it to strictly focus on comic books and the comics community in our city,” says organizer Eric Meyer of Stl Comics. Instead of covering all of pop culture, like larger conventions, the Winter 1 Day convention focuses exclusively on comics, graphic novels, and anime. CBCS Comics, a grading company that evaluates the rarity and value of collectible issues, will also be present.
Local artists and self-publishers will sign books side-by-side with dealers from Kentucky, Kansas, and the Quad Cities. Tables will sell comic books, toys, anime, comic book–themed jewelry, and original art. “I made sure we brought a variety of dealers and inventory into the room for the shoppers, to give them something different,” says Meyer.
A number of goodies also await guests: the first 15 people to buy over $25 from vendors will receive gifts created by the St. Louis team behind the independent comic Hafu, and people can enter a raffle to win a signed copy of Batman #32, a rare issue released at San Diego’s Comic Con.
Above all, “it is geared towards the comic-lover,” says Meyer.
Meyer, who has sold comics for 14 years, says he wants the event to offer something that other local conventions don’t: it’s a little bigger than most other one-day comics-only events, but not quite as big as a national convention. Depending on the event’s success, Meyer plans to either host similar conventions as two-day shows or multiple seasonal one-day shows.
Meyer also says he’s particularly excited about the guest of honor, St. Louis native Rick Burchett, who has worked on comics such as Batman Adventures, Superman, and Wonder Woman for DC comics. Burchett will be doing signings and sketches throughout the day.
Jan. 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Holiday Inn St. Louis SW–Route 66, 10709 Watson, 314-821-6600. Tickets are $5; kids 10 and under are free. For event information and updates, see Facebook.
