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Baltimore Comic-Con Returns in Force

hile many other conventions with “comic” in the title have Eye Comics; and Victory Comics; all three of which had large footprints,
become dominated by pop culture and celebrity guests, and as well as Basement Comics;, Captain Chuck’s Comics; Dave & Adam’s
Wothers have little history of involvement with comic books to Card World; Golden Age Comics; Graham Crackers Comics; Heroes
start with, one show with a solid comic book pedigree made a triumphant Aren’t Hard to Find; Highgradecomics.com; MycomicShop; Reece’s Rare
return. After one year without a convention and another year with a Comics; and Superworld Comics.
downsized version, the full-scale version of The Geppi Family Enterprises was represented by Diamond/PREVIEWS
Baltimore Comic-Con returned to the world, Diamond International Galleries,
Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Gemstone Publishing, and Hake’s Auctions.
Maryland October 28-30, 2022. Celebrity guests have never been the main
As usual, the show welcomed a huge guest draw in Baltimore, but that isn’t to say there
list of comic creators, comic dealers, auction weren’t any. In fact, Disney princess voice
houses, and exhibitors. actresses Jodi Benson (The Little Mermaid),
Among the top creators at the convention Judy Kuhn (Pocahontas), Linda Larkin
were Frank Miller (Sin City), Walter Simonson (Aladdin), and Paige O’Hara (Beauty and the
(Ragnarok), Louise Simonson (Superman: The Beast), and Spawn and Romeo + Juliet star John
Man of Steel), Howard Chaykin (American Leguizamo were also on hand.
Flagg!), Terry Moore (Strangers in Paradise), In addition to the comic dealers and auction
José Luis García-López (Superman), Mike houses, Baltimore Comic-Con also hosted
Grell (Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters), many small press publishers like A Wave Blue
Billy Tucci (Shi), Jim Lee (X-Men), Kevin World, Aftershock Comics, AWA Studios,
Maguire (Justice League), Lee Weeks Hero Tomorrow Comics, Insight Studios, Mad
(Batman), Kevin Van Hook (Bloodshot), and Cave Studios, Source Point Press, TwoMorrows
Jim Starlin (Thanos: The Infinity Revelation). Publishing, and newcomers VISI8.
John Beatty (Marvel Super Heroes: Secret Baltimore Comic-Con 01 Mandalorians The comic booths were joined by collectible
Wars), Russ Braun (The Boys), Brett Breeding Cosplayers at the October 28-30, 2022 return dealers who sold action figures, vintage toys,
(Superman), Jim Calafiore (Aquaman), Chris of The Baltimore Comic-Con. Funko Pops, cosplay supplies, apparel, art prints,
Campana (Venom), John Cassady (Star Legos, leatherworks, and much more.
Wars), Frank Cho (Liberty Meadows), On Saturday night, Baltimore Comic-
Amy Chu (Red Sonja), Katie Cook Con hosted the Mike Wieringo Comic
(Adventure Time), Terry Dodson (Harley Book Industry Awards. The professional
Quinn), Garth Ennis (The Boys), Tony jury and fans voted Something is Killing
Fleecs (Stray Dogs), Brendon and Brian the Children as the best series of the year,
Fraim (The Three Stooges), Kami Garcia James Tynion IV won best writer, Filipe
(Teen Titans: Raven), Mike Hawthorne Andrade won best artist, and Dave
(Deadpool), and Jamal Igle (Molly McCaig won best colorist. Steve Geppi
Danger) were also on the guest roster. was given the Hero Initiative Lifetime
Tom King (Batman), Greg LaRocque Achievement Award and Scott Dunbier
(Web of Spider-Man), Ron Marz (Silver won The Dick Giordano Humanitarian
Surfer), Bob McLeod (The New of the Year Award.
Mutants), Mark Morales (Thor), Fabian Billy Tucci, creator of Shi: Return MyComicShop.com’s Conan Baltimore Comic-Con is a great
of the Warrior and writer-artist of
Nicieza (Deadpool), Jerry Ordway Sgt. Rock: The Lost Battalion, was Saunders displays a beautiful, rare destination for comic collectors looking to
copy of The Overstreet Comic
(Superman), Rachel Ordway (Chainmail among the creators who returned to Book Price Guide #1 (1970), fill holes in their collections, upgrade to
Bikini), Steve Orlando (Midnighter and the Baltimore Comic-Con. with its original mailer. It also better copies, and connect with other
Apollo), Khoi Pham (Teen Titans), Tom included a handwritten note from collectors. Along with finding the keys
Raney (Uncanny X-Men), Afua author Robert M. Overstreet. and $1 back issues, its thriving presence of
Richardson (Black Panther: World of Wakanda), Alex Saviuk (Web of independent comic creators and small
Spider-Man), John K. Snyder III (Fashion in Action), Joe Staton (All Star press publishers gives comic readers tons of fresh material that they might
Comics), Brian Stelfreeze (Black Panther), Jill Thompson (The Scary not find elsewhere.
Godmother), Fred Van Lente (Action Philosophers), Matt Wieringo Comic dealers, creators, and collectibles vendors, all reported having
(Stargate Atlantis: Gateways), Gene Luen Yang (Dragon Hoops), and Thom successful weekends. The 2022 convention
Zahler (Love and Capes) rounded out the creator guest list. was another successful entry for Baltimore
Third-party independent grading services CBCS and CGC were in Comic-Con.
attendance, as were auction houses like ComicConnect, ComicLink,
Goldin Auctions, Heritage Auctions, and the charity organization, The Amanda Sheriff is the Editor-Digital for
Hero Initiative. Gemstone Publishing. J.C. Vaughn is
Comic book retailers included Cards, Comics and Collectibles; Third Gemstone’s Vice-President of Publishing.

40 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles