Michael Solof and JC Vaughn of Gemstone Publishing listen to a fan (not pictured) tell them what their comics have meant to him at VA Comicon in Richmond on Nov. 21. Photo by: KJ Mushung

We recently had a record breaking sale of a comic for $1.5 million.

It’s hard to hear a line like that at a comic convention and not be interested in the convention. VA Comicon was held in Richmond, the weekend of Nov. 20 and 21. Drawing dealers from across the region, artists from all over the industry and collectors from across the continent, the event itself was a mixture of sales, fans and education.

The dealers’ room was split between artists selling autographed prints and retailers expanding their customer base. Painted Illusions, located in Woodbridge, was on hand with two large isles of comics set up for sale. They hoped to gain out-of-area clients through exposure at the convention. Other retailers, some from as far away as New York, were on hand hoping to clear out back stock and were offering discounts of various sorts.

Dan Parent sketches on a pad at VA Comicon in Richmond on Nov. 21. Photo by: KJ Mushung

Opposite the various stores selling their goods were select artists selling autographed prints of their works. John ‘Waki’ Wycough, known for his recent work on the Transformers comic was on hand in the dealers’ room, as was comic writer and illustrator Dan Parent of the Archie comic series.

The Con also held a series of discussion panels on various topics ranging from collecting comics to writing to drawing. JC Vaughn, co-founder of the CGC comic authentication services held a panel on collecting comics with an eye to profit.

While the likes of San Diego’s Comic-Con draw considerable publicity, it’s often the smaller, less-publicized comic conventions that are held in the immediate area. However, a day trip down to Richmond is easy enough to arrange, and the price for admissions is far more reasonable.

By: Michael Cividanes

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