Free comic day celebrated with comic and sci-fi fair in Manchester
- Manchester celebrates free comic day with comic and sci-fi fair
- The fair invited collectors to buy and sell their comics and film memorabilia at Sachas hotel, Piccadilly
- Free comic day began in 2002 and has become a staple day for comic book fans globally
Free comic day and Star Wars day had a joint celebration this year with Manchester’s comic and sci-fi fair.
The fair, hosted four times a year in Manchester, took place in Sachas hotel in Piccadilly.
The event hosted by Golden Orbit allowed collectors to browse and purchase comics and film memorabilia.
Free comic on entry
Upon entry every attendee was given a Star Wars comic to celebrate free comic and Star Wars day combined.
Comic collector and seller Simon Walker said: “I’m selling a range of comics, mainly Marvel from the 60’s all the way through to the most recent ones.
“I’ve been selling comic for four or five years but I’ve been collecting since I was seven.”
Simon said: “My collection go all the way back to Marvel weeklies, from when I was a kid and the news agent used to write your name on it.
“All the way through to the most recent ones that have special covers, various photograph covers and special artists.”
The value of comics
Comic books have been sold for upwards $1m at auction over the past ten years. With Superman issue one selling at auction for $6m in 2022.
Many collectors find value in silver age comics with some comics available at the Manchester event in excess of £200.
The other value many find at these events is the chance to be part of the community.
Simon said: “Although you get to sell a bit here and there, it’s also about meeting people who are interested in what your interested in.”
One for the movie lovers
Phillip Nevitt, a collector and life member of BAFTA had a wide range of film posters and press passes available for purchase.
He said: “I was a born collector, my father was a collector. So, I started organizing big antique flea markets in Rochdale, Oldham, Chorley, Wigan and all over the north.
“Then from 1978 at the exhibition hall in Piccadilly Plaza for 15 years.”
Philip had various signed headshots from actors in conjunction with film posters he’s collected over the years.
He displayed his collection of soap stars with pride remarking on how he was close friends with one of the creators of Manchester staple, Coronation Street.
Free comic day origins
Free comic day began in 2002, proposed by Joe Field of Flying colour comics in California after noticing the success of films inspired by comic books.
Since then, the first Saturday of May is marked as free comic day with the aim of getting more people interested in comics and to grow the community further.