Contributed by collector and Overstreet Advisor Art Cloos
Photos by Alice Cloos

On Sunday, September 12, 2021, the New Jersey Comic Art Con was back on its regular twice a year spring and fall schedule for the first time since 2019. It was held at the Baymont By Wyndham in Pompton Plains, NJ. The show is billed by its promoter Joe Veteri as the tri-state area’s premiere event to buy, sell, and trade original comic book art, and this was the 27th edition of the show.

The dealer list was comprised of Bechara Maalouf, Will Gabri-El, Hans Kosenkranius, Nathan Rose, Jim Warden, Albert Moy, Anthony Snyder, Rich Donnelly, Jason Schachter, Scott Dunbier, Dom Masullo, Ankur Jetley, Brad Savage, and Dan Pottick. Also, auction houses ComicLink and ComicConnect/Metropolis returned to the show for the first time since 2019. These are some of the top comic art dealers/collectors in the hobby.

Though social distancing guidelines and recommendations have relaxed, the dealers’ tables were still set up around the 5,000-square-foot room against the wall as they were in the spring. This resulted in no aisles and only two dealers set up in the middle of the room, making social distancing easy to accomplish.

Similar to the spring edition, the show was still a hot topic in the various Facebook groups devoted to collecting original comic art. Veteri has told me how proud he is of the fact that some of the most prolific comic art dealers and collectors in the nation choose his Comic Art Con as their exclusive comic art only convention.

When Allie and I walked into the dealer room, the first thing we saw was that dealer Anthony Snyder had one entire wall of displays and tables filled with items for sale. This was not a display one could go through in a few minutes and, yes, it was really something to see. As we moved around the show, Allie and I commented to each other on how things felt like they were back to normal. We saw sellers who were not set up competing with buyers, and everyone was checking out the vendor displays and portfolios. Dealer Brad Savage had one of the highlight pieces at the show: a 1942 large-size drawing of Superman and Lois Lane done by Joe Shuster, signed by Shuster and Jerry Siegel. It came with a photograph of Shuster working on it. Speaking as a history teacher, this was an amazing piece of comic book history to get the chance to examine. Needless to say it generated a lot of buzz in the room. Allie was impressed by dealer Dom Masullo who had original license art from Marvel toys from the ‘70s along with the toys as well.

During the show, Allie talked to Dan Gallo, who created the NJ Comic Art Con with Joe Veteri over a decade ago, and he told her that, “his baby is all grown up now” and that he was very proud of what the show has become. We both met up with Frank Giella the son of legendary artist Joe Giella who is a close friend, and he had a big smile on his face as he worked the room, talking to people and looking for potential trades with dealers and other collectors.

As to the rest of the show, there was a strong showing of Silver, Bronze, and Modern Age comic art, and there was more Golden Age art than at prior shows. Modern art from the ‘90s is still hot and there were plenty of examples. Like every edition of the show, there was a variety of comic book covers, along with portfolios full of original comic book pages including splashes. High-end special pieces were on display, as were commissions, sketches, daily and Sunday comic strips, and paintings. As I have said in past reviews, Marvel, both in vintage comic sales and original art, has tended to dominate at both comic and comic art shows. But, what I noticed at this one (as I did at the spring show), was the ratio between Marvel and DC art was more equal than in the past. Neither Allie or I walked out of there with empty hands, and we were very happy with that.  

Comic Art Con’s unique value comes from the type of attendee it attracts, many of whom bring art to either sell, trade, or simply share with other collectors. Many deals are done collector to collector. Also the best shows are the ones where people talk about their comics, or their art and this show is one of them. While the pandemic had serious effects on many parts of the hobby outside of comic art, comic art sales have held up very well. I should mention that this has been the case with comic books too.

The hours were changed to 10 AM to 3 PM and the price of admission remained at $10 with kids getting in for free. Ample on-site free parking was available in the hotel parking lot. There is no on-site place to eat, though free coffee and tea is provided in the lobby. There were multiple places to grab a meal a short distance from the venue, some within walking distance.

As Allie and I left the show to meet a friend for lunch at Grasshopper Too, our favorite local Wayne, NJ place, we both agreed that we looked forward to the spring and fall editions in 2022.

Comic Art Con will return in the spring of 2022 at the Baymont by Wyndham, located on 140 State Route 23, Pompton Plains, NJ. The date will be announced later. If you want to sell, Veteri requests that you email him at jveteri@coopmail.net or call (973) 768-6649 to arrange to set up at his next show. For information on attending future shows check his website at www.VeteriProductions.com or his Comic Art Con Facebook page. If you are an artist with a Marvel or DC pedigree (or if you know one or represent an artist) and you want to set up at the con, future shows are available. With only one or two possible spaces available per show, it is strongly suggested to book promptly.

To see more of the photos from Comic Art Con, check out our In the Limelight coverage.

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During the show