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

Since 2009 the New Jersey Comic Art Con has brought the collecting world a show dedicated exclusively to original comic book art. In fact, it was the first real show devoted exclusively to comic book art. No comics were allowed. Now with the spring 2025 convention scene in full swing, the show returned to the Holiday Inn located in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ on April 6, 2025.

The dealer list included top comic art sellers from across the country. Many of the show’s regulars were there including Will Gabri-El, Bechara Maalouf, Parigi Books, Anthony Snyder, Hans Kosenkranius, Jim Warden, Nathan Rose, Rich Donnelly, Brad Savage, Olivia Marino, Abraham Madampil, and Dan Gallo. The show was sponsored by Heritage Auctions who offered free auction evaluations by Joe and Nadia Mannarino and also accepted consignments for future auctions. ComicConnect was set up as well with a nice variety of art in its display.

While on our way to the hotel restaurant for breakfast, we saw that collectors were already checking out the vendors and going through art portfolios before the show formally opened. There had to be almost 35 tables with a wide variety of original comic art. It was much more then what one would find at a traditional comic convention. The dealer’s tables were set up around the room against the wall with a row running across the middle creating two aisles. There was plenty of room to walk around without bumping into someone else. As he does at every show, dealer Anthony Snyder had a significant wall display and tables filled with items for sale. His booth is never one that a buyer could go through in a few minutes. The same is true for Bechara Maalouf who also had a significant display of art and portfolios to explore.

There was a strong showing of Silver, Bronze, and Modern Age comic art and some Golden Age. As at every Comic Art Con, there was a good amount of comic book covers, and dealers had portfolios full of original comic book pages including splash pages. Over the last few years, in both vintage comic sales and original art, Marvel has tended to dominate. However at this show it was much more evenly distributed between them which was nice to see. Neither Allie nor I walked out of there with empty hands and we were very happy with our finds. Most dealers reported good sales with one in particular, Hans Kosenkranius, telling me (with a big smile on his face) that it was the best show he had over the last year.

One of the things that is very cool at this show was seeing groups of collectors sitting around the hotel lobby discussing their purchases, debating the merits of one artist from another, and negotiating deals with each other. Some came just to show off their portfolios. For show promoter Joe Veteri, this is part of what makes the show special and is part of Comic Art Con’s unique value. Many deals were made collector to collector.

Allie and I were happy to see some old friends at the show like noted comic and art collector Dale Cendali who we hadn’t seen in over a year, Ankur Jetley, Frank Giella, and Jonathan Mankuta.

The hotel has undergone an extensive renovation including the Hangar Restaurant and Bar. In addition, there are multiple restaurant options to choose from within a short drive from the hotel.

The show hours ran from 9:30 AM to 4 PM, admission was $20. For those with mobility issues, the hotel is very accessible throughout the building. There was plenty of parking available on the hotel grounds.

The summer edition of the New Jersey Comic Art Con will be held Sunday, August 24 at the Holiday Inn located at 283 NJ-17 in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ.

Veteri can be reached at jveteri@coopmail.net or by calling (973) 768-6649 to inquire about booking a table at his next show. Professional artists can also apply for a show table. However, he asked me to point out that only two artist tables are available. More information on future shows is available at www.veteriproductions.com.

To see more photos from New Jersey Comic Art Con, jump to our In the Limelight coverage.