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

On Saturday, December 16, 2023, Mike Carbonaro hosted the Big Apple Christmas Con. For over 27 years his comic conventions have been a part of the comic and popular culture convention scene in New York City. Originally founded in 1995, he ended the 27th year of the show with the aptly titled “Big Apple Comic Con Christmas Show” in its home at the New Yorker Hotel on 8th Avenue in the heart of Manhattan.

The strong dealer line up came from all over the east coast and many of the Big Apple’s traditional sellers were in attendance along with some first timers. They included Heroes Aren’t Hard To Find, Gary Dolgoff Comics, Bob’s Comics, Harley Yee’s Rare Comics, Kryptonite Comics, Colonial Stamp & Coin Shoppe, Geek Inc., Jason Hamlin, JLL Collectibles, Metropolis Comics, Toytastic, and more.

Original comic art was supplied by comic art dealers Nostalgic Investments and Anthony’s Comic Book Art. Anthony put on his usual gigantic display of both comic book art and vintage comics. The comic pressing service, Spineworks, offered comic pressing, grading buying and selling consignment services. The auction house Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers was in attendance as well offering their services.

There was a strong turnout of creators in artist’s alley, including Jim Steranko, Alitha Evelyn Martinez, Billy Tucci, Brian Kong, Dan Parent, Keith Williams, Larry Hama, Lou Manna, and others.

As I made my way around the dealer’s room I saw that there was a lot of variety in the comics for sale at this show. As has been the norm over the last few years Silver and Bronze Age Marvel titles were in the majority and on some dealer’s walls they were virtually the only titles on display. However there was a definite increase in the amount of vintage DC available to choose from including Flash, Batman, Superman, Superman’s Girlfriend Lois Lane, and Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olson. The last two are titles that have not shown up much for sale over the last few years. Fawcett’s Captain Marvel and Captain Marvel Jr. titles have been showing up at more and more shows too. But beyond the superhero titles, horror and other genres were available, which I found very interesting. Also, in talking to dealers, several noted that DC Silver Age books are becoming more interesting price-wise for buyers as the price of Marvel keys had climbed so high over the last several years even though now those prices are coming down.

Cosplayers were back in force at this edition of the Big Apple Con, populating every aisle in the show. Captain Zorikh hosted the costume contest which was open to both kids and adults of all ages. It was fun seeing them helping each other to get ready in the third floor hall too.

The show hosted some cool events, like The Museum of Interesting Things which offered a very unique look at photography and film in the panel “I Can See for Miles: The History of Illusion Film & Photography.” Mike Carbonaro gave a panel on “How to Grade Comic Books” and Sonic the Hedgehog artist Jennifer Hernandez offered a workshop on how to draw Sonic, among others.

Getting into the holiday spirit, Santa Claus was there with a huge bag of gifts for kids. In addition, an Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest was held with prizes awarded by the show’s partner Ultimate Wireless. 

The best way to describe Big Apple is to say it is a big time show in a small setting. As such you never know what you are going to encounter for sale there. From clothing to jewelry and much more there was something for everyone.

Every show we attend we meet up with friends and a lot of them were at the Big Apple Con. Comic art and comic book collector Ankur Jetley made an appearance as well as collector Dale Cendali. I connected with Peter Morales, who I just met at last summer’s TerrifiCon, and it was great talking to noted Wonder Woman collector Susan Natoli.

We had dinner at Trattoria Bianca, an excellent place located on the hotel’s lobby level which is also located on the lobby level of the New Yorker. If you don’t want Italian then the Tick Tock Diner also on the lobby level is a good choice. If you are looking for upscale there is the Butcher & Banker which is a world class steak house in the basement. The convenience of eating in the hotel during the show simply cannot be overstated. However, these are only three of many eateries nearby the hotel.

With all the things to do in New York City along with coming to the Big Apple Con you might consider making a vacation out of going to the show and check out some of what the city offers. There are a wide variety of ways to get around from mass transit to its famed yellow taxi cabs.

As we left the show, Allie and I were already thinking of 2024 and the next Big Apple show.

The show hours were 10 AM to 7 PM with both VIP and early admission tickets available, and kids ages 9 to 14 got in for a reduced price, while those under 9 got in for free. The dates for the 2024 edition of the Big Apple Show schedule have not yet been announced, though it will return to the New Yorker Hotel. Fans can check the Big Apple website for the latest information on the show dates.

More photos from Big Apple Christmas Con are also in this week’s In the Limelight coverage.