{"id":18043,"date":"2024-05-07T12:35:51","date_gmt":"2024-05-07T11:35:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/satellite.mmu.ac.uk\/northernquota-old\/?p=18043"},"modified":"2024-05-29T15:51:15","modified_gmt":"2024-05-29T14:51:15","slug":"free-comic-day-celebrated-with-comic-and-sci-fi-fair-in-manchester","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/satellite.mmu.ac.uk\/northernquota-old\/free-comic-day-celebrated-with-comic-and-sci-fi-fair-in-manchester\/","title":{"rendered":"Free comic day celebrated with comic and sci-fi fair in Manchester"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Free comic day and Star Wars day had a joint celebration this year with Manchester’s comic and sci-fi fair<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fair, hosted four times a year in Manchester, took place in Sachas hotel in Piccadilly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event hosted by Golden Orbit allowed collectors to browse and purchase comics and film memorabilia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Discounted
Discounted comics available for purchase near the door on free comic day at Manchester comic and sci-fi fair<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Free comic on entry<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Upon entry every attendee was given a Star Wars comic to celebrate free comic and Star Wars day combined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I’ve been selling comic for four or five years but I’ve been collecting since I was seven.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Simon
Simon Walker’s comic display at his stall at Manchester comic and sci-fi fair<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“All the way through to the most recent ones that have special covers, various photograph covers and special artists.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The value of comics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Comic books have been sold for upwards $1m at auction over the past ten years<\/a>. With Superman issue one selling at auction for $6m in 2022<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many collectors find value in silver age comics with some comics available at the Manchester event in excess of \u00a3200.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The other value many find at these events is the chance to be part of the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One for the movie lovers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Phillip Nevitt, a collector and life member of BAFTA, had a wide range of film posters and press passes for sale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Philip
Philip Nevitt proudly displaying his lifetime Bafta member card whilst manning his stall at Manchester comic and sci-fi fair<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

He said: “I was a born collector, my father was a collector. So, I started organising big antique flea markets in Rochdale, Oldham, Chorley, Wigan and all over the north.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Then from 1978 at the exhibition hall in Piccadilly Plaza for 15 years.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Philip had various signed headshots from actors in conjunction with film posters he’s collected over the years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Free comic day origins<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Free comic day began in 2002, proposed by Joe Field of Flying colour comics in California<\/a> after noticing the success of films inspired by comic books.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If there's one thing you take away from FCBD, we hope it's this: comics are for everyone.

Celebrate FCBD at your local comic shop and be a part of something bigger!#FCBD2023<\/a>#ComicsAreForEveryone<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/kkZXBxUJlM<\/a><\/p>— Free Comic Book Day (@Freecomicbook) May 5, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote>