CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio — If you’re not a comic aficionado, you might think comic books, also called graphic novels, and comic strips are for kids.

But with a global market value estimated by Fortune Business Insights at more than $15 billion this year, it would seem comics are for adults, too.

And it’s comic events like the annual Akron Comicon coming up this weekend for enthusiasts and collectors that are helping drive those numbers, researchers say. Interesting storylines, attractive graphics and superhero films are also boosting the comics market.

What You Need To Know

  • Akron Comicon’s 10th anniversary event will take place Nov. 5-6 at Emidio’s Expo Center

  • High-profile comic creators will be on hand both days to sign autographs and speak to fans

  • A limited-edition Akron Comicon 10th anniversary print by Brian Dunphy also will be available

  • Akron Comicon’s costume contest, an annual tradition, will take place Saturday at 4 p.m.

Now celebrating its 10th year, Akron Comicon will run 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday Nov. 5 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6 at Emidio’s Expo Center, 48 E. Bath Road in Cuyahoga Falls.

The event schedule includes informative panels running each day, with featured guests on hand both days to sign autographs and speak to fans.

Brian Dunphy’s limited-edition Akron Comicon 10th anniversary print will be available. (Graphic courtesy of Akron Comicon)

Among this year’s featured guests are:

  • Gianni DeCenzo, who plays Dimitri on Netflix COBRA Kai;
  • Sam De La Rosa, the first inker on the Venom miniseries by Marvel;
  • Nathan Szerdy, a popular cover artist in the comic book industry; and
  • Tony Isabella who is celebrating his 50th anniversary as a comic-book writer.

Isabella will have an exclusive 50th anniversary print, illustrated by Dan Gorman, available at his table and will be on hand to sign the limited-edition print, organizers said. The illustration features 11 monster characters Isabella has written throughout his career.

An Akron Comicon 10th anniversary print created by Brian Dunphy will also be available, with Dunphy on hand to sign the limited-edition poster.

On Saturday, starting at 4 p.m., Akron Comicon’s costume contest, an annual tradition sponsored by Rubber City Cosplay, will award trophies and prizes to winners of “Best Hero” and “Best Villain” in three age categories: 12 and under; 13 to 17; and 18 and older.

Winners will also be selected in “Best of Show” and “Best Craftsmanship” categories to win awards, organizers said.

Akron Comicon was launched in 2012 to celebrate and recognize comic books and newspaper comics as an original American art form, organizers said. The event aims to bring together creators, dealers and fans for a family-friendly weekend of fun.

As a nonprofit organization, Akron Comicon supports creators in the comics industry through the nonprofit Hero Initiative, which is dedicated to helping comic-book creators by providing financial support for medical aid and other essential needs.

For more information about 10th anniversary event or the Hero Initiative, visit the Akron Comicon website.

Tony Isabella, celebrating 50 years of creating comics, created a limited-edition print illustrated by Dan Gorman. (Graphic courtesy of Akron Comicon)

 

 

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