Collectibles galore as Geelong Comic and Toy Fair returns

COMIC lovers and collectors will descend on Geelong when the annual Comic and Toy Fair returns to the region this year with two event dates.

The first of the two events for this year will start on April 13, with the second one to take place on July 27.

Vendors from across the state will be part of the day, providing samples of their stock and giving the community the opportunity to purchase things not normally available.

Event organiser Evin Bryant said the fair is an opportunity for members of the community with a shared interest to come together, as well as a place for some to start building their own collection.

“I hope they get a sense of belonging and a little excitement that there’s something like this in Geelong.

“A lot of people, particularly in this sort of a hobby, can feel a little introverted and not necessarily that this is an exciting or cool thing that they could do, and then all of a sudden they see that they’re not alone in what they love.”

Although called the Comic and Toy Fair, the event offers much more with Funko Pops, Hot Wheels, trading cards, books and more also available.

As part of this year’s fair, renowned Australian comic artist Dillon Naylor will be hosting a comic book and character lesson for children.

The fair started when Mr Bryant first moved to Geelong and was looking for a comic and pop culture community and struggled to find anything.

“I had a good feeling there was a community of people that enjoy and have a passion for this type of hobby,” he said.

“I thought ‘Let’s try to generate and get an event going where we can bring people and into a safe and comfortable place that they can mix together with their own people and enjoy their hobbies and passions together’.”

Mr Byrant said since the event’s beginning it had grown in the amount of participating vendors and stalls.

“It started off with very humble beginnings and humble aspirations and it has very quickly grown enormously in scale and size.”

Entry is by gold coin donation, with funds raised going towards future fairs.

For more information, head to the Geelong Comic and Toy Fair Facebook page.