Comic Books at the Comic Book Show

The Vancouver Comic and Toy Show is a trade show. It features collectible toys, superhero memorabilia, comic books and other similar pop culture items.

In 2023 the event happened on the weekend of April 1st and 2nd. It happens again on the weekend of October 21st and 22nd, 2023. The event’s dates for 2024 are April 6th and 7th.

For full details about the event, see the Vancouver Comic & Toy Show‘s official website.

For tickets to the show, visit the TicketLeader website.

Vancouver Comic and Toy Show in 2023

The Vancouver Comic and Toy Show is one of the largest events of its kind in Western Canada. If you like comic books, especially vintage ones, you’ll be in heaven at this event!

When and Where is the Show?

The Vancouver Comic and Toy Show normally takes place on a Saturday and Sunday at the PNE Forum. The venue’s address is 2901 East Hastings Street.

In 2022 there were three shows. One took place on February 27th, another happened on June 26th and the last one was on October 23rd.

In 2023, the first ever two-day Vancouver Comic and Toy Show took place on the Saturday and Sunday of April 1st and 2nd. It takes place again on Saturday, October 21st and Sunday, October 22nd. The same as usual, doors open at 11:00 am and the place closes at 5:00 pm on both days.

Up until a few years ago the event took place at the Vancouver Croatian Cultural Centre. However, it moved to the PNE Forum in 2019 and has been there ever since.

Popartbyks Comic Poster Display — Popartbyks’ Vendor Display

How Much Does it Cost?

Admission to the Vancouver Comic and Toy Show for people ages 13 and older costs $22 for Saturday, $15 for Sunday and $25 for both days. Children ages 12 and under enter for free.

For full details about the event, see the Vancouver Comic & Toy Show‘s official website.

What to Expect at the Show

The Vancouver Comic and Toy Show is a great event (assuming you like comics and collectible toys). At the show you’ll see 300 or so tables with vendors selling vintage comic books, superhero posters and action figurines. Also for sale are hot wheels cars, trading cards, plush toys, Funko pop figures and many more items.

At the event lucky guests are sometimes chosen at random to win a gift card that can be used at any table in the convention.

In addition to all the items that are for sale, at the show there are also comic and superhero artists on site to sign autographs.

VANCOUVER COMIC & TOY SHOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Want to find the event on social media? Then check it out on Instagram and Facebook.

Comic Show Guest Artists

Special guests in October 2023 include the 501st Legion, John Delaney, Mauricio Pommella, Marcelo Matere, and more.

Other special guests in recent years have included the following:

Aaron Buck – a creative fan fiction comic book writer who published his first original book in 2020.
John Gallagher – a Vancouver-based artist who created illustrations for popular films and TV shows such as Power Rangers, Once Upon A Time, Twilight Zone and Umbrella Academy.
Randy Stone – creator of the brand Altruistic Comics, he has created many comics including Eskimo Kisses, Champion and Death and Comics.
Diana Greenhalgh – a BC illustrator and designer who has worked with 20th Century Fox and Marvel on Deadpool, X-Men: Apocalypse and Upper Deck.

For tickets and full details about the event, visit canadiancomics.net.

John Gallagher at Vancouver Comic Show — Artist John Gallagher

Tips & Advice

Below are some suggestions to help you make the most of your experience at the trade show.

TIP #1: Walk around the show and make a list of all the potential items you have an interest in purchasing before buying any. They may be available from more than one vendor and then you can compare the prices between the two and buy the less expensive one.

TIP #2: Despite TIP #1, if you see something you really want, especially if it’s rare, recognize that if you don’t buy it right away that it might be gone by the time you get back!

TIP #3: Don’t be afraid to barter. If you can find the person in charge of the table they will often negotiate the price, especially if you are buying more than one item from them.

Tip #4: If you want some of the more rare items make sure you get there a bit before 11:00 am. There is usually a long line-up to get in for the first hour of the show, but it’s worth waiting in if you are looking for a specific item.

Tip #5: If you like comics and superheroes, then also be sure to check out Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N.. It’s a touring superheroes-themed attraction that was in Burnaby in 2023 between March 3rd and May 28th. We hope to see the attraction return in 2024. It features characters, scenes and artifacts from Marvel comic books and movies at The Amazing Brentwood mall.

For tickets and full details about the event, visit canadiancomics.net.

Other Information

Click the Vancouver Comic and Toy Show‘s website for more information about the event. To follow the event on social media, check out its Instagram and Facebook accounts.

If you like comics, superheroes and anime, other Lower Mainland events you might find interesting include the following:

For a list of other events at other times of the year, check out our Festivals & Events Calendar.