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 2024 the event happens on the weekend of April 6th and 7th. Last year the show happened in April and then again in October.

(TIP: If you like comic art, another event you should check out is the Vancouver Comic Arts Festival. It’s a free event at Vancouver’s Roundhouse Community Centre on May 18th and 19th in 2024 (which is the Victoria Day Long Weekend).

THE CIRCUS IS COMING!

The Royal Canadian International Circus is in both Surrey and Richmond this spring! It’s at Guildford Town Centre between May 2nd and May 12th. After that it’s at Lansdowne Centre from May 16th until the 20th. (TIP: If you buy your general admission tickets online using the promo code VANSBESTPLACES you’ll get 2-for-1 pricing!)

This article contains the following about the Vancouver Comic and Toy Show:

Vancouver Comic and Toy Show

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 took place again on Saturday, October 21st and Sunday, October 22nd. The same as usual, this year the 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 since.

Popartbyks Comic Poster Display — Popartbyks’ Vendor Display

How Much Does it Cost?

In 2024 admission to the Vancouver Comic and Toy Show for people ages 13 and older cost $22 for Saturday, $15 for Sunday and $25 for both days. Children ages 12 and under enter for free.

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.

Comic Show Guest Artists

Special guests at the event in April, 2024, include the 501st Legion, Francine Delgado, James Hanson, Cole Pauls, George Michail, Ryan Heshka, Verne Andru, 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.

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.

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.

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.