When COVID-19 forced Fanboys Comic Con to cancel events, the organizers came up with a better idea: Host comic con year-round.
Well, sort of. Over the weekend, the convention celebrated the grand opening of Fanboys Marketplace — an 8,600-square-foot space where pop culture vendors can sell their wares, the same way they would at comic con. Located at 3000 S. Hulen St., Ste. 136, inside the former Charming Charlie store, the space has room for up to 40 vendors; it currently holds 39, selling everything from comic books and collectibles to clothing and jewelry.
"We took the comic con format and business model and put it together as a store," says owner Michael Rogers.
Fanboys Comic Con has been hosting conventions at malls since 2018, often drawing crowds in the thousands, Rogers says. With social distancing restrictions limiting the number of attendees at events, opening a permanent marketplace was Fanboys' solution for vendors who needed a place to sell.
Aside from retail, Fanboys Marketplace also has a designated area for gaming — think Dungeons & Dragons or Magic: The Gathering — and plans to occasionally host special guests. Fanboys recently hosted comic book artist Sam de la Rosa, known for his work on Marvel's Venom: Lethal Protector series, which was the basis for the 2018 film "Venom."
Rogers says shoppers are also welcome to come in cosplay. You know, just like comic con.
"We have a lot of the products you would find at comic con," Rogers says. "If you're looking for special collectibles or comics, you can come here."
Fanboys Marketplace is open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.