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Your narrator, the Leader

The Leader attended the Virginia Comic Con held in Richmond on 8 July 2012. He went with his usual companions Jim Frost and Judy and Richard Delmer. He was disappointed one of his favorite dealers, Shelton Drum wasn't there. But he was glad to see Dave Weaver of Benders Books making a rare appearance as a dealer. He also enjoyed talking to his favorite dealer Gene Carpenter and another old time dealer, Jim Fortenberry who doesn't always attend this show. There were some interesting comic books to look at and the costume contest was enjoyable. The Leader and his companions consummated their visit to the Richmond show with their traditional stop on the way home at Sal's Italian restaurant in Williamsburg.

Dealers' Room The original art in foreground belongs to Wayne Ehrmann of Zeno's Books in Chesapeake, VA.	Dave Weaver of Benders Books The Leader believes Dave Weaver had the most spectacular collectible at the show, a high grade complete set of the legendary 1962 Mars Attacks trading card set. Dave has been a comic fan since the mid 1950s and the owner of Benders Books in Hampton, Virginia since 1979. Dave rarely sets up at comic shows and the Leader was glad to see him again.	Mars Attacks 3 of Dave Weaver's Mars Attacks cards, including the infamous one with the Martian killing a dog.
Tommy Donovan of Richmond Comix Tommy is holding Castle Of Frankenstein #11 and #14, both Star Trek issues. The Leader bought the #11 with the bold green cover in his hometown of Savannah, Georgia back in 1967 and that has always been his favorite issue. He was attracted to the Mr. Spock cover and the article on Marvel Comics. On Tommy's display board is a nice run of 1960s era The Amazing Spider-Man with covers by the Leader's favorite artist, Steve Ditko.	Guy Rose of Space Mountain Comics Guy Rose has been the promoter of the Virginia Comic Con for 26 years. He is displaying here 2 nice Golden Age comics, All American #61 and All Star #9.	Gerald Hogan Gerald is the owner of Trilogy Comics in Virginia Beach. He doesn't usually set up at the Richmond show but he does come to buy and sell with the other dealers. Here he is displaying a copy of Fantastic Four #6 and #9. The dealer in the blue shirt is Gene Carpenter and the left arm at right side of photo belongs to the Leader's traveling companion, Jim Frost of Poquoson, VA.
Gene Carpenter of All American Comics Gene Carpenter always has many rare, esoteric comic books. Here's a 1976 copy of Hansi The Girl Who Loved The Swastika. Gene tells us this book was only sold in religious book stores.	Jim Frost with Weird Science #20 Jim Frost at Gene Carpenter's table showing off the EC comic Weird Science #20 with the famous Williamson/Frazetta story "50 Girls 50." The cover is by Wally Wood.	Gene Carpenter and Jim Frost Here's the Leader's traveling companion Jim Frost with his favorite dealer Gene Carpenter doing what both of them were born to do: trading and talking about old comic books. Jim did end up with the Frankenstein and Planet comic books you see here.
Jim Frost, Richard Delmer, Gene Carpenter Here's Gene trying to assure Jim and Richard that it will indeed be possible to buy some books from him without taking out a second mortgage or working a second job.	Rick Fortenberry of Capt. Comics Here's veteran comic dealer Rick Fortenberry from Charlotte, NC with one of his favorite DC books Adventure Comics #247. Being more of a Marvel fan than DC, the Leader does not fully appreciate the significance of this book but he was to embarrassed to ask Rick to explain it to him. The Leader and Rick have yet to do any business but the Leader enjoyed listening to his stories and looks forward to seeing him at the Baltimore Con in a few months.	4 ancient comic book veterans Here's about 160 years of comic book collecting experience packed closely together. These 4 men have been collecting and dealing in comics for 40 to 50 years each. From left to right: Dave Weaver reading comics since the mid 1950s and owner of Benders Books since 1979; Wayne Ehrmann (in green and blue shirt) owner of Zeno's Books since 1975; Jim Frost collecting comics since late 1960s; Rick Fortenberry collecting comics since 1961 and a dealer since 1980. The Leader doesn't know who the fat bearded guy in the far back is but he probably has some experience too.
Sunny Stoudemire Sunny works with Wayne Ehrmann of Zeno's Books at the comic shows and is always a delightful object for the Leader's camera. Here she is with Wayne's copy of Marvel Team-Up #25 which is inexpensively priced. If you want Wayne's original art of the cover the price is a bit more problematic.	Christina & Lisa Christina (on left) is dressed as Black Lantern Wonder Woman and Lisa as Daenerys Targaryen from the HBO miniseries Game Of Thrones.	Miranda,Christina,Lisa Miranda Fuentes as Supergirl with Christina and Lisa.
Costume Contest Left to right: Black Lantern Wonder Woman, Princess Leia, Lady Manhunter, Zatanna, Spider-Man, Hawkeye with bow, at far right Booster Gold. Dark haired babe in black in center foreground unidentified.	Nina Starsja as Zatanna Nina is a model for comic book artist Louis Small Jr. who was in the artist alley at the show. Zatanna was a magician who first appeared in the DC comic book Hawkman #4 in 1964.	Nina Starsja as Zatanna
Wayne Ehrmann talking to Nina Starsja Wayne of Zeno's Books in Chesapeake, VA talking with Nina Starsja dressed as Zatanna. Wayne's assistant David Davidson is at left.