Historic comic convention OAFCon returns to Norman
The nostalgia-styled OAFCon, one of the oldest comic conventions in the United States, will return in 2021 under new management.
The show will be held at the Embassy Suites in Norman Saturday and Sunday.
OAFCon features comic books, fantasy art, toys, movie posters, old-time radio memorabilia and more. The show is known for its focus on vintage collectibles, and is often a place comic fans can see rare and expensive comics and related items in person. Admission to the event is free.
OAFCon began as a meeting of the Oklahoma Alliance of Fans. OAF had its earliest meetings in March 1967, and by 1970, it was hosting Multicon in Oklaho
ma City and many conventions there
after. Longtime comic retailer Bart Bush revived OAFCon in 2007.
Bush grew up in Ponca City and was one of the founders of the Oklahoma Alliance of Fans (OAF), the first fandom group in Oklahoma, in 1967. Bush died in Sept. 2020 at age 70.
Peter Purin, organizer of Uncanny Comic Expo in Shawnee, didn't want to see the end of OAFCon. With the blessing of Bush's family and in communication with other original OAF members, Purin is bringing the show back in 2021 — with much of the same feel of the classic OAFCons.
This year's edition is “continuing Bart's legacy of the region's best oldschool comic show!” according to the Facebook page for OAF.
More than 100 comic-book dealers are set for the show, which is expected to feature a wide variety of eclectic classics and rarely seen collectible issues.
Several Oklahoma comic-book creators are scheduled for the event, including Dirk Hooper of Rain King Studios.
Special guests include J. David Spurlock and Anthony Tollin.
Spurlock is an award-winning author, historian, educator, creator rights advocate, documentary filmmaker and associate to star talents Steranko, Joe Kubert, Carmine Infantino, Julius Schwartz, Wally Wood, Joe Simon, Frazetta, Basil Gogos, Neal Adams, Stan Lee and many more. Spurlock will be part of an original art panel at 1 p.m. Saturday in the convention's Crimson Room.
Anthony Tollin, noted for his work as “The Shadow” reprint publisher with Sanctum Press, coauthored 1979's "The Shadow Scrapbook" with Walter Gibson (creator of The Shadow).
Tollin worked with for DC Comics as a color artist in the 1980s, working with Curt Swan, George Perez, Don Newton, Gil Kane, Jim Aparo, Joe Kubert, Irv Novick, Don Heck, Jerry Ordway, Mike Grell and more.