By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
THERE’S a force building with Casey’s underworld of fans for comics, sci-fi, super heroes, action figures and video games.
Roy Condeza, who is organising the first pop-culture mini-convention for the region on 28 May, says there’s no shortage of collectors in the south-east growth corridor.
The movement in Casey started as a trade day. It has blossomed into an event expected to attract up to 500 local and interstate collectors.
It will include a swap meet of collectibles as well as video games for play, cosplay – which is short for costume play, club sign ups and custom artists of toys and comics.
Mr Condeza says the region’s plentiful pop-culture collectors are starved of such opportunities.
There are no nearby retailers, and few hubs to meet – outside of a Berwick Market vintage toy stall and social media, he says.
The Narre Warren collector’s specimens start with 1980s Masters of the Universe figures such as He-Man and Skeletor.
It has evolved to about 6000 items including books and a newest customised version of Castle Grayskull.
“It’s small compared to the biggest collections but I’m happy to say my entire collection hasn’t been bought on e-Bay.
“I’ve done the hard yards of garage sales and toy meets.”
When pressed on how his passion has endured, he says there’s a special thrill in acquiring a new collectible.
“There’s a couple of guys who when they get their hands on a comic, they won’t talk to you. They just want to sit and read it straightaway.”
Unlike some collectors, Mr Condeza is an “opener” – meaning he’s not scared to take his action figures out of the box.
“As soon as you open the box, straightaway 50 per cent or more of its value is reduced.
“But I want to sit down one day and have 100 action figures out to play with my kids in one go.”
Trending in pop-culture are the Marvel movies based on comics, such as Avengers, Harley Quinn and Batman v Superman, he says.
For the record, Mr Condeza’s a fan of the Batman v Superman flick that has been rejected by 1970s vintage-superhero followers.
But it’s a debate in which the pre-teen up-and-comers “hold their own” against their elders.
“We’re loving it, celebrating that it’s evolving to something more realistic,” Mr Condeza says.
The pop culture event is at Narre Community Learning Centre, Webb Street, Narre Warren on 28 May, from 3pm-8pm. For details phone 0402 019 201.
