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Comic-book Dealer Turns Action Hero to Nab Alleged Thief at New York Comic Con

By DNAinfo Staff on October 13, 2010 9:24am

Booths at the Big Apple Comic Con are often the scenes of epic battles between good and evil. Matt Nelson, co-owner of Worldwide Comics in Texas chased down alleged thief Richard Turner.
Booths at the Big Apple Comic Con are often the scenes of epic battles between good and evil. Matt Nelson, co-owner of Worldwide Comics in Texas chased down alleged thief Richard Turner.
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Gabriela Maj/Getty Images

By Yepoka Yeebo

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

MANHATTAN — A comic-book dealer turned action hero when he foiled a villain who allegedly tried to make off with thousands of dollars worth of rare books at Comic Con on Saturday.

Matt Nelson, co-owner of Worldwide Comics in Texas chased down Richard Turner, but his alleged sidekick got away, taking several valuable comics, including a copy of Whiz Comics No. 1 worth $11,000, with him, the New York Post reported Wednesday.

"Like Superman, I flew into action, determined to stop the bad guys," Nelson told the Post. "Just like in the comics, justice prevailed."

The dastardly deed took place as the annual New York Comic Con was winding down on Saturday evening at the Jacob Javits Center on the West Side.

Nelson and his partner, Stephen Ritter, allegedly saw Turner and an accomplice swipe an "Action Comics No. 11," from 1939, starring Superman, as well as a Captain Marvel book from 1940. They also swiped several Western-themed comics, worth $300 each, and scrammed, going in different directions.

"They reached in when no one was looking and pulled out these books," Nelson said.

Nelson stalked Turner through the Javits Center, then confronted him.

"I catch up to him and say, 'Hey, you were just at our booth and I want to make sure that you pay for the books that might be ours,'" Nelson told the Post.

The comic-book dealer snatched the precious comic from Turner's clutches, and Turner allegedly started to fight back.

That's when the league of Comic-book and memorabilia vendors came to Nelson's rescue.

"All of a sudden, 10 dealers are standing around," Nelson said according to the Post. "So the guy starts to get nervous at this point, and starts walking toward the escalator to leave."

The alleged crook tried to get away, fleeing down the up-escalator six steps at a time, but it was no use, and he was collared by a security guard.

Turner has been charged with grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property, the Post said. His alleged henchman was still at large.