By Sarah Tan
Special to DNAinfo
MIDTOWN - Ka-Pow! Hundreds of comic book fans packed the Hotel Pennsylvania on Saturday for the Annual One Day Comic Book Show.
The convention featured over 100 dealer tables and an exclusive book signing from writer and editor Stan Lee, creator of the Spiderman, Incredible Hulk and Fantastic Four series.
"I've always wanted to meet Stan Lee and never could see him at other comic book conventions," Michael Black, 36, said while waiting in line with a copy of Spiderman in hand. "I've been a big fan since I was 10 and seeing him is kind of a dream come true."
Organizer and creator of the One Day Show Mike Carbonaro said this will be the last comic convention his company will be hosting. Because of that, he wanted to go out big by inviting the comic book legend.
"I've loved comics since I was 4, and I want to go out with a bang!" Carbonaro said.
Nonetheless, not all of the excitement was about Lee and collectors came from all over the East Coast to attend the event.
Tom Stein, 59, of Norwalk, Conn., came to the event in search of early Mad Magazine Annuals. He said he had been attending comic conventions since the '70s and that he had a warehouse full of comic books back home.
"I started collecting at 8 in 1960 and the bug just bit me," he said.
Neal Adams, illustrator of the Batman and X-Men comic series, signed posters and explained the universal appeal of comic books.
"Comics are an easy way to connect with other poeple. Kids and adults even on their death bed can enjoy them the same way," Adams said. "Everybody told me this was stupid when I was younger, but I said 'Screw you.' There's really nothing like it."
