Holiday Party / Art Show / Fundraiser / Sale at CNJComics

Here’s all the information on this year’s Holiday Party / Sale / Art Show / Fundraiser for the Greater Cleveland Food Bank!

This year’s art show theme is … Marvel Vs DC!

Let’s talk about the art show first! We’ve been holding our Holiday Art Show since 2012, even moving it successfully online during the pandemic. It’s always better in person though, and we’re grateful that we’re able to host it that way again. Last year we combined things things we learned during the pandemic with our old in-person model and had our most successful year ever. With your help, we assisted the Greater Cleveland Food Bank (the true heroes in this story) in creating 24,900 meals. This brings our lifetime total to 140,608 meals created. We measure the success of our event through meals created, with the knowledge that the Food Bank can turn one dollar into four full meals for those in need. (However, because of the current state of the economy, that one dollar now makes three full meals, so our help is needed now more than ever before.)  Our art show is where local artists (and a few from a distance) create custom comic book covers that we display in the foyer attached to our shop from Wednesday, December 13th to Saturday, December 16th. These covers can be won in a basket raffle system where one dollar gets you one ticket to the cover of your choice. (you can also buy six tickets for five dollars) Each cover has a number assigned to it, and we have a basket for each of those numbers. You buy the tickets, write your name on them, and place them in the basket(s) of the cover(s) you want to win. It’s that easy. (A classic basket raffle system, but we find it helpful to explain it each year.)

As stated above, this year’s theme is “Marvel Vs DC” and here are a few of the awesome covers that have come in already.

Art by Len Peralta

Art by Hope Gonzalez (way to go Hopey!)

Art by Kyle Goers

Art by Kenny Peris

While we will always favor an in-person interaction, we understand that some people just cannot make it out. To help them to be a part of our community’s efforts, we will post a gallery of the covers on Facebook by the evening of December 15th. You can then check out the gallery and buy tickets remotely by calling the shop with a credit card from noon until 6pm on Saturday, December 16th. (216-252-0606) We will put the tickets towards the covers you want, so please have the numbers of the covers ready to go when you call. (You can also just call in a monetary donation and we’ll just throw your tickets in different random baskets.) We only do this on Saturday and winners will be responsible for local pick-up. (Or for paying to ship the cover.) Again, this is meant to be an in-shop event, but the pandemic taught us not to leave any charity money on the table.

The art show has become one of the most important things we do each year, and the support we get from everyone is inspiring. Whether you’re an artist who creates a cover, or a customer who buys some tickets, it all becomes one big win for the community. Art styles vary greatly, and some of our little creators come up with some really extraordinary ideas. We support the Cleveland Food Bank because they are beyond reproach, doing the work and helping people in a way that we can all get behind. Hungry people need access to good food, especially during the holidays.

From the beginning of the Art Show until Christmas Eve (12-13 to 12-24) we will also be having our holiday sale, featuring:

• 50% off all back issues (except for books on the wall)
• 20% off statues and action figures.

We also have an 11 x 17 print to give away with every purchase, an homage to the 1970’s Marvel’s that I love.

The Art Show will culminate at our yearly Holiday Party from 8pm to 11pm on Saturday December 16th. (we close the shop that day at 7pm, to reopen at 8pm for the party.) All are invited, and we’ve got lots of adult refreshments for everyone. (that being said, all of our events are family friendly, and our Holiday Party is obviously no exemption.) Everyone attending will be able to get 50% off any one item of their choice! (yes, you can use it on wall books.)

For an incredibly large amount of reasons, this coupon is ONLY good at the holiday party. Ultimately, it is a perk for attending the party. We cannot afford to allow the coupon to be used beyond the parameters of the party. People wait in line before the party for quite some time to get the item they are looking for, and to let someone use it during the day who can’t attend the party is unfair to that person’s conviction. Please respect this decision and understand that it is made in the spirit of fairness.

Macklin will be returning as our event bartender, and we always love having him around. Drinks are always free, but true heroes tip their bartenders. (in a world of digital currency, remember to throw a couple bucks in your wallet that night. )

We also have it on pretty high account that both Santa and Carol will be there, so wear your holiday finest for photo ops.

We pull the winners at 10:30 pm sharp, so be sure to purchase your tickets before then that night. You do not need to be present to win, but winners will get to take home their cover(s) that night!

As always, from our family to yours, thank you for all the support throughout the year, and especially for our endevors during this event. We love seeing everyone, we love to support our community, and we love to see all the hard work that the artists have put into their covers. It’s a super fun night and we hope to see you there!