With Long Beach Comic Con returning September 5–6, Nerd Street’s Director of Comics, Lan Pitts, spoke with Brad Sloan, founder of FVF Comics and a familiar face to longtime attendees. A vendor at Long Beach Comic Con since its inaugural event, Sloan has spent decades building a reputation as a collector and comic dealer. His enthusiasm for the medium remains as strong today as when he first discovered comics as a child.
In their conversation, Sloan discusses the story behind his comic collection, reflects on the relationships he’s built within the hobby, and explains why Long Beach Comic Con continues to be a highlight of his convention calendar. He also shares advice for first-time attendees, talks about the lasting appeal of comics, and offers his perspective on where the industry is headed.
Nerd Street: For readers who may be discovering FVF Comics for the first time, what first sparked your love of comic books, and how did that passion eventually lead to creating content around the hobby?
Brad Sloan: I fell in love with comic books as a child in the early 1960s. I spent my allowance buying comics and read them over and over again.
In 1968, I visited the home of an older collector and saw a closet filled with thousands of Silver Age comic books. I never forgot that collection. Eighteen years later, I tracked him down, and those comics were still sitting in that same closet. I bought the entire collection for 50 cents a book.
I still own those comics today. In the 1990s, I told Stan Lee the story, and he called it “The Immaculate Collection.”
That experience inspired me to write and publish my story, which I recently released as a comic book called The Incredible FVF Man. It’s my way of sharing that incredible journey with other comic fans.
Nerd Street: Comic books have evolved significantly over the years, but they continue to attract new generations of readers. What do you think is the enduring appeal of comics, both for longtime fans and newcomers?
Sloan: Comics have always reflected society. They mirror the lives, experiences, and changing perspectives of the people reading them.
For many collectors, comics are a way to reconnect with childhood. Others enjoy the hobby because it offers opportunities to buy, sell, and invest. Families often pass their love of comics from one generation to the next, and that’s how many new readers discover the medium. Comics have a unique ability to bring people together across generations.
Nerd Street: What are some of the most rewarding aspects of being part of the comics community?
Sloan: Comic books have been my passion for my entire life. I never imagined that passion would eventually become my career. While I still collect select Golden Age comics, starting FVF Comics as a convention buying-and-selling business allowed me to join the ranks of some of the industry’s largest dealers. Today, comics have become more rewarding than I ever thought possible.
Just as important are the friendships I’ve made. My fellow dealers have become some of my closest friends. We respect one another, and it’s a close-knit community. Comics have given me opportunities I never dreamed I’d have.
Nerd Street: Every collector has a memorable story—whether it’s a key book, a chance discovery, or a meaningful connection made through the hobby. Is there a particular experience that stands out as especially memorable for you?
Sloan: I only have to look at my collection. I know it will outlive me. When the time eventually comes to auction my books, they’ll carry a graded label that reads, “From the Collection of Brad Sloan.” Buyers will also receive the comic book I wrote about my journey.
Beyond that, every time I found one of the Holy Grail books I’d been searching for, it felt like a moment in paradise.
Nerd Street: Conventions play a major role in bringing the comic book community together. What makes Long Beach Comic Con a special event from your perspective, and what keeps you coming back?
Sloan: I’ve been a vendor at Long Beach Comic Con since the very first show.
I love the location and the venue. Being so close to the ocean gives it the feel of a smaller version of San Diego Comic-Con, and there are plenty of great local restaurants and businesses within walking distance.
I’ve built a loyal customer base that comes back every year to see my latest inventory, and it’s always great catching up with the many dealers who return year after year. The team at Mad Entertainment, especially Martha, has always treated me with respect and made me feel appreciated. That’s one of the biggest reasons I continue to come back.
Nerd Street: For someone attending Long Beach Comic Con for the first time, what advice would you give them to get the most out of the experience?
Sloan: Long Beach Comic Con is one of the easiest conventions to attend. It’s easy to get to, parking is plentiful and reasonably priced, and the venue is simple to navigate. The cosplay is always outstanding, giving the show the energy of a much larger convention while still maintaining a welcoming atmosphere.
Take your time, stay at one of the nearby hotels if you can, enjoy the local restaurants, and don’t be afraid to shop. There are always fantastic deals to be found.
Nerd Street: Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of comics and the comic book community, and what are you hoping to see from events like Long Beach Comic Con in the years to come?
Sloan: I always look toward the future, even as I celebrate my 70th birthday this year.
Right now, I’m helping a collector process a massive collection built over 50 years that includes hundreds of thousands of comic books. I’m still hoping to uncover untouched key issues and hidden gems.
I still get just as excited about comics as I did when I was 12 years old, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. I’ll continue pursuing this passion for as long as I can, and Long Beach Comic Con will always be one of my favorite shows.
