Heroes Head Honcho Shelton Drum on the creation of the Heroes Pop Swap from 2011:

Heroes Pop Swap is an idea that I had on the way back from a recent road trip. BeforeHeroes Convention and the Charlotte Mini-Con and even the Heroes store, local comics fans would gather and trade comics and talk about our hobby. It was usually something like a sidewalk sale put together by a local bookstore and/or newsstand. I remember going to similar events in Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Raleigh and the famous Murray Brothers’ backyard and basement gatherings in Durham during the latter half of the 70’s. None of us “old-timers” were official dealers yet. None of us had stores. We just shared a common interest in collecting as well as buying and selling comic books and related stuff.

We thought we’d try to bring back that feeling from those events with theHeroes Pop Swap: Charlotte’s Pop Culture Swap Meet. For a nominal fee anyone can reserve space and sell items from their personal collection to other fans who are sure to give that item a good home. We are also encouraging local artists and artisans to come and sell their art, pop-culture related crafts and comics.

There will be no professional dealers. Professional will be defined by me personally. If you buy and sell comics regularly either at conventions or online you will be excluded from setting up, but I encourage you to come shop! I anticipate a lot cool items being offered.

We want to limit this event to local creators and comics and pop culture enthusiasts who have interesting items from their personal collections that they are willing to sell and self-produced comics and related products. People who are purchasing space are encouraged not only to bring comics but any items falling under the pop culture umbrella. That could be toys, games, music, movies and more.

Since this event is so close to Halloween don’t be afraid to come in costume. Trick or treating will be part of our advertising for this event, please consider bringing a treat of some sort for the kids (candy, button, stickers, comics etc..).

We think this will be a fun event for everyone involved and if it is successful we’d like to make it something we do few times a year.

Thanks! I look forward to bringing back some of the “old school!”

Shelton Drum