The Vegas Valley Comic Book Festival is back for its 18th year Saturday, taking over the Clark County Library at 1401 E. Flamingo Road with a Batman-themed celebration built around panels, workshops, a vendor marketplace and guest appearances from nearly a dozen local and national comic writers and industry figures. The daylong event is free and cosplay-friendly, drawing fans of all ages into the library’s halls for a mix of nostalgia and new releases.
Organizers are marking the 60th anniversary of “Batman: The Movie” with a screening of the 1966 film, a showing of the documentary “Batman & Bill,” and a live concert from the Rayford Bro’s Batband, according to the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District. The district describes the festival as “a FREE unforgettable experience” that brings together local and national artists and writers, comic book shops, cosplayers and crafts makers under one roof.
Suzanne Scott, performing arts center coordinator for the Clark County Library, has been a steady presence at the festival, per the same report.
A Deep Dive Into Batman’s Comic Roots
Writer Joe Keatinge, editor-in-chief of Comics! The Magazine, is presenting a talk titled The Comic Roots of Batman, tracing the character’s evolution. Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns was published by DC Comics in 1986.
New Voices and Fresh Adaptations on Display
Las Vegas-based comic artist and writer Violet Karim is scheduled to appear at Saturday’s festival.
Absolute Batman was the highest-selling comic of 2024, the outlet’s report notes.
Kids, Teens and a Generation Raised on Comics
The festival’s family-friendly programming includes a scavenger hunt for prizes, a kids courtyard with crafts, face painting from Magic Wand, and spider slime to make and take, according to the library district. Teens and their invited adults can also join drop-in voice-acting sessions run by the Arizona Voice Acting Guild, alongside Padawan training for younger Star Wars fans.
Industry numbers also reflect comics’ appeal: adult graphic novel sales rose 9.2% in 2025 to 25.9 million units, rebounding after two years of declines Gotham City leads the way at the Las Vegas festival