Video: RAW: Emerald City Comicon

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SEATTLE -- With comic book superhero movies of recent years creating big paydays at the box office, including last weekend's $100 million opening for "Iron Man," you'd think that it would mean a huge influx of comic book newcomers to this weekend's sixth annual Emerald City Comicon.

While there may be some newbies, it's clear that most of the people showing up this weekend know their stuff, from the names of comic book illustrators who have been in the business for decades, to the best value for vintage comics and memorabilia. It's a place where fans of Superman, Batman, "Star Wars," "Star Trek" and more can come together in peace and harmony.

You might expect to see wall-to-wall superheroes – fans decked out as their favorite character from comics and movies - but there are really only a handful.

Some, like self-described costumers Eric and Joanna Lyhn, went all-out in their Rogue and Gambit costumes from the X-Men comics.

"It's an obsession," said Eric.

There's also your fair share of "Star Wars" and "Battlestar Galactica" getups. For those of you who might laugh at them for their attire, John Lindsey, dressed as a Viper pilot from "Battlestar Galactica," says look in the mirror.

"Here I am dressed up for a science fiction convention, when people dress up more for Seahawks games and spend much more money for their clothes to go to a football game than I would to go here, so I'm not really feeling like a freak right now," said Lindsey.

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This Jimmy Olsen comic is being sold for nearly $800.

The most elaborate costumes are by the local "Star Wars" fan group "501st Legion," which has a booth set up for other fans to get an action shot with Darth Vader, Boba Fett, or a Stormtrooper. The suggested donation is five dollars with all proceeds going to the Children's Therapy Center in Kent. Comicon matches the donations.

On one side of the building, you get a chance to shake hands and pick the brains of some of your favorite sci-fi stars. Arguably, the biggest one this weekend is Jamie Bamber, who plays Lee "Apollo" Adama from "Battlestar Galactica," which is currently in its final season. But be prepared to stand in line for awhile and plop down $30 for an autographed photo or $25 if you just want Bamber's John Hancock. Also there is Wil Wheaton (Wesley Crusher from "Star Trek"), decked out in a faded, gray Batman t-shirt, Gigi Edgley (Chiana from "Farscape"), Daniel Logan (young Boba Fett from "Star Wars Episode II") and Julie Benz (best known as Darla from "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" and "Angel").

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Jamie Bamber from "Battlestar Galactica" signs an autograph for a fan.

"This is the only convention I'm going to this year," said Benz.

Then there are the real-life superheroes, as in the contestants from Sci-Fi channel's "Who wants to be a superhero?" You can check out the grip on WWTBAS winner Jarret "The Defuser" Crippen or have a doughnut with Nell "Fat Momma" Wilson (she actually wears frosted doughnuts on her costume).

The lines are also long to buy original artwork from dozens of best illustrators in the business, such as Tim Sale, Andy Kuhn and Northwest product Susan Tardif, who operates out of Portland-based "Periscope Studios." She describes her style as more cartoony.

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Dozens of professional artists will draw just about anything you want.

Kuhn, whose current project is about a half-boy, half-dragon caught up in a custody battle is asked to draw just about anyone or anything, no matter how strange.

"One guy today wanted me to sketch a strawberry clock," said Kuhn.

Most of the artists will draw just about anything you want as you wait, so you know it's an original. Many of the pieces come at a steep cost – up to $60 in some cases.

Comics economics

Comic book and memorabilia vendors here this weekend didn't say how superhero films translated into sales at their shops, but they are definitely seeing how the overall downturn in the economy affects their daily business.

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This rare, black Optimus Prime toy from the original "Transformers" series costs $70.

"Mostly, they're buying the one-to-three dollar comics, not the more expensive ones," said Randy Ingel, owner of Randy's Readers Comics. His most expensive comic is an X-Men No. 1 for $1,400.

John Munn from Comic Book Ink in Tacoma says it's not about a change in revenue, but a change in buying habits.

"People who used to come in once a week are now coming in every two weeks, but they still buy just as much as before," said Munn. His most expensive item is 3-foot tall statue of General Grievous from "Star Wars Episode III."

His shop has been nominated for the Will Eisner "Spirit of Retailing" award. The Eisner is basically the comics version of the Oscar. Munn says you can only win it once and Comic Book Ink has been nominated four times.

"We’re the Susan Lucci of the Eisner," said Munn.

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For a small donation to a local charity, you can get an action photo with a member of the Galactic Empire. Vader doesn't stand a chance.

If you're missing something in that vast toy collection you've been dying to complete, you'll find stuff you may not know even existed. It only costs $300 for a Han Solo action figure in his Hoth outfit from 25 years ago– still in the unopened box. There's a rare, all black Optimus Prime from the original "Transformers" collection of the 1980's, which were mainly sold in Japan. That'll run you $70. Next to him is Soundwave, the Decepticon who turns into a tape recorder. He's been updated into an MP3 player, only this one really plays MP3's. Be prepared to spend about $95 on him. Then, for those into vintage video games, there's an Atari 2600 with all the controllers and about two dozen games for $60.

The Emerald City Comicon continues Sunday at the Washington State Convention Center in Downtown Seattle. The one day fee Sunday is $15.