One of the Twin Cities' largest comic book conventions, FallCon, will bring fans of all ages to the Minnesota State Fairgrounds Saturday for an all-out blitz of vintage comics, collectibles and middle-aged guys in costumes. There's a lot to love about this annual extravaganza. Here are four good reasons:

1. Unlike the San Diego Comic-Con, this comic book convention is actually about comics. Comic-Con has become the domain of movie studios and celebrities hawking their latest blockbusters. Our very own FallCon is 45,000 square feet of frenzied comic-book buying.

2. Lightsabers. Every year there's some guy showing off his replica lightsabers. Every year I geek out.

3. Let's say you're 45 years old and want to dress up like Batman. Do it. Have fun. No one will know it's you, anyway. (Your secret identity will be safe behind that mask).

4. More than 100 Twin Cities comic book creators will be signing autographs, plus one legend: Keith Pollard. The old-school artist drew "Fantastic Four" and "Amazing Spider-Man" back in the day. He's most famous for co-creating a Spidey side-character, the Black Cat.

DETAILS

  • Minnesota State Fairground, in the Progress Center
  • 1621 Randall Av., St. Paul
  • $8
  • Kids 9 and under are free. $1 off admission with a canned food shelf donation
  • www.midwestcomicbook.com