Beginner’s guide

What is a Comic Con?

A comic con is a fan convention built around comic books and the pop culture that grew out of them. Fans, artists, writers and vendors gather for a weekend of panels, cosplay, an artist alley and a vendor hall. Here is what the word means, what actually happens there, and what to expect at your first one.

The definition

A comic con, short for comic convention, is an event where fans, artists, writers and vendors gather around comic books and comic book culture. “Con” is simply the fan word for convention. Modern comic cons have grown to cover a much wider range of pop culture, including:

  • Movies and TVMajor studios use cons to promote upcoming blockbusters.
  • Video gamesDemos, tournaments, and retro gaming setups.
  • Anime and mangaJapanese animation and comics have a huge presence.
  • CollectiblesToys, statues, trading cards, and rare items.

Originally gathering places for fans to trade comics, they are now multi-media festivals celebrating fandom in all its forms.

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What happens at a comic con?

If you have never been to one, walking onto the show floor can be overwhelming. These are the main pillars of almost every comic con:

Cosplay

Short for "costume play." Fans dress up as their favorite characters from comics, movies, or games. It is a huge part of the visual spectacle.

Panels

Question and answer sessions with actors, writers, and artists. These range from huge halls with movie stars to intimate workshops on how to draw comics.

Artist Alley

The heart of the con. A section dedicated to independent artists selling prints, sketching commissions, and meeting fans directly.

Vendor hall

A massive marketplace. Rare comics, shirts, action figures, swords, fan art, and pretty much anything geeky you can imagine.

Quick answers

What does "comic con" mean?

Comic con is short for comic convention: an event where fans, artists, writers and vendors gather around comic books and the wider pop culture that grew out of them, including movies, TV, anime and games. "Con" is simply the fan word for convention.

What happens at a comic con?

Four things, at almost every con: an Artist Alley where creators sell prints and draw commissions, panels with actors, writers and artists, cosplay, and a vendor hall of comics, toys and collectibles. Bigger shows add celebrity autographs, photo ops and gaming areas.

How much does a comic con cost?

A single-day ticket to a mid-size con usually runs 20 to 60 dollars, and large shows charge more, with weekend passes on top. Celebrity autographs and photo ops are priced separately. Many small local shows are under 20 dollars or free.

Do I have to dress up?

No. Most attendees wear ordinary clothes. Cosplay is welcome and a big part of the atmosphere, but it is never required.

How do I find a comic con near me?

FanConHub lists upcoming comic, anime and gaming conventions in every US state, with dates, venues and links to the official sites. Pick your state on the homepage or the near-me page and the next shows close to you are listed first.

A brief history

The first official comic book convention was held in 1964 in New York City. It was a small gathering of fans trading issues. San Diego Comic-Con, now the most famous convention in the world, started in 1970 as the Golden State Comic Book Convention with just 300 attendees. Today it draws more than 130,000 people a year, and conventions run in almost every major city on earth.

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FanConHub tracks hundreds of conventions across the US, from massive expos to small local shows.

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