Most Awaited Comic Conventions in 2017

Cosplayers may find many of the comic cons on this list welcoming. Though I’ve tried to pick only the conventions where comics get center stage. San Diego and its ilk are not on this list, if only for the reason that they’re notoriously hard to get into. Or move around in.

WonderCon
(Mar 31- Apr 2, 2017)

This comic con in Anaheim, CA is running as I write. If you’ve already made it there, you’ll find it’s a fantastic place for American comics, anime screenings, cosplay and movies. Ticket prices are quite inexpensive starting at $20. It doesn’t have San Diego Comic Con’s intensity. But it has the same quality of vendors, a huge list of exhibitors including small and independent publishers, a packed Artist’s Alley, and fan club tables. Everyone should be happy at WonderCon 2017. Panels include Writing 101, Comic Book Law School, The Webcomics Gathering, Writing for Animation and lots of other exciting stuff for comic creators.

MegaCon, Orlando
(May 25-28, 2017)

The family-run Megacon is bringing in celebrities like Mike Tyson, Tim Curry, James Marsters (and more Buffy stars) and creators like Stan Lee, J. Scott Campbell, Gail Simone, Skottie Young, Howard Chaykin, Paul Mounts, Michael Cho and more.

This convention also boasts cosplay guests, special gaming and sci-fi guests, and generally has something for every lover of pop culture.

Heroes Con
(June 16-18, 2017)

Heroes Con is great because it’s turning 35, but it’s still a medium sized convention. Which means, you actually get face time with your heroes at the artist’s and writers’ booths. It’s also the largest independent comic book convention. The comic con is known for its fantastic hospitality to guests. All good reasons to check it out. Besides, the guest list includes Neal Adams, Chris Burnham, Vanesa Del Rey, Jim Mahfood, Jim Rugg, Alison Sampson and other names you may not have heard of but can discover!

Small Press Expo,Bethesda, MD
(September 16-17)

The Small Press Expo is all about independent and small press comic books. This is one of my favorite expos, and I make it a point to fly to Maryland every year to discover new comic books and network. This expo is very creator-friendly. Retailers aren’t allowed booths, so you’ll be surrounded by a mine of independent publishers. I love the close-knit, friendly atmosphere of comic book lovers, creators and fans getting together to interact and chat about what they share a great love for.

New York Comic Con
(Oct 5-8, 2017)

If you want to meet industry professionals and score a contract, the New York Comic Con is one of the best places to go. After all, the Big Apple is the headquarters of DC and Marvel. The convention is great for its American superhero comic focus. But of course, it’s also fandom friendly, no matter your tastes.

Wizard World Comic Con,St. Louis
(Apr 7-9, 2017)

This convention holds events around the country. It’s good for comic creators and fans who can’t travel around the country. Again, it’s a pop-culture festival with equal focus on comics, movies and fantasy.

Fan Expo Canada
(Aug 31-Sept 3, 2017)

The Canadian expo is the biggest pop culture event in Canada. It goes on for four days, and if you can make it there you won’t be disappointed by the huge Artist’s Alley. It has seen some great artist celebrities like Stan Lee make appearances in the past.

If you’re anywhere abroad during these international conventions, or can fly out for them, do check out these comic cons with an international flavor.

This is the UK’s biggest pop culture event. If you ignore the celebrities and get to the comic tables, you’ll find a host of exciting European comics from publishers of all sizes. If you’re ever in London around the time of the comic con, I highly recommend it for a look at how comics work across the Atlantic.

Comiket is a huge bi-monthly comic market for lovers of manga. If you can read Japanese, or are such a die-hard fan that the language barrier doesn’t matter, you can check out the world’s largest manga market. You’ll find a lot of self-published work or Dojinshi as well as the usual commercial manga, anime and games. It’s a huge, crowded event and some people line up for days to get inside though things are changing.