Planet Comicon Kansas City (April 22-24)
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Like concerts, comic conventions are back in full force-
Many of the largest shows were forced to take the last two years off, or pivot to online and/or smaller-scale shows, but everything seems back to in-person and “normal” this year.
Here are a few of the major shows scheduled for 2022:
Planet Comicon Kansas City (April 22-24)
(tickets: Planet Comicon Kansas City 2022 :: GROWTix)
The season’s first big show is this weekend’s massive Midwest gathering at Bartle Hall in downtown Kansas City. Celeb guests include Ralph Macchio, several of the Legends of Tomorrow cast, Mythbusters’ Adam Savage, and wrestlers Sgt. Slaughter, Booker T, and Jerry Lawler.
Comic creators attending include writers Garth Ennis, Matt Kindt, and KC’s Jason Aaron, Patrick Gleason, John Romita, Jr., Skottie Young, Howard Chaykin, and many more.
Additionally, the Liberty Bell 7, the capsule from a 1960 Mercury space mission will be a first of its kind display, on loan from the Kansas Cosmosphere.
Megacon Orlando (May 22-24)
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Megacon Orlando (May 22-24)
(tickets: Buy Tickets | MEGACON Orlando (fanexpohq.com))
Fan Expo runs this and many other shows around the country, including all the former WizardWorld conventions. Because Orlando is a large tourist destination, flights and lodging are plentiful, there’s plenty else to do and see, and the show gets many guests you won’t see elsewhere.
Celebs include Brendan Fraser, John Cleese, the casts of Cobra Kai, Lord of the Rings, Clerks, Trailer Park Boys, and The Mandalorian.
Comic creators include Frank Miller, Greg Capullo, Donny Cates, Marc Silvestri, Tom King and Humberto Ramos, as well as many revered cover artists, several from overseas making rare US appearances- Francesco Mattina, Artgerm, Inhyuk Lee, Marco Mastrazzo, David Nakayama, and dozens more.
Heroes Con Charlotte (June 24-26)
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Heroes Con Charlotte (June 24-26)
(tickets: HEROESCON 2022 :: 3-DAY ADVANCE PASS Tickets, Fri, Jun 24, 2022 at 10:30 AM | Eventbrite)
This show has a rich forty year history and is considered one of the most comic-centric and fan-friendly shows in the country. Most creators love to attend this one, and we had great fun being there, just over ten years ago.
Celeb guests: none! This is a real old-school comic convention!
Creators attending include Jim Starlin, Jim Steranko, Charles Vess, Lee Weeks, Roy Thomas, Klaus Janson, Tony Harris, Chris Claremont, and numerous others.
Comic Con International: San Diego (July 21-24)
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Comic Con International: San Diego (July 21-24)
(tickets: Badge Info | Comic-Con International: San Diego)
The 800lb gorilla! The Big One! This is the show that everyone talks about, though it’s become more of an entertainment and pop culture outlet, than pure comic book-related show. World premiere screenings, A-list surprise appearances, and large scale studio booths are just some of what’s in store.
Tickets require a badge registration and sometimes complicated process to acquire, hotels can often be sold out a year+ in advance, and an official guest list has yet to be announced, not that it really matters much.
C2E2 Chicago (August 5-7)
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C2E2 Chicago (August 5-7)
(tickets: Tickets (c2e2.com)
Held at McCormick Place, this Reed Pop-run show immediately became a “must-go” on the convention scene. As it’s still over three months away, expect the guest list to firm up closer-to, and being off downtown Chicago, entertainment, lodging, and restaurant options are plentiful. There’s also a Prince immersive exhibit coming to Michigan Avenue, that seems worth a look, if in town.
Creators scheduled to attend include Jonathan Hickman, Donny Cates, Tony Daniel, Ryan Stegman, Ryan Ottley, and Kyle Higgins.
Emerald City Comic Con – Seattle (August 18-21)
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Emerald City Comic Con – Seattle (August 18-21)
(tickets: Tickets for Emerald City Comic Con 2022 in Seattle from ShowClix)
Since its humble beginnings in 2003, this downtown Seattle show has grown by leaps and bounds in the last two decades, having been acquired by Reed Pop in 2015. As so many comic creators have located to the Pacific Northwest area, it’s a chance to see them here in-person, as well as explore the many sights and sounds this metro has to offer.
Creators scheduled to appear include Chris Claremont, Steve Orlando, Mike Del Mundo, and Jonathan Hickman, with dozens more yet to announce.
Celebs will include popular ex-Dr Who actor David Tennant.
New York Comic Con (October 6-9)
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New York Comic Con (October 6-9)
( tickets: Tickets (newyorkcomiccon.com))
Another huge convention held at the sprawling Javits Center on Manhattan’s West Side, this is another well-run Reed Pop show that often features many older classic comic creators as well as newer ones and entertainment guests. Because most comic studios were NYC-based back in the glory years, many of those creators still live in the area and make appearances.
Guest lists have yet to be revealed, but expect plenty of A-List names in all categories.
Lucca Comics and Games – Lucca, IT (October 28-November 1)
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Lucca Comics and Games – Lucca, IT (October 28-November 1)
(tickets: Lucca Comics & Games - Molto più di un festival (luccacomicsandgames.com))
Europe’s biggest show and second largest in the world (after Tokyo’s Comiket), this show has been held since 1966 and is known for their international awards of distinction (Yellow Kid Award, Gran Guinigi, etc) as well as the convention itself, which should draw some 300,000 attendees.
Creators usually include a wide selection of international artists as well as some familiar North American faces, and the games portion of the convention is strong as well. Plus, it’s Italy!
| john ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com |
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