Even a few local comics creators are thriving one piece of news out of SDCC was that Durham comics writer Jeremy Whitley just had his all-ages fairy tale Princeless optioned as a film by Sony Pictures.
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More directly, the mini-empire of Ultimate Comics and NC Comicon has continuously expanded, with NC Comicon upped to two shows per year, plus the Greensboro Comicon in September-and that’s on top of existing events, from local ( Durham Comics Fest at the Durham County Library and the GeekCraft Expo at the Durham Armory) to across the state (Heroes Con in Charlotte, which celebrated its thirty-fifth annual show this past June). The area already enjoys a boost at the start of summer with Animazement each Memorial Day weekend. The success of Supercon-due to return in August 2018, according to con officials-ups the stakes for cashing in on the fanboy and fangirl base in the Triangle. Over three hot days in mid-July, 30,000 fans came to the Raleigh Convention Center to get their pictures taken with celebrities, commune with fellow fans, and occasionally even buy an actual comic book.
It may not approach the 130,000-plus crowd that recently invaded San Diego for the annual Comic-Con International (“SDCC” to those on social media), but the recent debut of Raleigh Supercon offered ample evidence that the Oak City is upholding its reputation as one of America's geekiest places. “I’ve been going to the NC ComicCon pretty much since it began, and I’m here because they have so many cool celebrities I’m trying to say hi to … but this whole convention gives off a vibe like I’m supposed to buy something.LeVar Burton as Geordi La Forge in Star Trek: The Next Generation “It just doesn’t feel like family here,” said Janie Dawes, a resident of Durham.
Keller drove all the way from Virginia to attend the convention, but not everyone was as excited for Supercon’s inaugural year in North Carolina. I want to ask Yondu questions and talk to that guy about why he loved Sesame Place.” I won’t be able to go to Marineland any more than I’ll be able to be in a Marvel movie, so this is what it’s all about. “I’m into stuff like that … learning about crazy things that I’ll never be able to experience myself is part of why this is cool. “That panel on crazy amusement parks was great,” said Shaun Keller.
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Food trucks and stalls were on hand to satisfy hungry customers, and a full bar served patrons with cocktails and a draft menu featuring beer from Foothills brewery. Con-goers moved between lower floors housing and rows upon rows of artists and vendors and upper levels that played host to various informative panels and Q & A sessions. “I’ve had my tickets taped to my mirror like some kind of ‘90s cliché.”Īccording the event organizers and city officials, the Raleigh Supercon stood to substantially benefit Raleigh financially with an estimated $1.8 million of additional income in the form of everything from parking revenue to increased restaurant and bar traffic.Įntry lines at the convention center initially stretch out the door, and the floor stayed packed all weekend. “I’ve been excited for this for weeks,” said Raleigh native Joel Hayes.
According to its website, the company was established in 2006 and its flagship event – the Florida Supercon – attracted over 51,000 attendees in 2015. The Raleigh Supercon was put on by Super Conventions, Inc., a Florida-based company that specializes in high-profile events and conventions that attract thousands of guests and big-name celebrities.