San Diego Comic Fest
This is the anti-Comic Con, a user-friendly comic convention with a casual atmosphere and an intimate scale that allows fans to mingle with professionals and exhibitors. It’s the place where you can indulge your love of comics, science fiction, and films and meet professional creators without high-priced tickets, crowding, or long lines. With panel discussions, digital arts workshops, tabletop gaming, an artist alley, cosplay, steampunk, kids’ activities, and a comic-themed café. Children under 12 free with paid adult.
Comic Fest’s origin story: In 1969, when he was a teenage San Diego comics dealer, Mike Towry was part of the small group of fans who founded what became known as the San Diego Comic-Con. After the celebration of the 40th Comic-Con in 2009, he and other Comic-Con veterans agreed that San Diego needed a second convention, one more reminiscent of the early days. Comic Fest was born in 2012.