COLUMBIA – Soda City Comic Con returns to the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center the weekend of August 24 with star-studded panels, over 150 artisans and a new virtual reality “mansion.”
Since 2015, Soda City Comic Con has brought meet-and-greets with comic book writers and television actors, family-friendly costume contests and heated pinball tournaments to Columbia. This year, manager Donald Brock hopes to raise the bar with high-profile guests, including Optimus Prime voice actor Peter Cullen and the cast of “X Men.”
“People have the opportunity to meet top-notch stars in their hometown,” Brock said. “We’re making sure it’s one of our best years yet.”
The convention will host panel discussions on both days of the event with titles like “I Spoke Your Saturday Morning” and “So You Have Superpowers, Huh?” While Brock knows these events will draw large crowds, he also encourages guests to stay for other programming.
“The panel schedule is really just one aspect of the event,” he said. “We have some of the best vendors in the state, so explore the entire building.”
This year, guests can expect booths from organizations like Gamers4Gamers and SC Horror, vendors like Rebel Base Comics and Hooked on Saber, and artists like Karu’s Creative Works and Art of Angela.
Attendees will also have access to over 50 free pinball machines, as well as Soda City Comic Con’s first “VR Villa,” which will host interactive virtual reality gaming demonstrations. “We’re always looking to increase the price of admission,” Brock said.
Brock admitted that it was difficult to find prominent talent because the event was held outside of megacon hotspots like San Diego and New York City. Over time, however, he and his team were able to sell Columbia more easily.
“We’re sort of picking who’s the most unique and who’s probably never been to South Carolina,” Brock said. “We have some unique things to offer that other places don’t have.”
Tickets start at $20 for adults and $5 for children and can be purchased online at sodacitycomiccon.com or on the day of the event.
Finally, Brock said, “We never run out of tickets at the box office.”
