You’re driving through downtown Columbia, SC, and suddenly there’s a seven-foot-tall Chewbacca waiting for the light to change on Main Street. This isn’t a fever dream. It’s the annual reality of Soda City Comic Con. For a long time, if you lived in the Midlands and wanted a "real" convention experience, you had to pack your bags for Atlanta or Charlotte. That’s just not the case anymore.
Columbia has grown up.
The city’s flagship event, Soda City Comic Con, has evolved from a small gathering of local comic book long-box divers into a massive, multi-day takeover of the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. People think these things are just about buying overpriced toys. They’re wrong. It’s actually about the subcultures that keep South Carolina’s capital vibrant when the college kids go home for the summer.
Why Soda City Comic Con is Actually Different From the Mega-Cons
Most people assume every comic con is a carbon copy of San Diego. Huge mistake. If you go to the SDCC, you’re basically paying hundreds of dollars to stand in a line to watch a trailer you could see on YouTube ten minutes later. Soda City is different because it’s intimate. You aren't a number; you’re a person who can actually talk to the artists.
The event usually lands in late summer—August is the sweet spot. It’s hot. Brutally hot. Columbia isn’t called "Famously Hot" for a marketing gimmick; the humidity will melt your Spirit Halloween face paint in seconds. But inside the convention center? It's a localized nerd utopia with the AC cranked to max.
The organizers, spearheaded by folks like Donald Brock Jr., have been very intentional about keeping the "Comic" in Comic Con. While other shows pivot entirely toward B-list reality TV stars, Columbia consistently brings in heavyweight illustrators and writers. We’re talking about people who have actually worked on The Avengers, Batman, and Spawn.
The Artist Alley Hustle
Walk down the aisles and you'll see the heart of the show. It isn't the celebrity guests (though they have those too). It’s the Artist Alley. This is where you find the local legends and the traveling pros.
Honestly, the talent density is wild. You’ll see guys like Steve Geiger, whose work on Spider-Man and The Incredible Hulk defined eras of Marvel. You can literally just walk up and buy a sketch. No three-hour wait. No "Diamond VIP" pass required. Just a dude with a Sharpie and a lifetime of talent. It’s these interactions that define the Columbia scene. You get to hear the stories about what it was like in the bullpen at Marvel in the 90s while they’re signing your beat-up copy of Web of Spider-Man #100.
The Celebrity Factor in the Midlands
Don't get me wrong, the celebrities are a huge draw. Over the years, Soda City Comic Con has pulled in some surprisingly heavy hitters. We’ve seen everyone from The Walking Dead alumni to voice acting royalty like Billy West or the late, great Kevin Conroy.
The vibe at the autograph tables is surprisingly chill. Because it’s Columbia and not New York, the guests seem more relaxed. They’re eating local food—probably some barbecue from Midwood or a burger from Rockaway’s—and they’re actually engaging with fans.
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I remember one year watching a professional wrestler spend ten minutes talking to a kid about how to stay in school. That doesn't happen when there are 50,000 people pushing behind you. In Columbia, you get those "core memory" moments. It’s a bit slower. It’s Southern.
Cosplay is a Contact Sport (Sorta)
If you haven't seen the cosplay contest at Soda City, you’re missing out on some of the best engineering in the state. People spend twelve months building these suits. I’m talking 3D-printed Mandalorian armor that looks like it was forged in Beskar, and wingspans on Maleficent costumes that require a dedicated handler just to navigate the doorway.
The craftsmanship is legitimate. These aren't just "costumes." They are wearable art pieces. The Saturday night cosplay contest is the unofficial peak of the weekend. The auditorium gets packed, the energy is electric, and you realize that there are world-class makers living right here in Lexington, Irmo, and Sumter.
Surviving the Convention: A Local's Guide
Look, if you’re going to do Soda City Comic Con right, you need a game plan. You can’t just wing it.
First off, parking in downtown Columbia is a puzzle box designed by a madman. The convention center lot fills up by 9:30 AM. If you aren't there early, prepare to hike from the Discovery Village garage or play "find the meter" in the Vista.
Pro-tip: Wear comfortable shoes. The convention center floor is concrete covered by thin carpet. Your lower back will hate you by 3:00 PM if you try to do this in flip-flops or (god forbid) high-heeled cosplay boots without inserts.
Food and the Vista "Trap"
The convention center food is... fine. It’s hot dogs and pretzels. It’s what you expect. But you’re in the Vista! You have world-class food within three blocks.
- Gervais & Vine: Great if you want to feel fancy while wearing a Pokémon onesie.
- Liberty Tap Room: The standard choice for a mid-day beer and a heavy sandwich.
- SmallSugar: If you want actual good coffee and a pastry that wasn't thawed in a microwave.
A lot of rookies stay in the hall all day and get "con crud" or just plain old exhaustion. Leave. Go outside. Breathe the humid South Carolina air, eat a real meal, and then go back in for round two.
The Economics of Fandom in South Carolina
Why does this event matter for Columbia? It’s simple: business.
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The "Geek Economy" is a massive driver for the city during the late summer lull. When the SEC football season hasn't started yet, the city needs a boost. Soda City Comic Con brings in thousands of visitors who fill up the Hilton, the Hyatt, and the Marriott. They spend money at local comic shops like Heroes & Dragons or Cosmic Rays.
It’s a symbiotic relationship. The local shops support the con, and the con introduces a new generation of kids to the joy of physical media. In an era where everything is digital, seeing a kid's eyes light up when they find a $10 action figure in a bin is pretty cool.
The "Hidden" Side: Gaming and More
While "Comic" is in the name, the gaming section has been quietly taking over a huge chunk of the floor space. We’re talking tabletop, TCGs, and retro consoles.
The Magic: The Gathering and Pokémon tournaments are cutthroat. You’ll see people traveling from across the Southeast to compete for points and prizes. Then, five feet away, there’s a group of people playing Dungeons & Dragons with a DM who has spent way too much money on dwarven forge terrain.
It’s this intersection of different nerddoms that makes the Columbia show feel complete. You can jump from a comic signing to a Smash Bros. tournament to a panel on ghost hunting in the South.
Addressing the "Cringe" Factor
Let's be real. Some people stay away from comic cons because they think it’s going to be "weird."
Yeah, it’s weird. That’s the point.
It’s one of the few places in South Carolina where you can be exactly who you are without judgment. If you want to dress up as a "Steampunk Confederate Soldier" or a "Cyberpunk Belle," go for it. Nobody cares. In fact, people will probably ask for a photo.
There’s a communal kindness at Soda City that you don’t find at many other large-scale events. If a piece of your armor falls off, three strangers will offer you superglue or a safety pin. It’s a "we’re all in this together" vibe that is genuinely refreshing in 2026.
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Is It Worth the Ticket Price?
Current ticket prices usually hover around the $25-$40 mark for a day pass, depending on when you buy them. Compared to a movie or a sporting event, the value is actually pretty high. You get eight to ten hours of entertainment.
If you’re a collector, you’ll probably spend more. The vendor floor is a dangerous place for a wallet. You’ll find rare vintage toys, custom jewelry, indie novels, and more Funko Pops than any human should ever see in one place.
But the real value isn't the stuff you buy. It’s the panels. Always check the schedule for the smaller rooms. Sometimes the most interesting conversations happen in a room with 30 people, where a professional voice actor talks about the technicalities of vocal strain or an indie author explains how to actually get a book published without losing your mind.
The Future of the Show
As Columbia continues to grow, so does the con. There have been rumors for years about expanding to even more venues or adding a "fringe" festival element to the surrounding streets.
The biggest challenge facing Soda City Comic Con right now is simply space. The Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center is great, but the show is starting to burst at the seams. That’s a good problem to have. It means the community is thriving.
What You Need to Do Next
If you’re planning on attending the next Soda City Comic Con, don’t wait until the last minute. The city gets crowded, and the best hotels sell out fast.
Follow these steps to ensure you don't have a miserable time:
- Buy your tickets early. Online pre-sales usually save you five or ten bucks and, more importantly, let you skip the massive "will call" line on Saturday morning.
- Follow their social media. Guests get announced in waves. If you’re waiting for a specific star, they usually drop those names in the two months leading up to the show.
- Cash is still king. While most vendors take cards or Venmo now, the convention center Wi-Fi is notoriously spotty. When the signal drops, the guy with the $20 bill gets the comic while the guy waiting for his app to load gets frustrated.
- Check the "Bag Policy." Convention centers have upped their security. Don't bring anything that looks like a real weapon. Prop peace-bonding is a real thing, and they will zip-tie your plastic sword.
- Hydrate. Seriously. Drink twice as much water as you think you need. The combination of "con fever," costumes, and the Columbia heat is a recipe for a headache if you’re only drinking soda.
Soda City Comic Con isn't just a convention; it’s a snapshot of Columbia’s evolving identity. It’s loud, it’s colorful, and it’s a little bit sweaty. It’s exactly what a local con should be.
Go for the comics, stay for the people-watching, and make sure you grab a photo with the 501st Legion Stormtroopers. They’re the ones raising money for charity, and they’ve got the best armor in the building.
See you on the floor. Bring a sharpie.