Image from 2020 Great Lakes Comic Convention courtesy of Shutterstock
Michigan’s comic convention scene is coming back with a vengeance. Get your fill of all the special guests, artists’ alleys, and even a Ghostbusters car sighting at these upcoming 2022 events.
MICHIGAN—If you’re itching to dress up as your favorite Marvel or DC character, you’re not just limited to Halloween costumes. You just have to find a comic convention.
Comic conventions or “comic cons” have been growing in popularity. The primary focus of the event is on comic book culture, but a fair amount of co-mingling with other pop culture often occurs. Common features at these conventions are comic book and collectible vendors, local artists selling prints, guests signing autographs, costume contests, panel discussions, and plenty of photo opportunities.
The San Diego Comic-Con is the archetypal comic convention and one of the most well-known ones, but you don’t have to travel all the way to California to enjoy the culture. Here are some of the best comic convention events lined up for Michigan in 2022.
Midland Mall Comic Con Strikes Back (Midland)
When: March 5-6, 2022
Where: Midland Mall
The Midland Mall comic convention is back with a vengeance after the cancellation of the 2021 event due to COVID-19. The Midland event features a cosplay contest by age groups. Other special events abound, such as a make-your-own cape and mask, a “Become a Superhero” station, and much more. Plenty of artists and vendors will pack the mall as well.
Visit the Midland Mall Comic Con Facebook page for more information.
MuskeCon (Muskegon)
When: March 19, 2022
Where: Delta Hotels by Marriott Muskegon Downtown
This west Michigan convention is on a mission to #MakeMuskegonNerdAgain. For a small fee of $5, guests gain access to tons of vendors, artists, and more. A featured panel at the 2022 MuskeCon is “From In Your Mind To In Their Hand,” a panel about writing and publishing your own comic book.
Visit the MuskeCon website for more information.
Cadillac Pop Culture Convention (Cadillac)
When: April 2, 2022
Where: Wexford Civic Arena
This northern Michigan event isn’t limited to just comics. It also includes anime, sci-fi, gaming, cosplay, and more. One of the biggest draws is the gaming tournaments, with previous years including Magic: The Gathering tournaments and rounds of Dungeons and Dragons, Cards Against Humanity, Ultimate Werewolf, and more.
Visit the Cadillac Pop Culture Convention Facebook page for more information.
Grand Rapids Comic-Con Spring Fling (Grand Rapids)
When: April 8-10, 2022
Where: DeltaPlex
The Grand Rapids Comic-Con is one of the biggest conventions of its type in Michigan. The “Spring Fling” is a relatively new secondary event put on by the same organizers. This year’s Spring Fling invites cast members from RWBY and other special guests.
Visit the Grand Rapids Comic-Con website for more information.
Astronomicon (Livonia)
When: April 22-24, 2022
Where: Burton Manor
This Detroit Metro convention is an all-inclusive pop culture convention. Along with the typical artists and vendors of a comic book convention, Astronomicon also includes trivia events in the varieties of horror, wrestling, and, in true Detroit fashion, Juggalo. Also available are cosplay contests and a tattoo contest.
Visit the Astronomicon website for more information.
Tulip City Comics and Toy Fare (Holland)
When: April 24, 2022
Where: DoubleTree Holland
Michigan’s favorite Dutch-inspired town will host the Tulip City Comics and Toy Fare, returning after a two-year hiatus. The Tulip City event aims to be a shorter and less costly version of the Grand Rapids Comic-Con. Admission is just $5 and free for children under 12. The one-day event also features board games, gaming stations, and raffle prizes.
Visit the Tulip City Comics website for more information.
Free Comic Book Day
When: May 7, 2022
Where: Your local comic book shop
Okay, so this one isn’t a convention, but it’s an important day in any comic fan’s life. Free Comic Book Day is an annual event held across North America that aims to promote independent comic book stores. On Free Comic Book Day, comic fans can walk into any store and expect to walk out with at least one comic book completely for free. That’s right, free. Depending on individual stores, comic convention-like events may be scheduled, such as cosplay contests and book signings. Free Comic Book Day is also usually cross-promoted with a feature film. This year, the film is Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Visit the official Free Comic Book Day website for more information.
Motor City Comic Con (Novi)
When: May 13-15, 2022
Where: Suburban Collection Showplace
The centerpiece of Michigan’s comic convention collection, the Motor City Comic Con is the biggest event of its kind in Michigan. With over 30 years of history and experience under its belt, the Motor City Comic Con is one of the most reliable players in the game. Some of the most noteworthy guests scheduled for 2022 include the Ninth Doctor of the Doctor Who franchise, Christopher Eccleston, and Star Trek cultural icon William Shatner.
Visit the Motor City Comic Con website for more information.
Cherry Capital Comic Con (Acme)
When: May 27-29, 2022
Where: Grand Traverse Resort and Spa
This Traverse City-area event is the largest comic convention in northern Michigan. Details are still forthcoming, but this year’s Cherry Capital Comic Con, or C4, will feature voice actors from The Thundercats. VIP tickets are also available.
Visit the Cherry Capital Comic Con website for more information.
Motor City Black Age of Comics (Hazel Park)
When: June 4, 2022
Where: Hazel Park Community Center
The Motor City Black Age of Comics convention is a unique event of its type. Detroit comic book artist Andre Batts started the Motor City Black Age of Comics event in Metro Detroit to specifically cater to minority populations, artists, and characters. The inclusive event includes Black comics, sci-fi, manga, cosplay, and Afrofuturism.
Visit the Motor City Black Age of Comics website for more information.
Capital City Comic Con (Lansing)
When: July 8-10, 2022
Where: Lansing Center
This Lansing-area comic book convention mecca averages over 2,000 attendees and 140 vendors every year. A variety of vendors set up shop at Capital City Comic Con, selling comic books, toys, wall art, clothing, lamps, and more. Additionally, through the Capital City Comic Con Art Scholarship, the event supports Michigan State University students studying comic art.
Visit the Capital City Comic Con website for more information.
Really Cool Comic Con (Flint)
When: Aug. 6-7, 2022
Where: Dort Federal Credit Union Event Center
It’s not just cool. It’s Really Cool. The Really Cool Comic Con is Flint’s two-day celebration of pop culture. In addition to artists, vendors, and special guests, the Really Cool Comic Con partners with Grand Finals Gaming to host gaming tournaments. Vendors feature a variety of pop culture memorabilia, including comics, toys, collectibles, records, video games, cards, and more.
Visit the Really Cool Comic Con website for more information.
Monroe Pop Fest (West Monroe)
When: Sept. 16-17, 2022
Where: MBT Expo Center
Billed as “affordable pop culture,” the Monroe Pop Fest is the new name for the former Monroe Comic-Con. Along with artists, comics, special guests, and vendors, the Monroe Pop Fest also features movie props, food trucks, and plenty of affordable family fun. Famous wrestlers are a common feature at many comic conventions, but the Monroe Pop Fest has a special love for them.
Visit the Monroe Pop Fest website for more information.
Grand Rapids Comic-Con (Grand Rapids)
When: Nov. 11-13, 2022
Where: DeVos Place Convention Center
The Grand Rapids Comic-Con is one of Michigan’s largest multi-day events, with over 100,000 square feet of vendor and exhibition space. This year, the Grand Rapids Comic-Con includes the cast and creators of “X-Men: The Animated Series.” Previous Grand Rapids Comic-Cons have included costume contests, panels, and gaming areas.
Visit the Grand Rapids Comic-Con website for more information.
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