Long Beach Comic Con, which took a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, is back this weekend. And while the halls of the Long Beach Convention Center may not be crammed with droves of body-suited Spidermen, hammer-fisted Thors and pigtailed Harley Quinns rifling through crates of comic books and posing for photos, fans still flock to the event that celebrates a living, creative community.
Comics writers, artists and publishers are at the core of that community. And the panels, workshops and shopping at the Long Beach Comic Con offer a glimpse of how that industry works together.
Fans come to the show in costumes — often designed and made by them themselves — to connect with their favorite characters, authors and creators. And the small town feel of the event can be more personal than its Los Angeles and San Diego counterparts.
Fans can see the faces behind the masks and get their autographs from star creators like 'Spiderman' writer Nick Spencer and the team behind 'Captain Marvel' at the event. And fans can find vendors who sell a variety of merchandise like Funko POP figurines, art and apparel.
The convention also offers a variety of educational panels that range from building your own R2 unit to how hip hop and comics work together. And for those who just want to take a break from the con, there are plenty of places to grab a bite to eat or grab some coffee.
