It’s summertime, and the con’s in town!
Do you love hanging out in Atlanta? Do you love comic books? Are you a nerd? Do you need something to do this summer? Then we have the perfect thing for you: Atlanta Comic Con!
Atlanta Comic Con is a comic book convention held in Atlanta, Georgia at the Georgia World Congress Center. Run by Imaginarium, the convention features celebrity guests, panels, contests, and events for all that is nerdy! Comic books, movies, TV shows, games, anime, manga, cosplay, artwork, and more, the Con encompasses all imaginable faucets of geekdom!
We couldn’t be more excited to announce this glorious celebration of all that is fandom, especially with the lineup that has been promised. While they’ve only announced a portion of the incredible guests that will be in attendance, it’s already a can’t miss event:
Featuring actors like Nichelle Nicols (Lieutenant/Commander Uhara in “Star Trek”), Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom in “Harry Potter”), and Austin St. John (the original Red Ranger, Jason Lee Scott, in “Power Rangers”), as well as voice actors like Bill Farmer (voice of Goofy & Pluto), Linda Larkin (voice of Princess Jasmine in “Aladdin”), Charles Martinet (voice of Mario & Luigi), and Paige O’Hara (voice of Belle in “Beauty and The Beast”), there will be no shortage of stars this year! These celebrities are just a taste of what’s to come at the convention, with a full roster of comic creators, actors, artists, writers and more planned for this year’s Atlanta Comic Con.
Two more guests are planning on making an appearance: yours truly! Our tech editor and my co-host, Camille Reaves, and I will be going to the Con to cover the event for The Peak. Stay tuned for a future article and coverage of it on our podcast, The Owlcave.
LET’s GET DOWN TO BUSINESS
Now that we have you excited for this event, you’re probably wondering about the details. As with any event held in Atlanta, there are a lot of things to plan for.
Atlanta Comic Con will be held July 13-15, 2018 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Hall C1. Tickets range in price from $30 to $60 depending on the days you’re planning to attend for, and kids 12 and under are admitted for free. To learn more about hours, programming, new guest announcements, and to pre-order tickets, visit the Atlanta Comic Con website.
Now, like anyone planning a trip to Atlanta, you’re probably worrying about where to park. We recommend you consider using a ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft instead of driving yourself, because while there are many parking options around the Center, there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to find a free spot day of. If you want to try your luck, though, here’s a map of all available parking around the Georgia World Congress Center [right]. Additional details can be found on the Georgia World Congress Center website.
If you’re travelling in from out of town, or just don’t want to deal with the hassle of commuting to the Con, there are a variety of options to be found in the many nearby hotels. Atlanta Comic Con will be announcing discounted room block rates soon, but in the meantime here are some hotels around the area to choose from. Additionally, Airbnb is a great option if you’re looking to save money on lodging, have more space, or you just really want to have access to a kitchen while you’re in town!
What’s IN THE BAG
Whether you choose to stay in the vicinity or commute, there are more things you may need at the convention than just your badge and lanyard:
- Sunscreen: Often lines to meet especially popular guests will wrap around the outside of the building and through parking lots at conventions, so be sure to include sunscreen in your in Con kit.
- Cell phone and camera: You never know who you’ll run into and when you might come across the perfect photo-worthy opportunity, so whether it’s your phone or a seperate camera, you won’t want to leave home without it. Just as important as the device(s) itself, make sure to bring chargers for any electronics you’re taking to the convention.
- Sharpies: This magical, inky tool is perfect for everything from getting autographs to making notes in your convention guide to recording the contact information of one of your new convention friends, and as such is an integral part of your convention toolkit.
- Snacks and sustenance: Food inside the hall will be expensive, so bringing a protein bar and a drink is always a good plan. The most important thing you can bring though, is water. Water will get you through the day at a Con guaranteed to be packed with people and full of activity in the middle of the summer. Drinking water is one of the easiest ways to make sure you have a good time at Comic Con.
- Odor control: The convention will be in the middle of the July, catering to thousands of attendees: even Captain Cold himself would need a little extra deodorant.
- A large bag: This isn’t Harry Potter, and you can’t fit your library in a tiny beaded handbag. Make sure to bring a big enough bag not just for the items you bring, but for the items you’re sure to buy!
- Dress to trek: Spending three days walking across the hard convention floor will only be manageable if you wear comfortable shoes.
- Sewing kit: Whether you’re planning on cosplaying or not, a sewing kit has the potential to save the day for you or anyone else you meet. When you’re dealing with a crowd of people likely to be equipped with a variety of cosplay weapons and pointy bits, a quick fix might be necessary.
And don’t forget, cash is king at Comic Con! While some vendors take credit cards, it’s better to bring a good deal of cash to do your business with so that you can avoid large ATM fees when you find the perfect item at a cash-only booth. (Or when you decide that the only thing that will let you make it through the night is a pizza from a vendor that doesn’t take credit cards.)
MAY THE CON BE WITH YOU
There are so many cool things to look forward to at Atlanta Comic Con this summer, we can hardly wait! Be sure to buy your tickets soon, as they sell quickly. We hope to see you there!
Atlanta Comic Con debuts on July 13-15, 2018, at the Georgia World Congress Center. Tickets range from $30-$60, and kids 12 and under are admitted for free. Atlanta Comic Con is produced and promoted by Imaginarium LLC, who produce four other comic conventions around the country. For information regarding hours, guests announced so far, programming, and other details about Atlanta Comic Con, visit: atlantacomiccon.com.