Los Angeles Comic Con, L.A.’s largest event for comics, gaming, sci-fi and pop culture, celebrated its 10th anniversary by welcoming fans, celebrities, artists, vendors, sponsors, cosplayers, comedians and creators to a three-day event at the Los Angeles Convention Center.  

No Cons were held since October 2019, but L.A. Comic Con came back for a fully COVID-19-safe convention this year, and held a variety of celebrity panels, launched a new Anime & Gaming Hall and new Actors Voice Over Expo (AVOX) show for July and more.   

There were several new high-tech features launched at the show, integrating learnings from trying digital events during the lockdown and the need to expand the fan base through hybrid products and experiences.   

The event included live streaming the content from three stages – the South Hall Main Stage, the Tiltify Arena stage in West Hall and the Cosplay Cam Stage sponsored by the Helpful Honda Dealers – into a new digital Comic Con Metaverse launched by partner, Vatom. 

The Comic Con Metaverse itself – an immersive 3D massive multi-player experience – was available to every ticket holder through a code to download a free metaverse digital wallet filled with more than 10 free NFTs and bonuses.  The Comic Con Metaverse is one of the first such universes to launch, helping bring in content and users, and it hopes to act as a place for IP owners, creators and artists to expand their product offering to global consumers digitally. 

For artists and IP owners, the Con held a breakfast and several panels on-site to teach about NFTs – what they are, how they matter to IP owners, how to get involved, how to take advantage of the new revenue opportunity and more.  

A state-of-the-art Con App combined access to metaverse streaming, the digital wallet and online digital store with more than 100 vendors with all the “normal” features like accessing the panel schedule, planning and buying celeb autographs or photos, finding exhibitors through their listings, a map feature and more. 

The event hosted more than 750 artists and vendors, selling comics, collectibles, art, toys, apparel and more, with companies such as LoungeFly and Sideshow as first-time exhibitors at the event. 

“There was a sense of joyous relief among fans, exhibitors and talent to be back,” says Chris DeMoulin, chief executive officer, Comikaze Entertainment, L.A., Comic Con’s parent company. “We couldn’t be more thrilled that nearly 95,000 fans were able to join us.”