After a five-year hiatus, I ventured back into the vibrant world of conventions at Savannah Comic Con (SCC) from July 12th to 13th in historic Savannah, Georgia. Held at the Savannah Convention Center on Hutchinson Island, this marked the con’s 11th year, originally founded in 2011 as Savannah Mega Comic Con. My last convention visit was C2E2 in Chicago, just before the world changed. How would this smaller, Southern con compare?
Navigating the Con
Reaching the Savannah Convention Center offers a choice: the iconic Talmadge Bridge or a scenic ferry from City Hall landing—my chosen route. The center has expanded since 2021, making the walk to Hall D, where everything was located, a breeze. This year all the action—vendors, guests, and panels—were concentrated in Hall D, a possible shift from prior years. Upon entering, guest booths lined the right, leading to vendors, a towering Pikachu inflatable, a panel area, a gaming center by GameTroopers, and a wrestling ring (removed after Day 1). This concentration, while convenient, also created a feeling of confined energy.
Movie, TV, Anime, and Wrestling
The con heavily featured movies and TV, including anime. Aaron Dismuke, known for voice roles in *Fullmetal Alchemist*, *My Hero Academia*, and *Dragon Ball*, was a major draw. Then there was Debi Derryberry (Jimmy Neutron, Coco Bandicoot), who was a complete surprise. Meeting Debi was one of the highlights of the weekend.
I had the chance to see her Saturday panel, and then also her Sunday panel with Aaron Dismuke. My stage fright got the better of me as usual! She and Aaron had a joint panel.
Wrestling had a presense too. While not my area of expertise, retired wrestlers D-Von Dudley, Koko B. Ware, and former WWE referee Mike Chioda drew crowds. Photo opportunities in the ring were offered, showcasing wrestling’s enduring appeal.
Collectibles & Gaming
Collectibles are the lifeblood of any convention. Savannah Comic Con did not disapoint. Wide variety of artworks, vintage/modern toys, and collectibles from so many franchises… whether they be Star Wars, Transformers, Power Rangers, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, or comic books and their superheroes.
Video game representation extended beyond Funko Pops. Vendors offered modern and retro games, appealing to both nostalgia and current trends. Visitors played *Guitar Hero II*, *Just Dance!*, retro emulation boxes, and even experienced *Sonic the Hedgehog*.
Tournaments featured competitive games like *Naruto*, *Super Smash Bros.*, *Tekken* (possibly *Tekken 8* on PS5), and *Mario Kart World* on the Nintendo Switch 2. This brought back memories of college gaming events. “Suddenly, the landscape changed,” from browsing merchandise to intense competition, capturing the spirit of gaming communities.
Cosplay Showcase
Cosplay brings conventions to life. SCC featured an array of cosplayers, particularly from the anime world. A cosplay contest showcased impressive craftsmanship and creativity.
Notable cosplays included a Helldiver from *Helldivers 2*, Superman, Master Chief, Wolverine, and the Hulk. Spider-Man also made an apperance from the Big Apple. The level of detail and dedication was inspiring.
Talking to cosplayers, I learned about the challenges of wearing helmets, from balaclavas to custom padding. The dedication to the craft was clear.
Reflections & Critique
Savannah Comic Con was a fun experience and good to be back after the last five years. However, it had some drawbacks. Fewer booths and panels, were present compared to larger conventions. Perhaps SCC and the Savannah Convention Center aren’t as big or well-known as others, for example like San Diego Comic Con, Star Wars Celebration, and even MCM London Comic Con. Chicago’s McCormick Place, after all, is North America’s largest convention center.
I remember a comment I saw on Facebook, someone had critiqued the event. They mentioned that separate business rooms weren’t utilized for panels. This is a valid point, as dedicated panel rooms would have minimized distractions, such as having Debi Derryberry’s panel interrupted by the wrestling ring announcements.
The fact the Savannah Convention Center had just expanded, seemed like it would have been able to accomodate.
- Highlights: The enthusiasm of attendees, the quality of cosplays, and the suprise of meeting Debi Derryberry.
- Lowlights: Limited space, sound bleeding between events, and not enough vendor diversity.
- Verdict: Worth attending for a day, especially if new to the city and convention scene, but improvements are needed to elevate the experience.
Because of SCC’s two-day event, it was almost the same things to see and do for both days. A weekend pass may not be warranted. This smaller event could easily be done in only one day. Still, I recommedn going even for a single day even if you never have been to this con or city before. Whether layout changes were made due to vendor and guest availability or post-pandemic considerations, hopefully next year’s SCC will return stronger.
Here’s hoping that SCC returns in an even better state next year and for many more to come!
Francis Parco is a contributor who has been gaming since he was a kid. He also loves Star Wars, Lego Bionicle, Marvel, and Disney. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @FPParco.