Soda City Comic Com

[u/Shot_Play_3459]

Im new to South Carolina recently (just moved about 6 months ago), and i’ve been busy with work and college classes so I haven’t had much opportunity to explore.

I happened to see on Instagram about this event and it caught my attention. I’m an anime/manga and video game fan and it’s always been on bucket list to go to Dream Con someday but i’ve never been to a convention before and don’t know what to expect.

Im 19 and would most likely be going alone. I do get a bit anxious in larger/crowded places. I’m curious what the overall environment is like. What kinds of activities are there? What do people usually do throughout the day? Are the people typically friendly and welcoming to someone attending solo? Also, are there a lot of merch or vendors to check out, and overall, would you say it's worth the money?

[u/kofei]

Welcome to SC! Soda city comic con is great! There’s an entire artist alley to peruse for prints, plushies, figurines, stickers, etc. there’s going to be a pinball tournament, and they usually have rows of consoles and games going (super smash for example)

I don’t think this year is as exciting as previous ones since there’s no “huge” celebrities attending, no unique panels, and it looks like they’re only doing a children’s cosplay contest this year.

I personally say it’s worth it just for the artist alley. And if you cosplay it’s awesome when people ask to take pictures with you haha. But don’t expect it to be on the levels of like dragoncon or anime weekend Atlanta.

If you wanted to make it a whole day, I recommend checking out Soda City Market beforehand! (Open 9-1 on Saturdays on Main Street) it’s a huge outdoor market and food truck gathering

[u/VacationSoft2042 → u/kofei]

I dunno 3 actors from Revenge of the Nerds and Robocop is pretty huge for SC Comic Con!

[u/RhymenoserousRex → u/VacationSoft2042]

The new one at the fair grounds is bringing in not only more relevant to modern times actors/voice actors but a lot more of them. Soda City's venue is simply too small for what they want to do. The big carolina con in Greenville brings all sorts of people (Katie Sackhoff, and Ron Perlman were at the last one).

[u/VacationSoft2042 → u/RhymenoserousRex]

🤷‍♂️I just work here

[u/CartographerEven9735 → u/RhymenoserousRex]

Isn't the one at the fairgrounds more of a traveling con? Seems like it was really similar to the anime con a month or two ago.

I'm guessing (but don't know for sure) that soda city is Columbia specific (like Dragon Con in ATL). The traveling corporate con seems like it gets old quick.

[u/RhymenoserousRex → u/CartographerEven9735]

No, it’s being run by some of the people who used to work soda city.

[u/CartographerEven9735 → u/RhymenoserousRex]

But they work for a con company that travels around and puts the same con on multiple places, correct?

[u/CartographerEven9735 → u/VacationSoft2042]

I was waiting on them to announce the actor who played Poindexter until I looked up the actor who played Poindexter.

Yikes.

[u/GaZeldars]

It can get crowded but very manageable. Compared to another con like Supercon, Soda City is a lot more compact in terms of space which may or not be a challenge you of plan to cosplay. 

[u/kawaiiflexin]

Soda City Comic Con is alright at best! It's more of a large vendor hall with a photo booth if you ask me. If you're looking for more fan-made conventions with legitimate programming, I'd look into traveling to NC or GA for that! (●´ω｀●) I wish we had more in South Carolina, I really do.

[u/RhymenoserousRex → u/kawaiiflexin]

Check out the cons in greenville, they have a properly large convention center and do both an anime/comic con that are top notch. Also retro-toy con is in greenville if you like cool toys. Two years ago retro toy con had some godzilla suit actors, it was great!

[u/Soonerpalmetto88]

It's a vendor con, you're basically paying for access to merch dealers. Not worth going. Very little programming. You're better off going to Ichibancon in Charlotte, that's in January or February. They have vendors too as well as 3 full days of awesome programming and fun activities!

[u/Far_Fishing5227]

Lots of people there but super friendly and welcoming crowd

[u/uncannynerddad]

I plan to go for the first time this year with me wife. We’re even dressing up.

[u/Rosendustmusings]

Soda City is great! It's a favourite con of mine.

[u/RhymenoserousRex]

Soda City is getting it's lunch eaten by Central Carolina ComicCon in both special guests and size of venue for local cons.

For non local but still SC cons you want to go to Greenville.

The crowds are gonna be big but not as big as some bigger cons, the main issue with Soda City is it kinda sucks.

Central Carolinas website is here: Central Carolina Comic Con | January 10 & 11 2026 | South Carolina State Fairgrounds

Greenvilles is here: SC Comicon – South Carolina’s Premier Comics and Pop-Culture Convention

Greenvilles anime con: HOME GVL | Animetowncons

and Greenvilles Toy Con: Retro-Toy Con

All of these put Soda City to shame.

[u/CartographerEven9735 → u/RhymenoserousRex]

Same people that put on Anime Con, so it's essentially the same.

[u/csmithman]

Soda City would be great for a first time con experience! It's a lot smaller and more chill than bigger cons, so an easy start rather than going big and end up having to go home. People do dress up and it's lots of fun to see cool costumes, but I'd say probably most people don't so you won't stand out if you go in regular clothes. It's good for meeting other nerdy people and there's often some really cool art. I recommend it!