A History of Conventions
From Humble Nerd Gatherings to National Traditions
- Social
- Published
Sheepsidian
Conventions have become the prime locations for geeks of all kinds to gather and nerd out. From comics and anime to video games and cinema, and even avid toy collectors, you’re practically guaranteed to run into people who share your favorite hobbies. Let’s take a brief trip through the years from when the first recorded geek convention occurred.
The Beginnings: Philcon and Early Sci-Fi Conventions
Back in 1936, Philcon, a science fiction convention that originated in Philadelphia (now located in New Jersey), saw a small number of attendees. When I say small, I’m talking about a massive, OVERWHELMING nine. Nine people gathered to discuss their favorite science fiction stories and enjoy each other’s company. From that point on, conventions began to plant their roots.
A few years after Philcon’s first event, WorldCon attracted over 200 attendees. In the 1940s, Boskone, another northeastern sci-fi convention, saw its start. In the 1950s, Lunacon became the first convention held in New York. During this same period, superheroes would see a resurgence in the late 1950s to early 1960s.
The 1970s: The Rise of Comic-Con
By the 1970s, the world-famous Comic-Con stepped onto the scene. Hosted in San Diego, this convention saw around 200 attendees in its early years—but we all know how that story turned out. Comic-Con would grow into a massive, internationally recognized event and inspire the rise of other well-known conventions around the country.
Expanding Geek Culture: The Growth of Conventions Nationwide
As geek culture expanded, conventions followed suit. Notable events across the U.S. include:
- FanExpo in Dallas and Denver
- Dragon Con in Atlanta
- PAX West in Seattle and PAX East in Boston
- Anime Weekend Atlanta and Momocon (also in Atlanta)
- Anime Matsuri in Houston
- MEGACON in Orlando
- BlizzCon in Anaheim
- MAGFest, a mobile convention, and TwitchCon in various locations
With the explosion of anime and gaming culture, conventions became a mainstay in American geek culture. The wildest part is that many of these events, with the exception of Comic-Con, have started within the last few decades.
The Pandemic Pause: Conventions on Hold
During the pandemic, most, if not all, events ceased during the lockdown. Many conventions managed to return, but some, like the Electronics Entertainment Expo (E3), did not. E3 shuttered its doors in 2023. Publishers pivoted to hosting their own online showcases like Nintendo Direct, PlayStation’s State of Play, and others. Detective Comics (DC) even held online conventions for two years before returning to in-person events.
Why You Should Attend a Convention
Does it sound like your kind of thing? I hope so! You’re already on a comics-based website, so why not check for conventions near you? Look around your area, expand your travel amenities, and you might find some cool events that are worth a weekend trip.
Even better, you might find a few big names like Chuck Dixon, The Soska Sisters, and Mike Baron on the guest list. If not, let the Rippaverse team know, and we’ll see what magic we can work.
The Future of Conventions: Always Growing
As stated above, conventions—especially the big ones—paused but returned to form after lockdowns were lifted. New conventions have even cropped up out of it all! The geek culture has proven over the past almost century that we are, were, and always will be here. Let’s keep the greatness growing!
