The comic-focused Heroes Convention was held on June 14-16, 2024, once again at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Heroes Convention lives up to its reputation as a comic con through and through. That starts with its giant-sized guest list of comic creators, including Darryl Banks (Green Lantern), Rodney Barnes (Killadelphia), John Beatty (Secret Wars), Simon Bisley (Lobo), Brett Breeding (Superman), June Brigman (Power Pack), Chuck Brown (BitterRoot), Mark Buckingham (Fables), Jim Calafiore (Aquaman), Chris Campana (Spider-Man), Howard Chaykin (American Flagg!), Amy Chu (Carmilla: The First Vampire), Chris Claremont (Gambit), Amanda Conner (Harley Quinn), Marc Deering (Star Wars: Doctor Aphra), Colleen Doran (The Sandman), Steve Englehart (Captain America), David Finch (Moon Knight), Francesco Francavilla (Afterlife with Archie), Jenny Frison (Wonder Woman), José Luis García-López (Batman), Mike Grell (Green Arrow), Larry Hama (G.I. Joe), Cully Hamner (Blue Beetle), Scott Hanna (Guardians of the Galaxy), Geof Isherwood (Daredevil), Georges Jeanty (Star Wars: Mandalorian), J.G. Jones (Final Crisis), Adam Kubert (Deadpool & Wolverine), Jae Lee (Batman/Superman), Kevin Maguire (Justice League International), Bob McLeod (New Mutants), Bill Morrison (Futurama), Terry Moore (Strangers in Paradise), Cary Nord (Conan), Kevin Nowlan (Doctor Strange), Jimmy Palmiotti (Harley Quinn), Andrew Pepoy (Fables), Tom Raney (X-Men), John Romita Jr. (Amazing Spider-Man), Greg Rucka (The Old Guard), Alex Saviuk (Spider-Man), Jim Shooter (Valiant founder), Jim Starlin (Captain Marvel), Jim Steranko (Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD), Ben Templesmith (30 Days of Night), Jill Thompson (Scary Godmother), Sorah Suhng (Karnal Confessions), Dexter Vines (Old Man Logan), Stephanie Williams (Nubia and the Amazons), Skottie Young (Bully Wars), and many others. (Read interviews with Barnes, Pepoy, Saviuk, and Williams in our Catch the Wave section.)

Dozens of panels were held all weekend with several focused on cosplay guidance and tutorials, workshops for budding comic artists and writers, interactive events for kids and families, and informative discussions for comic retailers, representation in comics, and other industry-related topics. There were panels centered around British comics, Superman, Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, Green Lantern, war comics, ElfQuest, TwoMorrow’s Publishing, and Spider-Man. Many creators participated in panels focused on their work, including Amanda Connor and Jimmy Palmiotti, Chris Claremont, Larry Hama, Colleen Doran, Howard Chaykin, Adam Kubert, and Jim Shooter.

The number of comic book vendors at the show eclipses many other comic and pop culture conventions. The breadth of material was similarly impressive. They sold everything from Golden Age greats to the hottest Modern books, featuring superheroes, kids comics, science fiction, horror, romance, war, and other genres. Long boxes were packed with issues in the $1 to $100 price range, and many keys, particularly in the Bronze to Modern Ages, were on display. Several also sold graphic novels, collected editions, artbooks, and other larger volumes.

While the bulk of the vendors sold comics, they weren’t the only collectibles at the con. Heroes Convention welcomed multiple toy vendors who were selling the latest DC, Marvel, Star Wars, pro wrestling, and other new action figures, plus Funko Pops and statues. Vendors sold art prints, flannel shirts with comic cover patches, leather purses and satchels, LEGO figures, prop weapons and lightsabers, stuffed animals, and plenty more comic and pop culture material.

When the con opened on Friday, Heroes Convention announced that they had sold a record breaking number of tickets to the event. Fortunately, the convention center was large enough to handle the size of the crowd, keeping the aisles, hallways, and panel rooms comfortably spaced each day. The convention center is located at a great spot in Charlotte; it’s easy to get to, there are convenient parking options, and nice hotels nearby. Good restaurants within walking distance include Exotica Indian Kitchen & Bar, Red Ginger Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi, Estampa Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse, and The Public House.

It was another successful Heroes Convention for the vendors, attendees, creators, and cosplayers. The next Heroes Convention will be held on June 20-22, 2025.

To see more photos from Heroes Con, jump to our Catch the Wave coverage.