Comicpalooza 2025 transformed Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center into a full-blown celebration of art, fandom, innovation, and identity. Yes, there were comics, but also celebrity meet and greets, cosplay contests, film screenings, anime lounges, sneaker design workshops, and speed networking for creatives.
Attendees could explore the Artist Alley, test their skills in retro and next generation gaming tournaments, attend makeup demonstrations, walk through an immersive Itasha car showcase, or catch a live podcast taping. Vendors included self published comic creators, major toy brands, and everything in between. Even the ASPCA added a local touch by facilitating animal adoptions right on site.
With programming that included music production, mental health, legal advice and creative entrepreneurship, Comicpalooza was more than a fan event. It was a living ecosystem for artists, fans, and business owners alike.
And the weekend is not over yet. Sunday at Comicpalooza features an exciting mix of cosplay contests, panels, workshops, and celebrity appearances. The Kids Cosplay Contest returns at 3 p.m., offering young fans a chance to shine. Drop into trivia nights or join a Dungeons and Dragons workshop alongside other family friendly activities. For those interested in design there is still time to visit the sneaker workshop or check out makeup tutorials and live art demonstrations. And the highlight of the day arrives when legendary comedy duo Cheech and Chong take the stage for photo ops and singings.
As Houston continues to grow as a national center for media and culture, Comicpalooza reflects a larger creative expansion. “Houston is just a welcoming city. It’s large, it’s creative, and it makes sense for major conventions to be here,” said attorney Daphne Benford Smith, who specializes in entertainment and intellectual property law. “You’re seeing more events, more panels, more people from different industries connecting. It’s a good look for the city and for anyone who’s part of this culture.”
She also noted the growing presence of fan conventions across the region. “With DreamCon moving to Houston, and with Anime Matsuri, Animeverse, and Comicpalooza all thriving, it’s creating more platforms, more opportunities, and more representation,” she said. “These big conventions allow for further spaces to open up. That’s what makes it exciting right now.”
That sense of openness and creative energy was echoed by artists throughout the weekend. Ozzy Oz, a New York born, Orlando-based illustrator known for his graffiti infused takes on anime and gaming icons, emphasized the importance of live connection. “You can’t get this experience from AI,” he said. “This kind of connection, it’s real. And the support from Houston, unmatched.”
For independent manga creator Thomas Patrick, Comicpalooza was a major step in a long creative journey. “I’m from a town of 3,500 people. I never thought I’d be doing a con like this,” he said. “But one podcast led to another, and now I’m here. It’s been a snowball effect.”
Panels covered a wide creative spectrum. Houston based DJ and host J. Parker led hands-on workshops like “Mix no Jutsu” and “Mic no Jutsu” that gave attendees a chance to DJ or freestyle live. “It’s about helping people feel connected,” he said. “They got to pick songs, cue tracks, play around with effects. People don’t forget that kind of interaction.”
One of the creative corners of the convention was the sneaker design lab, officially titled “Art and Sole: Create, Customize, Innovate.” Led by Houston-based designer and sneaker enthusiast Julian Spence, the hands-on workshop invited attendees to transform blank sneaker blueprints into original works of art using colors, patches, decals, and stencils. Participants were drawn to the workshop by the unique opportunity to blend fashion and fandom.
“We’ve been coming here for over a decade,” said Jamie Lortie, who attended with her partner Alan Scott. “And every year, it expands. There’s more fashion, more art, more for everyone.” Scott, inspired by the experience, joked, “I only have one pair of shoes, but maybe this will get me to buy two.”
Spence also kicked off the weekend with a Friday panel titled “Sneaker Alchemy,” a deep dive into the art, business, and community around sneaker culture. The panel featured Tausha Quan of Her Grails, David Tipping of The Tipping Point, and DJ Yobi Yobz, each offering insight on how sneakers connect fashion, identity, and storytelling. Their conversation set the tone for the hands-on creativity that followed throughout the weekend.
That same spirit of crossover and creativity extended to the rest of the convention, which reflected a dynamic blend of genres and generations. Celebrities included Hayden Christensen, Sosie Bacon, Adam Savage, Ming Na Wen, Temuera Morrison, Anthony Michael Hall, Patton Oswalt, and voice actors like Keith Silverstein and Spike Spencer. Wrestlers, podcasters, game designers, and cosplayers rounded out the lineup.
Whether you came to buy collectibles, join a panel, or just soak in the energy, Comicpalooza 2025 offered more than a weekend. It offered a glimpse into how Houston continues to redefine what fan culture looks like.
This article appears in Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2025.
