Emerald City Comic Con Panels: Plan Your Day With This Handy Guide

Okay, folks, gather ’round, let me tell you about my recent adventure to the Emerald City Comic Con. This year was the 20th anniversary, held from March 2-5, 2023, and boy, was it a ride!

First off, I got the notification that I was accepted as a panelist. “DEAR EMERALD CITY COMIC CON PANELIST,” it started. I was thrilled! They were excited to have me, and I was excited to be there. So, I packed my bags and headed to Seattle.

Once I arrived, I checked out the schedule. I quickly bookmarked the page with all the panels listed. They kept adding more and more as the event got closer, which was pretty cool. I mean, there were tons of panels to choose from, from comic writing workshops to discussions about how our identities are shaped by the art we love. And the best part? They were all included with the ticket!

Then, I grabbed a map. Seriously, you need one. The convention took place in the SCC Summit and Arch buildings, and each level had something different. It was like a maze, but a fun one filled with comics and pop culture goodness. The maps were super handy to find what you wanted quickly.

Panel Reservations

This year, they introduced a new reservation system. Basically, you could reserve a seat for the Main Stage panels or the cosplay workshops. It was a neat way to make sure you didn’t miss out on the big stuff, to secure your spot in advance.

I also learned a bit about the event itself. Apparently, it’s the go-to comic and pop culture show for the Pacific Northwest. They aim to bring the best of the industry and give fans a chance to interact with content and guests in a welcoming environment. ReedPop produces and runs this massive event, and they were expecting at least 85,000 attendees this year. I heard it was going to bring in nearly $26 million for the city, which is pretty wild! And they were on track to beat pre-pandemic numbers.

Looking ahead, they’ve already announced the dates for next year: March 6-9, 2025, with the theme “Return to Grunge.” Sounds like a blast, right?

So, that was my Emerald City Comic Con experience. I met some amazing people, attended some great panels, and just soaked it all in. It was a whirlwind of a weekend, and I can’t wait to go back next year!