Contropolis New Jersey was the latest convention by the creators of Rhode Island Comic Con to make a splash in the area. Previously held in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, the third regional con of the same name debuted at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, NJ on July 8 & 9, 2023.
This was the first comic con held at the Meadowlands since 2019 and it held nothing back! How about over 50 special guests and nearly 130 artists & vendors? Plus special panel programming, the Ghostbusters ECTO-1, professional cosplayers like the 501st Legion, and even lightsaber training for the Younglings:
At Contropolis, you can expect to find all your favorite things about comic conventions: celebrity meet & greets, original art from comic book artists, trading cards like Pokemon & Magic The Gathering, cosplayers, Funko Pops, and plenty of comics! And with amazing comic vendors like Pleasant View Comics, Undisputed Comics King, Groundbreaking Comics, and Sword Of Truth Comics… you’re in good hands:
We’re talking about dollar bins, key issues, full sets, first appearances, and even signed & graded comics! Comic book grading company CBCS was even on-site to accept send-in submissions or to assist in witnessed signature slabbing for books that were signed by artists & writers at the convention.
Featured creators at Contropolis NJ included Sam de la Rosa (above), Jae Lee, Kevin Nowlan, Rudy Nebres, Ron Marz, Buzz, and Bill Anderson… in addition to dozens of other established and up & coming artists. It was the perfect opportunity to sign yourself up on a sketch commission waiting list and bring home a piece of art that’s one-of-a-kind! Not to mention all of the special interactions with stars from television, film, animation, and pop culture:
The voice of Nickelodeon’s Korra, Janet Varney (above), was in good company this weekend thanks to fellow guests Lou Ferrigno, Manu Bennett, Kristy Swanson, Jim Cummings, Emily Swallow, David Yost, and Ahmed Best… just to name a few! And excitement was clearly in the air as fans lined up for photo ops and autographs on their favorite pieces of memorabilia.
And not to worry! JSA (above) was offering certification for items signed over the weekend, whether it was a photograph, prop replica, or something else you picked up at the con! Vendors were showcasing a wide range of collectibles for sale: Japanese toys & snacks, lightsabers, 3D printed items, Pokeball terrariums, video games, LEGO minifigures, assorted plushies, woodwork & pottery, and so much more!
While this Contropolis was only two days, each day was uniquely different as vendors restocked with even more product! So definitely arrive on time or opt for the VIP admission that opens up an hour early because you never know what you’ll find next at a Contropolis near you! In the meantime, check out our full photo gallery and stay tuned on the official Contropolis NJ website for upcoming 2024 announcements!
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