Everything you need to know to have your best South Carolina Comicon yet
SC (South Carolina) Comicon is a family friendly event that is held in Greenville, SC. The Con is run by Borderlands Comics and Games and it is usually held in early April. They also have an SC Comicon Jr event that is held in October.
SC Comicon is capped at 20,000 attendees. There is only one type of ticket – general admittance – so all the tickets are the same price.
Tickets can be purchased in advance – this is recommended – or they can be purchased at the door.
If you are buying tickets in advance, you can find them online. Either on the SC Comicon website or on Borderlands Comics and Games’ website.
Between April and October, they only sell tickets for the Jr event. But the tickets for the main event go on sale in early October.
Ticket prices have varied over the years, but the ticket prices for the main event are usually under $20 and the Jr event tickets are around $10.
If you are interested in buying tickets at the door then we recommend inquiring about availability before you arrive. Sometimes the events can sell out on the day if there is a big guest.
What to bring to SC Comicon
SC Comicon takes place in Greenville, SC. Greenville has a good range of amenities and you will be able to purchase anything you forget. However, prices tend to go up on Con weekends, so you can save yourself some money by packing your own items.
You should first think about packing your clothes. We will discuss Cosplay in the next section, but you will also need to think about what you are going to wear in the evenings and outside of the Con. SC is pretty warm in April so we recommend light clothing, a hat, and of course sunscreen.
You will want to bring any comics, novels, and autograph books that you want to be signed during the event.
You will want to bring water and snacks for both the Con and your hotel. You will need to bring charges for any electronic devices that you bring with you. You may find having a laptop or tablet with you to help you navigate event schedules.
What to wear to SC Comicon
The average temperature in SC during April is 70F and it will be even hotter in the convention center. So, bear this in mind when you are planning your outfits for the weekend.
The most important outfits you will need to think about are your costumes or Cosplays (see the next section for costume ideas). If you are planning to dress up for the Con then you will need to plan these well in advance.
You should be able to eat and drink in your costumes. You should also make sure that your shoes are comfortable. If this is not possible because of the Cosplay you are doing then you should carry a pair of comfortable shoes with you. Your feet will want a break at some point.
You should also carry any makeup you need for touch-ups and a personal fan with you throughout the weekend.
Easy SC Comicon Costumes Ideas
At Cons last year, it was impossible to move for Jokers and Darjins. They’re great costumes but if you’re looking for some easy to make Cosplay ideas for SC Comicon, see the 3 below:
Sam or Dean (Supernatural)
This year saw the end of Supernatural. After over a decade of traveling with Sam and Dean while they fight monsters and accidentally seduce angels – now is the last chance to cosplay as these brothers while they are still relevant… Until they start airing the prequel show, and the possible movies!
A small warning if you’re planning on going as Dean, you will need to be careful around any Destiel fans after that finale.
The Darkling (Six of Crows)
We have put the darkling in the title because all you will need to pull off his look is some attitude and a nice cape. But, any character from the hit Netflix series would be a good choice this year. You will probably see many other Greshia wandering around the SC halls.
However, if you’re looking for an even easier costume why not pick one of the Crows – like Dirty Hands or Jesper. Black leather gloves, a long coat, and a few guns and you’ll be all set as a crow.
Yennefer (The Witcher)
If we could, we would make every single outfit that Yennefer wore throughout series 1 of The Witcher. Although, with series 2 due out before SC Comicon, you might want to hold off on making your costume until the end of October.
Bonus idea – Michael Jordan/LeBron James or Lola Bunny (Space Jam 1+2)
Bonus idea 2 – Anything from CyberPunk 2077
Bonus idea 3 – Anyone from Stranger Things (the final airs later this year)
Bonus idea 4 – A State Alchemist – they’re always cool (FullMetal Alchemist Brotherhood)
Bonus idea 5 – Baby Yoda and some eggs (Star Wars: The Mandalorian)
Can you go to SC Comicon without a costume?
Of course, you can!
SC Comicon is a lot more casual than the major Cons around the country. While you are totally welcome to go in Cosplay there is no pressure for the event’s end for you to do so.
What to do when nobody gets your cosplay
It can be absolutely gutting when you spend ages on your Cosplay and no one gets it.
The good news for you is, if you like the costume and it makes you feel good then it doesn’t matter if no one knows who you are. Remember that you are attending the Con because it is something that you love to do, not to get the approval of others.
If the idea of this happening is too embarrassing for you, then you should consider going in Cosplay as a group or as a pair. Then if no one else gets your outfit the friends or family that you can come to the Con with will understand.
Many people prefer going to Cons in a more obscure Cosplay. Then their outfit is more unique and stands out. Rather than being one of the hundreds of Jokers at the Con. If your costume is unique it won’t get compared to others.
Guide to Comicon Lines and Crowds
Cons can get very busy. There can be long lines and huge crowds that you have to make your way through. This isn’t for everyone.
If you think that you will struggle with the crowds then you should arrive at the Cons as early as you can. SC Comicon tends to be quieter in the morning, so there will be fewer queues and you will have more time to speak to your favorite artists in the Alley.
Queuing is pretty unavoidable after events, particularly if the star is very famous. However, the good news is that SC Comicon takes place completely indoors – so you won’t have to worry about queuing under the sun.
If you think you are going to be queuing for a long time, make sure that you bring a lot of water with you. You should also bring snacks as attending cons can be very tiring.
Getting your comics signed
Signing rules are different at every con. Some cons will charge for all photos and signatures. Some will only allow signatures on comics brought at the event. And some only charge for meet and greets.
All meet and greets are included in the general admission ticket at SC Comicon. However, some stars may personally charge for signatures. As that is how they make their living.
SC Comicon has an Artist’s Alley, where comic artists from all over the world have their own stalls. These artists will be happy to sign things that you buy and things that you bring in with you. Although, some artists may have individual policies to help them turn a profit at the event.
SC Comicon usually begins announcing guests for the weekend in September, just before they put the tickets on sale. For a detailed look at who is attending the con, you can visit their website or a roster guide like RosterCon.
How much money do you need?
How much money you will need to bring to SC Comicon will depend on a few things
How long you are planning on staying in Greenville for
If you are planning to eat at local restaurants or drink at local bars
If you want to get an autograph from a star who charges for them
If you are planning on buying anything at the con
If you are traveling on public transportation
Go through this list, and add up what you think you might be spending over the weekend. Remember that many artists will be doing deals exclusive to the con, or maybe up for bargaining (see next section) about price.
You should then bring an extra 10-20% with you, just in case prices are higher than you thought, or you see more things that you want to purchase.
If you have no specific items you want to buy then you should bring an amount of money that you are able to spend without causing yourself financial stress.
Once you have worked out how much money you are planning to spend, you should put together an emergency fund. This should include enough money to get yourself home if there is some unforeseen circumstance.
Remember not to keep all your money in one place – if your hotel has a safe, use it.
Don’t forget to bargain
As we mentioned above, many artists will do con-exclusive deals on their art pieces. They may also do color variants of their work that are exclusive to cons.
If you are looking for a good deal at cons then you should bargain with the vendors. It is best to bargain when you are buying three or more items. Ask for a multi-buy discount.
Some artists don’t like to bargain, so if you see that they have a sign on their table saying they won’t do it… respect their wishes and don’t try and bargain with them.
Other tips for SC-goers
Here are a few more tips to help you make the most of your trip to SC Comicon.
Plan your time – take a look at the schedule before you go and make sure that you know when all the events you want to attend are happening. Then make a plan for how you are going to spend your time.
You may need to book in advance for local restaurants – cons can be a busy time for the cities that they are held in. Most of the restaurants nearest the Con will be booked up weeks in advance. If you are planning a meal out, you will want to make sure that you have your table booked before you start traveling
Carry your money in a fanny pack – unfortunately, some people like to take advantage of Con attendees. Make sure that you keep your money in a secure place like in a fanny pack.
Hotels nearby
Note: Greenville was hit quite badly by wildfires this summer, and many buildings were damaged. You may want to keep up to date with the local news when looking for places to stay.
There are quite a few hotels in Greenville, SC. They do get booked up quickly once Con tickets go on sale, so make sure you book your rooms early.
SC Comicon has three approved off hotels:
Hilton Greenville 45 W Orchard Park Dr, Greenville, SC 29615, United States
Hampton Inn and Suites 255 Congaree Rd, Greenville, SC 29607, United States
Sleep Inn at Greenville Convention Center 231 N Pleasantburg Dr, Greenville, SC 29607, United States
Here are 5 other hotels in the city:
Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, Hollywood Mall 70 Orchard Park Drive, Greenville, SC 29615
Aloft Greenville Downtown 5 N Laurens St, Greenville, SC 29601-2712
Hampton Inn and Suites 171 Riverplace, Greenville, SC 29601-2579
Hyatt Place Greenville Downtown 128 E Broad St, Greenville, SC 29601-2874
AC Hotel Greenville 315 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601-2605
Car rental nearby
If you want to be able to drive around Greenville during SC Comicon then you will either have to bring your own car or rent one. If you are looking to rent a car, we recommend booking it in advance. Preferably, at the same time as you book your hotel.
There are over 10 car rental places in Greenville, SC. Here are the 4 highest rated:
Enterprise Rent-a-car – can be found at Enterprise Rent-A-Car, 1500 Laurens Rd, Greenville, SC 29607, United States.
Budget Car Rental – can be found at Budget Car Rental, 458 Woodruff Rd, Greenville, SC 29607, United States
Cash Car Rental – can be found at Cash Car Rental Greenville, 1701 Laurens Rd #201, Greenville, SC 29607, United States
Hertz car rental – can be found at Hetz 518 E North St, Greenville, SC 29601, United States
Parking at the event
SC Comicon is held at the Greenville Convention Center.
The convention center itself has an underground parking area with space for 36 cars. These parking spaces may not be available to visitors on the day. Here is a PDF of the parking layout at the Convention Center.
However, in the area surrounding the convention center, there are 6 car parks. Their sizes range from 60 parking spaces to 880 parking spaces. The parking lots in this area have a total of 2254 spaces (this is not including the spaces under the convention center.
Most hotels in the area are also able to offer parking spaces for their guests. Some of the hotels may charge extra for this on Con Weekends. This is something that you will need to check with your hotel before you stay.
With a venue cap of 20,000 attendees, there is not enough parking space in the local area for everyone to drive to the event.
Public transport to the event
The city of Greenville recommends that you travel around the city using public transportation rather than driving on the Con Weekend.
Greenville has two train lines that run through the city. Greenville also has a citywide bike renting system called Bikeville.
Greenville offers both bus and trolly services around the city. In April there are 6 different trolly routes operating in the city. There are also 12 bus routes. Over 18s can get an unlimited 7-day pass for $12.99. There are concessions for older and younger riders.
Greenville does not currently offer a weekend pass.
Note, there is a greyhound service that travels between lots of the major cities in SC and stops in Greenville. Greenville has two airports, an international airport (GSP) and a smaller, national airport downtown (GMU).
