It’s double the fun in Portland with Rose City Comic Con, Geek Week PDX

Published 12:15 am Wednesday, August 28, 2024

When geeks and nerds are looking for a hill to plant their flag on, there is no bigger pop culture mountain in the Portland area than Rose City Comic Con.

The yearly ode to nerds, geeks, and pop culture will deliver its 12th installment Sept. 6-8 at the Oregon Convention Center. Once there, it will be ground zero for more than 60,000 fans of comic books, art, anime, books, tabletop and video gaming, television and film, cosplay and more. It’s a vibe that resonates in the heart and soul of nerds of all types and ages.

“We’re so happy to be back at our home away from home at the Oregon Convention Center and to celebrate the strong creative community here in Portland,” said Lauren Dabb, vice president of marketing and comics for LeftField Media, which produces RCCC. “This year marks our 12th anniversary, and we’ve accomplished so many milestones over these 12 years. We’re so excited to continue uniting fans from across the country for one epic weekend here in the City of Roses.”

As always, photo and autograph opportunities abound, with the likes of Simon Pegg (“Shaun of the Dead,” “Hot Fuzz,” “Star Trek”), Nick Frost (“Shaun of the Dead,” “Hot Fuzz,” “Into the Badlands”), a quartet from “Our Flag Means Death” in Rhys Darby, Kristian Nairn, Matthew Maher, and Vico Ortiz, as well as Rosario Dawson (“Daredevil,” “Ahsoka”) and many others stopping by to spend time with fans.

Additionally, there will be an expanded book fair in partnership with Powell’s Books, pin trading, video gaming, the Star Wars Experience, an active kids area at Rose City Jr., panels, vendors, and more. There will also be hundreds of hours of programming including exclusive expert-led panels and master classes, fan-submitted programming, table-top and video gaming, cosplay meet-ups, workshops and more.

Making its debut in 2024, Anime Yokocho is an all-new show feature dedicated to all things anime and manga. Fans can expect anime-focused shopping, photo opportunities, free swag, and meet and greets with popular anime voice actors such as “Attack On Titan” stars Bryce Papenbrook, Trina Nishimura, and Jesse James Grelle.

To see a full list of guest celebrities, panels and activities, go to rosecitycomiccon.com.

But wait, there’s more geek goodness on tap

Moving to Portland a few years ago, Dave Raycroft wondered what the city’s geek/nerd vibe might be.

What he found was not only a vibrant pop culture scene in the City of Roses, but a desire to share that vibe with more people. From restaurants to bars to game and comic shops, the feeling was that Portland had more to give to more people. And that got Raycroft thinking.

And the result is the creation of the inaugural Geek Week PDX, which will continue the fun of Rose City Comic Con for another week at events and venues across the Portland area, including a stretch down to Aurora for a D&D event at Aurora Vineyards.

Geek Week PDX will piggyback on RCCC, which runs Sept. 6-8, with events happening Sept. 6-15.

“I am totally blown away by the reception that Geek Week PDX has received,” said Raycroft. “The community has really stepped up and excitement for the celebration is really high. Over 100 small businesses will be hosting over 300 adventures ranging from simple discounts and specials to week-long extravaganzas.”

Folks have taken notice of what Portland is about to drop in the realm of nerd and geek fun. Raycroft said that more than $20,000 has been raised in grants, donations and promotional sponsorships; more 100,000 people have learned about Geek Week PDX in almost every state in the nation; and more than 200 small businesses are benefitting from the excitement surrounding Geek Week PDX.

The goal is attract those visiting Rose City Comic Con into staying around the Portland area and explore all that is has to offer in the geek and nerd realm.

“To me, the most exciting development is that for 10 days in September, Portland and the surrounding region is truly transforming into the center of the geek culture universe,” said Raycroft. “

To find out what’s happening, and where, go to geekweekpdx.com.