St. Petersburg, Florida, the fifth largest city in the state, (finally) gets an annual comic convention: St. Pete Comic Con is on January 8-9, 2022, at the historic Coliseum located downtown. The new, two-day, multi-genre comic convention features comics, anime, science fiction and fantasy talent, along with a guest roster of Florida’s top cosplayers.
Each of Florida’s cities larger than St. Petersburg has numerous annual comic cons. As examples, Jacksonville, Tampa and Orlando have three or more each. And there are more than 20 smaller cities that have excellent comic cons. A few examples: Lakeland, the 20th largest city, has Central Florida Comic Con; Pensacola, the 74th largest city, has Pensacon; and St. Augustine, the 131st largest, has Ancient City Con.
Also referred to as The Sunshine City, St. Petersburg is an eclectic, ultra-cool place with zillions (not a real word) of comic con fans and cosplayers who want our enchanting city to host a con. And now their wishes have come true. Sure, St. Petersburgonians (also not a real word) love other cities’ conventions, but it’s past time for St. Petersburg – a world-wide destination city — to have a high-end comic convention.
Please join us in this inaugural event. Early bird tickets are available. In addition, vendor applications are being accepted. And click here for cool local hotels close to the venue. Follow St. Pete Comic Con on social media: Facebook and Instagram.
Below is our first round of guest and activity announcements that includes two anime voice actors, a comic artist/writer, and four guest cosplayers. More coming soon. 
ANIME VOICE ACTOR GUESTS
Anime Voice actorAaron Dismuke
Anime Voice actor Erica Schroeder
Erica Schroeder is a popular comic and anime convention guest who has voiced more than 250 roles for animation and video games since 2002. Learn more about her background, including her talented family, as well as her characters in our blog post titled “St. Pete Comic Con 2022 hosts voice actor Erica Schroeder’s first-ever Florida visit.” Schroeder will be doing photos and autographs at St. Pete Comic Con both days. In addition, she is appearing in an anime voice actor panel at the con. 
COMIC ARTIST AND WRITER GUESTS
Comic guest Mike Grell
It’s been a long time since Mike Grell, who is popular at comic cons throughout the nation, has been to a Florida convention. Florida Comic Cons, a news media website that covers conventions, recently described him as such:
“His graphic novel series Green Arrow The Longbow Hunters is arguably the best ever portrayal of the character, which inspired the TV series “Arrow.” And The Warlord, which he wrote and illustrated, is among the best tales ever about a journey to the center of the earth. Often underrated is Grell’s work on Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes, which is considered the high point of the comic that other artists and writers have butchered. Moreover, Grell fans adore Jon Sable Freelance, a character heavily influenced by James Bond and pulp fiction crime stories of that time. In addition, Grell’s work on Green Lantern Green Arrow led a revival of the characters’ partnership.”
Legendary comic artist and writer Mike Grell is doing photos and autographs at St. Pete Comic Con both days. In addition, he is appearing in an a comic artist voice actor panel at the con. Learn more about Grell’s appearance at St. Pete Comic Con 2022 . 
COSPLAYER GUESTS
Best cosplayer in the South @Avera_Cosplay
Fort Myers cosplayer @Avera_Cosplay‘s awards place her among the most talented in the South. In fact, her most recent win at Florida Supercon (for her Mercy cosplay mashup from Overwatch and Warhammer) has her representing the southern region in a national cosplay competition. For a list of her award-winning cosplays, read our blog post titled “Best cosplayer in the South @Avera_Cosplay to appear at St. Pete Comic Con 2022.”
@Avera_Cosplay is at St. Pete Comic Con both days, including having a booth (pop by and start up a convo) as well as participating in a panel on cosplay for beginners.
Best-ever Sam Wilson Captain America cosplayer @KDiddy3300
One of the best-ever Sam Wilson Captain America cosplayers is @KDiddy3300 from Tampa. He crafted two sets of costumes for Sam Wilson Captain America – a character beloved to the Tampa cosplayer. He has been cosplaying the character for more than five years, and has two versions with one based on the comics character and the other the MCU character.
Learn more about his background and cosplays in our blog post titled “St. Pete Comic Con 2022 gets best-ever Sam Wilson Captain America cosplayer as guest.” @KDiddy330 is at St. Pete Comic Con both days, including having a booth and participating in a panel on cosplay for beginners.
Florida’s prolific World of Warcraft cosplayer @Dark.Lady.Cosplay
Tampa cosplayer @Dark.Lady.Cosplay makes you believe World of Warcraft is real. She is a prolific World of Warcraft cosplayer who has assumed the roles of many characters (more than 20 cosplays) from the popular game.
Learn more about her in our blog post titled “St. Pete Comic Con 2022 gets Florida’s prolific World of Warcraft cosplayer @Dark.Lady.Cosplay.” She is at St. Pete Comic Con both days, including having a booth and participating in a panel on cosplay for beginners. 
Sailor Moon group called Sailor scouts
The Jacksonville-based Sailor Moon cosplay group called Sailor Scouts are cosplay guests at cons throughout Florida, which includes hosting panels as well as leading con activities that range from Sailor Moon Jeopardy to Sailor Moon death match to Sailor Moon slumber party (which was at Holiday Matsuri and sounds so fun!). And Sailor Scouts are planning special Sailor Moon activities for St. Pete Comic Con 2022.
Learn more about them in our blog post titled “St. Pete Comic Con 2022 adds Sailor Scouts as cosplay guests.” They are at St. Pete Comic Con both days, including having a booth, hosting a panel, and leading activities. 
COSPLAY CONTEST
St. Pete Comic Con features a cosplay contest on Saturday
Cosplayers entering the contest are featured in Florida Cosplay Digital Magazine. And winners get a spotlight feature in the magazine. More info, including the worthy prizes ($$$) coming soon.
NocedoPhoto Media Group
NocedoPhoto Media Group is an innovative and creative consortium that unites photographers, writers, cosplayers, event promoters, vendors, costume and prop makers, and other creatives under one roof to use their collective skills to maximize their distribution and presence on digital media platforms. Their goal is to create a well-rounded and successful network for all involved.
