Ocean City Comic Con brings fans together for pop-culture fun

OCEAN CITY, Md- Cosplayers, gamers, and pop culture fans of all stripes, flocked to the Roland Powell Convention Center for Ocean City Comic Con Saturday.

Organizers say it’s their strongest turnout since starting the event in 2013.

“I think we will for sure go over the 8,000 from last year, it blew up really fast and we are not a big company but we a really happy and the community has come out to support it’s just wonderful,” said Organizer James Dufendach.

That community support also helped to fight food insecurity, as attendees were able to get a dollar off of their tickets by bringing a can of food to help support the Diakonia Shelter’s food pantry.

“We have students and parents here doing service learning and helping to sort the food, and help us with the 300 families and 41 residents we help to feed every week,” said Diakonia Pantry Director Susan Blaney.

The event featured professional cosplay companies, celebrity panels, tribute cars and replicas kept in mint condition for fans to enjoy, and even a gaming tournament.
James Dufendach says that variety is how they’ve been able to grow the event each year.

“There is something for everybody here even if it just shopping we just have Christmas coming up and we got 215 vendors with tons of artwork and wonderful nerdy things,” he said.

Vendors, like Liz DeJesus of Unexpected Spark Studios, selling her custom pixel art creations.
She tells us, she loves seeing new vendors join the event and meeting fans.

“I get to see my friends, nerd out, it’s just fun,” DeJesus said.