For one day a year, comic enthusiasts, creators, cosplayers, vendors and volunteers gather at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds to celebrate their shared appreciation of comics at SpringCon, Minnesota’s largest comic book convention. This year, that day came on June 6.
Upon arriving at SpringCon, it becomes clear the comic community has grown far beyond the boundaries of comic books alone. Today, it encompasses video games, trading card games, manga and much more.
The rise of the internet has allowed generations of comic readers to connect with like-minded fans, discover new interests and build communities. At the same time, comic book characters have become the stars of some of the highest-grossing films in history, cementing comics’ place in mainstream entertainment.
“It was a community that was growing older, but, you know, when I look around, I can see a lot of young people here, too,” Brad Crep, a longtime Minnesota Comic Book Association volunteer, said. “I work as a paraprofessional in a school, and there are young kids that talk about comics.”
Many comic book enthusiasts agree the community is tight-knit. Elijah Gjerdingen, a comic book store employee, said he gets to see that quality nearly every single day.
“Most of the regulars — I know everything they read,” Gjerdingen said. “Every Wednesday, I would read the titles that I knew they were going to come pick up.”
Some may think comics are a solitary hobby, but experiences like SpringCon and comic stores prove otherwise. People come for the comics and stay for the connections.
Volunteer John Sanborn said most of the vendors, creators and volunteers return every year. That doesn’t stop new people from entering the scene, though.
“For me, I feel there’s a new energy, the younger crowds, younger creators, people that are kind of saying, you know what, yeah, I love this world,” Sanborn said.
However, it has not all been smooth sailing for this community. The head of the organization, Dominic Postiglione, known by the community as Nick Post, passed away in 2014. A couple of leaders stepped up to continue his legacy after his passing. When COVID struck, however, they had no choice but to cancel both Fall and SpringCon.
“COVID had us shut down for a few years, and with the personnel changes,” long-time vendor, Chris Harsh, said. “It’s really just kind of gaining its traction back.”
The community was not going to dissolve without a fight. The MNCBA and SpringCon continue to exist today largely because of the dedication of longtime volunteers who worked tirelessly to preserve them.
“It was something really big, and then COVID hit, and then it really stumbled and kind of disappeared,” Crep said. “The original people I worked with, a lot of them, you know, were volunteers that came back and decided they wanted to reboost it.”
In the age of artificial intelligence, Sanborn believes people are seeking out authentic art.
“We stay away from AI,” Sanborn said. “So, you still have your hands on it because people are doing it with pencil and ink.”
Independent comic creator Wesley Speakerman was drawing comics live at the convention. His comic, “Garage Karate”, includes QR codes throughout the story that link to songs, so you can hear the music in the comic as you read. The story is about bands who fight, Speakerman said, so music is an essential part of the storytelling experience.
“It’s kind of an excuse for me to write about my experience as a new creator who’s trying to become a professional… but I’m translating that to music instead of art,” Speakerman said. “It’s a very basic metaphor. It allows me to talk about stuff like imposter syndrome, like being unsure that you’re any good, and things like that.”
What’s really valuable about SpringCon? It fosters connection and praises creativity. The comic community offers a space where people can find their niche, follow a story and cultivate a sense of belonging. To become a part of this community, consider visiting a comic book store and asking an expert where to begin.
For many readers, a great place to start may be visiting the MNCBA’s next convention, FallCon, on Oct. 10-11, 2026.
