Nickel City Comic Con brings pop culture to life in Buffalo
BUFFALO, N.Y. – Thousands of people gathered in the Buffalo Convention Center on Oct. 4 and 5 for the fall edition of Nickel City Comic Con. This is the Queen City’s ultimate celebration of comics, cosplay and all things pop culture.
The two-day event featured celebrity guests, artists, vendors and exhibits, drawing fans from across Western New York and beyond. Organizers say whether attendees are lifelong comic book enthusiasts, die-hard movie buffs, seasoned cosplayers or families looking for an unforgettable weekend together, “Nickel City Comic Con has something for everyone.”
Celebrity guests were there for guest meet and greets, autograph signings, and Q&A panels. These included actors renowned for various movies and TV shows such as Gates McFadden and John de Lancie, who played Beverly Crusher and Q, respectively, on Star Trek: The Next Generation and Ray Park famous for playing Darth Maul in Star Wars.
Other celebrities in attendance included Rob Paulsen (Animaniacs, Jimmy Neutron, Pinky and the Brain), Butch Patrick (The Munsters), Kristy Swanson (Buffy: The Vampire Slayer), Bill Duke (Predator), Eric Roberts, Derek Mears, Warrington Gillette, Harry Manfredini, and many more.
There were numerous exhibits highlighting cinematic history, allowing attendees to closely view, and, for an additional fee, sometimes interact with the displays. These included opportunities to sit in iconic screen-used vehicles such as the DeLorean from Back to the Future, the Munster Koach from The Munsters, and Ecto-1 from Ghostbusters.
Photo by: Weston Ebbrecht
Photo by Weston Ebbrecht
Photo by: Weston Ebbrecht
Bill Diamond’s Hollywood Movie Museum was also there. Bill Diamond is an American puppeteer, puppet fabricator, and producer and the museum featured some of his greatest creations, including many screen-used puppets from films and shows like Star Wars and Fraggle Rock.
Attractions also included a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles exhibit with costumed characters for photo ops and the Guinness World Record’s largest TMNT collection. Guests could also take photos with characters from Ghostbusters, Star Wars, and Harry Potter, many of whom were part of local groups raising funds for charity.
Vendor and artist booths were set up throughout the event, which spanned over 100,000 square feet. Selling paintings, sculptures, comic books, toys, trading cards, video games, costume pieces and other items recognizable from different fandoms.
Photo by: Weston Ebbrecht
Fans walked the aisles admiring the creativity that surrounded them, played video games with friends, bought items for their personal collections and wore costumes of their favorite characters from media (also known as cosplaying). There was even a cosplay contest for the most impressive costumes.
“It’s just always been great going to the con,” said attendee Sterling, who’s been attending for several years. “It’s very nice to talk to people who have the same interests as me, and I don’t feel excluded from other people around these parts as well.”
Organizers say Nickel City Comic Con is about more than just comics – it’s about community. As organizers put it, “More than just a convention, it’s an experience—a place where fandoms unite and unforgettable memories are made.”
The convention continues to grow each year, bringing together fans of all ages to celebrate creativity, connection, and shared passions. Organizers have already begun planning for next year’s event, scheduled for June 26-28, 2026.