Did you know that the Inland Empire has its own Comic Con expo? I didn’t until this past weekend. It’s called Comic Con Revolution and it’s been around since 2017. After attending my first Comic Con in Los Angeles last year, I was excited to check this one out and see how it compared. And to clarify, Comic Con Revolution is NOT a spin off of the original Comic Con which began in 1970. This is actually its own entity, which I was surprised to learn given the name.
Held at the Ontario Convention Center, the event brought together fans from all over to meet their favorite voice actors, actors, and entertainers from the shows they grew up watching.
The lineup did not disappoint. Names like Edward James Olmos (Stand and Deliver, Selena and Battlestar Galactica), Rob Van Dam (WWE formally known as WWF), and Jennie Garth (90210, What I like About You) drew a strong crowd, bringing that excitement to the space. Fans were fully engaged, whether they were waiting in line for autographs or just taking in the atmosphere.
The overall experience felt like a smaller scale version of what you might expect from a major Comic Con. It was more intimate, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but there were noticeable differences.
There was no arcade or interactive gaming section. However, they had Artist Alley, which consisted of independent artists selling various artwork, comic books etc. alongside vendor booths offering fan merchandise and collectibles. I ended up picking up a few stickers of my favorite horror clowns, including Killer Klowns from Outer Space, and added Pennywise to the collection, because why not?
Overall, Comic Con Revolution is a pretty solid option for fans in the Inland Empire looking for an accessible experience without having to drive out to Los Angeles.
While not as expansive as Anime Expo and Comic Con, it still delivered the nostalgia these events are known for.
