City of Oaks Comic Odyssey 2026 | Raleigh’s Comic-Book-First Comic Book Convention

Three Days of Real Comic Book Culture

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Raleigh's Comic-Book-First Convention
Where art, imagination, and collecting come alive —
a place where fans, families, and collectors
chase the rare, celebrate the creative, and turn stories into treasures.
Sheraton hotel Downtown Raleigh
FEBRUARY 20 - 22, 2026

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Promotional graphic for the City of Oaks Comicbook Odyssey (COCO) showing a comic-style burst with the words “Tickets on Sale Now!” over a red starry background. The bottom banner displays the event details: “COCO – City of Oaks Comicbook Odyssey, — Tickets are officially on sale for COCO — the City of Oaks Comicbook Odyssey! Join us at the Sheraton Hotel in Raleigh, NC, from February 20–22, 2026, for a weekend where comics, creators, and community take center stage. Don’t miss your chance to be part of Raleigh’s homegrown comic-book-first convention!

Experience the City of Oaks Comicbook Odyssey

COCO 2026 is Raleigh’s homegrown comic-book-first comic book convention — a celebration of creativity, connection, and community. Meet incredible comic book artists, writers, and creators, and enjoy a weekend that honors the art, stories, and spirit of comic books — alongside pop culture, cosplay, and fandom favorites — all under one roof in Raleigh, NC!

Since our reveal this summer, the excitement has only grown — from a spectacular special guest headliner, a lineup of amazing guest artists, and more surprises still to come.

Whether you’re a lifelong fan or new to the adventure, COCO 2026 is your place to belong. Join us for an unforgettable weekend filled with creators, collectibles, cosplay, and community — right here in the City of Oaks.

Get Tickets! Bring A Friend Weekend!

What Makes COCO Special

COCO brings the heart of classic comic cons back to Raleigh — a place where comics, creators, and community take center stage.

COCO celebrates what fans have always loved most about conventions — the stories, the creators, and the connections that bring comic-book culture to life. It’s a weekend made for those who still believe the magic begins on the page.

Here’s what makes it stand out:

Comic-Book-First Focus

Dive into a convention that celebrates the creators, stories, and art that started it all — comic books.

Meet the Legends & Rising Stars

Connect with iconic guest artists and up-and-coming creators shaping the next era of storytelling.

Exclusive Merch & Collectibles

Find rare comics, art prints, and exclusive items you won’t see anywhere else — including COCO-exclusive releases and guest-inspired creations (COCO-exclusives VIP Package Only).

Community & Connection

Experience a welcoming space where fans, families, and creators share their love for comics and creativity.

Raleigh’s Own Adventure

Support a local convention built for fans by fans — right here in the City of Oaks.

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City of Oaks Comicbook Odyssey

Event & Exhibit Hall Hours

FRIDAY 3 PM to 8 PM

SATURDAY 10 AM to 6 PM
SUNDAY 10 AM to 4 PM

*Schedule is tentative. Subject to change.

Panel listings do not reflect full attendance — guests are on-site each day unless otherwise noted.

Andy Smith, Bob Mcleod, Jamal Igle, Bill Maus, Pierre-Alexandre Comtois, Bo Hampton, Lexx Truss, and Karen Whitfield will be in attendance all three days of City of Oaks Comicbook Odyssey. In addition to any scheduled panels, they will be available during Exhibit Hall hours for autograph signings, photo ops, and table interactions.

Ciara Renée and Joe Rubinstein will be in attendance for two days (Sat, Feb 21 - Sun, Feb 22, 2026) of City of Oaks Comicbook Odyssey. During the days they are present, they will participate in scheduled panels and be available during Exhibit Hall hours for autograph signings, photo ops, and table interactions.

Planning to commission original art at COCO? Some guest artists offer pre-orders for commissions ahead of the event. 👉 Learn how to request a commission before COCO

FRIDAY · FEB 20 · 3 PM – 8 PM

(Doors open 3 PM)

4:30 PM – 5:30 PM:
Panel:
Lexx Truss
Pierre-Alexandre Comtois
Film Meets Animation
Shared fundamentals, How each medium shapes storytelling, from script to screen (directing actors vs animation timing)

5:40 PM - 6:25 PM:
Panel:
Karen Whitfield
When Fans Become Legends: Karen Whitfield and the Rise of Convention Culture
Karen Whitfield shares her journey from lifelong fan to the Bronze Age Batgirl who toured with Adam West and Burt Ward, offering a rare look at early fandom, the evolution of conventions, and why fan-driven legacy still matters today.

6:30 PM – 7:30 PM:
Panel:
Andy Smith
Bo Hampton
Story-telling without words
How composition, body language, lighting, and color tell the story before dialogue ever appears, from two different paths (pencil to paint)

(Event Floor Closes at 8 PM)

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SATURDAY · FEB 21 · 10 AM – 6 PM

(Doors open 10 AM)

10:00 AM - 12 PM
Ciara Renée Autograph Signing

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM:
Panel:
Jamal Igle
Joe Rubinstein
Drawing Iconic Characters
Making action Readable. Designing pages that move. Balancing personal projects and big publishers.

1:00 AM – 1:45 PM:
Panel:
KA-Pow Comic Art School
ESSENTIAL Comics
Making Comics that Actually Sell (and still look cool).
The independent comic creators path.
From student to professional. Art business and industry reality.

2:00 PM – 2:45 PM
Panel:
Ciara Renée
An afternoon with Ciara-
Heroes, Villains and everything in between.
Bringing iconic characters to life. Breaking barriers through performance.

3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Sign-up/14U Cosplay Contest

3:00 PM - 3:45 PM
Ciara Renée Photo Session

3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Cosplay Contest (14U)

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Panel:
Pierre-Alexandre Comtois
Bill Maus
How Superheroes and satire dive deep into visual storytelling when space is limited
A deep dive into visual storytelling.

4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Ciara Renée Autograph Signing

5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Gaming:
Champions RPG
HERO Games RPG
Demo Campaign with pre-existing characters.
Signup will be available online

(Extended Hours for Gaming Participants Only)

(Event Floor Closes at 6 PM)

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SUNDAY · FEB 22 · 10 AM – 4 PM

(Doors open 10 AM)

10:00 AM - 12 PM
Ciara Renée Autograph Signing

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM:
Panel:
Bo Hampton
Joe Rubinstein
Lines that Last - The art of timeless storytelling
From pencils to polish., Craft, consistency and comics. From roughs to refinement.

12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Panel:
Andy Smith
Bill maus
The art of making pages with clarity, with action and design
From layout to final page. Breakdown the comic page.

1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Cosplay Contest (15+)

2:00 PM – 2:45 PM
Ciara Renée Photo Session

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Panel:
Ka-Pow Comic Art School
Jamal Igle
Breaking in and staying in the comic industry
Training the next generations of comic artist. Tools, secrets, opportunities and more …

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Ciara Renée Autograph Signing

(Event Floor Closes at 4 PM)

Get Your Tickets Now!