written by Mariia Kozub , photos by Ambre Feuillet and Loane Asnar
Ahoy! Hope this paper uncovers you well.
This article concerns the visit and personal experience of volunteers attending the 10th Thessaloniki Comic Convention, “THE Comic Con,” held from the 8th of May to the 10th of May, 2026.
To cut a long story short, the Comic Con is a large event in Thessaloniki, Greece, that brings together illustrators, local and international artists, people committed to comics, gamers, cosplayers, and people just curious about comics and games.
The three of us (Ambre, Loane, and Mary) from the United Societies of Balkans NGO who visited the event and had a great chance to immerse ourselves in the comic world, but that was just scratching the surface of what the event had to offer!
To begin with, it’s worth mentioning that we have different connections to comics. Ambre and Loane are big fans of comics, specifically Japanese ones called anime, and Mary is neutral, not so into it. Despite our different attitudes and relationships towards comics, it is vital to highlight that all three of us were blown away by the event, namely its scale, the diversity of local artists’ representation, and, last but not least, the attendees’ unwavering steadfastness, passion, and bold spirit. The festival welcomed participants from both Greece and the international community. So, for several days, it became the hub not merely for reviewing comics, hearing lectures by famous illustrators, and buying gorgeous comics merch, but also for networking and getting to know each other’s creative paths for self-expression.
Let’s dig into our experience. It was a rainy day, even sometimes pouring, on the 8th of May, we went to the Comic Con quite early in the morning to have a shot at seeing the place not so crowded and immerse ourselves in the comic realm. And it was indeed empty, but by the afternoon, it started to get fuller with people. However, on Saturday, as we had expected, the place was jam-packed, and it was hard to move during the cosplay parade.
Briefly, about the things that caught our attention during the Comic Con and became our personal highlights.
Firstly, the installation by PlaymoFriends called “Choose your Side” was made from Playmobil figures. The installation was quite striking and compelling, showing the significance of our daily choices and our responsibility for our own lives and nature’s status quo.
Secondly, many merch stores were also catchy, with unique, handmade items. Apart from this, one-piece card games were sold there, and the prices for them ranged widely. While some of them cost several euros, the unique one reached 2000 euros.
Thirdly, we have been impressed by the Japanese graphics created by local Greek artists: their elegance, thin lines, and mix of black and bloody red kept us looking at them for several minutes.
Fourthly, we spoke with a local Greek suit and helmet maker, Pashalis Marsianoudis, who was very dedicated and elaborated on which parts of the helmets and sculptures he made himself. To say we were impressed by his work would be an understatement.
Ultimately, one of the most remarkable moments was the cosplay parade on the 9th of May, the Saturday, which also took place at the event. It felt like a truly magical experience and a childhood dream: cosplayers were taking the stage and elaborating on who they were presenting as. The costumes were incredible, striking, stunning, intricate, and full of details and energy from the people.
Without a doubt, many people went to Comic Con to get a signature or have a brief conversation with their favorite artist. However, the magnificence of the event also laid in seeing fresh faces, their dedication, and the general tendencies in comics and the graphic design realm. I cannot help but mention that each stall was unique, and you could surely find something that appeals to your heart and mind, and have conversations with local artists.
Last but not least, it’s safe to say that going to Comic Con was an absolute blast. Therefore, if you ever have a chance to visit the Comic Con in Thessaloniki, you should definitely go and feel this creative energy that inspires.
