Long before the doors open, the energy of a comic convention lives in the details, sketchbooks filled with unfinished ideas, costumes stitched late into the night and artists quietly wondering if their work is ready to be seen. For many, that first step into a convention space can feel just as intimidating as it is exciting.
On Saturday, April 25, Fayetteville Technical Community College aims to turn that uncertainty into opportunity. FTCC will host its inaugural ComicCon from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Tony Rand Student Center on its main campus, creating a space where students, artists and the broader community can gather around a shared love of storytelling, pop culture and creative expression. The free, public event is organized by the college’s Fine Arts Department and represents a new chapter for Fayetteville’s evolving arts scene.
The convention arrives in the wake of a noticeable gap. With the conclusion of Fayetteville’s previous ComicCon event in October 2024, local artists and fans lost a central hub for connection. Rather than letting that momentum fade, FTCC stepped forward with a vision rooted not only in filling that void but in reshaping it. At the center of that effort is Dexter Morrill, an illustrator, sequential artist and FTCC art instructor whose personal journey through conventions directly informed the event’s creation. Morrill spent years attending conventions both as a fan and as a vendor in Artist Alleys, where artists showcase and sell their work while building relationships within the industry. Through those experiences, he came to understand the deeper value of conventions not just as marketplaces, but as spaces where careers begin to take shape.
“Working as an artist at a convention is not only a wonderful way to engage with the community and potential fans,” Morrill said, “but it’s a great opportunity to connect with other professional artists, all of which is important for growing in an art career.”
That understanding took on new meaning when he transitioned into teaching. In the classroom, Morrill began to see what many young artists experience but rarely articulate: hesitation. The idea of applying for Artist Alley, presenting work publicly, or navigating a professional creative space can feel overwhelming, especially for those just starting. Recognizing that gap, he began building ways to guide students into those environments with more confidence.
In 2021, Morrill helped establish FTCC’s annual presence at the Fayetteville ComicCon held at the Crown, giving students a structured entry point into the convention world. The partnership offered valuable exposure, allowing students to display their work alongside more experienced artists while gaining firsthand knowledge of the industry. For several years, that model worked. But when the event held its final run in 2024, the opportunity disappeared. Instead of retreating, Morrill leaned in.
“With the loss of that arrangement, this led me to choosing to establish a convention right here at FTCC,” he said.
The result is more than just a replacement, it’s a reimagining. FTCC ComicCon is built around accessibility, designed to remove the barriers that often make the arts feel exclusive. By hosting the event on campus and framing it through familiar cultural touchpoints like comics, cosplay and storytelling, the convention creates an environment that feels both welcoming and approachable. At its core, the event is anchored in a broader philosophy: that storytelling connects all forms of art.
“Story is incredibly important in all art forms, whether you are creating images, music or performances,” Morrill said. ‘The FTCC Art Department offers incredible courses that provide our students with the mental and physical tools to express their stories with their own unique voices.”
That philosophy will be reflected throughout the convention, which brings together a diverse mix of participants from current students and alumni to established professionals working in the comics industry. Among the featured guests are North Carolina-based creators such as Chris Giarusso, known for G-Man and Mini-Marvels, and Jeremy Whitley, writer of Priceless and My Little Pony. Their presence offers attendees a chance to engage directly with working professionals, gaining insight into the creative process and the realities of building a career in the arts.
At the same time, the event maintains a strong local foundation. Businesses like MNP Collectz and Angry Comics will be featured alongside a range of artists, including FTCC students and graduates. That blend of local and professional talent creates a space where emerging artists can see themselves reflected in the work around them. The convention also leans into participation. A cosplay contest will invite attendees to dress as their favorite characters, transforming spectators into active contributors. Participants who register will have the opportunity to showcase their costumes, with selected winners receiving prizes. But beyond the costumes and collectibles, the event carries a deeper purpose.
“This event is designed to break down the barriers that often make the arts feel inaccessible,” Morrill said. “By creating a welcoming, convention-style environment, it meets people where their interests already exist and shows them that art is a part of those experiences.”
That approach reshapes how the arts are experienced within the community. Someone may attend for entertainment, drawn in by cosplay or comics, but leave with a new understanding of the creative process and a greater appreciation for storytelling in everyday life. For students, the impact is even more immediate. The event provides direct exposure to professionals and alumni, offering a clearer picture of what a creative career can look like. It transforms abstract ambition into something tangible. For Fayetteville, it signals continued growth as a cultural space, one where creativity is not confined to galleries or classrooms but woven into community experiences.
And when the doors close at the end of the day, the real impact of FTCC ComicCon may not be measured in attendance or costumes, but in the quiet moments that follow when a student opens their sketchbook again, a little more certain that their story is worth telling, and a little less afraid to let the world see it.
FTCC’s ComicCon is free and open to the community. For more information about the event, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1600403451010257/