Los Angeles Comic Con, one of the most diverse and celebrated pop culture events in the United States, was held at the Los Angeles Convention Center in early December, signaling a return to full-scale in-person events.

Los Angeles Comic Con had been held annually since 2011, but was canceled for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event had originally been scheduled for September 2020 and delayed to December 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizers initially planned a return in September 2021.

The three-day event, which will close on Sunday, is back in Los Angeles for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. It brings together creators, directors, and writers of some of the most popular comic books and animations. In addition, it means a lot to thousands of people who normally come here every year, and not just for comic books, they’re also here to cosplay, they’re looking for their favorite collectible or merchandise, and some are here to meet their favorite creators.

Live events include stand-up shows, autograph signings, and panels with industry leaders.

I would say Comic Con is the special place for it. I’m actually just new into cosplaying so I haven’t really had the opportunity to do it elsewhere, outside of here, said Justeen Bassham, participant.

It’s considered a safe space for everyone to express their passion and share it with others. And the creativity comes in all shapes and forms.

It attracts such a wide demographic of makers and fans, gives them a really big platform to mingle. And it’s not just superhero oriented, it’s for creative types of all kinds. It gives them an outlet to bring what they’re doing personally to the world in an interactable way, especially right now when people tend to be more closed in. It’s such a necessity and we’ve lost it for so long, so I think it’s really integral at this point, said Brynn Brdar, sculpture artist.

Artists of all kinds are drawn to this convention for the inspiration it offers.

It’s OK not to be perfect and not be so precious about the work in the beginning, because we all started there. Don’t let it be like so much pressure on you. There’s creativity in all of us, so let it fly, said Erin Sahley Simon, digital host, gamer, actor.

Many have brought along their passion projects to gain more exposure. Mike White, a robotics engineer, has built Ras in his garage from scratch and is looking to start a business.

I’m passing out business cards, I’m trying to open up opportunities to get jobs out of that. I’m actually starting something new where you actually have a robot where you take around for parties, events, it could be corporate events, whatever it is, if you want a robot there to entertain, sing, and dance. And that’s what he does, he sings and dances, he said.