EL CENTRO — Comic-Con is set to return to the Imperial Valley, bringing with it voice actors, artists, and an ever-growing community of fans. The event, which first began in 2018, has become a tradition for many locals.
Organizer and comic book writer Rueben Najera says the inspiration came from the lack of a local convention. “I have always loved to go to conventions, and there was never one here for us,” he said. His creative brand, Terrestro, now serves as a sponsor and umbrella for the event, blending his love for sneakers, comics, and pop culture.
Najera’s career in comics has taken off in recent years. In 2023, he published a book with Archie Comics, and his original series “Galaguera” followed in 2024. This October, he will be honored at the International Latino Book Awards in San Diego. He is also touring the convention circuit. He was recently invited as a featured guest to Salt Lake City’s convention and is preparing for his first appearance at New York Comic-Con.
Although his success in the comic book industry is growing, Najera remains committed to the Imperial Valley event. He sees this convention not only as entertainment, but as an opportunity. “Some people think it’s just local talent. But it’s not. There are people in the industry who will hire local talent. There’s literally a life-changing opportunity at our show,” he added.
This year’s lineup features vendors selling collectibles, including action figures, Funko Pops, Hot Wheels, and dolls, as well as meet-and-greets and panels. A major highlight will be the cosplay contest, with he winners taking home big prizes. The categories are: Best Craftsmanship, Best Marvel Cosplay, Best Kids Costume, and Best Anime Character.
Najera says the contest is open to everyone, whether the costumes are hand-sewn or creative mash-ups. “Not everybody is savvy at creating or sewing,” he said.
Beyond the collectibles and costumes, Najera sees the event as a growing tradition. “Someone sent me a photo of their kids attending every year since 2018,” he said, adding that the word for this year is “tradition.”
For Najera, the success of the event depends on the community. “The more people we have, the more successful the show could be to keep going,” he stated.