Here’s our honest Space City Comic Con 2016 review, sharing the real fan experience—the good, the bad, and how it became a memorable (if emotional) anniversary weekend. This was the most controversial fan convention we have ever attended (editor’s note: this still hold in 2025).
The Reality of Space City Comic Con 2016
Space City Comic Con 2016, held at Houston’s NRG Center over Memorial Day weekend, promised a star-studded lineup with Sons of Anarchy cast members, comic creators, and media guests. Like many fans, we were excited to spend our anniversary at the con, expecting a fun weekend of autographs, panels, and fandom.
But the reality was mixed: there were bright spots and major disappointments. Here’s what really stood out:
Space City Comic Con 2016 Review: Highlights
Despite the chaos, we had some great moments:
- Kim Coates (Sons of Anarchy) was a standout guest. Instead of just signing and moving on, he stepped out from behind the table and turned our interaction into an actual conversation. It was a genuine, memorable experience.
- Artist Alley was a treasure. We met Fred Van Lente, who shared news about his upcoming projects and signed our comic. Picking up unique Star Wars variants and a play based on Jack Kirby made the trip worth it for any comic fan.
- DMC of Run DMC was another highlight. Chatting about his comic work and getting our issues signed brought the fun back after some disappointing moments.
Space City Comic Con 2016 Review: Disappointments
Unfortunately, Space City Comic Con 2016 was plagued by serious management problems:
- Autograph ticket mess: We (and many others) bought pre-sale autograph tickets for Sons of Anarchy cast members, only to find out at the con that they weren’t being honored. No one could give a clear answer about refunds, and communication was poor.
- Guest payment rumors: There were widespread reports of guests not being paid, resulting in last-minute cancellations or actors refusing to sign prepaid autographs unless paid in cash. Charlie Hunnam, the main headliner, left the event early.
- Panel letdowns: The much-anticipated Sons of Anarchy panel was supposed to feature the full cast reunion, but only a handful showed up. The stories shared were good, but the letdown was obvious.
Our Anniversary at the Con
Our fifth wedding anniversary coincided with Space City Comic Con, and we planned to celebrate in true nerd couple style. Cristina surprised me with autograph tickets for Sons of Anarchy actors—a thoughtful, meaningful gift. Instead, we found ourselves frustrated, angry, and unsure if we’d get our money back.
Despite the setbacks, we did have small victories: Kim Coates congratulated us warmly, Drea de Matteo took time for a real chat, and Ryan Hurst was generous with fans—these moments, though not what we planned, were special in their way.
Sunday: Fan Community and Redemption
On Sunday, a Sons of Anarchy staffer noticed our frustration (after I’d posted an open letter on social media). He made sure we got to meet Ryan Hurst and Drea de Matteo as a consolation. This act of kindness turned our mood around and reminded us why fan communities matter—even when a convention’s management falls short.
We also squeezed in some bargain bin comic shopping and even completed parts of our X-Men and Neil Gaiman 1602 runs. Meeting other fans, podcasting with new friends, and finding a New Kids on the Block comic brought a little joy back to the weekend.
Final Thoughts: Would We Return?
Space City Comic Con 2016 had passionate volunteers and fantastic guests, but suffered from poor organization and communication. The fans and staff did their best, but management issues overshadowed the event.
If the con had different leadership but kept the same volunteers, we would return in a heartbeat. As it stands, we left with mixed emotions—grateful for the good moments, disappointed by the rest.
Space City Comic Con 2016 Review Summary
Space City Comic Con 2016 had the potential to be a top-tier fan event, but it fell short due to autograph issues, guest controversies, and management lapses.
Space City Comic Con felt like a con.
Still, the fan community and a few great guests helped save our anniversary weekend from being a total loss.
Check out our Comic Con 101 series!
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