Nerd’s Guide to Charlotte
The best places to “nerd out” in the Queen City.
by Tim Miner
Nerd alert! This goes out to everyone with a passion for comics, collecting, gaming, cosplay and cinema: When you’re ready to fan the flames of your fandom and let your geek flag fly, the Queen City is perfect for your not-so-secret hideout.
Comics & Collectibles
Whether you’re grabbing this month’s hot issues, snapping up trade paperbacks or hunting for vintage prizes, you’d better make room in your secret lair. Charlotte comic shops are stocked like the Bat Cave.
Lurking under the streets of Cotswold, this comics emporium awaits. A hideaway for collectors of all kinds, Rebel Base has comics, back issues, graphic novels and trade paperbacks. It’s also a treasure trove of models, toys, action figures and more, ranging from Funko and Star Wars to G.I. Joe, MOTU, Marvel and DC.
Led by Shelton Drum for over 40 years, the Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find team have built a sought-after HQ for comic book fans, offering everything from top titles to indie comics, ‘zines and ashcans. You’ll find it minutes from Uptown, under the water tower in Elizabeth. Many of the staff don’t just sell and suggest comics – they make them, too. In fact, Matt Fraction, Eisner Award-winning writer on “Iron Man,” “Iron Fist” and “Hawkeye,” used to work there.
If these two powerhouse stores aren’t enough, Spandex City near Mountain Island Lake and Parker Banner Kent and Wayne – the greatest name of a comic shop ever – in the Lake Norman area will gladly enhance your haul.
Comic Conventions
When it’s time to go big on comics culture and collecting, not even the Infinity Gauntlet can lay a finger on Charlotte’s annual conventions.
Every Father’s Day weekend, the dedicated team at Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find swarm the Charlotte Convention Center. Since its inception in 1982, HeroesCon celebrates the comics craft and the creatives who make them with expert panels, collectibles vendors, art auctions and dollar box diving. The centerpiece is the amazing Artist Alley that features row after row of legendary writers and artists, along with today’s top talent ready to engage with fans and show off their skills.
If you like to chase your comics with trading cards, baseball cards, Funko Pop, and a parade of collectibles and celebrity appearances, Collect-A-Con has the cheat codes for your heart. You’ll find it all here every August at the Charlotte Convention Center.
And make sure Matthews Comic Con in January, Heroes Mini-Con in February and Con Carolinas in May factor into your annual convention master plan.
Gaming
Okay, player one, Charlotte’s gaming community is ready to challenge you.
Like the Mario Bros., first there was just “Abari.” Now, there is Super Abari Game Bar. With over 90 new and retro games, ranging from stand-up consoles to classic game consoles and even pinball, this is the epicenter of Pac-Man fever in Charlotte. Serving beer, cocktails and soda, Super Abari is always alive with tournaments, gaming meet-ups and markets all week long. Children are welcome Saturdays and Sundays between noon and 6 p.m.
If you like to get a little more physical with your gaming, these two options in South End and Lower South End have got you covered. Both Pins Mechanical and Queen Park Social offer draft beer, cocktails and mocktails to accompany bowling and stand-up video games. As its name suggests, Pins offers pinball machines and the timeless challenges of ping pong, giant Jenga and foosball. At Queen Park Social, you can hoop it up with Pop-A-Shot machines. Located just 10 minutes from one another, you can easily take your friendly challenges on the road.
For tabletop gamers and role players, head up to Concord for an expansive library of more than 1,000 games. Ranging from Apples to Apples to Zingo!, Luck Factory Games’ collection holds challenges for any skill level or age of player. Reserve a table, order food and let the games begin.
Gamer Groups
As “Legend of Zelda” says, “it’s dangerous to go alone!” Here are some gaming groups you can join.
Since 2020, Charlotte Gaymers Network has established inclusive environments for the LGBTQIA+ community with socials and events utilizing board games, tabletop games, video games and more.
Another gaming nonprofit, Potions & Pixels organizes frequent events for gamers and developers of all ages for fun and to spark conversation on community issues. The ArtCade collection of one-of-a-kind video games, painted by local artists, regularly respawns at events across the city.
Celebrate “nerdy culture” with class and style. Gaming and classical music become veritable Wonder Twins whose powers activate through Phoenix Down RPG, a musical ensemble that arranges quizzes and concerts featuring orchestral arrangements of new and classic video game music. The group also offers campfire tales – role-playing games punctuated by a live horror music soundtrack.
Cosplay
Did someone say “cosplay?” It’s time to suit up!
Surrounded by forests just north of Charlotte, Fairhaven is an immersive 25-acre storybook village playing host to one of the largest ren fests in the US. Blending history and fantasy, the Carolina Renaissance Festival is home to 150 vendors, jousting exhibitions, minstrels, contortionists, falconers, jesters, ale and more. You’ll also encounter cosplaying orcs, fairies, mermaids, bounty hunters and even the occasional time traveler or Jedi master.
Speaking of Jedi, the Charlotte area is home to more than 200 members of the Carolina Garrison, the local chapter of the 501st Legion. This group is made up of volunteers interested in participating in fundraising events, while wearing amazingly accurate homemade costumes and equipment – Rebels, Imperials and, you know, galactic scoundrels.
Dedicated to all things anime, the annual Queen City Anime Convention
celebrates the art and culture of cosplay with panel discussions, live music and performances, prop vendors, competitions and community events.
Film & Cinema
If you love comics and gaming, chances are you’ve got a side passion for cinema, too.
In the NoDa art district, the exciting and expanding Independent Picture House shows movies, classic films and international releases to foster cultural connections. The private screening room is ideal for intimate events. And, when you visit IPH, make sure to swing through Charlotte Art League’s adjacent gallery for a double dose of creativity.
Known for decades as the Charlotte destination for cult movies and hard-to-find indie film rentals, VisArt Video has become a film museum, as well as a store. VisArt houses more than 50,000 titles available for rent on VHS, DVD and Blu-ray – one of the largest collections of physical media anywhere. Its cozy screening room and adjoining garden cafe host weekly film events and conversations.
Rediscover your favorite films on the big screen with a full orchestra performing the score live as you watch. Throughout the year, the Charlotte Symphony gathers in the Belk Theater to pay tribute to iconic film scores.
