EP: 149 How to Start a Comic Convention: Inside Nerdfest with Derek & Tim
What does it really take to build a comic convention from the ground up?
On this episode of Talkin' Comics, AJ sits down with Derek of Nerf Herder Comics and Tim of Chasing Collectibles to talk about the story behind Nerdfest, the comic convention they created in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
Derek and Tim share how they went from being comic collectors and vendors to creating their own convention, what they learned from their first shows, how Nerdfest has grown, and why getting the word out means more than just posting online.
From Facebook and Instagram to TikTok, comic shops, colleges, libraries and good old-fashioned “boots on the ground” promotion, they explain how they worked to build an audience and create a convention that brings together comic book fans, collectors, vendors, cosplayers and creators.
And there's a big announcement!
Rory Travis, who played the Red Ranger in Power Rangers Beast Morphers, is announced as a special guest for Nerdfest on October 10.
AJ also talks about his own journey with Annakhan, their comic book The Chronicles of Panel Pete, their experience selling at conventions, and why comic conventions have become such an important part of their creative journey.
Host: A.J. Reimann https://linktr.ee/Talkin_Comics_Podcast
Guest: Tim and Derrick from NerdFest @nerdfest2025
https://www.facebook.com/p/Nerdfest-61566984151499/
Check out the convention and come see us there too!!
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⏱️ Chapters
00:00 Welcome to Talkin' Comics
01:34 How Nerdfest Started
02:16 The Story Behind Chasing Collectibles
04:50 Why Derek & Tim Started a Convention
05:49 Growing Nerdfest From the First Show
06:48 How to Promote a Comic Convention
07:51 Cosplay, Green Screens & Convention Experiences
10:12 The Local Comic Convention Community
11:00 Passing the Love of Comics to the Next Generation
13:16 Selling Comics at Conventions
15:21 How Derek Started Selling Comic Books
17:17 How Tim Got Into Comic Collecting
20:21 “A Hobby That Helps Support a Hobby”
21:19 The Problem With Giant Pull Lists
23:41 Discovering Comics Through Reading
24:06 Walt Simonson, Thor & Meeting Comic Creators
25:37 Meeting John Romita Jr. & Chris Claremont
27:44 Getting Ready for the Next Nerdfest
28:40 Surviving the North Carolina Heat
30:05 Nerdfest Special Guest Announcement
30:40 Rory Travis & Power Rangers Beast Morphers
31:57 Nerdfest Adds a New Courtyard
33:45 Favorite Superheroes & Villains
34:28 Spider-Man, Fantastic Four & Galactus
36:32 The First Comics They Remember Reading
38:02 Absolute Batman & Today's Comics
39:21 The Biggest Comics Derek Has Sold
40:06 Choosing Your Comic Book Universe & Powers
41:34 Tim's Favorite Current Comics
42:33 Absolute Universe & Ultimate Spider-Man
44:19 If You Could Have Any Superpower...
47:29 If Your Life Were a Comic Book
48:47 Raw Comics vs. Graded Comics
50:09 Getting Ready for October's Nerdfest
51:21 Why You Should Visit Rock Hill
52:09 Thanks for Watching Talkin' Comics
Music licensed through Soundstripe.
Code: LCTMMFVA6SWZR19R
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