Garden State Comic Fest Returns to Codey Arena for Its 2026 Summer Edition

Garden State Comic Fest, New Jersey’s premier celebration of comics, cosplay, and pop culture, is gearing up for its Summer Edition 2026, returning to the Essex County Codey Arena at 560 Northfield Ave., West Orange on June 27–28, 2026. Fans of all ages can look forward to two full days of celebrity guests, creators, vendors, and immersive fandom experiences.

This marks the second year the event will be held at Codey Arena, a venue that offers expanded space and upgraded amenities compared to its longtime former home, Mennen Arena in Morristown. The larger footprint allows for more exhibitors, more programming, and more room for fans to explore everything GSCF has curated for this year’s show.

Star‑Studded Guest Lineup

The 2026 guest roster is packed with iconic names from across the worlds of comics, animation, and television, including:

• Amy Jo Johnson, the original Pink Power Ranger, making her first‑ever GSCF appearance
• Terri Hawkes, Ron Rubin, and Susan Roman from Sailor Moon
• Larry Kenney, Lynne Lipton, and Peter Newman of ThunderCats
• Paige Turco, James Saito, Kevin Clash, and Michael Turney from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
  • Turney, who played Danny in the first TMNT film, also designed the exclusive GSCF TMNT cover book, sponsored in part by Komic Knights

Legendary Comic Creators

Comic book fans will have the rare opportunity to meet industry legends, including:

• Kevin Eastman, co‑creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
• Jim Starlin, architect behind Marvel icons such as Thanos and Gamora
• James O’Barr, creator of The Crow
• Walter and Louise Simonson
• Joe Rubenstein
• Marvel historian Peter Sanderson
• And many more celebrated artists and writers

Two Massive Exhibitor Halls

Attendees can browse an expansive marketplace featuring:

• Collectibles and vintage finds
• Comics and graphic novels
• Toys and apparel
• Original art and unique memorabilia
• Specialty vendors and fan‑favorite creators

Whether you’re a lifelong collector or a casual fan, there’s something for every corner of pop culture.

A Venue Built for Fans

“We’re thrilled to bring Garden State Comic Fest back to The Essex County Codey Arena for the second year,” said Dave O’Hare, owner of GSCF. “This venue allows us to expand the experience and welcome even more fans, creators, and celebrities. It’s a fantastic place for the community to come together and celebrate everything we love about comics and pop culture. Codey Arena offers ample parking, public transportation, state‑of‑the‑art facilities, and is conveniently located next to the Turtle Back Zoo.”

Tickets Now Available

Single‑day, weekend, and VIP passes are available at GardenStateComicFest.com. VIP packages include exclusive perks, and fans are encouraged to secure their tickets early.

Don’t miss your chance to join thousands of fans for one of New Jersey’s most exciting pop culture events of the year.

More News from Raritan

• SCVTHS Celebrates Annual Proud to Be an American Day The focus of Proud to Be an American Day is honoring the Gold Star Families.
• ICYMI - Grand Opening of Kirby Village Apartments in Somerville, NJ Tenants have been living at Kirby Village since mid-2024 and have been singing its praises ever since.