By: Brian Maddox
Photos By: THT
Huntsville, AL (The Hollywood Times) 4/30/2025 – Over the years, cosplay has transformed from a niche hobby into a vibrant, mainstream expression of fan culture. It’s no longer just about dressing up. Quite the contrary. it has since evolved into a celebration of creativity, dedication, and community.
(Beverly Hills, 90210)
Fans spend months or even years crafting intricate costumes, mastering their makeup skills and perfecting props to embody characters from comics, anime, games and movies that are near and dear to them. This labor of love is showcased within the many ubiquitous conventions nationwide where cosplayers are greatly permitted to parade their work proudly, moreover, allowing them to openly connect with others who share their passion.
The ethos is rooted in authenticity, artistry, and unapologetic enthusiasm, turning imagination into reality. Over the years, the art of cosplay has become as normalized as any other general formality, much like cheering wildly at a sports game. Pop culture conventions have now become an all-inclusive movement that aides in reflecting a broader cultural embrace of geek pride.
(Not Another Teen Movie, My Name Is Earl)
The 10th annual Huntsville Comic & Pop Culture Expo, held April 25-27, 2025, at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama, was a vibrant celebration of geek culture, drawing thousands of fans to its expanded spaces in the South Hall and additional ballrooms. As Alabama’s largest event of its kind, this family-friendly, locally run convention showcased a dynamic mix of comic books, pop culture, and fandom, fostering a welcoming community atmosphere while giving back to the region through charitable initiatives.
The expo featured over 70 esteemed celebrity guests, all of whom offered fans extraordinary opportunities for meet-and-greets, autographs, and hugely entertaining panels detailing the experiences of their respective careers. The impressive lineup of beloved dignitaries consisted of prominent film and television icons such as:
- “Weird Al” Yankovic,
- William Shatner
- Walter Koenig
- Denise Crosby
- Priscilla Presley
- Billy Zane
- Lou Diamond Phillips
- Jason Lee
- Jeremy London
- Ethan Suplee
- Joey, Matthew and Andrew Lawrence
- Rose McGowan
- Holly Marie Combs
- Tori Spelling
- Brian Austin Green …and several others.
In addition to the expansive star-studded roster, over 200 vendors set up shop within the convention floor, offering comics, toys, collectibles, and unique merchandise. No matter what renowned fandom or genre preferences of which the mass of fervent attendees were partial to, there’s no question that this beloved event adequately provided something for everyone young and old.
The abundance of cosplay was a major highlight of the 3-day event, with contests showcasing elaborate costumes and performances, encouraging creativity across all skill levels. The gaming room was a hub of activity, offering tabletop gaming with extended hours (until midnight on Friday and Saturday), a play-to-win selection, a game library, and a Dungeons & Dragons tournament for experienced players.
Discussion panels covered a range of topics, from comic lore to pop culture trends, while a charity auction and on-site blood drive with LifeSouth (a tradition since 2021) underscored the expo’s commitment to community impact. A portion of proceeds supported Kids to Love, a North Alabama nonprofit aiding foster child, with the 2024 expo alone raising $20,000 for the organization.
Running Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the event attracted over 22,400 attendees in 2024, with 2025 seeing even higher turnout due to its expanded footprint.
The expo’s success stemmed from its passionate, family-run operation and dedicated volunteer team, all local to Huntsville and deeply invested in comic and pop culture fandom.
Since childhood, HSV Expo founder Jeremy Long has been greatly infatuated with an array of various yesteryear gems of recreation such as reading X-Men comic books, immersing himself in Nintendo games, Star Wars praise and practically any other pivotal pop culture staple that succeeded in grabbing his attention.
In reference to a quote Jeremy made to al.com back in February, he stated that after he had been selling comic books at a sparsely attended convention in Tennessee years ago, he had been greatly inspired to soon take up the massive endeavor of someday conducting his very own comic book expo.
Long says: “On that drive home from Tennessee, I’m thinking how they could have done this and this and this. Then I get home, and my wife says, ‘Well, you just need to do your own show.’ And I’m like, ‘I’ve kind of been planning for the last two hours.’ I was like, ‘Why isn’t there a convention in Huntsville? We’re the nerdiest town in America.”
In a world that often demands conformity, distinctive gatherings such as the renowned Huntsville Comic & Pop Culture Expo reverently proclaim: “Here, your uniqueness is your strength, and together, we all shine brighter than we ever thought possible.”
