Con-spiring

ComiCon in San Diego gets all the press, but who wants to put up with all those celebrities and exclusive swag and pop culture icons, right?

Okay, all of us.

But for more accessible and affordable cons, there are a few coming up that I plan to try out this year.

Of course, the biggest and so far best convention in the region is HeroesCon in Charlotte, held each June. It attracts big names in the industry because of its overwhelming focus on comics and their creators — not the media tie-ins, movies and other ancillary stuff.

Here are three cons coming up:

• Charlotte Comicon is this weekend, Aug. 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel (swanky!), 201 S. McDowell Street, in Charlotte, N.C.

Admission is only $3 (cheap!) and kids under 12 get in free. Parking is also free.

• The 15th Annual Virginia Vintage Comics & Collectibles Show (whew...) is Aug. 18 at the Salem Civic Center. Not so much a con as collection of collectors, the show will have door prizes (gas cards — yes!) and free parking. Admission is $2, or free for kids 12 and under.

• Hickory-Con is not dedicated to our favorite hardwood or a BBQ cook-off.

Put on by Timmy Mac's Comics & Games and Time Tunnel Comics, the convention will feature special guests like Bud Root, Andy Smith and Buddy Prince, along with a bunch of comics, toys and games.

The event is Sept. 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hickory Metro Center (I-40 exit 125) in Hickory, N.C.

• NC Comicon in Durham, N.C., presented by Ultimate Comics, will feature the only U.S. appearance by "Hellboy" artist Duncan Fegredo (nice!), along with Ben Templesmith (30 Days of Night), Bernard Chang (Supergirl), Chris Giarrusso (G-Man, Mini Marvels), Sean Murphy (American Vampire), Tommy Lee Edwards (Golden Age, 1985) Rich Perrotta (Phantom Lady, Batman Beyond) and many more. Also: comics (duh), artists, costume contests, collectibles, gaming tournaments, creator panels, door prizes and more.

The event is Nov. 17-18 at the Durham Convention Center, 301 W. Morgan Street, in Durham.

• Roanoke's Mysticon 2013 will be held Feb. 22-24 at the Holiday Inn Tanglewood.

Guests of honor is legendary sci-fi/fantasy author Orson Scott Card (Ender's Game, Speaker for the Dead) and fantasy illustrator Larry Elmore (Dungeons & Dragons), along with youth author Tom Angleberger (The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, Darth Paper Strikes Back).

If you know of others, post info in comments below, or send me an e-mail.

And if you do attend, make sure your Catwoman costume covers everything you don't want seen.

I'm talking to you, dudes. Chicks know this stuff.

Brian