History of Motor City Comic Con in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 16, 2026

Motor City Comic Con is a three-day fan convention held annually in Novi, Michigan, typically in May. Founded in 1989 by Michael Goldman, the event takes place at the Vibe Credit Union Showplace. It is a gathering for fans of comic books, movies, television, and other aspects of pop culture, offering opportunities to meet creators and celebrities, attend panels, and purchase merchandise.

1965: Detroit Triple Fan Fair

In 1965, the Detroit Triple Fan Fair, a multi-genre convention, began and was held annually in the Detroit area until 1978.

1984: King Kon Held

From 1984 to 1986, Gary Reed's King Kon was held in the Detroit area.

1989: Gary Bishop Managed Convention

In 1989, Gary Bishop was brought on to manage the Motor City Comic Con, working for Motor City Conventions until 2007.

1989: Motor City Comic Con Founded

In 1989, Michael Goldman, a comics retailer, founded the Motor City Comic Con in Novi, Michigan. It became a three-day event held in May.

1989: First Motor City Comic Con

In 1989, Michael Goldman, owner of Motor City Comics, staged the first Motor City Comic Con at the Dearborn Civic Center.

1992: Don Thompson Awards held at Motor City Comic Con

From 1992 to 1998, the Motor City Comic Con was the site of the Compuserve Comics and Animation Forum's Don Thompson Awards.

1993: Motor City Comic Con Held Twice Annually

From 1993 to 2004, the Motor City Comic Con was held twice a year, in the spring and fall.

1998: Red Cross Blood Drive and Charity Art Auction

In the fall of 1998, the Motor City Comic Con hosted its fourth annual Red Cross blood drive and seventh annual charity art auction to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association, having raised nearly $35,000 for the association.

1999: Motor City Comic Con Claimed as Third-Largest

In 1999, Goldman claimed the Motor City Comic Con was the third-largest comic convention in the United States.

2003: Celebrity Appearances Become Popular

By 2003, celebrity appearances from film, television, and other media became the most popular elements of the Motor City Comic Con, overshadowing comic book creators.

2005: Convention Moved to Rock Financial Showplace

In the fall of 2005, the Motor City Comic Con moved to the Rock Financial Showplace (later renamed the Suburban Collection Showplace) after the Novi Expo Center closed.

2007: Gary Bishop leaves Motor City Comic Con

Gary Bishop stopped working for Motor City Conventions in 2007.

2010: Fall Show Scheduled and Canceled

In 2010, Motor City Comic Con scheduled a fall component for the weekend of October 30–31 but later changed it to November 20–21 due to the debut of Detroit Fanfare. Eventually, the fall 2010 show was canceled altogether.