There is a place where anime stars, cinema celebrities, and legendary superheroes come to live, combining fans of all backgrounds and ages into a single, giant community. For TCS students, Comic Con Medellín is more than just a well-known event, but a lively parade of Paisa pride and paradise for those who value artistic expression. 

The recently turned 21-year Comic Con allows young Colombians and TCS members to develop their own cultural stances and establish a sense of belonging from the stories and characters they cherish.

For some, Comic Con is all about finding excitement and sympathy in the heroes they adore.

“Despite being super, people like Captain America, Iron Man–even Thor or Hulk–have their problems. This makes them easy to relate to and quite admirable,” Matias Arismendi, senior, shared. 

Previously hesitant to attend, Arismendi was left astounded by how friendly the community was, also expressing how rewarding it was to connect with others over shared interests.

“I believed Comic Con was a freaky place for weird people and cosplayers. But it was quite the contrary,” Arismendi said. 

Many attendees emphasize the impact of pop culture on Colombian roots. Comic-Con brings masses of new cartoon-lovers to his lands.

 “It’s fascinating to see the fan’s loyalty and real-life connections made over media all around the world coming to Colombia,” Pedro Sierra, Grade 10, said. 

Nostalgic shows like Dragon Ball Z have resonated with millions of little kids and have been woven into local culture. He believes anime’s unique style may shape the future of art and storytelling.

“Paisas have always kept anime deeply within their hearts,” Sierra said. 

Daniel Castaño, 10th-grade self-described action-related comics fan, was much appreciative of the dedication within the local and global community. 

“People are willing to spend insane hours making a specific part for their costumes. It’s amazing how far they take it to a whole new level”, Castaño said.

Inspired by their commitment, comics continue introducing him to new perspectives beyond what is usual. Castaño states the Comic Con and his passion for paper strips opened his mind to reach new heights. “It really helped expand my knowledge of cultures in Asia and Europe.” 

However, one thing is certain: These students, regardless of their unique interests, all share a love for friendship cultivated at the event. Each of them values and experiences it differently, yet all step out of their comfort zones into something larger than themselves. 

“Everything in life is a story. Comic-Con is just another chapter in the limitless story of a community,” Castaño said.

For students, Comic Con Medellín is more than just a convention. It’s a place where they celebrate stories that have shaped them.

“Comic-Con has changed how I view the lives of others,” Castaño said.

Through the lens of pop culture, students not only find connections with each other but also deepen their understanding of storytelling, diversity, and the importance of communicating outside a formal classroom environment. This event helps students understand storytelling isn’t confined to texts and can be utilized as a tool to foster empathy. 

“It creates a sense of belonging and pride like no other,” Castaño said.