Expo, comic convention and all-round celebration of the medium that brought us everything from a small village of Gauls to an arachnidan teenager: join the fun at Vienna COMIX.
- Comic fandom brought to life
- Numerous guests from the creative world
- Plenty to browse and buy
- Comics and (lots of) merchandise
- Cosplayer heaven
- Special bonus for Star Wars fans
- 2025 dates: May 31 – Jun 1
- See also:
From Asterix to X-Men
(View of part of the expo; press photo © Vienna COMIX / Schmögner)
The comic genre has long become an artistic and literary medium in its own right, spreading its wings to encompass everything from home-printed stories to high-art graphic novels.
And comic characters have escaped the printed page to become some of the world’s biggest screen draws and a focus point for giant fandoms.
Think of Vienna COMIX as a fan-driven expo and comic convention that does justice to the popularity of this genre…but without the overt commercialism of some of the more corporate event colleagues.
Which is not to say you can’t buy anything there. Quite the contrary.
A quick trip around the stalls on my last visit revealed row after row of (surprise) comics for sale, but also swathes of art, accessories, figures, models and other merchandise: Manga, Anime, Star Wars, Marvel, Disney, DC, game franchises and more all featured heavily.
Want a Luke Skywalker Lego mini-figure? No problem. A bust of Geralt the Witcher? Yep. A graphic novel signed by the artist? Step this way.
(Cosplayers at a previous event; press photo © Vienna COMIX / Joanna Pianka)
Talking artists…numerous special guests attend the event.
These guests include stars of illustration from around the world. Among the recent attendees, for example, was James O’Barr (creator of The Crow).
The Artists Alley booths mean you can pick up a print or other artistic piece and chat techniques and inspiration with the creator.
In 2024, comic guests included those who have contributed to such characters as Hellboy, Donald Duck, and Batman. They joined over 100 national and international comic artists (with a similar number of exhibitors).
And additional space gifted us with a dedicated section for games and an exhibition of statues from the “Master of the Universe” franchise.
Many visitors actually cosplay their way through the event, drawing inspiration from the same worlds covered by the booths.
The overall result is, as always at cons of this kind, an open and friendly atmosphere. No pushing, plenty of tolerance. A breath of fresh air.
The force is with us
(Guess my fandom. Actually one of several. One Piece, The Witcher, Jane Austen…)
COMIX also has a bonus treat for those of us whose minds regularly escape into a galaxy that lies far (far) away…a special Star Wars component.
Get your smartphones out, because this might be your chance to take a photo with the man, machine, myth and legend that is Darth Vader. Or any number of other characters. All thanks to the participation of fan groups.
I’ve come across the 501st Legion Austrian Garrison group several times, for example. They’re lovely people, who make the photo experience joyous and raise money for an excellent cause (a local children’s hospital).
Be prepared for Star Wars models, perhaps a reconstructed set, and lightsaber shows, too.
Just remember:
This is the way
Dates, tickets & tips
The 2025 Vienna COMIX takes place across the weekend of May 31st and June 1st with times of midday to 6pm on Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday. You normally buy your tickets on the door: €15 for a day pass in 2025, though kids under 13 go in for free.
In terms of gastronomy, plenty of street food trucks grace the event: burgers, rice bowls, organic fries and Ottakringer beer, to name just some of the options I spotted on one visit.
Should you go near the start of a day, prepare for a possible long queue, though it progressed rapidly on my trip. Wandering ticket sellers also fast tracked people with young kids, for example: another demonstration of the congeniality of the event.
(For a similar positive vibe to COMIX and some matching content, consider the massive Vienna Comic Con and AniNite events or the smaller Fantasy Con.)
How to get to Vienna COMIX
The 2025 edition moves to a new site: the Marx Halle is a popular event location easily reached from the city centre via the U3 subway line or 71 tram (follow the link for travel tips).
Address: Dr. Otto-Neurath-Gasse 3, 1220 Vienna | Website (for the event)