Monroe Micro-Con Brings Big Comic Energy to Americana Beer Co

By Donovan Matthews

Monroe, NC — Comic fans don’t need a massive convention center or a big-city expo to dive into the worlds they love. Micro-Con has proven time and again that all it takes is a brewery, a room full of long boxes, and a community that hungers for something real.

At Americana Beer Co, the Monroe Micro-Con transformed the cozy brewery into a buzzing hub of comics, collectibles, and local artistry—where browsing felt more like a conversation than a transaction.

A Convention Built for People, Not Profit

From the beginning, Micro-Con set out to be different. As founder Chris Rigo or as some know him, Beardy Weirdy, explains, “The Micro-Cons are always FREE admission comic book conventions hosted at local breweries. Most comic conventions are in expensive convention centers or dirty hotels—places you don’t really want to hang out unless you have to be there. We wanted a venue people would actually want to spend time in.”

The choice to stay free isn’t just a perk—it’s a principle. “Many large conventions charge a lot just to get in the door, plus parking. It’s incredibly important to us that the event stays free to attend.”

Micro-Con trades spectacle for sincerity: good beer, good people, and a shared love of comics.

Small Scale, Big Community

Inside Americana Beer Co, attendees browsed vintage comics, retro toys, video games, trading cards, and nostalgic treasures stretching across decades of fandom. Fans swapped stories over long boxes the way collectors have done for generations, and vendors brought a curated mix of rare finds and reader-friendly bargains.

Local artists added even more personality to the room, offering prints, sketches, and hand-crafted work. Their presence gave the event a distinctly regional heartbeat—creativity shaped by the communities that Micro-Con celebrates.

As the taproom filled, the vibe leaned more toward neighborhood gathering than formal convention. “Concord and Kannapolis are great,” Beardy says, “but Monroe is special. I grew up in the Waxhaw/Monroe area as a kid. Bringing a con here is a dream come true.”

The Monroe Micro-Con is held in the smallest brewery space of the entire series—but you wouldn’t know it by the energy. Americana packed out quickly, creating an atmosphere that felt both intimate and electric.

The Roots of the Micro-Con Idea

For Beardy Weirdy, comics have been a lifelong thread. “I’m 39, so when I was a kid, comics were not ‘cool.’ That changed when the MCU kicked off with Iron Man. After my old band broke up in 2013, I decided to sell comics full time. I’d been going to conventions since childhood and even worked at Dave’s Comics in Rock Hill, SC, for a summer in 5th grade.”

He wanted a new type of event—one that didn’t feel corporate or impersonal. “The main thought behind the Micro-Cons was to start something more interesting, more inviting, and free to attend.”

That vision has shaped the entire series.

The Work No One Sees

The effortless vibe of Micro-Con hides a mountain of behind-the-scenes effort. “Promotion for next year starts right after the event is over,” says Beardy. “We also move a LOT of furniture. It takes real work to transform these breweries into spaces that can host conventions. Late nights, super early mornings. It looks easy from the outside, but it’s a two-person operation—just Sara and me.”

The result is a show that feels personal because it is personal.

A Con for the Outcasts and the Enthusiasts

When asked what comic influences his approach the most, Beardy doesn’t hesitate long: “My favorite run is the Bronze Age X-Men. Great writing, awesome art… I loved the inclusiveness of that run. Everyone has felt like an outcast at some point.”

That perspective shapes Micro-Con’s atmosphere. “These events give people a chance to be themselves in a supportive environment. They can vibe on the stuff they enjoy with others who enjoy the same things.”

It’s not just about comics—it’s about belonging.

Looking Ahead

Micro-Con has momentum, and Beardy has ambitions to match. “I’d love to expand into other areas of NC like Waxhaw and Huntersville. I hope anyone who’s come out has had a great time and felt positive. I hope these events have satiated old fans and welcomed new readers.”

Upcoming Micro-Con dates include:

• May 2nd — 10th Annual Concord Micro-Con

• August 1st — 2nd Annual Kannapolis Micro-Con

• November 15th — 3rd Annual Monroe Micro-Con

Each stop continues to grow, but the mission stays the same: community, accessibility, and joy.

Stay Connected

For updates, future events, and vendor info, follow Beardy Weirdy:

• Facebook: facebook.com/beardyweirdyscomics

• Instagram: instagram.com/beardyweirdyscomics