The DCC Kiosk: A New Comic Convention Experience
Heroes Dutch Comic Con 2026 is behind us, and what a weekend it turned out to be.
This year marked the debut of the DCC Kiosk powered by Shortbox Comics, a brand-new concept developed together with Heroes Dutch Comic Con. Looking back, we can honestly say it exceeded every expectation we had.
More Than a Comic Booth
From the moment the doors opened, one thing became clear: the DCC Kiosk wasn't just another place to buy comics.
It became a meeting place where creators, collectors and brand-new readers connected through comics.
Thousands of visitors stopped by throughout the weekend. Many of them had never bought a comic before. Instead of taking home a generic convention souvenir, they chose a comic connected to the creator they had just met—turning it into a personal memory of the weekend.
Watching someone discover comics for the very first time, only to walk a few minutes later to Artist Alley for a signature, was exactly why we wanted to build this concept.
Helping Fans Meet Their Heroes
One of the most rewarding parts of the weekend wasn't selling comics—it was helping people.
Many visitors wanted to meet a creator but weren't quite sure how to approach them. Some felt a little nervous, others had never attended a signing before, and many simply didn't know which comic to bring.
Our team helped visitors choose the right comic, introduced them to creators and encouraged them to simply start a conversation. Throughout the day we saw those same visitors returning to our booth, proudly showing off their newly signed comics.
Those smiles reminded us that sometimes all someone needs is a little push to create a memory they'll never forget.
"Finally!"
One comment kept coming back all weekend.
"Finally someone is selling the comics that actually belong with the creators attending the show!"
Visitors loved that they no longer had to search online beforehand or hope they had packed the right comic. They could browse our shelves, discover a creator, buy the comic and head straight to Artist Alley for a signature.
It sounds simple, but judging by the reactions, it changed the convention experience for many visitors. Even the event manager from Facts Belgium came by, looked at the concept and said: Ok this is how we should do it too from now on! Wow.
Even the Industry Joined In
One of the biggest compliments came from the comic industry itself.
Artists regularly stopped by our booth to sign books for visitors, browse through our selection and even buy comics created by fellow artists.
Editors did exactly the same, searching our longboxes for books they had edited themselves or titles created by colleagues and friends. Conversations about comics happened everywhere around the kiosk, making it a natural gathering place throughout the weekend.
Seeing creators enjoy the concept just as much as visitors was one of the biggest compliments we could receive.
Hundreds of Stories Preserved
Another unexpected success was our Certificates of Authenticity (COAs).
Over the course of the weekend, hundreds of COAs found their way into collections, helping collectors document who signed their comic, where it happened and when.
For many visitors it transformed a signed comic into something even more personal—a lasting memory of the convention.
Why This Concept Works
We've always believed that comics become even more meaningful when they connect people. A signed comic isn't just another collectible. It's the memory of meeting a favourite creator. It's discovering your very first comic. It's the conversation you had while waiting in line. Every signature tells a story.
If we can help create moments like those, then we've achieved exactly what we set out to do.
Thank You
A huge thank you to our incredible sidekicks Frank, Hendrie, Roy and Peter, who were the backbone of our booth throughout the entire weekend. Their enthusiasm, hard work and genuine passion for comics helped create a welcoming atmosphere where every visitor felt at home. They didn't just help run the stand—they helped make the DCC Kiosk powered by Shortbox Comics the success it became. We'd also like to thank Heroes Dutch Comic Con for believing in this new concept and giving us the opportunity to bring it to life. We're incredibly proud of what we achieved together, and this feels like just the beginning.
Thank you to every artist, writer, editor and publisher who stopped by our booth, signed comics, chatted with visitors and embraced the DCC Kiosk from day one.
And of course, thank you to everyone who visited us. Whether you bought your very first comic, completed a collection, picked up a signature or simply stopped by for a chat—you made this first edition unforgettable.
See You at Heroes Dutch Comic Con Winter Edition
The response to the DCC Kiosk powered by Shortbox Comics was beyond anything we could have hoped for.
That's why we're excited to announce that the DCC Kiosk will return at Heroes Dutch Comic Con Winter Edition this November.
Bigger. Better. More creators. More comics. More collector experiences.
We've learned a tremendous amount from our very first edition and are already working behind the scenes on expanding the concept. Expect a larger creator selection, new exclusives, additional collector services and plenty of new ideas that will make the experience even better.
If this summer was the beginning...
Winter Edition will be the next step.
Team Shortbox Comics
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