01 Feb 2026 2 min read

Two Dimes and a Dream: How Mitch Hallock Built TerrifiCon New Episode Alert!

From a childhood Marvel comic to creating Connecticut’s largest convention, Mitch Hallock shares how TerrifiCon became the Northeast’s most creator-focused comic con. Hear the risks, breakthroughs, and passion behind building a show where comics come first.

Every great superhero has an origin story. For Mitch Hallock, it started with two dimes and a copy of Marvel Team-Up #12. Today, he’s the producer of TerrifiCon – Connecticut’s largest comic book convention and one of the Northeast’s most beloved pop culture events.

In this episode of Back to Pop, we sit down with Mitch to explore the journey from lifelong fan to convention creator. After years of traveling the East Coast attending comic cons, Mitch had a radical idea: what if creators, not celebrities, were the real stars of a convention?

What You’ll Hear:
The Origin Story

∙ The Marvel comic that ignited Mitch’s passion
∙ Growing up as a comic fan in Connecticut
∙ His first convention experience and discovering community
Building the Dream
∙ Why Mohegan Sun became TerrifiCon’s home
∙ The creator-first philosophy that sets TerrifiCon apart
∙ Early challenges and the breakthrough moment
Behind the Scenes

∙ What it’s really like running a major convention

∙ The relentless pursuit of booking legendary creators

∙ Memorable fan moments that made it all worthwhile
Connecticut’s Comic Legacy

∙ The state’s overlooked history in comics

∙ Balancing fandom with being a pop culture ambassador

∙ Why local roots matter to the show’s identity
The Future

∙ Dream guests still on the wish list

∙ How conventions are evolving in the streaming age
∙ Advice for aspiring event creators

Why This Episode Matters
Mitch’s story isn’t just about building a convention – it’s about what happens when passion meets persistence. TerrifiCon has become a cornerstone of the comic community because it never forgot what matters most: celebrating the creators and honoring the fans.

Whether you’re a convention regular, a comic book collector, or someone who loves an underdog success story, this conversation offers an inside look at what it takes to turn a fan’s dream into reality.

TerrifiCon returns in August on the 7th - 9th to the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. Visit [terrificon.com] for more information and guest announcements.

About Our Guest
Mitch Hallock is the producer and founder of TerrifiCon, creator of CTGAMERCON, podcaster, and pop culture commentator. Known affectionately as the “King of the Nerds” on Connecticut’s Chaz & AJ Morning Show, Mitch continues to champion comic creators while building community at Cave Comics and beyond.