What’s the first thing you think of when you think about a superhero comic book convention?
Costumes and cosplay, sure. Geeking out over beloved franchises and memorabilia, sure.
But what about feats of strength, like push-up contests? Or a squat competition? Or cosplay karaoke?
That’s what happens when you show up to a superhero comic book convention with Grunt Style.
I recently had the opportunity to tag alone to the San Antonio Superhero Car and Comic Con with Grunt Style, a major sponsor of this year’s event.
True to form, the festival was a sensory overload filled with fascinating sights and sounds – from professional wrestlers to attendees decked out as their favorite movie heroes and video game characters. There was also an abundance of star power. Celebrities from blockbuster superhero movies, TV shows, and other fantasy franchises were all there to interact with the crowd, sign autographs, and participate in fascinating panel discussions.
But the Grunt Style booth was a little different from the usual comic con fare. Grunt Style founder Tim Jensen signed autographed copies of his new book, “Violent But True Bedtime Stories.” There were Grunt Style apparel and merch giveaways. Fans could even sign up for Club Grunt Style, the company’s program that sends you new and EXCLUSIVE t-shirts that are extremely badass every single month.
Just because the convention is over doesn’t mean you can’t sign up. Choose from monthly, 3-month, 6-month, and annual plans, and start getting tees sent to you directly. Also, for a limited time, you can get a free month of Club Grunt Style by using the code BROBIBLE at checkout.
I personally sported my current favorite Grunt Style shirt: The fresh, brand-spanking new AMERICAN TO THE BONE Club Grunt Style t-shirt for July 2023 (aka FREEDOM MONTH to all us red-blooded patriots). This exclusive tee is only available for Grunt Club members has an amazing US Seal on the back celebrating United States Independence Day, along with a simple yet bold “American To The Bone” printed upfront – an unmistakable product for those of us who proudly rock Grunt Style.
You can’t miss me in my AMERICAN TO THE BONE Club Grunt Style t-shirt in my video from the weekend. I’m rocking it full gruntle in the 360 camera shot:
The good times didn’t stop there, though. Impact Wrestling pro wrestler The Outlandish Zicky Dice MC’d an impromptu push-up contest on Saturday that took over the Grunt Style corner of the convention floor. Sunday was the inaugural Grunt Style costume contest on Sunday, featuring some of the convention’s best dressed cosplay attendees.
Iconic Grunt Style ambassadors and content creators were also in attendance to hang with fans and pose for pics, including April Nicole (the inspiration behind RØZE in Call Of Duty Modern Warfare & MWII), Navy Veteran and #1 best-selling author Janae_perfectlyflawed, and Instagram and TikTok fitness legend Nathan Freihofer, who powered through 111 push-ups in the push up contest on Saturday afternoon.
I asked Nate how he’d rank his performance in the contest.
“Above average, but not what whate wanted,” Nate tells BroBible in a post-contest interview. “I cranked out the first 70, butter. Like a piston. I took one small break. It was downhill from there. I cranked out 70, rested for three seconds, then 10, then 5, then three, then one then one more then one. By 111, it wasn’t working anymore. The shoulders were tight. The chesticles are feeling juicy.”
“The last couple of days have been amazing,” April Nicole tells BroBible in an interview. “To call this work? It’s insane. I’ve had the best time meeting fans, hanging out with Grunt Style. It’s been such a good time.”
I asked April what it was like to meet people who recognize her from the video game.
“It’s surreal. The things that people know about my character and telling me that I’m the character they use. It means so much to me to meet the people that play as me in the game. I get on and see the people that play as my skin. It makes being the inspiration for a video game so much more fun. The little girls have been the most amazing to me when they tell me that they use my skin. To be inspiring, hopefully, the next generation of gamer girls and strong women of the world means so much to me.”
Because Grunt Style is so much more than a t-shirt company, the brand asked a handful of attendees about their real-life heroes – whether it’s veterans, military personnel, or first-responders who make sacrifices protecting America every day. Sure, a comic book convention might celebrate the fictitious, larger than life characters of TV and movies, but it’s also a good place to remember the heroes that walk among us every single day.
There was only one way to close such an epic weekend out: A full-volume costume karaoke session.
Below, check out some of my personal favorites costumes from the weekend. Big ups to the Ghost Rider one, with the working smoke machine in the shoulders. It’s a perfect reminder of how much badass creativity goes into these events.
@brobible Such an epic weekend at the San Antonio Superhero Car Show & Comic Con hanging with @GruntStyle. So much creativity! Here are a few costumes that stood out, although there were so so so many more. @APRIL NICOL/ ROZE ♠️ and @Janae a
Just like hanging at Patriotic Festival in Norfolk over Memorial Day Weekend, San Antonio Comic Con was the perfect reminder that you’re always in good company when you’re wearing something fresh from Grunt Style.
Don’t miss our curated list of BroBible x Grunt Style favorites for the summer (and, remember, code ‘BROBIBLE20’ for 20% off your order!). They also have Grunt Style E-Card now, where you can add a value of up to $500, or a Club Grunt Style subscription for three months, six months, or annually.