SPOOKALA has a NEW NAME and it's... (Awesome!)

That's right! The southeast's premier horror & pop-culture convention has rebranded! Come find out what it is, get our thoughts, plus some additional news and notes from the #TeamINSYM camp!

Jul 17, 2025

While #TeamINSYM was having a grand time at INFINITYCON Tallahassee this past weekend, news broke that a show that we have a strong affiliation with finally announced their long-awaited rebranding.

SPOOKALA IS NOW 'SCARADISE'!

That's right! Florida’s preeminent horror and pop-culture convention has been rebranded, and it’s now called SCARADISE! (pronounced like SCARE and PARADISE mashed together) The reasons for this change are fairly public (just google SPOOKY EMPIRE vs SPOOKALA and you can read for yourself). We're not here to talk about our opinions on that (but trust me, we do have many). We're here to celebrate this rebrand!

But don't take our word for it, look at this absolutely SICK announcement video by DREW RUSS, having some fun with the transition process, while also incorporating guests that will be attending the October 2025 event:

WATCH THEIR NEW NAME REVEAL VIDEO HERE!

Why does this mean so much to us? Because on event days, #TeamINSYM's Matt Knowles operates as #TopHatMatt, the emcee and convention host for the show. This has become one of our collective favorite events, because of the ownership team (headed by Deej Gualandri), the event staff, the quality of guests, and most importantly, the awesome attendees!

*#TopHatMatt with the first ever Reunion of the Jurassic Park Kids & BD Wong. Credit: KTorjussen Photography*

Some of our best convention memories have happened at SPOOKALA shows, and we can't wait to create NEW ones at SCARADISE!

*So many amazing experiences on the stage and with the guests over the years! Far too many to capture them all in one collage, but these are some of the best! Credit: Various photographers*

What do we think about the name itself? Both of us love it. While the name SPOOKALA has a lot of sentimental attachments for many, when it became clear that the name was gonna change, this was actually each of our respective first choices. There were probably over 40 names thrown into the pot over time, but this one just has that ‘something’ extra. So, in the end, we’re glad all the nuances worked out so that SCARADISE is what SPOOKALA will morph into. On that note, and most importantly…

GREAT NEW NAME. SAME GREAT SHOW!

We’ll be back soon with some great news on our end, but PLEASE don’t forget the following from us:

The completion of TATSUMI: The Serpent Mistress #1 is IMMINENT. If you want to jump on board AND see your name in the THANK YOU LIST in the issue, there are literal DAYS until that closes, so we can send it off to the printers.

So if you want to get in on this BEFORE we go to print, you can go HERE to make that happen!
We have TWO more Kickstarter campaigns upcoming this year, and we’d love for you to go FOLLOW them NOW!