Calling all nerds, cosplayers, gamers and fans of all things fantasy! The time to celebrate and immerse yourselves in the world of Marvel, D.C., Star Wars and video games has arrived in the form of Comic Con Africa.
Launched on Tuesday at the Kyalami International Convention Centre, comedian Jason Goliath jumped on stage as Mr. Incredible, flanked by Nicholas Goliath (as Electro) and Donovan Goliath (as Iron Man) as they welcomed guests.
What a time to be alive! @ReedExpoAfrica and #VSGaming are bringing you the biggest event of the year. Let's all meet at @ComicConAfrica! #YourHeroesAreComing #ComicConAfrica #ReedExhibitions pic.twitter.com/Jp497apHFF
— VS Gaming (@VSGamingWorld) February 20, 2018
Carol Weaving, Managing Director of Reed Exhibitions said that with the spotlight on not just South Africa but the African continent as a whole, it only felt right to introduce a vastly popular event such as Comic Con that was already popular across the world.
The three-day event will be held at Kyalami Circuit in Johannesburg from September 14 to September 16. ComiCon-goers will be entertained with a host of activities, such as video game stations, E-gaming tournaments, cosplay competitions and panels on different film and gaming.
The event will also consist of comic books and science fiction/fantasy related exhibitions, and similar popular art elements across virtually all genres, including horror, animation, anime, manga, toys, collectible card games, video games, web comics, and fantasy novels.
Along with panels, seminars, and workshops with comic book professionals, there are previews of upcoming feature films, and portfolio review sessions with top comic book and video game companies.
Joining in the big announcement were two South African legends Dr John Kani and Connie Chiume of the chart topping Marvel's superhero Black Panther.
Dr John Kani & @connie_chiume from @TheBlackPanther join us for the big announcement of @ComicConAfrica. Catch our Facebook live video: https://t.co/8GA3HJKB3j. 😎 #YourHeroesAreComing #WakandaForever #BlackPanther #BlackPantherSA #ComicConAfrica pic.twitter.com/3YXWKKdHk6
— VS Gaming (@VSGamingWorld) February 20, 2018
The film that premiered on Friday night has obliterated box office records in countries across the world for its opening weekend, with an estimated global debut of $361 million (R4.2billion) by Sunday - already more than its $200m budgeted cost.
Weaving has also announced the appearance of celebrities and other gaming personalities (still to be confirmed, but think of the iron throne and awkward scientists who are friends), the appearance of exhibitions, and autograph sessions.
The inaugural ComicCon Africa is not just for the children but for the people of all ages who are comic, fantasy and video game groupies at heart. Bring the whole family to dress up as superheroes, anti-heroes, villains or guardians, it is definitely a family activity to plan for.
IOL