With the final touches being done on cosplays and weekend passes almost sold out – pop culture and gaming fans from around the country are expected to gather at CTICC this April for arguably the most epic event of the year, Comic Con Cape Town.
As we count down the days, get hyped knowing these nine things will be taking place on the day:
Also read: Comic Con Cape Town prepares for another year of world-class cosplay
1. Main Stage
As you walk into Comic Con Cape Town, the main stage will catch your attention first. This is the centre of the con where fans will be able to interact with celebrities through Q&A sessions, watch cosplay competitions, see winner announcements, and take part in special panels. All while partying alongside American Con resident DJ, DJ Elliot, as MC.
Be sure not to miss the opening ceremony for the event on Thursday, 27 April – which is a live orchestral recital of Star Wars music by Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre.
With four international film and series celebrities set to make an appearance on Comic Con Cape Town’s main stage. Since the recent announcement that Ross Marquand and Tati Gabrielle will be joining, fans have been buzzing with excitement.
Comic Con Cape Town is set to announce more international movie/series stars in the coming week so be sure to keep an eye on their social media platforms for the announcement of the full programme.
2. Cosplay
From store-bought costumes to larger-than-life animatronic outfits – Comic Con Cape Town is expected to welcome the pros and the casuals, both of which can win for dressing up.
Cosplay is a staple of any Comic Con experience – leading up to a welcomed colourful overload of the senses. For fans who are interested in competing at the highest level, there is the Comic Con Cape Town Regional Championships of Cosplay, sponsored by Brother Sewing, which houses four categories:
- The Regional Champion (overall winner)
- Masters Champion
- Champion of Needlework
- Champion of Armour
Entries to compete can be found here.
For more casual fans, there is the daily Casual Cosplay Competition, hosted on the main stage at 1pm daily where fans can sign up on the day to compete.
Stepping into the South African cosplay scene is also Ubisoft – the international video game publisher. With R20 000 up for grabs, fans are encouraged to dress up as a character from a Ubisoft title to stand a chance to win.
Entry is required, and fans can learn more and sign up here.
3. Gaming
Get excited to level up with Comic Con Cape Town this April. Join in on soon-to-be-announced gaming tournaments from top brands that focus on top-tier competitive gaming with thousands of rands up for grabs, even for casual players.
The Comic Con Cape Town gaming offering is set to satisfy the gaming itch of avid, competitive and casual gamers alike with its abundant selection of merch from all your favourite titles.
4. Artist Alley
With the floor curated by FanCon, Comic Con Cape Town is excited to be welcoming over 60 artists in the Artist Alley. As the heartbeat of any Comic Con, this is a place on the show floor that is devoted to celebrating local and international artists of comic books, original pieces, fan fiction and more.
Here fans can admire artwork, get inspired, exchange techniques or even purchase and commission artwork from vendors.
At the Con this year, Comic Con Cape Town is excited to highlight the work of several local artists who have done work for major comic book publishers (like Marvel and DC Comics) including Karl Mostert, Warren Louw and Sean Izaakse.
On the international front, American artists Mark Brooks and Afua Richardson will join British artist Ian Churchill.
More information and all announced comic book artists can be found here.
5. Shopping
With dozens of vendors on the Comic Con Cape Town floor, fans are able to browse their way up and down the halls of the show across two floors of CTICC 2.
With merch for sale and show exclusives throughout the event, fans are reminded to set some budget aside for this shopper’s paradise.
6. StreetCon
Step into the zone on the con floor that highlights the perfect collaboration between urban culture and pop culture. Having successfully launched in Johannesburg at Comic Con Africa 2022, StreetCon is now coming to Comic Con Cape Town.
With retailers and activations at the forefront of this zone, fans can also watch sketch Battles where street artists are given limited time to fulfil a head-to-head brief, as well as ‘Custom Wars’ where artists are tasked with customising sneakers that will be on display for the entire weekend.
StreetCon will also spotlight the works of local artists including Bushy Wopp, Keith Vlahakis, Wayne Bks and MacClements.
More information about StreetCon can be found here
7. StreamerCon
Taking all the online magic and giving it to fans in real life, StreamerCon is a content creator’s paradise. This feature area will give content creators a space to meet up, exchange ideas, learn more about the industry and rub shoulders with local content creators.
Also joining in on the fun is Scottish YouTuber MarleyThirsteen, who is a Call of Duty streamer boasting over 600 000 subscribers.
More information about StreamerCon can be found here
8. Photographs and Autograph opportunities
As the perfect opportunity to get face-to-face with international celebrities and comic book artists at Comic Con Cape Town, fans can purchase professionally taken photographs with an actor or actress of their choice.
With autographs, fans can either purchase something at the show for the star to sign, bring something from home, or even get a photo printout.
With these opportunities in high demand, fans are encouraged to keep an eye on Comic Con Cape Town’s social media for pre-orders as availability at the show for all sessions is not guaranteed.
9. Side events
Comic Con Cape Town does start and end at the CTICC, more than the main event – the show has several side events:
- A Cosplay Pirate Sunset Cruise. Proceeds go to CanSA
- A session where fans get a comic book artist to doodle on their coffee coaster in support of help2read.
- A Star Wars quiz at Beerhouse
- An exclusive screening of The Incredibles at Galileo Theatre
At CTICC, fans can expect to see the second incarnation of the Sew-a-thon – a six hours challenge where fans are tasked with creating an outfit.
Additionally, the Cape Town International Animation Festival (CTIAF) will take place alongside the con where fans can access screenings on the Thursday and Friday with a Comic Con Cape Town ticket and/or purchase tickets to world-class workshops with top international animation talent on the Saturday and Sunday.
The Details:
- Date: 27 to 30 April 2o23
- Location: Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) 2
- Times: 9am to 6pm
- Book: Tickets
Also read:
How Comic Con Cape Town will contribute to the success of e-sports in SA
Picture: Supplied
