Calling all pop culture, gaming, and cosplayer enthusiasts! The eagerly anticipated Comic Con Cape Town takes place in the Mother City this April. The 4-day festival from 27 to 30 April 2023 at CTICC 2 promises a bumper lineup set to enthrall visitors.
According to Comic Con Show Director Carla Massmann, there has been a “loud outcry” from the Cape Town fans to bring a con to them.
She said: “With such a vibrant city and creative community, Cape Town has set a high standard for itself. This is a self-expressive festival where visitors can experience the best in pop culture and enjoy a tangible experience of brands and fandoms. We are striving for a festival and show programme that is as dynamic as the city itself. We want Comic Con Cape Town to ignite the heartbeat of the city all weekend long.”
Here’s everything you need to know about Comic Con Cape Town:
International acts
Comic Con announced that Kat Graham (Vampire Diaries and Love in the Villa), Ross Marquand (The Walking Dead and Avengers), and Tati Gabrielle (You and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) are some of the big names attending this year’s event.
International cosplayers joining the festival include Elizabeth Rage and Leon Chiro.
Opening ceremony
The opening ceremony on 27 April 2023 will include a live orchestral recital of Star Wars music by Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre, a must-see for Star Wars fans.
Cosplay, gaming, and shopping
From store bought costumes to larger-than-life animatronic outfits, cosplayers will showcase their creativity at the con. Fans interested in competing can enter the Comic Con Cape Town Regional Championships of Cosplay, sponsored by Brother Sewing.
There are four categories: The Regional Champion, Masters Champion, Champion of Needlework, and Champion of Armour.
Fans can also enter the Casual Cosplay Competition hosted on the main stage at 1pm daily.
The event will also boast gaming tournaments that focus on top-tier competitive gaming. There are serious prizes up for grabs!
Those who want to shop can browse the various vendors set across two floors of CTICC 2.
Artist Alley
The event will also welcome over 60 artists in the Artist Alley, a space devoted to celebrating local and international artists of comic books, original pieces, and fan fiction.
Fans can visit to marvel at artworks, exchange techniques, purchase and commission artwork from vendors, or use the space to seek inspiration.
Several local artists who have worked with major comic book publishers, such as Marvel Comics and DC Comics, will also showcase at the Artist Alley.
American artists Mark Brooks (Ultimate Spider-Man) and Afua Richardson (Black Panther World of Wakanda) will join British artist Ian Churchill (The Avengers).
The different cons
Get ready to experience the different cons, from StreetCon to StreamerCon. StreetCon, which was launched in Johannesburg at Comic Con Africa 2022, will offer retailers and activations, Sketch Battles, Custom Wars,
and spotlight the works of local artists, including Bushy Wopp, Keith Vlahakis, Wayne Bks, and MacClements. There will also be StreamerCon, an area for content creators to meet, exchange ideas, learn more about the industry, and rub shoulders with local content creators.
Events galore
A number of events will revolve around Comic Con. These include the Cosplay Pirate Sunset Cruise, a Star Wars quiz at Beerhouse, and an exclusive screening of The Incredibles at Galileo Theatre.
The Sew-a-thon, a 6-hour challenge where fans create an elaborate outfit, also takes place this year.
Guests can also visit the Cape Town International Animation Festival (CTIAF). Fans can access screenings on Thursday and Friday with a Comic Con Cape Town ticket or purchase tickets to world-class workshops with top international animation talent on Saturday and Sunday.
For more details, please visit www.comicconcapetown.co.za
