Comic Con Africa is back for its fifth live iteration this year, and it’s bigger and better than ever. This annual convention, held this year from 26 to 29 September 2024 at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, has become the go-to event for both pop culture and gaming enthusiasts as well as families and fans from across the country.
Comic Con is Back!
If you are unfamiliar with the event, Comic Con Africa is where the worlds of pop culture, comics, superheroes, gaming, dress up, merch, movies, and TV shows come to life. For the weekend of the festival, fans can meet international celebrities, along with local and international comic book artists, experience the latest in gaming and games, as well as dress up and enjoy food and music in the food truck village.
In addition to the festival being an all-encompassing pop culture and gaming experience, it also stands as the ultimate family day out, offering a dedicated space to the fan favourite “KidsCon”. In the KidsCon area, fans can expect a massive retail experience from Toys R Us featuring the participation of brands from the likes of LEGO, Nintendo, Barbie, Transformers, and Hot Wheels.
KidsCon will also feature character and mascot appearances from the likes of Mario, Luigi, the LEGO man, Noodle & Bun, and Geoffery the Giraffe from Toys R Us.
Whether you’re an individual or family of comic book lovers, collectors, passionate gamers, or are keen on enjoying the escapism of casually dressing up as your favourite character, there’s something for everyone at Comic Con Africa.
What To Expect At Comic Con
With the festival being as diverse and comprehensive as it is, some highlights of the event include:
Celebrity Guests
Meet stars from popular TV shows, movies, and web series. Get autographs, take selfies, and hear them share behind-the-scenes stories. Comic Con Africa has recently announced the appearance of “True Blood” star Joe Manganiello, who has also featured in “Magic Mike” as well as “Justice League”. Comic Con Africa is excited to be announcing more leading up to the show.
Panels and Workshops
Comic Con Africa offers a jam-packed programme across various stages that caters to all elements of pop culture. Fans can have fun with quizzes, learn from the best in the industry with Q&A sessions, creative workshops, and discussions covering everything from writing and drawing comics to creating cosplay costumes.
Artist Alley
As another fan favourite of the event – attendees can admire, discover, purchase, or even commission amazing artwork from over 120 artists as well as international artists who have produced work for iconic comic book publishing houses.
Cosplay Competitions
Whether casual or professions, fans can show off their costume-making skills in one of the many cosplay contests. Comic Con Africa hosts daily causal cosplay competitions which allows general fans to show off their outfits, while also proudly hosting the spectacle that is the Comic Con Africa Championships of Cosplay where one winner is selected from the professional leagues to represent the country in the global competition.
Gaming
Hosting both casual and professional gaming tournaments, Comic Con Africa has become the epicentre for South African eSports as well as offering the most accessible gaming experience in the country by having various free-to-play zones, and the latest in gaming tech, accessories at amazing deals.
Tabletop gaming
In addition to video games, Comic Con Africa also celebrate boardgames, trading card games, and role playing! The festival has an entire dedicated area on the show floor that allows attendees to learn from top titles such as Pokémon, Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh, and more.
Shop ‘till you drop
Explore a vast array of vendors selling everything from comics, collectibles, merch and more. Welcoming a diverse range of over 300 vendors, Comic Con Africa is the epicentre for all things fun and pop culture and gaming merch.
Exclusive experiences
In addition to everything above, Comic Con Africa will also host exclusive experiences that align with upcoming and beloved series from the studios directly.
Outdoor food trucks and good vibes
Comic Con Africa is a festival more than a convention, and one of the areas this is most evident is the outdoor area. Surrounding the con, attendees are able to rest their feet. While the family enjoys a day out, all dress up, why not grab a drink and embraces the celebration of fandom around you?
Since its debut in 2018, Comic Con Africa has quickly grown into a massive event, attracting tens of thousands of visitors each year welcoming hardcore and casual fans to a judgement free, self-expressive environment.
Comic Con 2024 Details
Here are all of the details you need to know!
- Date: 26 – 29 September 2024
- Venue: Johannesburg Expo Centre
- Cost: R200 for a day pass, or R700 to experience all four days.
- Where To Get Tickets: Click here to get your tickets online.
