These days, you don’t need to be a fully paid-up member of Geeks Anonymous to enjoy a comic book conference. The events have steadily started to win mass popularity over recent years, especially since the mainstream success of a whole sequence of Marvel-based movies.
Of course, the first half of 2020 has seen one cancellation after another, including Comic Con in San Diego, WoncerCon in Anaheim, Anime Expo in Los Angeles and East Coast Comicon in New Jersey. The good news, though, is there are plenty more events all across the globe that will take place in the second half of this year. When things return to normal, we will all be eager to get out and see the world, so why not put one or more of the following comic conferences in your diary?
London Film and Comic Con (July 24-26)
Olympia is one of London’s most iconic venues. Opened in 1886, it has played host to motor shows, rock concerts, boxing matches and even political rallies. In July, it will be taken over by thousands of gaming, comic and cosplay devotees for the UK’s most famous comic book convention.
This is an event that tends to attract big name guests. Those who have already confirmed for this year include former Doctor Whos Sylvester McCoy and Colin Baker, plus names as diverse as Alice Cooper, Nick Frost, Veronica Cartwright and Henry Thomas.
rAge Expo (Sept 4-6)
South Africa has an incredibly vibrant and proud geek culture. From South African superhero Kwezi to Counter-Strike players and online casinos fans, it blends the traditional and the very latest internet technology. All aspects are celebrated equally at rAge, the nation’s biggest exhibition of its kind.
Now entering its 18th year, rAge will be taking place at Johannesburg’s incredible Northgate exhibition venue. It is expected to attract around 100,000 devotees of comics, video games, board games, robotics and all things geeky. With a huge LEGO area, this is an event that will appeal to geeks of all ages!
New York Comic Con (October 8-11)
Billed as the largest pop culture event on the East Coast, New York Comic Con attracts devotees of western comics, manga, graphic novels and video games from across the United States and beyond.
The inaugural event in 2006 attracted 33,000 visitors, and by last year, that figure had risen to more than 250,000. Notable guests over the years have included Robert Kirkman, Charisma Carpenter, Norman Reedus, Matt Smith, William Shatner and the late great Adam West. As usual, New York Comic Con will be at the Javits Center in Manhattan.
CCON Germany (November 28-29)
Germany has seen the cancellation of several events over March and April, but the biggest and best is saved for November. Held at Messe, Stuttgart, it will be the perfect escape into a world of anime, science fiction, horror and plenty of cosplay.
Kevin Durand of X-Men, Lost and Dark Angel fame is already confirmed, and plenty more special guests will be announced over the coming months.
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