You all know how I love comic books. From Marvel and DC, through to IDW and Dark Horse, I think the comic book medium is an important part of human history. And certainly more important than the art of those damn abstract expressionists, whose Jackson Pollock statue I regularly deface in an attempt to prove this. But one thing I’d never done, was to actually attend the gateway drug of comic book events, Free Comic Book Day. Partly because I happen to live in a part of the country which regards comic books as “dem fancy picture books”. This year however, I decided to change things up.
By actually attending the FCBD event that’s held annually at Reader’s Den. And man, what an experience it was. Make no mistake, FCBD at Stadium on Main was packed. The venue was pretty much bursting at the seams, with lines snaking all over the mall as fans queued up to get their hands on the free promotional comic books that were being handed out. And I couldn’t blame them. From classic comic books to primers for upcoming big events such as Marvel’s Secret Wars, there was a ton of material for newcomers to sink their fangs into.
But best of all, there were a ton of kids looking to get some free comics as well. And those kids are the future audience of the comic book industry, so kudos to all the parents who waited in line with their young ones to get them started. From there, people could see local artists weaving their magic, get their hands on comic books with a national flavour and shop at various stalls. It was pretty much the geekier side of rAge, boiled down to the comic book essentials.
And of course, there was a ton of cosplay on offer. I’m used to seeing the Joburg side of dressing up when it comes to cosplay events, but the Cape Town community did not disappoint. Anime characters stole the show as usual, with a few Daredevils, Deadpools and Spider-Men also making an appearance. The Redtie Guy was on hand to actually capture all the cosplay madness that was present. Check it out for yourself!
If I had one complaint, it’s that FCBD is clearly too big for its current location. There were easily thousands of people present, clogging up the mall and making the venue hotter than ground zero at Pompei. Clearly, a change of location is needed. And right there, is a golden opportunity for Cape Town to get a convention of its own to rival rAge itself. FCBD is one hell of a great angle, but throwing in proper gaming support as well? Now that’s something that I’d attend annually.
Last Updated: May 4, 2015
Admiral Chief
May 4, 2015 at 14:32
DAT CLAPTRAP!
Blood Emperor Trevor
May 4, 2015 at 14:33
With Scorpion. GET OVER STAIRS!
Admiral Chief
May 4, 2015 at 14:34
WUbWuBwuBWuBwUb WOOOOOP
Blood Emperor Trevor
May 4, 2015 at 14:37
DROPTHEBASSALITY
RinceThis
May 4, 2015 at 15:23
Umar, is that you? 0-O
Blood Emperor Trevor
May 4, 2015 at 15:42
…
Lord Chaos
May 4, 2015 at 14:33
Or…. They could just move it to Jhb. 😛
Pariah
May 4, 2015 at 14:47
That. Or they could not lose their minds and keep it in Cape Town.
Hammersteyn
May 4, 2015 at 14:48
Everything moves to JHB, even all the load shedding.
Pariah
May 4, 2015 at 14:49
Nah, all the crap moves to jhb, only quality stays in the cape.
Hammersteyn
May 4, 2015 at 14:49
Like all the load shedding.
Pariah
May 4, 2015 at 14:50
Yip.
Sageville
May 4, 2015 at 15:04
Pfft, you guys had “Comic-Con” remember….
Pariah
May 4, 2015 at 15:04
“You guys?” You know I live in CT, right?
Sageville
May 4, 2015 at 15:55
Of course, I could smell the mountain on you…
You must have missed the “Comic-Con” debacle last year, that was in CT.
Basil Frank
May 4, 2015 at 14:48
Or….you could just fly to Cape Town 😛
Lord Chaos
May 4, 2015 at 15:15
That makes sense. So No. 😛
Basil Frank
May 4, 2015 at 15:21
Hah! Overall I’m glad that South Africa is doing bigger events like these (still you should fly to Cape Town) and it’s amazing to see how many people go all out.
David
May 4, 2015 at 14:55
Let’s trade, we’ll take rAge you greedy bastard. 😀
Lord Chaos
May 4, 2015 at 14:34
To the left of the escalators?
Admiral Chief
May 4, 2015 at 14:35
Up, and to the right
Hammersteyn
May 4, 2015 at 14:35
I think it’s Loki
Basil Frank
May 4, 2015 at 15:00
It’s Lady Loki and her husband Magneto. That was me as Daredevil. I saw some incredibly talented people.
RinceThis
May 4, 2015 at 15:24
Nice one people! Keep it up!
Umar
May 4, 2015 at 14:34
Wish I could’ve gone 🙁
Pariah
May 4, 2015 at 14:51
Me too. I got sick that morning, and so my gf went and I stayed in bed. 🙁
Admiral Chief
May 4, 2015 at 14:53
You got morning sickness?
I guess she wears the pants then eh?
Pariah
May 4, 2015 at 14:56
Got it this morning too. I guess I’m pregnant, who’d have thunk?
Admiral Chief
May 4, 2015 at 15:01
Congratulations!
Pariah
May 4, 2015 at 15:03
If you had kids, you wouldn’t be saying that. Or maybe you do and you enjoy watching other people suffer…
Admiral Chief
May 4, 2015 at 15:07
I have one. And at one it shall stay
RinceThis
May 4, 2015 at 15:24
XD
Umar
May 4, 2015 at 21:55
Sux. Still sounds like a pretty good day though, minus the illness :X Pity wonder when we will see D again 🙁 We going to Rage???
Mistake Not...
May 4, 2015 at 14:38
Didn’t see you there, Darryn. I kept an eye out. You’re as Batman as ever.
But yes, a change of venue is sorely needed. Every year is fun, though, and the cosplays were awesome.
Basil Frank
May 4, 2015 at 14:49
He was dressed as a Ghostbuster 😛
RinceThis
May 4, 2015 at 15:25
Yeah, after rAge I don’t think we’ll see him in a Batman suit again. Not till the next one that is. We can only pray he adds ventilation next time 0_O
Kensei Seraph
May 4, 2015 at 14:48
Free comics, cosplay and a gaming convention to rival rAge?
I might be tempted to fly down just to attend if it actually happens.
Hugh Lashbrooke
May 4, 2015 at 14:49
I remember going to the Reader’s Den FCBD a few years ago dressed in my Jedi suit and I was one of two people who had actually dressed up (and I think the other guy worked at the store). There were probably about 40 or so people there altogether, so it’s awesome to see how much this has grown in the last couple of years 🙂
Basil Frank
May 4, 2015 at 14:52
Thanks for sharing my video! I had an absolute blast. I’m glad that Cape Town is getting this attention. Don’t get me wrong, I love rAge but we need something of our own as well. It’s great to see how much this has grown!
I’m hoping that the EGE event at CTICC will get even more exposure. I’ll be attending that for sure! For those that attended, I was dressed as the new Daredevil from the Netflix series.
Unavengedavo
May 4, 2015 at 15:08
That was really awesome! My GF(the one with the captain america shield) had to do a doubletake because she thought you were the guy from the series!
Basil Frank
May 4, 2015 at 15:18
I remember haha. Thanks 🙂 I really enjoyed the event! Looking forward to more of these.
RinceThis
May 4, 2015 at 15:25
Damn, we should have met up!
Admiral Chief
May 4, 2015 at 15:26
IT’S A TRAP!
RinceThis
May 4, 2015 at 15:26
KLAPTRAP?
Unavengedavo
May 4, 2015 at 15:57
My phone camera was blurred the whole day, it couldn’t focus so well
Basil Frank
May 4, 2015 at 21:22
Fantastic! I wish the event was the whole weekend though 😛
RinceThis
May 4, 2015 at 15:26
Man. I hope that EGE sort their shit out. Their site is atrocious and they are not pushing the advertising. I was only reminded of it today! Will go though.
Basil Frank
May 4, 2015 at 15:33
Agreed. I’m trying to find stuff because I want to do a video of the event. All I get is a “Media Pack” zip download which is a few jpg’s. They have a floor plan but thats about it. They don’t show any details as to who will actually be there, what stalls, anything….nothing.
RinceThis
May 4, 2015 at 15:34
It is shocking hey? Not to mention the abysmal spelling and grammar on their site. I mean FUCK, if Geoff complained about that it MUST be bad! *RUNS
Unavengedavo
May 4, 2015 at 16:02
I thought it was Edge, could swear I read the website as edgesa.co.za O_o
Kensei Seraph
May 4, 2015 at 14:53
Home time.
Cheers everyone and remember, I’ve been working since 7:00 this morning.
Admiral Chief
May 4, 2015 at 14:54
Same time as Llew?
RinceThis
May 4, 2015 at 15:27
Slacker! I work from 7 and finish at 4!
Admiral Chief
May 4, 2015 at 15:40
Riiiight, “work”
Sageville
May 4, 2015 at 15:00
FCBD was cool, but shame, the venues are always going to be too small due to the nature of the comic book store industry.
Cosmic Comics on Beyers Naude (Jhb), had vouchers, which I admittedly abused. I really hope that it was good business for the store.
Unavengedavo
May 4, 2015 at 15:09
Sad that no one got my cosplay and thought I was just a guy that dresses weird O_o
Blood Emperor Trevor
May 4, 2015 at 15:10
They didn’t let you into the centre covered in ice cream?
Admiral Chief
May 4, 2015 at 15:11
Ewwwwwww
Unavengedavo
May 4, 2015 at 16:03
No my GF wouldn’t let me out of the house covered in ice cream*waggles eyebrows*
The D
May 4, 2015 at 15:12
PERLIE PAUL!
RinceThis
May 4, 2015 at 15:27
0_O
RinceThis
May 4, 2015 at 15:22
Agreed. it was hella busy which is a good thing but a bigger venue is a must!
Skud
May 4, 2015 at 15:42
I think Readers Den has always done a great job of organizing FCBD, but it has outgrown that venue. I have gone every year except this year because it simply hasn’t evolved. They need to think on a larger scale.
Unavengedavo
May 4, 2015 at 16:04
It was packed, but I think it does cost a bit to get a larger venue
Basil Frank
May 4, 2015 at 21:24
I spoke to the owner of Readers Den and he said that cost is their biggest issue. That is why they haven’t moved to bigger venues. But I mean if they rope in places like TakeALot, Kala….(RIP), Raru, Incredible Con, CNA, Musica, BT Games, Megarom, Playsation SA, Xbox SA and more then it can be a successful event.
Sir Captain Senior the First
May 4, 2015 at 16:13
Why does Scorpion have a manicure? *flies away*
Matthew Holliday
May 4, 2015 at 16:34
wait, that was this weekend?
how did i not even hear of this?
Basil Frank
May 4, 2015 at 21:41
More photos can be viewed right here – https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1564683077130525.1073741828.1487594108172756&type=1