We’re pretty much starved for comic book conventions this side of the globe. Actually, I’m flatout lying, there’s a bunch of great ones that occur annually, including Free Comic Book Day, Kin-Con, ICON and Up-Con scratching that particular itch. Pity that the same couldn’t be said for Comic-Con South Africa, amirite?
With a day to go before tens of people could be squeezed into a venue that had already seen a few vendors pull out, zero backing or affiliation from the 100% legit Comic Con owners and a hastily assembled link to “Marvel South Africa”, things weren’t looking good for the event.
And so it was cancelled. Hardly surprising though, is it? Event organiser Tlou Ramatlhodi dodged questions left and right, the attention from the original article posted pointed out more holes than a block of Swiss cheese, and the three weeks notice to set up something that was meant to be of international quality was ludicrous at best.
It’s also a blow to me, because I was planning on taking advantage of that “Cosplay girls get free entry” clause in the promotion to dress up as Sakura from the Naruto manga and save a few bucks on entry. That boob job was all for nothing.
But seriously, I don’t want people to fail in life. The thing is, when you reach out to a community that would welcome such an event with open arms, you owe it to them to do a proper job, not try and score some quick bucks by leeching of the popularity of a well known event.
And before I leave, here’s that list once again of upcoming, real conventions, as well as the list of venues that are supporting Free Comic Book Day on Star Wars Day, May 4. Go show some love and support fellas.
Last Updated: April 29, 2013
Super Rince Lvl2
April 29, 2013 at 12:05
This made me sad. They are bad, and should feel bad. Bstds.
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
April 29, 2013 at 12:13
Darryn is trying to get people to rage to win most comments. But this is rage worthy. Everyone go go go!
Super Rince Lvl2
April 29, 2013 at 12:22
RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGE!
Slade Boender
April 29, 2013 at 12:27
EGAR!!
LordCaptainAwesomeness
April 29, 2013 at 12:33
Go Go KB Rage…….
Axon1988
April 30, 2013 at 08:30
Go go Power Rangers!
Major Commodore 64 Darryn B
April 29, 2013 at 12:33
Curses! My scheme revealed! THIS WEEK SHALL STILL BE MINE I SAY!
Matthew Figueira
April 29, 2013 at 12:40
RAAAAAAAAAWR!
LAblak22
April 29, 2013 at 12:13
LazyGamer Con. Make it happen.
BeatzByChrisBrown
April 29, 2013 at 12:39
LGC, bring it!
Sargon
April 29, 2013 at 12:45
I’ll be there! Although not so keen if Darryn does dress up as Sakura….
Kervyn Cloete
April 29, 2013 at 15:33
Tweak that name to LazyCon and you have yourself a winner.
Sargon
April 29, 2013 at 12:22
I read this comment by some random dude on the Comicon SA Facebook page: “Cancelled after 1 day due to some schmuck journo wannabe on a crusade against what could have been a great event. Low attendance rates caused the venue to pull out. My heart bleeds for you guys. I was really looking forward to being there tomorrow with my kids and my friends. A sad day indeed for Cape Town and a sad day for the organisers. I hope this ends up in court and that you manage to recoup your losses.”
I would just like to point out that Lazygamer did a terrific job when this farce first surfaced. I was always under the impression that the foremost job of the journalist is to be critical and ask the tough questions instead of just repeating news from other sources. The fact that it took a gaming website to do just that shows what journalism desperately requires in this country (if not worldwide). More “schmuck” journalists who actually do research!
Purple_Dragon
April 29, 2013 at 12:32
I get pissed off when people fuck up and then blame it on someone else. Every man and his dog blames everything else on other other people. Just wish people would put their hands up when they fuck up, you get a lot more respect when you do that.
Super Rince Lvl2
April 29, 2013 at 12:34
Well…
Sargon
April 29, 2013 at 12:44
Any chance that that is a picture of Tlou Ramatlhodi’s hand up in the air, taking ownership for a job not so well done? 🙂
Super Rince Lvl2
April 29, 2013 at 12:46
Nah, I just wanted to know if I could go to the loo…
Shadowfox
April 29, 2013 at 13:24
He seems to have vanished into thin air for the time being. I’m sure he’s busy working out his tale of extreme victimisation and what not, and how rivals worked together to sabotage his plans.
Purple_Dragon
April 29, 2013 at 12:45
Brilliant!
Axon1988
April 30, 2013 at 08:32
Hi Five! (Perfect timing)
Sargon
April 29, 2013 at 12:45
Agreed.
Admiral Chief Erwin
April 29, 2013 at 12:27
Haha, Flash is looking tired.
Admiral Chief Erwin
April 29, 2013 at 12:28
So who is doing what for Star Wars day? Mmmm?
Brady miaau
April 29, 2013 at 13:14
Watching the Star Wars1978 Christmas special. Chewbacca needs to go back to his family for “Life Day” (Christmas, right) and the evil empire is trying to stop him.
Brace yourself
umar bastra
April 29, 2013 at 13:00
tens of people
laughed so hard at this!!
umar bastra
April 29, 2013 at 13:07
By the way, I totally think you can pull of Sakura
Kervyn Cloete
April 29, 2013 at 15:36
Sounds like something actually did happen:
“we apologise that we could only have 1 night of the launch, it was decided that we should re evaluate our strategy before we have a full three day event. We did however have a small 1 night launch event, and a number of antique valuable comic books were on selection, as well as vinyl toys, we are also working on content for the site as well as having a more structured approach to our event, we intend to involve as much of the community as we can, this is a forum and we are open to your suggestions, thank you”
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
April 29, 2013 at 16:07
I hope you guys have printed those original articles and put them on the office wall (or at least in Darryn’s bedroom), because that series legitimised lazygamer, not just to its fans, but also beyond the fold.
It’s like back when NAG first launched, when it was just a gaming mag put together by a bunch of twenty-somethings fresh out of varsity… and then they did that first massive interview.
Awesome job lads! Keep up the good work. Banana out!
Kristen Meyer
April 29, 2013 at 16:59
Don’t forget Dragonfire – a great convention run every year in August at UCT in Cape Town – one actually well organised with boardgames, roleplaying, LARPing, various card gaming tournaments and of course tons of Comics for sale.
T-Bear
July 24, 2014 at 16:41
Hey Logistics can be a nightmare. They need people, sponsors, vendors to pay for these things and if they dont happen the con doesnt happen.