For the first ever official Comic Con on South African soil, the titular Comic Con Africa was actually a pretty solid debut in the local convention scene. Whether you were there for comic book panels, a chance to see TV stars or you just wanted to spend the weekend dressed up in an outfit that you’d spent months putting together, Comic Con Africa was the place to be over one glorious weekend this year.
Held at the Kyalami convention center, Comic Con Africa boasted some amazing star power and attendance figures. It wasn’t entirely perfect, but those teething problems could easily be ironed out by a sequel convention in 2019. A convention that has just been finalised, as Comic Con Africa has officially announced that the next convention will take place from September 21-24.
Yup, the event is now going to be a four-day experience, stretching across Saturday through to Tuesday. Not only that, but Comic Con Africa will shift locations to the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand:
YOU’VE ASKED, WE’VE HEARD!#ComicConAfrica is excited to announce details for 2019. To accommodate more fans and more exciting activities for all, #ComicConAfrica will take place over 4 days including Heritage Day (21-24 September 2019) at Gallagher Convention Centre! pic.twitter.com/6cEzKwtokv
— Comic Con Africa (@ComicConAfrica) November 1, 2018
That’s a heck of an improvement right there. Not only is the Gallagher Convention Centre a better fit, but having the event over a public holiday broadens the audience significantly. Comic Con Africa will have some tough competition though, as its new dates will see it collide directly with rAge and its plans to host the 2019 gaming-centric convention which be held from September 26 to September 29.
Should be interesting to see how South Africa’s two biggest geek culture conventions fare against one another, with such tight dates. Now if you’ll excuse me, I got some cosplay to start constructing for next year.
Last Updated: November 1, 2018
Admiral Chief
November 1, 2018 at 11:55
Noooice
Gavin Mannion
November 1, 2018 at 12:18
Seems like Rage and Comicon are going head to head in 2019.
Also seems idiotic, the local distributors and retailers won’t be able to afford to attend both so close together. I wonder who the victor will be?
G8crasha
November 1, 2018 at 12:37
Adapt or die is the only way to look at it. I would hope both find their market, but one or the other may have to make changes in 2020. I guess they will only know when the attendance numbers become public.
For the Emperor!
November 1, 2018 at 12:57
I believe CC will win because it is new and fresh and how rAge has, in my opinion at least, stagnated and become same-old-same-old over that last few years.
The D
November 1, 2018 at 12:57
AW YEAH, CONVENTION FIGHT! https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/89ce8d86e1962df665e9f079e3ae4b22773ad7cfe0a05806dd75949eed93274c.gif
CrAiGiSh
November 1, 2018 at 13:07
YAY, closer for me to travel.
No complaints … today …