Exhibition

Oz Comic-Con is not only for comic book fans (although the con does boast a comic book lounge, equipped with bean bags and comic books to borrow), but for fans of any following. As you walk around the showground, you may spot Deadpool and Wolverine hanging out, but you could run into John Wick, the Doctor and his TARDIS, Darth Vader or Captain Rex, Freddy Fazbear, Hatsune Miku, and countless others.

There’s a consistent buzz of excitement in the air while like-minded people meet others from within their fandoms during the community space meetups; exchanging fan theories, trading cards, and keyrings at the trading post; giving tips on how to improve your cosplay game at the workshop stage; and meeting the voice actors from popular shows such as “Hazbin Hotel”, “Genshin Impact”, “Fire Emblem Heroes”, and more. If you ever get lost, the volunteers roaming the space are all very friendly and more than happy to help.

The big names (in alphabetical order) for Oz Comic-Con, with schedules for autographs, photo opportunities, meet and greets, and Q&A’s, consisted of: Brandon Rogers (“Helluva Boss”; “Hazbin Hotel), Catherine Tate (“The Catherine Tate Show”; “Doctor Who”), Giancarlo Esposito (“Breaking Bad”; “The Mandalorian”), Laila Berzins (“Genshin Impact”; “HunterXHunter”), and Ratana (“Genshin Impact”; “Fire Emblem”). The lines to meet these talented actors and voice actors were so thick, the tables for the talent were not visible, only their official Oz Comic-Con signs on the wall above their heads. Seating for the Q&A’s filled rapidly for each new guest – if you wanted to see your favourite actor, you had to be sure to line up early!

Along the outskirts of Artists Alley, there is a Comic-Con store, for all your previous Comic-Con guests’ autograph needs; a space for tabletop gaming, where a collection of games, including “Catan” and “Rummikub”, are available to play with your friends; the Australian eSports League has a setup of PC and consoles to show off your skills; learn to play “Magic: The Gathering” trading card game with friends or strangers; and show off your dance moves on the Just Dance stage. The South Australian chapter of “Ghostbusters” can be found roaming, keeping everyone safe, while Daleks stand on guard next to the main stage, whether they were ready to pose with fans, or pose a threat, remained unclear.

Roaming Artists Alley, be sure to give yourself time to look at each booth, otherwise your neck may snap from trying to take in everything at once! The booths range in size, giving a marketplace, or bazaar-like, experience, with t-shirts, oversized biscuits, anime and manga collectables, Funko Pop Characters, local-made honey and mead (yes, at the same booth), handmade tankards and leather goods, framed insects, handmade jewellery, Melbourne’s Dr. Pickles tattoos, and even the ADF and Beyond Blue, talking to curious customers about how to join or volunteer with them.

The smaller booths consist of six rows of local artists showcasing their talents and merchandise on single tables – some with shelving, some with displays almost six feet high, and some with simple printouts – ranging from keychains to art posters to novels and much, much more. Artists were local, most being from Adelaide, but some hailed from interstate, excited to meet fans and introduce their work to new people. All the artists are more than excited to talk about their work, answering questions and having a casual conversation in general.

Kylie Chan, Queensland author of the “Dark Heavens” series, said she found herself excited to be meeting the next generation of fans. Owen Heitmann, Adelaide comic creator, explained that people come to cons to see and buy what they know, so the con provides an opportunity for local artists to expand their network, without having to rely on social media – a statement that both Keelan Ash of killustrate_illustrations and Lushie from Lushie’s Art both agreed with.

Oz Comic-Con is more than a home base for fans to emerge and converge, it’s an opportunity for local artists to show themselves to a wider audience, and it’s a fun, safe space for exhibitors, attendees, guests, and volunteers alike. Service pets are allowed, the spaces are wide enough for electric wheelchairs and scooters to roam freely (the throngs of people may be the largest obstacle), and the Code of Conduct means Oz Comic-Con protects those of all ages and dis/abilities.

Popular culture is alive, thriving, and … popular! Don’t miss out on a chance for those collectables, and a chance to meet like-minded fans.

To book tickets to Oz Comic-Con in your city, please check for dates and times @ https://ozcomiccon.com/.

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