Comic-Con Cape Town

Comic-Con International: San Diego, commonly known as the San Diego Comic-Con, has become an inspiration for countless other fan conventions held in dozens of countries on all inhabited continents. South Africa, for example, has two major pop culture conventions: Comic Con Africa, held in spring, and Comic-Con Cape Town, held in autumn.

Comic-Con Cape Town (CCCT) is held at Exhibition Hall 2 of the Cape Town International Convention Center (CTICC). Just like its parent event, Comic Con Africa in Johannesburg, and other pop culture conventions around the globe, it offers a rich and diverse programming of events for fans of comic books, movies and television shows, anime and manga, video and tabletop games, sci-fi and fantasy, cosplay, and all things pop culture.

The gaming program at CCCT caters to both casual and avid, competitive gamers. It includes free-to-play-zones, gaming tournaments, and deals on games and accessories (controllers, headphones, PC parts, merchandise, and more). Tabletop gamers won’t be disappointed either since they will be offered free-to-pay campaigns and world class shopping experience with exclusive deals.

The Artist Alley is another highlight of Comic-Con Cape Town. It is an area on the show floor that focuses on celebrating local and international artists, giving them the opportunity to showcase their original artworks, as well as fan art and fan fiction, get inspired by each other’s works, and exchange ideas and experiences. Fans, in turn, have the opportunity to admire, purchase, and commission artwork from their favorite artists, as well as discover new names.

It’s hard to imagine a pop culture convention without cosplay, and CCCT does not disappoint here. Comic-Con Cape Town hosts the Comic Con Cape Town Regional Championship of Cosplay, which serves as a qualifying event for the Comic Con Africa Championships of Cosplay, and the World Cosplay Summit South Africa Preliminary Competition. Casual cosplay is also encouraged! The daily casual cosplay competition is open to everyone who likes to dress up as their favorite character but is not ready to invest too much money, time, and/or effort in the hobby.

Of course, celebrity guests are one of the main attractions at fan conventions, and Comic-Con Cape Town is not an exception. For example, guests at CCCT 2023 included actors Tati Gabrielle (You), Kate Graham (The Vampire Diaries), Ross Marquand (The Walking Dead), Jason R. Moore (The Punisher) and David Oakes (Vikings: Valhalla), and comic book artists Clyde Beach, Mark Brooks, Bernard Chang, Ian Churchill, Sean Izaakse, Warren Louw, Jason Masters, Bill Masuku, Loyuso Mkize, Karl Mostert, Afua Richardson, and Zapiro. Other guests included local actors, international cosplayers, graphic designers and illustrators, dancers and choreographers, etc.

The program of CCCT also includes StreetCon (a spotlight for street artists with an outdoor stage and graffiti zone), KidsCon (a family zone with character meet and greets, immersive experiences, and engaging interactive areas), and other exciting events and activities.