Comic Con Africa

Pop culture conventions modeled after the famous Comic-Con International: San Diego, commonly known simply as the San Diego Comic-Con, are held on all inhabited continents. Africa is not an exception. Since 2018, South Africa has been hosting Comic Con Africa, an annual fan convention organized by ReedPOP.

ReedPOP is a subsidiary of Reed Exhibitions, which is one of the world’s largest event organizers. Founded in 2006, it organizes fan conventions and other pop culture events across the world. Comic Con Africa is co-organized by ReedPOP, Reed Exhibitions Africa, and VS Gaming (the biggest independent game publisher in South Africa and the biggest online gaming platform on the African continent).

Comic Con Africa is a three-day event showcasing all things pop culture, including comics, blockbusters, sci-fi and fantasy novels, animation, table top games, collectible card games, video games, anime, manga, web comics, gadget, toys and collectibles, clothes and other merchandise. At the convention, you will find anything and everything related to contemporary pop culture and entertainment across virtually all genres.

The programming of Comic Con Africa is similar to that of other fan conventions held by ReedPOP and other organizers such as SDCC or FAN EXPO. They include panels, signings and photo ops with entertainment guests, meetings with comic book authors and other creators, professional video game tournaments, a cosplay competition, previews of new films and televisions shows, seminars, workshops, screenings, and more.

Naturally, Comic Con Africa also features an Artist Alley, where comic book authors and illustrators sell their works and interact with fans, as well as a huge exhibition hall with plenty of geeky and fandom merchandise, from T-shirts and posters to unique items.

The convention is held at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit & International Convention Centre in Johannesburg. You can buy a separate ticket for each of the days, which is convenient if you are not planning to attend all three days of the event. Note that tickets for photo-ops and autograph sessions, as well as VIP Hospitality Packages need to be purchased in addition to general admission tickets.

Every year, Comic Con Africa welcomes entertainment guests who make the convention absolutely worth paying for. For example, the inaugural event featured actors Anthony Mackie (MCU), Travis Fimmel (Vikings, Warcraft), Yetide Badaki (American Gods), Ricky Whittle (The 100, American Gods), Kevin Sussman (The Big Bang Theory, Ugly Betty), Rick Worthy (Supernatural, The Vampire Diaries, The Man in the High Castle, The Magicians), as well as popular illustrators, comic book authors and cosplayers.

In 2020, the event was held online due to the coronavirus pandemic.