This year, I had the amazing opportunity to attend the 10th annual THE Comic Con convention, and I really enjoyed my visit. This year was particularly special because of the many special guests who joined Comic Con, with the most important to me personally being Akira Yamaoka, the legendary composer of the Silent Hill series. Other than the guests, I kept myself occupied with a wide variety of activities, such as contests, quizzes, and most importantly, a ton of stuff to acquire for every kind of fan, from posters to even full-size figures.
Some Words About THE Comic Con
This year marks the 10th anniversary of THE Comic Con. It is rare for an event in Greece to reach big numbers, but their numbers speak for themselves. Over 195 thousand visitors passed through these halls, and 230 local artists contributed to THE Comic Con over the past 10 years.
This event brings out the geek in all of us and connects people through their love of comics and video games. One of my favourite moments was the opening ceremony, where Akira Yamaoka and multiple other artists performed live in front of a crowd. It was surreal hearing the soundtrack of Silent Hill being performed in front of me by no other than the legend himself.
The Experience Of THE Comic Con – Content And Activities
Let’s now talk about the essence of the event, the vast amount of activities to do, and the handcrafted items to buy. In the span of three days, during which the event lasted, there were more than 20 talks and showcases happening, with my favourite one being a lecture from a group called GOBLINGS ON BOARD, talking about how, through game design, the gamers reveal their psychological and human needs while also answering the question of why we play games in the first place.
Another cool experience was seeing all these cool professional cosplayers dressed as our favourite characters from movies, series, comics, and of course, video games. Our friend and partner here at BGeek, Maria Lazou, a.k.a horovonkaida, was also attending this year’s THE Comic Con with her own booth. Apart from the professionals, it was lovely to see visitors making their own costumes and accessories to match the vibe.
The Art Of Handmade
Scattered across the whole venue, multiple creators set up shop to sell their own unique creations. I was surprised by how much talent and effort people put into their creations. From DnD dices to whole unique board game experiences with handcrafted characters and immense detail. I could not miss the opportunity to buy myself a nice set of coasters featuring my favourite movies, Se7en and Fight Club.
Despite the local creators, every known geek shop in the city was also attending the event. These shops have every geek’s dream items, such as unique figurines, props from famous video games and movies, cosplay props, posters, and much more. I personally think that no gamer should miss the opportunity to visit THE Comic Con next year and acquire something special for themselves or a loved one.
Of course, it would not be called THE Comic Con if it were not for the huge selection of comics and manga. You can find almost anything you want there, new and vintage comics, entire manga series, and even special edition comics from video games like Cyberpunk 2077 and the Assassin’s Creed series. I am still searching for the guy who beat me to the last issue of the Night City stories.
A Must For The Card Collectors
Playing cards were a big part of the event as collectors and enthusiasts gathered together to buy, sell, and exchange cards with each other. The most famous card shops and card dealers joined the event, and people would walk by and admire the cards behind the glass frame. I must admit I was really impressed by the unique selection of cards that were displayed, with some being rated ten out of ten in condition by officials.
There was also space in the back for you and your friends to sit down, unbox some packs, or play a couple of rounds and have fun. So next time you are in town at this time of the year, and you love collecting all kinds of cards like Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh, do not forget to stop by THE Comic Con.
Conclusion – Why You Should Visit THE Comic Con
THE Comic Con is not just another event you should visit; it is way more than that. It is a cultural experience every geek should experience at least once in their lifetime. It is also a great opportunity to meet new people who share your hobbies and interests, and create new and meaningful relationships while at the same time enjoying yourself over a cold one. I personally had a spectacular time, and I am counting the days for the next one.