COMIC-CON

Although comics have been a very active part of our community over the decades, comic
conventions have played the most integral role in the thriving of these comic book worlds,
anime, sci-fi fantasy fandoms and their cosplays. What actually does one think of when they
hear the word ‘comic con’? a group of nerdy teenagers with glasses, wearing comic and
anime merch just sitting down and talking about the latest comic books that have just come
out, proceeding to play games like Dungeons and Dragons, right?
Possibly that was true about 10 years back but that has changed drastically now. This culture
has expanded so much now that they have multiple events throughout the year and are no
more just limited to small gatherings.

What is Comic-Con?
Comic-Con—as the name suggests it’s a title to the convention of a particular genre of
occasion. And comparative to the word “nerd” – “comic-con” can have diverse
interpretations for different individuals (keeping aside the fact that most people would
consider “comic-con” to be their “happy place”). The term comes from the abbreviation of
“comic book convention.” Nowadays, “comic-con” has in fact shrunken to mere “con.” In
spite of the fact that, “con” can moreover allude to an abbreviated form of “science fiction
convention,” too known as a “sci-fi con.” At large, “comic-con” alludes to a pop culture
tradition. Are you still with me, great geeks?
Comic-Con: back then
Comic book traditions marked their beginning within the mid-1960s, with zonal and regional
traditions spreading like a wild fire all through the 1970s. These cons highlighted famous
autograph tables as well as vendors of comic merch. San Diego Comic-Con begun in 1970,
(known at that point as San Diego’s Golden State Comedian Con.) at the outset, the
convention was outlined to incorporate all aspects of pop culture, the most excellent
components of the sci-fi fan cons and comic book conventions. A milestone of pop culture
history was crossed at SDCC in 1976. George Lucas advanced his unreleased Star Wars
movie at the convention by giving away posters, presently a sought-after collectable.
Comic-Con: today
Nowadays, “comic-con” resorts to a variety of conventions; it may be a exceptionally
expansive blanket term. Each tradition is distinctive, and the fandom celebrates those
contrasts. There are aspects of each convention that were created to distinguish such as the
Dragon Con Parade; other quirks advanced over the years such as the “lobbycon” of Gallifrey
One or the “cult of the Marriott carpet” at Dragon Con.
While there's no homogenized framework of comic-con classifications, I have endeavoured
to break it down to four fundamental categories:

Science fiction conventions—also called sci-fi cons, miniature intimate conventions run by
fans, with mostly under 4000 participants. Admissions are done by giving out badges.
Includes opening, closing ceremonies and Masquerades. Example: Worldcon

Comic book conventions—the focal point of such conventions is purly based on comic
books, hence it is a comic-only type convention. It is an average sized event mostly run by
comic bookstores or affiliations with usually up to 30,000 participants. Admissions are taken
with wristbands or stamps. It majorly features exhibition halls along with comic book award
event. Example: HeroesCon, Dallas Comic Show and MSP SpringCon

Pop culture convention—one of the most popular and common forms of comic con with
participants ranging from over 20,000 to 1,40,000+. It includes elements of sci-fi cons, comic
book conventions and the corporate-run comic-cons. Examples: San Diego Comic-Con,
WonderCon, Emerald City Comic Con, Phoenix Fan Fusion

Corporate-run comic-cons—Conventions ranging from small to large scale with

participants between 4,000 and 100,000+. Admissions are taken with wristbands. Its major
focus is on celebrity appearance, autograph and photo opportunities. Example: New York
Comic Con

Comic-Con: India
The very first comic con was hosted by Twenty Onwards Media between 19 and 20 February
2011 at Dilli Haat,New Delhi, India. It portrayed stalls by a few Indian distributing houses,
including, but not confined to, Amar Chitra Katha, Vimanika, Diamond Comics, Kshiraj
Telang, Manta Beam, Level 10, Campfire and many other new publishers. This comic con
lasted for two whole days and included a few workshops, intuitively sessions, interviews and
discourses by different comic book specialists and journalists. Around 15,000 people
attended it and also participated actively in it. “A few years back, to avoid the costly expense
of traveling abroad to a comic convention, a group of relatively young people in Delhi
decided to create one on their own in their home city. With that simple mission, Comic Con
India was formed and has now grown to multiple events across the country. The mission has
now evolved to create unique pop culture events and engage with fans all across the country,”
comicconindia.com says. Over a long period of time, Comic Con India has extended to the
five cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Pune. It has pulled in over 150,000
guests and 1,000 exhibitors. From its initiation, it has relentlessly extended the scope of
gatherings by including different businesses that can offer assistance solidify well known
culture.
Virtual Comic-Con: India2020
The most iconic and highly admired all over the nation gathering, Pop-Culture Forum (PCF),
Comic Con India’s leading Industry Award, has served as the best platform to showcase
amazing talents and minds in the pop culture industry. The convention hosts interesting panel
discussions over the topics like comics, entrepreneurship and consumer trends. In the year
2020, July 27 and 28 the event went virtual due to the pandemic situation, which enabled
every comic and pop culture fan to be a part of it over the web. The convention included
events like live interaction sessions with award winners and panels such as The Journey of
Cosplayer with Sameer Bundela; Bringing Comics to Life with Asvin Srivatsangam of Yali
Dream Works (an offshoot of Indian comics publisher, Yali Dream Creations); 40 Years of
Tinkle Magazine.

Starting off as a small eventful gathering, consigned to one corner of South Delhi’s Dilli Haat
in 2011’s sunny February, with lesser fans in number and indeed not so updated in costumes
and a restricted line-up of occasions and comic book journalists and craftsmen, has since
gone into total boss mode. Now taking place in stadiums as huge as the JLN Stadium and the
NSIC grounds, the mega-convention brags lakhs of guests and fans, with flying visits by
makers and stars of worldwide excitement powerhouses extending from HBO to almost,
everything that Disney possesses, as well a sprinkling of incredible comedian craftsmen and
journalists from the ancient days of ink and print. It is, after all, Comedian Con India.