Hyderabad: Comic Con 2024 ends, Cosplay takes centre stage

Hyderabad: The eighth edition of Comic Con India in Hyderabad bringing three days of pop culture celebrations to the HITEX Exhibition Center concluded on Sunday. Fans thronged the venue, dressed as their favorite characters, and participated in a lineup of exclusive activities and sessions.

Comic Book Launches and Experience Zones

This year’s event featured a variety of comic book launches, including releases from Holy Cow Entertainment, Bullseye Press, and Yali Dream Creations. The Adventures of Kikiboo and other titles drew the attention of comic enthusiasts.

Attendees explored themed zones like the Yamaha Zone, Maruti Suzuki Arena, and Dreamhack’s Ultimate Gaming Experience, which added to the immersive vibe. “The Creator’s Cut” section was particularly popular, offering insights into the creative process behind beloved comics.

Cosplay: A Growing Passion in Hyderabad

The venue was a sea of color as attendees of all ages showed off their cosplay skills. Many working professionals joined the festivities, shedding their formal wear for elaborate costumes.

Arihant Reddy, 41, a corporate professional from the city, attended as an alien warrior from The Predator. “I started cosplaying five years ago, and it has now become such a passion that I’ve opened a costume rental store,” he shared.

Another participant, Chaya Singh, a model from Bengaluru, cosplayed Misty from Pokemon. “This is my first Comic Con, and while I’m not familiar with many characters, it’s amazing to see how much effort people put into their costumes,” she said.

Prateek Kumar emphasized the DIY aspect of cosplay. “I love creating costumes and dressing up as different characters each year,” said Arjun, who attended as Strife from a popular video game.

For some, the event is a long-standing tradition. “I’ve been attending Comic Con for nearly a decade,” said Kshitij 32, who cosplayed as Spiderman. “It’s a chance to relive childhood memories and make new friends.” He attended with his colleague, Rahul, who came as Beetlejuice.

Entertainment and Performances

The event also featured live performances and comedy acts. Varun Kumar, part of the comedy collective TISS, performed to an enthusiastic crowd. “Hyderabad always has an engaged audience that gets all kinds of references,” he noted.

Stand-up sets by Harsh Gujral and Azeem Banatwala, along with musical performances by Syed Bashaar and the Daisuki Cosplay Band, added to the lively atmosphere.

Spotlight on Anime and Esports

Anime fans enjoyed a session by Crunchyroll, which highlighted the intersection of Japanese anime and Indian culture. Meanwhile, the Amar Chitra Katha session revisited India’s storytelling heritage.

Adjacent to the main event, esports competitions like the Snapdragon Pro Series and KO Fight Night drew large crowds. Spectators cheered for their favorite teams and players in various gaming tournaments.

Day 3 Highlights

The final day was full of excitement with comic launches from Alpha Comics and performances by Harsh Gujral and the Geek Fruit band. Sessions on gaming and storytelling were also lined up, ensuring something for everyone.

Comic Con Hyderabad 2024 has once again proved to be a celebration of creativity, fandom, and community spirit, drawing attendees from across the country to revel in the world of pop culture.