Hyderabad Comic Con 2024: Pop culture enthusiasts enjoy Sufi comics, compete in e-sports

Hyderabad: After a three-year hiatus, the vibrant world of pop culture descended upon Hyderabad as Comic Con 2024 kicked off at the Hitex Exhibition Centre on Saturday. Enthusiastic fans and comic aficionados eagerly immersed themselves in the diverse array of experiences the festival had to offer over the two-day event.

Excitement among fans

Comic enthusiasts, such as Aaradhya, expressed their anticipation, stating, “As a comic enthusiast, I always waited for Comic Con, and finally, the day is here.”

The event featured a lineup of prominent publishing houses and Indian artists, including Indusverse, Yali Dreams Creations, Sufi Comics, Lilorosh, Garbage Bin, and more. International artists, like Rico Renzi, added a global flair to the festival.

Sufi comics writer, Mohammed Ali Vakil, shared his thoughts, saying, “While we are regular at Comic Cons across India, this is our first time in Hyderabad, and the response has been great here.”

Cosplay takes centerstage

The cosplay community took centerstage, with enthusiasts donning elaborate costumes and paying homage to characters from anime.

Shantanu, a notable cosplayer who won the Indian Championship of Cosplay, showcased his creativity, saying, “I am dressed as a Goth maid who is just ready for battle. The maid character that we have in anime was my inspiration, but I wanted to accessorise it as much as possible and look as good as I could. I can see people loving my look.”

The Arena gaming paradise

A major highlight of the event was ‘The Arena,’ a sprawling 40,000 sq ft gaming arena that provided attendees with a paradise of gaming experiences. Daily tournaments, e-sports competitions, popular streamers, and a plethora of gaming options turned it into a dream destination for gaming enthusiasts.

Manya and Harshith, gaming enthusiasts at Comic Con, exclaimed, “There are around 12 huge stalls put up in The Arena, filled with games and gamers, of course. It is a dream for all the gamers in the city.”

Experiential zones enhance experience

Experiential zones set up by Sony Pictures India showcased the Madame Web Experience, featuring a 360-degree photo booth and a live tarot card session aligning with the movie’s storyline. Crunchyroll, known for streaming anime content, engaged visitors with a JJK activation game and a Solo Levelling photo op while showcasing Telugu-dubbed content on their wall branding.

Comic Con 2024’s return to Hyderabad proved to be a resounding success, rekindling the excitement among fans and providing a platform for diverse pop culture experiences. The event demonstrated the enduring appeal of comic culture and its ability to unite enthusiasts in a celebration of creativity and fandom.