The inaugural Beijing Comic Con recently made its debut in China, attracting fans from various backgrounds. Jatin Varma, the founder of Comic Con India, was among the attendees. With a history of organizing Comic Cons in India since 2011, Varma shared his thoughts with Gadgets 360 about this new event.
Varma expressed his excitement about witnessing the inception of the first Comic Con in Beijing, noting the joy of interacting with fans who were enjoying their inaugural experience. He emphasized the significance of creating lasting memories during such events.
The convention was organized by Reed Pop China, the same team behind Comic Con India. Over recent years, Reed Pop has been actively expanding their global footprint through partnerships and new event launches, including this landmark occasion in Beijing.
The two-day event was a resounding success, with thousands of attendees. Featured guests included actors such as Brandon Routh (known for his roles in Superman and The Atom), Ming Na Wen (from Agents of Shield), and Dean O’Gorman (The Hobbit), alongside legendary comic book figures like Jim Lee, Adi Granov, and Max Brooks. Additionally, renowned cosplayer Ya Ya Han made a special appearance.
(Also see: The Cosplayers at the Heart of India’s Booming Fandom)
This level of participation reflects the increasing interest of content brands and companies striving to tap into the burgeoning Chinese market.
The event was filled with a wide array of exhibitors, including comic publishers, film studios, animation companies, and indie game developers. The show floor buzzed with energy, showcasing everything from merchandise related to the Warcraft franchise to comic books, even featuring ‘Age of Ultron’ dubbed in Chinese, adding a unique twist for attendees.
The popularity of cosplay was evident, with fans donning elaborate costumes, particularly a significant number portraying the character Deadpool. Overall, the event provided a remarkable experience for the thousands of attendees.
Interesting demographic insights emerged from the attendance figures, showing a greater number of female visitors compared to males. This contrasts with global trends, where the typical ratio is around 60:40. Varma notes that female fans often demonstrate more loyalty to franchises and expresses a desire to achieve a more balanced gender ratio at future Indian events.
The event explored new ideas, particularly highlighted by an indie game development area where creators showcased their games to an eager audience. Varma mentioned the potential to incorporate similar elements in upcoming Comic Cons in India.
Throughout his visit, Varma aimed to gain insights into what drives Chinese pop-culture fans. Despite some language barriers, he was able to connect with their passions and interests. An intriguing moment included viewing a screening of Warcraft alongside a Chinese audience, as well as observing old Hindi film picture books sold in Chinese at a local flea market.
The Beijing Comic Con proved to be an enriching experience, offering valuable lessons and inspiration for future events in India. The culinary offerings, including Peking duck and fried squid on a stick, added to the enjoyment of the experience.
Jatin Varma is the Founder of Comic Con India.
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