The first ever Kuching Comic-Convention, or Kuching Comic-con for the year 2024 will be held from October 19 – 20, signalling a leap in such focused events in Kuching.
The event will have a wide range of activities as it celebrates Western comic, movie, retro TV, cartoon shows, and video games.
Interestingly, it is also the first ever comic-con in East Malaysia and Borneo, with the Kuching Comic Convention keen to make it huge like the Tokyo Comic-Con, San Diego Comic-Con and MCM Comic-Con in London one day.
What is a Comic-con?
Based on our chat with Kuching Comic-con organizer and founder, Musriffin Sani, Comic-con is a place where comic enthusiat, which include comic readers, publishers, and illustrators, meet and mingle.
He elaborated that in the past, comic enthusiasts used to use the convention as a platform for discussion and celebration of comics, with some even exchanging comics.
However, the convention has evolved in recent time, with it being used by movie companies to launch comic related movies as well. These companies include the likes of Disney, Marvel, DC and so on.
He explained such convention has become so huge that the recent one in San Diego attracted over 400,000 people.
Difference between Comic-Con, Hobbycon and Anime-fest (ACG)
Musriffin explained that while Comic-Con is usually leaning towards Western comics and pop-culture, it generally doesn’t mind being intertwined with other comic culture like anime, manga and so forth.
Asians have their own version to through Anime-Fest which celebrates “ACG”, which means Animation, Comics, and Games. Such festival is used to relate comics, games and animations from Greater China and East Asia anime culture.
Musriffin further said that both share similarities but differ in terms of region they cover.
He further explained that Hobbycon is a combination of both but focusing more on various group based on their hobbies and fandom within the combination of both influences.
He however stressed that it is not unusual that Comic-con, Hobbycon and ACG to mix-up in each others event, saying that such situation wouldn’t be a problem considering they are largely inter-related.
Musriffin explained that such mix is always accepted and celebrated, including if it does happen during Kuching Comic-con.
Activities during Kuching Comic-con 2024
To ensure the event achieves its goals, the organizers of the festival, Pickers Zone Co. (PZC) have planned a variety of events which include various hobby displays, western cosplay competition, M-A-L area, photo booths, Superhero Science, and indoor games.
The event brief we received explained that the hobby display exhibits would feature a wide range of comics, vintage toys, video games, LEGO, action figures, model kits and so forth.
These exhibits, some worth thousands, is a rare chance for the public to see up such intricate and expensive collections close and personal.
In addition to that, the M-A-L area will also feature activities like Jedi training, comic writing, art room and model kit class segment.
Also interesting for the coming Kuching Comic-Con 2024 is the Western Cosplay Competition in which participants can dress up as their favourite Western comic character and win prizes.
To add interest to the event, Kuching Comic-con would also be inviting local and regional comic artists, illustrators and animators, and use the convention to showcase their artwork and promote their new projects to the public.
They would also be sharing their expertise and experience to the public during the event, likely to encourage and further inspire new talents.
Among the big names are comic artist Gayour and, comic artist, producer and voice animator, Khairul Ammar Jamal (popularly known as “Gecko).
Gayour is popular for his comics in Ujang, Geli Hati dan the Bersama Selamanya comic series, while Khairul is behind animated Malaysian series like Boboboy, and Didi and Friends.
Hobby celebrities, in this case Adam John, who has a following of almost half a million on TikTok, will also be coming to meet their fans in Kuching during the coming Kuching Comic-con.
The content creator, influencer and actor who also appeared in XX-Ray 3 and Rock 4 will likely be a huge hit during the coming event as he is well known by the younger generation.
Art of Wud, Ah Thong, Dewi Miyo, D2K, Syukri, Aviltone and Hafiz Kuuga are also scheduled to make an appeareance at the convention.
In addition to that, KCC2024 will also partner with the Sarawak Society for the Deaf which will feature Zakaria and Derek, who are both local Sarawakian deaf artist.
When and where is the Kuching Comic-con 2024
The Kuching Comic-con 2024 will be held on the third floor of CityOne Megamall Kuching from 10AM to 9PM this coming October 19th and 20th.
To go to the event, you can check the map below.
Besides located in the heart of Kuching, the event place has has ample parking space and is well linked with Kuching public transportation.
Tickets and entry
There is no tickets or entry fee to the event with the event currently open to the general public for FREE.
However, competitions may have entry fees with promise of attractive prizes.
More details
For more details and the latest updates regarding Kuching Comic-con, visit their official Facebook page HERE, or check Kuching’s latest events HERE.
Alternatively, check out attires you can wear to Kuching Comic-con 2024 HERE.
