Published on August 1st, 2022 | by Adrian Gunning
Heroes Descend on the Nation’s Capital as Oz Comic-Con Ushers in Their First Ever Canberra-Based Event
It’s a known fact that Canberra is a city known for its many charms and by putting politics aside, we can agree that it’s hosted some of Australia’s greatest heroes throughout the years. But by serving as the nation’s greatest superpower, it’s felt like there’s always been something missing… until now.
Oz Comic-Con is thrilled to usher in their first ever event in Canberra, taking over the Exhibition Park from August 27th – 28th with their Homegrown format.Whilst hosting the ultimate showcase of everything pop culture, attendees will be treated to a weekend featuring celebrity guests,
state-based content including artists and cosplayers, and a show floor absolutely bursting with exciting opportunities.
Continuing their partnership with the Australian Esports League (AEL) for their gaming zone, Oz Comic-Con Homegrown is also joining forces with Geek Markets for a crossover more ambitious than Endgame.These will be joining the staple pillars of Cosplay Central, Artist Alley,Tabletop Gaming, and so much more.
The Oz Comic-Con Homegrown Canberra guest list includes: Film & Television Guests:
- Daniel Gillies (The Vampire Diaries,The Originals, Saving Hope, Spider-Man 2,Virgin River,
Coming Home In The Dark,The Newsreader, Occupation: Rainfall)
- Bernard Curry (Wentworth, Once Upon A Time, Pretty Little Liars, My Life Is Murder)
+ More to be announced
Comic & Author Guests:
- Alan Baxter
- Andrew Constant
- Daniel O’Malley
- Jamie Johnson
- Jake Bartok
- Jin Chan Yum Wai
- Julie Ditrich
- Ryan K Lindsay
- Shane Walsh-Smith
- Scott Wilson and Benny Eggmolesse – Indigiverse
+ More to be announced
Cosplay Guests:
- JusZ Cosplay
- Thor Of Oz
+ More to be announced
With a jam-packed schedule full of stalls, workshops, panels and activities, there’s truly something for everyone at Oz Comic-Con Homegrown. For more information, guest announcements and to purchase tickets, please visit https://ozcomiccon.com/canberra/
EVENT DETAILS:
Oz Comic-Con Homegrown Canberra WHEN: 27th – 28th August 2022 WHERE: Exhibition Park in Canberra
Oz Comic-Con Event Features:
As you weave your way through the show floor of Oz Comic-Con Homegrown, keep your eyes peeled for activations from film and television, exclusive merchandise, and interactive opportunities that are only possible in a convention setting.
Below are a few highlights, or a bucket list if you wish, for Oz Comic-Con Homegrown Canberra. .
Stages:
- Main Stage
The Main Stage is where you go to catch the Q&A panels with our Film & Television and Comic & Author guests and to catch the Cosplay Active Competition and Cosplay Parades!
● Community & Workshop Stage
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more passionate, engaged and thoughtful group than the fans that converge on Oz Comic-Con for each event.The community showcase is hosted at the Community & Workshop Stage.These Panels are a great way to tell or teach like-minded people about a topic you are passionate about. Panels can be Q&A style, a moderated affair, interactive or a story journey.
Within this space, we can cater to many different topics including cosplay, drawing, crafts, photography, editing and more.
Comics:
- Artist Alley
A space to celebrate art in pop culture, Artist Alley is a colourful, creative district filled with original and fan art.Take the opportunity to interact with the creative geniuses behind your favourite comic books, graphic novels, literature, and artistic projects – a truly unique and authentic way to get to know local talent as they make waves in the global scene.
It’s in Artist Alley that you can purchase a unique commission, designed and drawn just for you or shop for prints and artistic creations such as novels, jewelry, clothing, and homewares. No matter what you like, you’ll find a creator suited to your interests, whether it be superheroes, manga, sci-fi, fantasy, horror or indie.
Cosplay
- Cosplay Central
Cosplay Central is the meeting place and undeniably the unmissable destination for all cosplayers and cosplay fans at Oz Comic-Con. Meet local cosplay talent for tips and tricks, grab your mates for the perfect photo op in front of cosplay sets and get your photo snapped by local cosplay photographers.
https://ozcomiccon.com/occ-2022-cosplay-central/
● Cosplay Parades
Oz Comic-Con hosts a variety of Cosplay offerings at the event for different skill levels.The Cosplay Parade is a great event showcasing the talent of cosplayers at Oz Comic-Con! It gives everyone the chance to get up on stage and strut their stuff without the stress of competing.
● Cozplay Competition
For those not quite ready for the Championship of Cosplay but a step above the Cosplay Parade.The Cozplay Competition is the competition for mainstream competitors.This event is perfect for you to showcase your crafting, needlework or armour build talents. Entry into the Cozplay Competition is by application ahead of the show, so if this is something you’re interested in being sure to check out the applications here: https://ozcomiccon.com/occ-2022-cosplay-competitions-parades/
● Kids Cosplay Parade
The kid’s cosplay parade is a great way for our littlest cosplayers to get into the cosplay spirit! Kids can go on stage either on their own, in a group, or, for those who are either too little or too shy, with a guardian.
● Cosplay Photographers
Coming to Oz Comic-Con in cosplay? Local cosplay photographers will be present, ready to take your photo in Cosplay Central.The best part? All photo sessions are complimentary
● Cosplay Meetups
If you’re dressed for the occasion (or even if you’re not!) be sure to head on over to The District area and meet some like-minded fans in awesome cosplay! Take a group cosplay picture in front of our awesome photo wall to immortalise the occasion! If you want to vote for the cosplay group you would like to see a meet-up for you can make your voice heard here:
https://ozcomiccon.com/occ-2022-cosplay-central/
The District
- Oz Comic-Con Drawing Competition
If you fancy yourself an up-and-coming artist, head over to The District to take part in our official Oz Comic-Con Drawing Competition.There are awesome prizes to be won. Entries are open all weekend until 3 pm Sunday.You can draw in any medium you like, pencil, markers etc. As long as it’s drawn on an official competition entry sheet at the show you can enter! You are welcome to bring your own drawing supplies with you to the show, but we will have drawing supplies available to use. There are several prizes to be won.There’s even a kids category for our littlest artists!
● Scribble Wall
Our epic scribble wall returns to The District for 2022. For all you colouring addicts out there, it’s time for you to scratch that itch to leave your mark!
Gaming
- Gaming Zone and Esports Tournaments
Australian Esports League (AEL) joins forces with Oz Comic-Con bringing their free play gaming zone and esports tournaments to each show. AEL recognises the importance of building ‘grassroots’ esports, delivering a gaming experience like no other to the broader gaming community.
The gaming zone will showcase the latest games and products, with an opportunity for attendees to battle it out against their mates and other attendees. h ttps://ozcomiccon.com/console-gaming/
● Retro Gaming Lounge
From NES to N64, Sega Mega Drive to Play Station 1, Iconic Nerd will be kickin’ it old school with a mix of retro gaming consoles at Oz Comic-Con Homegrown! Be sure to stop by the Retro Gaming Lounge to try your hand at an old classic and enjoy the nostalgia, or introduce it to your offspring for the very first time!
● Tabletop Gaming Library
Not one for console games? No problem! We got you covered with a library of tabletop games to satisfy your needs.Ticket to Ride, Pandemic, Catan. Heard of those? Maybe you like Zombie Dice, Small World or Red Dragon Inn? Well this year Oz Comic-Con is giving you access to all of these games, and more! We’ll be using our tabletop resources to bring you a two-day gaming extravaganza. Get along to the Tabletop Gaming Zone featuring a library of over 40 different games you can play.
● Just Dance Stage
So you think you can Just Dance.Well, you’ll be able to show everyone your moves at the Just Dance stage. Open for free play all weekend. Play as a group, or individually, the party at Oz Comic-Con starts here.
● Wargrounds Canberrs
Gaming content at the show isn’t limited to the gaming areas.
Be sure to head outside to see Wargrounds Canberra! Canberra’s local battle sport will be putting on live demonstrations and interactive tutorials all weekend! What is a battle sport you ask? We are a combat focused LARP group, meaning we get suited up in armour and outfits taken right out of your favourite fantasy books/movies/games and fight one another in structured games.