10 Things to Expect from @ComicConAfrica on 22-25 Sep 2023

Hi Guys, 

Comic Con Africa, the continent's ultimate pop culture and gaming festival, is set to take over the Johannesburg Expo Centre (Nasrec) with a bang over Heritage Day weekend next month. The highly anticipated festival promises fans an unforgettable experience, packed with a diverse array of entertainment, celebrity appearances, loads of shopping opportunities, and even exclusive merchandise. As Comic Con Africa gears up for its fifth edition, here are 10 things to expect from the event:

One: The KFC Main Stage and the Pop Culture Hall

The KFC main stage of Comic Con Africa is the epicentre of the festival, featuring a lineup of exciting guests set to engage fans in interactive Q&A panels where audience members can learn more about their favourite films, series, and creators. For Comic Con Africa, so far those guests include, with more being announced soon:

• Anthony Daniels – C-3PO from Star Wars
• Veronica Taylor – The original English voice of Ash Ketchum from Pokémon
• Ross Marquand – Aaron from The Walking Dead, as well as Red Skull from Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: End Game

The main stage will also host spot prizes, interactive gaming sessions, winner announcements, as well as cosplay competitions including the ever-exciting Comic Con Africa Championships of Cosplay. Located in Hall 6, this bustling hub of activity, will house various attractions, including kid-friendly activities making it the ultimate family day out.

Attendees can also look forward to opportunities for community building in dedicated pockets of the hall. More than the main stage, Hall 6 will also house a Pop Culture Content Zone for additional workshops, fan meet-ups, and activities.

Two: Gaming Galore – Tournaments, free-to-play zones, and accessories

Gaming enthusiasts will be in paradise with a plethora of gaming options in Hall 5. Vendors will offer the latest gaming accessories and merchandise with some show exclusive deals, while the Telkom VS Gaming Village will host tournaments spanning popular titles like FIFA, and Rocket League. This village will also contain South Africa’s largest eSports tournament – The Telkom VS Masters – featuring games such as CS:GO. For mobile gaming enthusiasts, an exciting mobile gaming experience also awaits in this space.

The Toyota Gaming Engine has partnered with Nintendo to bring attendees an immersive Mario Kart experience and a chance to win a trip to Chicago for C2E2.

Comic Con Africa 2023 also sees the return of the fan favourite Doritos Crunch Cup, powered by Comic Con Africa, which will feature daily tournaments, including the "Beat the Pros" challenge, where casual gamers can compete against South Africa’s top contenders for cash prizes in titles like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, Street Fighter 6, Fortnite, and FIFA.

Following Riot Games' announcement of Valorant servers coming to South Africa, The Carry 1st Valorant Tournament also promises thrilling gameplay. Another not-to-be-missed feature is the Red Bull Campus Clutch.

Comic Con Africa is also excited to welcome the voice of Mozzie from Rainbow Six: Siege, Martin Copping, who is also the voice of Lucas Riggs from Call of Duty: Vanguard.

Three: Cosplay

Since 2018, Africa has gained recognition in the global cosplay scene, with South African cosplayers Kinpatsu Cosplay, Jinxie Cosplay, and Ludus Cosplay consistently excelling at the prestigious Crown Championships of Cosplay in Chicago. Whether you're a casual or competitive cosplayer, Comic Con Africa has something for everyone, making it a must-attend event on the cosplay calendar.

Comic Con Africa will also host casual cosplay competitions with multiple daily sessions, including a special session for contestants under 13, offering a chance to win spot prizes. The event also features the Nintendo Cosplay Competition, adding a gaming twist to the cosplay scene. For those aspiring to compete professionally, Comic Con Africa hosts the Championships of Cosplay, where hand-crafted character outfits are rigorously judged. The winner earns the honour of representing South Africa at the global C2E2 competition in Chicago.

In addition to these competitions, Comic Con Africa welcomes internationally acclaimed cosplayers Lindsay Elyse (USA), Sakura Flor (Netherlands), and Har_Fie (England). These guest cosplayers offer photo opportunities and prints of their iconic outfits, adding an extra layer of excitement to the event.

For more information on competitions and participation criteria, visit https://comicconafrica.co.za/cosplay/

Four: Artist Alley

With over 150 artists in Hall 7, The Artist Alley is the heartbeat of any Comic Con event, and Comic Con Africa is no exception. Attendees can explore a wide array of local and international artist stands dedicated to celebrating the art of comic books, original artwork, fan fiction, and more. Here, fans can admire breathtaking artwork, gain inspiration, exchange creative techniques, and even purchase or commission unique pieces from talented vendors.

Notable and iconic artists such as Nooligan (USA) will be attending the show as well as local authors Sam Beckbessinger and Dave Halvorsen (co-authors of Girls of Little Hope) who will be among the many creatives showcasing their work in the Artist Alley.

Five: Shopping and collectables

With an extensive lineup of vendors spanning three halls of the Expo Centre, Comic Con Africa offers fans a shopper's paradise. Attendees can browse their way through a treasure trove of merchandise, including exclusive items available only at the event. Whether you're searching for the latest collectibles, comics, apparel, or unique memorabilia, there's something for every fan to discover.

The Symbiote Showcase and experience is another must-visit attraction for fans of iconic characters from the world of comic books – having collectables on display from XM Studios, Prime 1 Studio, Queen Studios, PureArts, Royal Selangor and Moduspace. More than these life size and breath-taking statues, be sure to stop by the Funko stand to beef up your collection.

Six: Otaku Town

Get ready for an anime extravaganza! As the anime scene continues to skyrocket across South Africa, cementing its status as an unstoppable cultural phenomenon, Comic Con Africa is thrilled to offer a stellar lineup of guests who've shaped the anime and Japanese culture scene.

Step into the heart of the action on the Comic Con Africa festival floor, for the first ever iteration of Otaku Town! This immersive zone is a love letter to all things anime and Japanese culture. Dive into a world of mesmerising exhibits, tantalise your taste buds with authentic Japanese cuisine, and let the vibrant universe of anime sweep you off your feet. Guest that will feature near this area include popular YouTubers Akidearest as well as The Anime Man.

Seven: Tabletop Gaming

Whether you're a seasoned board game connoisseur or a curious novice, the tabletop gaming zone is a realm where imagination knows no bounds. Gather your friends, roll the dice and dive into a world of intricate strategy, cunning tactics, and boundless fun.

In partnership with Solarpop, Comic Con Africa is proud to welcome free play, demos, and learn-to-play sessions for iconic tabletop gaming titles such as Yu-Gi-Oh!, Pokémon, as well as Magic: The Gathering. Comic Con Africa will also host Catan Nationals.

This area in Hall 7 also calls for fans to enjoy a free two-hour Dungeons & Dragons journey into a world of magic and monsters where newcomers can also enjoy 20-minute introductions to start their quest.

Eight: Local Celebrities Spotlight

This year, Comic Con Africa will also be celebrating homegrown talent that's been making waves both locally and on the international stage, welcoming celebrities such as Cameron Scott (Ring of Beasts, The Bachelorette, and more)

Comic Con Africa is also proud to host heavy-hitter local comic book artists such as Karl Mostert, Sean Izaakse, and more to be announced soon on the festival’s social media channels.

Nine: MASSIVE Outdoor entertainment

Comic Con Africa is focused on ensuring that the event has more than enough room for fans to embrace the experience. The outdoor area is set to be loaded with food trucks, as well as activations from the likes of Hunters and Red Bull.

Comic Con Africa is also excited to welcome a finger lickin’ good experience with KFC with more details to follow soon!

Ten: Autographs and Photo Ops

Hall 7 is your golden chance to rub shoulders with international celebrities up close and personal. Capture the moment with a professionally taken photograph alongside your favourite celebs. Plus – you can snag their autographs too!

You do not need to have a photograph to get an autograph and vice versa. Whether you want to bring your own item for a cherished signature or pick up something special at the show, the stars are ready to make your day.

Given the high demand for these exclusive opportunities, be sure to keep a close watch on Comic Con Africa's social media for pre-order details. Remember, availability during the event itself might be limited, so stay in the loop and secure your spot to meet and greet your heroes!

Be sure to take advantage of the limited Anthony Daniels combo deal which is currently on offer to early bird patrons at R900 for a photograph and an autograph! Secure your spot here: https://bit.ly/CCA2023_tickets

Comic Con Africa 2023 is shaping up to be an unforgettable experience with pockets of excellence in each corner. Be sure not to miss out on the ultimate pop culture and gaming festival, from 22 to 25 September 2023, by securing your ticket on Howler from R200 here: https://bit.ly/CCA2023_tickets

Aum Namah Shivay!

Till next time...Aashish
Thanks! Cheers!!!
https://linktr.ee/thelifesway

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Your Lifestyle and Technology Blog for the Last 10.5 Years!

A Memoir - This Month Last Year - Sep 2013

Hi Guys,

September 2013 was the time when I was very happy with the way my blog was generating a lot of pageviews and I reached 150th blog posts in this month.

1. HP Print Art - Pogo MAD Art Workshop  - Sometimes, it all takes a dream to do what your heart wants to do and I really wanted my daughter to meet Rob considering her interest in his program on Pogo TV. It was converted to reality when HP Print Art gave me a chance to win their contest and send my wife and kid to the live workshop in Mumbai, all expenses covered. It was a great one day trip for them and I really loved the smile when they came back from the same. 

2. Toyota Etios Motor Racing - Buddh International Circuit, Noida - It was my time to follow my dreams too and Toyota Motors gave me an all access pass and a hot lap around the circuit in their racing cars. It was a great saturday with the team and I really loved the same. I won this contest on twitter. 

3. I am Explorer -The Road Less Travelled - Another Indiblogger contest with Tata Safari and I won Rs 1000 GV for the same. I really loved writing this one and matching it with the photographs I took on my trip from London to Scotland and Wales. Check it out! 

4. Product Launch - Nokia Lumia 1020 - 26 Sep 2013- I won an amazing entry to attend the launch event of Nokia Lumia 1020 in Delhi. I really loved the phone and as destiny awaits, I am having this phone for review in my hands here in Johannesburg this month only. Blogpost coming soon for Lumia 1020.This phone is worth the price and I would love to buy it whenever it's price gets dropped.

5. Live_InStyle - McDowell's Karaoke World Championshiop - Zonal Finals - It was a great invite from one of the PR to attend and cover this live music event. I really loved the singers and it was a great evening full of soulful music and some great performances. Check it out!

It's really great when you get great invites and is able to enjoy your life. I loved doing whatever I did with my blog that time and now also. Blogging has given me a meaning and I really love expressing myself and cover a lot of events. Looking forward to have some awesome moments in the future!!!

Cheers!!!

Contact me for your product's review on twitter @araijain or @thelifesway or email - thelifesway@gmail.com

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Toyota Etios Motor Racing - Buddh International Circuit, Noida

Hi Guys,

It was a great racing contest on Twitter and I was lucky enough to win a great contest from the house of TOYOTA MOTORS. With all set and a lot of tickets won, I was ready to reach Buddh International Circuit at around 11am on 14 Sep 2013 but as it came, all my family members seems to be interested in watching racing track so I reached around 1230 at the destination. It was our first experience on the new road as well as at the track. Truly international it seemed and really it was of international quality.

The first ever look of the BIC board.

Entering the venue and all the TOYOTA cars on display.

A race in the progress as per the schedule. The sound of engines really made the track happening.

The view from the main Grand stand.

Another view from the Grand stand.

The time when I was told to come with the Toyota team to the PIT as I have won the HOT LAP. Wow! I was not aware about the thing and really loved the news. 

The Schedule of the races.

The first look of the Toyota EMR - pit.

 

The Toyota Etios Motor Racing cars awating their drivers.

All the drivers ready to take on their cars for the EMR RACE.

ALL THE VERY BEST DUDE! Keep your eyes on the track.

The final countdown before it is all over.

The final ranking board spread all across the Grand stand. 

The Toyota EMR racing cars coming back to pavilion after the race. 

 Some of the winners and the losers having afterthoughts.

Winners getting facilitated.  Congratulations Guys!!! Diljith did it again in Noida and went on to finally winning the title race too. Kudos!!!

Resting the cars before the start of another race in the evening.

My car which will give me a hot lap around the BIC 5.14 km race track.

All the unnecessary items are removed from the car and a pillared support was provided to make it light and just ready to hit the track. I was belted in the car and it was such strong that I could only move my neck and nothing else.

Myself coming out of the Race Car after the hot lap. It was a great and a first experience. I really felt the adrenalin rush inside me. Twice on the track I really felt that the center of gravity has shifted too long and the car is going to turn turtle but it was the fun that nothing bad happened.

The driver really gave me a good lap of the track with car drifting and doing various racing stunts on the track.Check out the video of the whole lap -

http://youtu.be/ZmRXH4iz27s

I am really thankful to Toyota EMR team for making me a winner and giving me this opportunity to be on the race track. Now awaiting my Toyota EMR goodies as a memory of the racing. www.toyotaetiosmotorracing.in/‎ This was the first ever edition of the race and more will be coming soon....

www.toyotabharat.com/cars/new_cars/in_etios/emr/index-emr.aspx‎

Toyota Etios twitter handle is @Toyota_Etios

My daughter was so excited to see the car race that she wanted to stay on the BIC to watch the Motor cycle racing too.

Here's a final goodbye to the team who really made this all possible. It was a dream come true.

Thanks Guys!!! Cheers!!!