Unite in fandom: Pune Comic Con unites comic enthusiasts and creators for an unforgettable weekend; Artists share nostalgia with eager fans

In one corner there are comic book fans discussing which DC superhero the next Absolute edition is going to be about, while in the other, if you can believe your eyes, you see Kamado Tanjiro, President Loki and Koro-sensei laughing together as Itachi Uchiha joins them.

These were the scenes that unfolded at the Pune Comic Con over the weekend, with fans, artists and creators coming together for a celebration of all things comics!

Reliving their childhood

From Savio Mascarenhas, the creator of Shikari Shambhu and Supandi to Josh Blaylock, an international artist for whom this was a first at the Pune event, there were many known names to look forward to for fans. “I met people who grew up reading Tinkle and Amar Chitra Katha, and whose kids are now experiencing the comics. It is something I just can’t put into words,” Savio said, recalling a moment when a newly married couple asked him to autograph a copy of Tinkle for the child they would have some day.

Cosplay, consoles and long queues

Cosplay and gaming were other big attractions with booths offering everything from VR cricket to car racing simulation. Some booths had reflex-based games as well. The queues had some dressed in their regular attire, others in elaborate cosplay costumes.

Omkar Jadhav, an IT professional, arrived at the event with two friends expecting to leave after just a couple of hours of browsing. "Instead, we ended up spending the entire day here. It was such a fun experience with the offerings, cosplay and games.”