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GLASGOW COMIC CON Comics, sci-fi , cosplay and big names roll up for this annual event
As Avengers: Ini nity Wars cruises past $1 billion at the box ofi ce, the global love of superheroes remains strong. Once dank and dusty conventions featuring stalls selling back issues, these days comic cons have become bright vibrant celebrations of comics, sci-i and fantasy. And now, Glasgow Comic Con is back for its eighth year. ‘We host international writers, artists and creators, champion self-published works, and a range of comics-related activities to cater to our younger audience,’ explains event manager Nicola Love. ‘Last year we were preparing to open our doors and I asked one of my volunteers if there was a queue outside. People were queuing along Killermont Street, down Reni eld Street, and onto Sauchiehall Street. I was so buzzing I nearly cried.’ This year they’ve doubled the number of panels to
host a lineup that includes Kris Anka (Runaways),
Jen Bartel (World of Wakanda, Josie & The Pussycats), Annie Wu (Black Canary, Hawkeye), Christian Ward (Iron Man), and Mahmud Asrar (X-Men Red). Accessibility is also an important factor according to Love, who has been working with National Society of Autism Scotland to make this year’s event even more friendly and welcoming for all comic book fans.
Glasgow Comic Con isn’t just about superheroes and big name publishers, it also champions indie titles with the annual Scottish Independent Comic Book Awards. As Love notes: ‘the awards are our way of trying to boost the proi le of some of the best books to come out of the self-published scene in the previous year and shout about some really cool projects.’ (Henry Northmore) ■ Glasgow Comic Con, Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, Sat 30 Jun.
74 THE LIST 1 Jun–31 Aug 2018
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