If you wandered into Delhi’s Dilli Haat in the winter of 2011, you might stumble upon a strange scene, both modest and monumental: In the winter of 2011, a small but enthusiastic gathering of comic book enthusiasts, artists Drawn by a large crowd, and a shared passion for comics, collectibles and the unknown promise of India’s first Comic Con, 13 cosplayers came together at Dilli Haat. There was something electric and monumental about the meeting: a sense of community that would soon turn into a cultural phenomenon.
In 2011, the idea of an Indian Comic Con seemed foreign. San Diego and New York? Sure, I understood what he meant. But Delhi? It wasn’t much of a spectacle, at least not yet.
Jatin Verma, Founder and Managing Director of Comic Con India, reflects on those rocky beginnings with nostalgia and wonder. “I had no experience in event production,” he admits. “I just wanted to be the geek who organized India’s first comic book convention.”
In the end, perhaps it was inevitable. The global tide of pop culture, from Marvel blockbusters to the global anime boom, was already hitting India’s shores. Comic Con was just the spark that ignited inferno.
A bird’s eye view of Comic Con Delhi 2022 | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Today, it’s hard to overstate how far India’s first comic book convention has come, or how cleverly it has evolved to remain relevant in a world influenced by viral trends and changing cultural tides. As its 12th edition begins on December 6 at the NSIC grounds in Okhla, its scale and stakes will be unrecognizable from those early days.
Cosplay, once a unique novelty, has now clearly become the heartbeat of the event. From a handful of initial participants, the event now attracts thousands of cosplayers each year. For the participants, it is more than just a hobby. “When you’re at a convention, you become a star,” Verma explains. “Everyone wants a picture with you. You connect with like-minded fans and really show your love for your favorite character.
Pose of a cosplayer at Delhi Comic Con 2023 | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
With its rapid growth has come inevitable commercialization. Sponsors like Maruti Suzuki, Crunchyroll and Yamaha India bring financial strength and deep experiences to the table. But for Verma, the trick is in balance.
“Commercialization is inevitable as you grow, but I try to be honest about the approach – finding the right balance between fan service and sustainability,” Verma says. That balancing act is evident in every aspect of the event, from its partnerships to its programming.
For example, Crunchyroll, an online streaming platform for anime, has taken advantage of the ongoing anime boom across the country. “anime was quietly huge and waiting to explode,” says Akshat Sahu, senior director of marketing at Crunchyroll. “The passion of these fans, their cosplay and their love for the characters showed us that India was ready to embrace anime in a big way.”
This year, Crunchyroll is pulling out all the stops with its Solo Leveling Dome that promises an immersive experience from the global manhwa phenomenon. There will also be a meeting with actor Rana Daggubati, who is lending his voice in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu dubbed films. solo leveling reawakeningSahu says, “It’s a perfect blend of storytelling and star power,” and is a step towards “making anime more appealing and accessible to everyone.”
Crunchyroll’s Solo Leveling Dome at Comic Con Delhi 2024 | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
This year’s edition promises to be sensory overload in the best possible way. From the moment you step onto the grounds, you’re immersed in a whirlpool of sights and sounds: the flashes of camera phones snapping away from cosplayers, the roar of gaming arenas, people swapping theories about their favorite franchises. Everything from fan interactions and live gaming tournaments and even a special performance by stand-up icons like Rohan Joshi lord of the rings The Warner Bros. India Experience.
This year’s international guests include New York Times bestseller, Ryan North, and Eisner-winning artist, Jason Lu. Indian producers like Indusverse and Bakermax will collaborate with beloved artists like Abhijeet Kini and Prasad Bhatt to create a space where established names and rising stars will rub shoulders.
For attendees, Comic Con is a place where fans, no matter how exclusive, find their tribe. It’s a sanctuary for anyone who has ever felt the need to explain why they stood in line for hours to meet a favorite painter or debate its finer points. a piece Knowledge.
Pose of a cosplayer at Delhi Comic Con 2022 | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
And that same sense of community remains the event’s secret weapon. Varma says the best marketing for Comic Con comes not from clever ad campaigns, but from fans. Their vlogs, reels, and unfiltered reactions on social media have become the most authentic form of event marketing. “There’s nothing like seeing someone having the best time of their life,” says Verma. “That enthusiasm is contagious, and it tells our story better than any marketing campaign.”
If the past thirteen years are any indication, Comic Con Delhi will continue to grow, evolve and surprise. And whether you’re a seasoned cosplayer, a first-time attendee, or a lifelong comic book lover, one thing is for sure: the best is yet to come.
But NSIC Exhibition Ground Gate 6, Okhla Phase 3 Road, NSIC Estate, Okhla Industrial Estate; 6 to 8 December; 11 am to 8 pm; Book tickets above ₹899 on Insider
published – December 06, 2024 11:01 am IST
