Pop culture enthusiasts dressed up as comic or anime characters at the Comic Con India event held in Guwahati. Photo: Special Arrangement
Comic Con India, the subcontinent’s largest pop culture festival that brings together fans of comics, anime, gaming, films, cosplay competitions and other interactive activities, proved to be a “huge hit” in its first outing beyond metros and “mainland” cities.
The multi-city event held in Guwahati on November 22 and 23 attracted a few thousand pop culture lovers. Organizers said the response exceeded expectations in the city, where there was general gloom following the death of Assamese cultural icon Zubeen Garg.
“Established in New Delhi in 2011, Comic Con India has been traveling across metros and other major urban centers across the country. Our first iteration in the Northeast, known for its passion for pop culture, especially cosplay, has been strong,” said Shefali Johnson, CEO, Comic Con India. The Hindu,
Cosplay, which originated in Japan, often involves dressing up and taking on the role of a character from a video game or comics.
“The Northeast is full of energy, passion and creativity, and the crowd confirmed how vibrant this community is. Our aim is to create a space where fans, artists and storytellers can come together to celebrate the world they love, as well as inspire the next generation of creators in a region rich with stories, talent and imagination.”
Held at the Arjun Bhogeshwar Barua Sports Complex, where Garg’s mortal remains were kept for three days for people to have their last glimpse, the event saw a mix of maker sessions, demonstrations, interactive experiences and a host of activities to keep the participants engaged.
A highlight of the event was a fan interaction with comic book artist and writer Bill Golliher, best known for his contributions to Archie Comics. Sixteen Indian creators of comics and anime joined him during the show.
The Indians also include Tadam Gyadu, an illustrator from Arunachal Pradesh who has worked with major Indian publishers and Marvel on titles like Spiderman, Wolverine, Iron Man, Ghost Rider and The Avengers along with Indian stalwarts including Nagraj, Dhruva, Doga and Rakshak.
Assam-based digital artist and visual storyteller Debojyoti Choudhary and Bengaluru-based artist Rajesh Nagulakonda generated keen interest among aspiring creators. Fans attended the launch of Raj Rahman: The Weight We Carry by Bullseye Press, while a special Amar Chitra Katha session brought classic Indian stories back into focus.
Fans also witnessed Guwahati’s biggest cosplay competition in which talented cosplayers participated and brought their favorite characters to life. Popular comic book characters portrayed by cosplayers included Deadpool, Ironman, Velma, Hellboy, Mitsuri from Demon Slayer, and Quanxi from Chainsawman. eom
published – November 24, 2025 05:35 PM IST