Returning to Melbourne Showgrounds between April 6-7, Supanova Comic Con & Gaming is your one-stop shop for all things pop culture – and in 2024, there’s a truly stacked lineup of events, meet and greets, and merch to enjoy. Spanning the worlds of film, TV, manga, gaming, anime, comics, and more, Supanova is your ticket to a weekend of geeky thrills. The final few tickets are still available, but if you need a little more convincing to seal the deal, we’ve picked out five reasons why you mustn’t miss Supanova in Melbourne!
1. You can meet stars of the Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Doctor Who universes
The stars are out at Supanova this autumn, and they’re coming from the likes of Hogwarts, Gallifrey, and Tatooine. At the Melbourne event, fans will be able to join Q&As, autograph sessions, and photo opportunities with Jodie Whittaker, best known as the thirteenth Doctor; Temuera Morrison, who starred as iconic bounty hunter Boba Fett in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, The Book of Boba Fett, and The Mandalorian; and Evanna Lynch, who brought the free-spirited character of Luna Lovegood to life in four of the Harry Potter films.
Renowned voice actor Phil LaMarr (Futurama), The Boys star Karen Fukuhara, Arrowverse fave Emily Bett Rickards, and Aussie legend Steve Bisley (of Mad Max fame and more) are just some of the other big names slated to appear at this star-studded event. Bring an empty autograph book and get ready to meet icons from the worlds of film, TV, and more.
2. It’s your chance to show off your top-tier cosplay
The time for restraint and subtlety is over: it’s time to go all out with your costume and dazzle the crowds. Whether you’re donning your Darth Vader cosplay, honouring your favourite anime characters, or living out your fantasy as a video game hero, Supanova sets the stage to debut your look. Seasoned cosplayers can join the Cosplay Competition – complete with skits and performances – whilst there’s also the Cosplay Showcase for a more relaxed appreciation of your chosen cosplay.
3. Literary legends will explore the magic of worldbuilding, comic books, and more
A host of famed sci-fi and fantasy authors are taking part in the Supanova Seminars during the weekend. Hugo Award winner T. Kingfisher kicks off the Literary Legends discussion on Saturday lunchtime, whilst there are panels on worldbuilding essentials (featuring Megan White, Kate Forsyth, Lynette Noni, and Richard Swan), everyday magic (with Maria Lewis and Luke Arnold), and the art of plots and sub-plots, with guests including Madeline Te Whiu and Dan O’Malley. Additionally, these authors will make appearances at the QBD Books Stand throughout the weekend, offering you the chance to get your prized books autographed.
For comic book fans, you’ll want to hit up the Imagineers Stage to hear from creators including Ken Steacy & Mike Zeck, who’ll take part in a career retrospective. An informative panel about the role of AI in comics and illustration should provide a fascinating hour of contemplation, and there’s a fun Supa-star sketch-off in the offing too, featuring the creative talents of Steacy, Lipwei Chang, and Ben Stenbeck.
4. You can snag exclusive merch and rare collectibles
Let’s face it: there’s no way you’re leaving Supanova empty-handed. Hit up Popcultcha’s stand to pick up the latest Funko exclusives, along with action figures and more. The exhibition hall will be packed with stands offering comics, collector’s items, games, toys, and much more. Really, this is the reason you’ve been saving your pocket money…
5. Join a community of creators, collectors, and fans
Supanova is the largest producer of pop culture live events in Australia, and they bring together fans from all over the country to celebrate the worlds of fantasy, sci-fi, manga, comics, and more. There’s no better place to meet and geek out with like-minded people, whether you’re bonded by a love of epic cosplays or a mutual love for vintage comics. So regardless of whether you’re flying solo or coming with friends, you’ll find a thriving and welcoming community at Supanova, and you might even make a friend for life!