Arts
Local geeks all set for spooky fun
Lanka Comic Con took place on a humid weekend in late August at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre (SLECC) and the memory of the superheroes and villains we encountered remains fresh in our minds.
Founded by the Geek Club of Sri Lanka (GCSL), this was the third edition of the Lanka Comic Con since 2015. Now the innovative beings at team GCSL collaborating with comic book retailer Red Dot Geek, are hosting a spooky spectacle – the “Halloween Goblin Market”on November 4 at the Liberty Arcade (3rd floor) from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Aiming to give visitors chills and thrills, the“Halloween Goblin Market” will have a multitude of activities including free comics, market stalls, trade stalls, games, a wishing well, fortune tellers, food, drinks etc.
Lanka Comic Con plays a pivotal role in nurturing the passions of our local geeks. From the role-playing characters who casually stroll the halls of the venue to the variety of activities including table top games, panel discussions, martial arts and combat battle demonstrations, Sinhala and English Science fiction films and a two hour performance by rock legends “Stigmata” – the Lanka Comic Con had something for everyone. There was no restriction in terms of age, gender or language with the organizers taking great pains to include all three language speakers in the activities offered at the event.
The event even drew visitors from overseas. Present at Comic Con was Mumbai-based comic book artist and writer Vivek Goel and his grin worthy stall “Holy Cow Entertainment”. The inspiration for some Vivek’s latest comic books was the demon king Ravana from the ancient Indian epic poem – Ramayana. Gazing at the hair-raising (somewhat gory) poster of the comic’s cover, Vivek adoringly speaks of “Ravana” as a fallen hero of sorts. “We always wanted to do a story of someone who was negatively perceived and in a way rewrite the history of someone who has lost it all,” he said. Vivek’s fictionalized narration is loosely based on Valmiki.
From the sarong wrapped Batman, Mermaid Man, Harley Quinn, V from “V for Vendetta”, pint-sized Bat-girls and Captain America’s, the event mascot “Tuk-Tuk Hero” and the occasional Deadpools who swaggered through the carpeted floors, they were all having the time of their lives and one anticipates a similar atmosphere at the Halloween Goblin Market.
For more information, on the “Halloween Goblin Market” check out their event page on Facebook.