Dhaka Comicon 2012 – I was surprised too!

I’m not a convention rat. Not because of lack of desire, but more because of conflicting schedules. Otherwise, every year’s well-intentioned plans of attending the San Diego Comic Con the last few years, have been for naught. Besides having my Qwixotic Webcomic appear at Fan Expo 2011 last year, I don’t have much ‘Con experience’.

So imagine my surprise and shock when I find out that there’s a Dhaka Comicon being organized in Bangladesh. (I’m told the misspelling of ‘Comic Con’ is intentional.)

Living in Dhaka for the past 2 years, I was initially surprised to even find a local comic store here in the form of Jamil’s Comics & Collectibles. Even more so when I heard initial rumblings about the Dhaka Comicon. I was not disappointed.

Taking place last weekend from the 28^th & 29^th of December at the Bench Café, the Dhaka Comicon seems to have been a huge success! On top of the usual Booths from comic stores, memorabilia store, and other graphic designer and miscellaneous lot… they had Cosplayers!

Ranging from the lame to some pretty damn awesome Cosplayers, it was another pleasant surprise. You can check out some of the pictures below, which I stole from their official Facebook Page. Check them out on Facebook for more images of the event.

 I knew I should’ve gone as G.I. Joe. (The Channing Tatum version) don’t let her touch you!! this is pretty bad ass! a Desi Catwoman… *le sigh… this guy… is the guy… she’s a little too cute to be Harley Quinn. yes… that’s a criticism…

I myself wasn’t there too long. I only went the 1^st day. Bought some Comics from Jamil’s Comics & Collectibles. Had a nice chat with Dom from Dom’s Corner. Bought a Spider-Man figure which was like an old one I had years ago from Dhaka Action Figure Shop. It was also very impressive that some Booths were giving out free gifts, candy, comics, etc.

What blew me away though, was once I went inside. The Café where the event was hosted, was itself sort of an outdoor grill / café-like atmosphere. However, after entering inside, I was transported into a childhood flashback of epic proportions. Housed indoors, was an awesome collection of toys, figures, collectibles, movie memorabilia and other uber geeky stuff that would make the geekiest geek drool.

Everything from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles figures, hoards or Batman, Star Wars and other movie props and items, massive collections of Vintage cars, etc. It was a visual treat and an amazing trip down memory lane, I’m sure, for a lot of us. Not to mention educational for our next generation. I believe Saadi’s Collectibles featured this collectible extravagance. Whoever, she/he is… I tip my hat to you Saadi!

Over all, I quite enjoyed how Dhaka Comicon turned out. They’re promising it to be an annual thing, and I hope it is. They’ve got a long ways to go from being close to even local North American cons like Fan Expo, however it’s a start. And it’s always amazing to see the celebration of comics, movies, pop culture and other things of geek-dom.

Kudos to the organizers!

Official Pages: 

Dhaka Comicon

Dom’s Corner

Dhaka Action Figure Shop

Jamil’s Comics & Collectibles

Saadi’s Collectibles