If we had a big stamp of approval, we would definitely hurry to put it on this new Comic Con Brussels edition!
Although the long queue right before the opening may have been intimidating, the convention turned out to be way easier to navigate than we anticipated once we were inside.
The reason is the earlier opening of La Gare Maritime, allowing visitors who don’t feel like rushing to the signing stands and photo booths to discover the second hall full of creators, instead of entering the same building immediately. For those who love cons because they intend to roam the artists’ alleys with a passion, you’ll probably find your happiness here.
A great variety of artists and some names that you may recognize from other conventions are gathered, selling their original creations and fan art. In short, a perfect place to support small businesses by buying their items, going from stickers to art prints, pins, handmade plushies and scented candles.
One of the new names of this edition was Yawarra, taking part in her first artists’ alley and embarking the visitors on a whimsical journey through her art and creations. Her original illustrations were printed on stickers and keychains, and if you’re a Pirates of the Caribbean fan, you probably didn’t miss her portrait of Barbossa or her painting of Will and Jack either.
If realistic inked portraits of your favorite movie or TV characters are more your style, search no further than Skarbog, who offered plenty of choices! From Marvel movies to television shows like Vikings and Game of Thrones, these were available as prints and bookmarks.
The colorful character prints (under their best-side profile) of Amay Sancha also caught our eye. These could be paired with their counterparts and sidekicks, as they’re drawn to face each other.
Last but not least, the stand of TulipArtCafe, that you may have encountered at Brussels Manga or more recently at Made in Asia, was there to provide a whole variety of joyful and heartwarming illustrated merch, from stickers to tote bags to Pride badges.
At the head of this year’s guest lineup were Jared Padalecki and Mark Shepperd, best known for their roles as Sam Winchester and Crowley in Supernatural.
Harry Potter fans were not left aside either with the presence of Jason Isaacs, as well as Warvick Davis, Sean Biggerstaff and John Cleese from Monthy Python, also appearing in the first two films as Nearly Headless Nick.
Other names, like Matt Ryan, Ron Moss and Ian McDiarmid, were also part of this edition, gathering a total of 23 guests.
When it comes to the panels, as usual make sure to turn up in advance. You might want to arrive in front of the main stage quite some time before a Q&A is scheduled to begin, or you won’t be able to see much of what’s happening past the rows of spectators.
While you wait, you’ll probably be able to witness one of the wrestling matches happening on the other side of the hall. The wait can be lengthy, but it’s also a good opportunity to sit down and rest. Your legs will thank you at the end of the day.
Don’t forget to look around either and admire the work that cosplayers put into their costumes! An excellent Jack Sparrow, Doctor Octopus and a Gremlin bride were seen walking around, as well as Minerva McGonagall and Dolores Umbridge.
For those eager to witness even more cosplay, one of the stages of La Gare Maritime was regularly hosting themed catwalks throughout the weekend. Other activities were taking place just a few stands away on the University Stage, starting with a wake-up program followed by a Disney karaoke to get some energy.
As for the food, visitors are of course welcome to bring their own lunch, but if you’d rather have a hot meal, lots of choices are available. You can go to the food court of La Gare Maritime, inside the convention’s own food area in Hall 1, or to the food trucks between the two buildings. We tried the mushroom pasta from the convention catering area and can attest that the portions are generous and delicious!
Although the alleys of Tour & Taxis are inevitably buzzing with activity, areas are wheelchair-accessible thanks to the buildings having several ramps in place. The disability toilet is found on the ground floor of Hall 1 while other regular ground-floor toilets are found in Hall 2.
The organizers also arranged the layout of the booths to let the crowd flow as smoothly as possible, avoiding visitors getting stuck in a dead end and letting them reach less busy spots, even at the more crowded times.
Once again, that Comic Con was a success and such an enjoyable experience overall, thanks to the organization who worked on the planning to keep the constant flow of visitors running smoothly. You can mark your calendars May 10 and 11 for the Spring edition. See you there in a few months!
