Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1044434
4 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 28 OCTOBER 2018 THIS WEEK COMIC CON Malta Comic Con will be celebrating its 10th year anniversary next weekend. Co- organiser Fabio Agius (Wicked Comics) speaks to TEODOR RELJIC about how the two-day celebration of comic books and all of their related subcultures has evolved from a small event into a pop culture f lashpoint on the island How would you describe the evolution of Malta Comic Con from its (relatively) humble beginnings to its upcoming 10th anniversary edition? The Malta Comic Con had very humble beginnings – that's a fact. When we (Wick- ed Comics) started testing waters here in Malta we faced a huge challenge, as there was no comic scene at all and the majority of people's knowledge about comics was very limited. Surprisingly enough, given our limited budget and publicity, we had quite a nice turnout at our first convention. We saw a great potential in this show and we wanted it to grow. With the help of social media – which was just emerging at the time – we started making contacts and reaching people who were interested in the scene. Comic book movies and TV series were gaining popu- larity among people and showing them that comics are not just kids' stuff; that they're packed with great stories and wonderful art expressed by great minds. People wanted more of all that, as it turned out... and we were more than happy to deliver. In fact, we began to expand so exponen- tially that our first venue at St James Cava- lier – still very much dear to our hearts to this day – became a bit too small to host our event, and we needed "a bigger boat". Today, we're at a stage where we all have to look for sizeable venues to accommodate the event, which now hosts a wide variety of guests from all 'categories' of the com- ics and comics-related world: from artists, writers and cosplayers, to retail outlets and, of course, the general public. What has helped the event sustain its momentum over the years? I think that being able to give people what they want, while remaining honest with them at all times, is our greatest strength as an organisation. We treat all guests equally; be they local, foreign, celebrities in the field or self-published independent creators – everyone is treated the same way when they come to our show, which has actually con- tributed to our reputation in international circles. We make sure that the public is up- dated about any news and changes in the programme ahead of time, and we always keep the public's needs in mind. As com- ics fans ourselves, we know what's expected from such events, and do our utmost to emulate the best convention experience that we can manage. Apart from comic book readers, the Malta Comic Con appeals to a number of subcultures. Would you say that the event serves as something of a rallying call for these subcultures, and have you seen them grow and develop over the years? Comic conventions around the world do not just cater for comic fans but for other subcultures too. The comic scene is not limited for just comics – it walks hand in hand with other interests and hobbies like movies, gaming and cosplay, are just a few subcultures that fall under the same niche of the comic scene. Taking cosplay as an example, we started by having a small con- test with very few contestants but it has since developed into something much big- ger. Cosplayers work very hard to show off their craftsmanship, and they've taken it to an international level. In fact, we sponsor every year's winner to participate in comic conventions abroad. The gaming section grew considerably as well, accommodating all genres of gaming, including retro gam- ing sections for the particularly nostalgic fans. We are always a platform for anyone who has new ideas, concepts and projects. On that note, in recent years 'geek' subcultures have unfortunately given vent to some toxic elements – from the misogyny of Gamergate to an unceremonious backlash against diversity on a number of other platforms. Given how the subtitle of this year's event is 'Your Home, Your Place to Shine', would you say that inclusivity and creating a welcoming atmosphere for all is high on the agenda for Malta Comic Con? Unfortunately yes, we've seen these is- sues come up of late. I personally think that this does nothing but harm to the industry. The world has changed and comics have evolved with it, so we are certain that cer- tain issues will fall eventually in the same way that they have arisen. Luckily, at our show we have never experienced such in- cidents. We always had a friendly, laid back atmosphere where people express their opinions without being judged, irrespec- tive of their religion, race, culture or sexual orientation. That is why our tagline is 'Your Home, Your Place to Shine' because every- one at our show is one big family. That said, we also organise discussion panels where people can contribute their opinions on the scene in a free manner – but so far this has always panned out in a friendly and respectful way. Finally, what's in store for the 10th anniversary edition of Malta Comic Con? This year marks a milestone in our his- tory: ten years of celebrating comic culture in Malta! To commemorate this occasion, we have teamed up with Heritage Malta in issuing a publication which incorporates artworks by artists who attended our show over the past ten years and volunteered to contribute to this project. The book will be launched at the Malta Teodor Reljic Malta Comic Con turns ten