Comics and costumes on show

A CELEBRATION of all things pop culture, Bendicon returns this month.

Featuring comics, a cosplay contest, guest panels, fan groups and an artist alley, Bendigo’s own Comic-Con type event is on Sunday, 18 September at Red Energy Arena from 10am to 4pm.

Organiser Peter Pascoe said the Bendicon is gaining momentum with plenty of people keen for its return.

“I’m very excited,” he said. “It’s been a couple of years off for COVID and couple of false starts, but it looks like we’re full steam ahead for this one.

“It’s getting a lot of traction… there’s a lot of people who are regulars and people who are just finding out it’s a thing as well.”

Groups such as the Bendigo Whovian Society and the Bendigo Lego Users Group will have their displays set up, and there’ll be plenty of board games and toys to get involved with.

Mr Pascoe said while pop culture is a broad term, for him Bendicon is about the comics.

“That embraces the movie side of it as well, but in terms of setting up the market, it’s about embracing the comic side,” he said.

“Pop culture is a fairly broad umbrella and there’s certainly more than just comics at Bendicon, but for me that’s the focus and heart of it.”

Moving from the Bendigo Exhibition Centre to the Red Energy Arena, Mr Pascoe said the change in venue reflects the event’s growth in size.

Tickets will be available on the day and via Ticketek. For more information search Bendigo Record, Comic and Toy Fair on Facebook.