Comic Con Africa 2025 Highlights: Epic Photos, Cosplay & Creativity

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Comic Con Africa 2025 is officially wrapped, and what a wild, colourful ride it was. Over four days, tens of thousands of fans filled the halls with cosplay, laughter, shopping bags that were far too heavy, and memories that will no doubt outlast even the strongest glue holding together a foam sword. From the main stage line-up of international stars to the homegrown creators showcasing their work, the convention proved once again that South Africa knows how to throw one of the best pop culture gatherings on the continent.

The main stage brought plenty of goosebump moments, from Jessie T. Usher reminding us why speedsters are cooler than we’ll ever be, to Dan Fogler proving that a wizard can make a whole hall roar with laughter, and Misha Collins charming fans like only an angel can. Every corner of the con felt alive — packed with panels, artist alley gems, exclusive merch, and activations from some of the biggest brands in entertainment. It wasn’t just a celebration of fandoms, it was a showcase of the creativity that thrives right here at home.

And let’s not forget the cosplayers. If anyone ever doubted the level of artistry in South Africa, Comic Con Africa 2025 shut that down faster than Deadpool breaks the fourth wall. From armour builds that looked forged by gods to hand-sewn gowns fit for intergalactic royalty, the craftsmanship was unreal. Every photo taken was a love letter to the countless hours of effort, glue burns, and sheer passion poured into every costume.

These incredible shots come straight from Comic Con Africa’s own socials, and they truly capture the magic of the weekend. Just look at the sheer talent on display — cosplayers, creators, and fans bringing the world of fantasy and pop culture to life in ways that never fail to impress. It’s impossible not to feel inspired by the artistry and passion shining through in every frame.

These photos come from the incredible Kiara Maharaj (better known as Kiara in the Forest), a South African fantasy writer and illustrator whose work completely stole the show at Comic Con Africa. Her stall was nothing short of magical, bursting with whimsical detail and designs that make you want to stare at them for hours. Beyond her art, Kiara has also created something every fantasy lover should get their hands on — The Polkadot Files, a collection of 15 original fantasy short stories packed with charm, imagination, and mischief. Honestly, the level of talent here is breathtaking, and it deserves every bit of love and attention.

These photos are courtesy of the amazing team over at The Gnarly Griffin — full credit to them for capturing some absolutely epic cosplays at Comic Con Africa, along with a brilliant shot of their crew with Jessie T. Usher himself.

Tabletop Alley, proudly sponsored by Solarpop, was buzzing with energy all weekend long. Their activation was packed with fun activities, giving fans the chance to discover and learn brand-new board games first-hand in an epic setting. On top of that, there were other light-hearted favourites like slush puppies, marbles, and more — making it a space where everyone could jump in, play, and enjoy.

Photo Credit: Evetech — South Africa’s leading gaming and tech retailer, known for kitting out gamers with everything from custom-built PCs and laptops to peripherals, components, and high-performance gear. You can check them out at www.evetech.co.za. These photos they captured at Comic Con Africa show off just how epic the community looks when passion and creativity come together.

Some more photos taken at Comic Con Africa

And as much as I love being behind the keyboard showing off all of this talent, one day I hope to level up and become a real cosplayer myself. For now, here’s me and my partner in our own quirky takes — Minion and Banana, and of course, Mario and Luigi. Until then, see you all at Comic Con Africa 2026!