The Illawarra's annual comic and pop culture festival Comic Gong returns this week after a pandemic-induced hiatus.
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Run by Wollongong City Council and usually attracting thousands, the format has been considerably downsized to keep in line with public safety - instead hosting a series of creative workshops, trivia and even a Marvel Murder Mystery evening.
Illustrator Louie Joyce has been part of the Comic Gong experience since its humble inception at Corrimal Library in 2013, and while a cosplay parade through the streets will be absent he did believe fans would be happy as the public had become more "understanding" of changes to events since COVID began.
"[Organisers are] still highlighting all the really important parts of Comic Gong that we all love - the artists, the cosplay, the different creative aspects - it's just in a different package this year," Mr Joyce said.
"It's really well curated, a lot of different styles of workshops and interactive activities and gaming and anime tribute screening and pop culture trivia.
"There's still a lot going on that can still meet the needs and things you want from a comic gong experience."
Mr Joyce will be part of one of the top events for Saturday at Wollongong Art Gallery, a panel discussion/draw off involving other pop culture experts like Marcelo Baez, Queenie Chan, Matt Lin, and Karen Beilharz. They will be chatting about all things illustration, comic writing, manga and more before going head-to-head in a live character draw-off with the aid of the audience.
For cosplay enthusiasts still wanting to be part of the action, some events encourage patrons to come in costume while council also suggests sharing your own photos to the Comic Gong Facebook page.
"The colourful energy, admiration and excitement the festival brings to our city was sorely missed last year, so I'm looking forward to its return, even though it's on a smaller scale," Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said.
"There are still so many opportunities to celebrate and appreciate pop culture, comics, pop art and everything in between."
COMIC GONG EVENTS INCLUDE:
- Marvel Murder Mystery, Helensburgh Community Centre, May 13 - ages 16+
- Pop Culture Trivia Night, The Music Lounge in Wollongong Town Hall, May 14 - ages 18+
- Superhero Training, Wollongong Library, May 15 - aged 5 to 7
- Beginner's Guide to Pixel Art Animation, Wollongong Library, May 15 - ages 13+
- Comic Script Writing, Wollongong Art Gallery, May 15 - ages 13+
- Superhero Training, Wollongong Library, May 15 - ages 8 to 14
- Drawing Pokémon Characters, Wollongong Library, May 15 - ages 8 to 12
- Panel Discussion and Draw Off, Wollongong Art Gallery, May 15 - all ages
- Beginners Acro & Parkour Masterclass, Wollongong Youth Centre, May 15 - ages 13+
- Ink Drawing, Wollongong Library, May 15 - ages 13+
- Design your own Manga Character, Wollongong Library, May 15 - ages 8 to 12
- Making Comics, Wollongong Youth Centre, May 15 - ages 13+
- Beginners Acro & Parkour Masterclass, Wollongong Youth Centre, May 15 - ages 13+
For more details visit https://wollongong.nsw.gov.au/comicgong.