Culture
The Comic Con landed in the French capital, Friday, 23 October until 25 October, at the Grande Halle de la Villette in Paris. “Star Wars”, “Batman” or “Game Of Thrones” will be in the honor of this Mastodon of popular culture from the United States. A great rendezvous, often called a “geek”, which is still rather obscure for some.
Originally known as the comic convention, that is to say the comic strip convention, The Comic Con was one of the key festivals “dedicated to pop culture”, says Pierre-Yves Binctin, director of the Paris Comic at the HuffPost.
Created in 1970, in the city of San Diego, USA, the event dedicated mainly to the world of American Comics has spread over the years “to all areas of entertainment without however putting aside its major pillar, the comics. There are also now films, video games, TV series and toys on very specific themes such as comics-superheroes science fiction and heroic fantasy.”
For several days, visitors discover exclusive content on their favorite program-notably on the Marvel, DC Comics and Disney sides -, meet authors, cartoonists and enjoy book signing sessions. Stands with collector items are present, as well as publishing houses. It is also an opportunity for many fans to unveil their cosplays with the effigy of their favorite characters. A competition will also be held to reward the best, who will participate in the international finals at the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo in Chicago in 2016.
The company ReedPOP, which organizes Star Wars Celebration And The Comic Con of New York, Chicago, and Shanghai, among others, launches The Comic Con Paris, in association with Reed Expositions France, French subsidiary of the event group Reed Exhibitions, in charge of FIAC and JTS Group of the Japan Expo show.
This Comic Con is different” from the five previous editions held until 2013, with the Japan Expo at the Parc des Expositions in Villepinte. On the one hand, because the event is now solo and is held in a different place. The 26.000 to 30.000 visitors expected ” will live an incredible experience. Pop culture is a real culture in its own right, ” explains Pierre-Yves Binctin.
The Artist Alley, the site where the designers make drawings online to those who ask them will be present and will highlight the French talents. “Fans will be able to attend masterclasses”, enthuses the director of Comic Con Paris. On the other hand, because it is affiliated to ReedPop, which after having conquered Australia and India, registered the brand of Comic Con in France. “We bring the American imagination to France with French specificities.”Talent made in France, like the French director, Louis Leterrier, and also the godfather of this edition. Or – in another genre-the cartoonist, screenwriter and director Joann Sfar.
Some prestigious guests
The collaboration with ReedPop, the American masterpiece, has allowed the French edition to offer itself some prestigious guests such as the star of the world of comics, Franck Miller, the father of “Batman”, “Sin City”or ” 300″. But also, Brian Michael Bendis, the great name of Marvel with the “Ultimate,” “New Avengers “and “Guardians of the Galaxy”. Many writers like Matt Fraction (“Sex Criminals”), Kelly Sue Deconnick (“Captain Marvel”), Brian Azzarello (Wonder Woman), Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner will also be present. Film music composer Eric Serra (“The Great Blue”, “The Fifth Element”) will hold a masterclass, as well as Jeff Mann, the designer of the spacecraft of” Star Wars “and”Star Trek”. YouTubeurs and creators of web-series will come to present their work to the general public. On the small screen, American actors Maisie Williams (“Games of Thrones”), Shawn Ashmore (“X-Men”), James Marsters (“Buffy against vampires”), Eric Balfour (“24 hours chrono”,” Haven”), and the cast of the new series Netflix and Marvel” Jessica Jones ” are also expected this weekend.