Speedy Comics Con: UAE group launches digital comic con featuring Hollywood stars

The two-day event will feature live-streamed celebrity panels and a cosplay contest

Jon Bernthal, Katie Cassidy and Brandon Routh will take part in Speedy Comic Con. Supplied 

In a time when staying socially distant and working from home have become part of the new normal, a new digital pop-culture event feels fit for the times.

Speedy Group, the company behind Dubai comics store Speedy Comics and comic creator Arab Comics, is launching Speedy Comics Con, a convention featuring live-streamed celebrity panel discussions, a cosplay contest and more.

The event will take place on Friday, November 13 and Saturday, November 14 and be held entirely online.

Much like other comic cons, celebrity panels will allow fans to get a chance to interact with their favourite stars – whether through watching a live stream (which starts at $5) or two-minute VIP one-on-one video chats (with prices ranging from $50 to $150).

Celebrities confirmed to participate include Ray Fisher (Justice League), Jon Bernthal (The Punisher, Daredevil), Ray Porter (Justice League), Tom Welling (Smallville), Michael Rosenbaum (Smallville), Brandon Routh (DC's Legends of Tomorrow, Arrow), Lauren Ridloff (The Eternals), Katie Cassidy (Arrow, The Flash), Said Taghmaoui (Wonder Woman) and more.

There will also be a cosplay competition where interested participants can dress in their best to compete in one of the following categories: superheroes and super villains, anime characters or video game characters.

To take part, contestants must submit cosplay photographs and a cosplay skit video of up to two minutes. The top three finalists will stand to win cash prizes of up to Dh3,000 ($817).

“Comic culture is a major driver of creativity and community, and at Speedy Comics, we believe that the world needs more positive platforms for the exchange of ideas, where people can interact with a community of the like-minded. We appreciate the guidance, enthusiasm, and support of Dubai Tourism and that of our partners and sponsors,” said Rashid Mohammed Zubair Al Farooq, chairman of the advisory board for Speedy Comics.

More information is available at speedycomicscon.com