Checking Out the Barcelona Comic Con 2015 (Salo del Comic)

I began drawing a comic in February, 2014. It’s a funny webcomic called Things in Squares. So when I heard that there was a “Salo del Comic” here in Barcelona, I decided that I ought to check it out. Here’s a brief look at some of the things at the Barcelona Comic Con of 2015.

Fira Barcelona: host of the Comic Con

So the big convention space in Barcelona is run by Fira Barcelona, which is a trade fair institution. It’s at Plaza Espanya, which is a giant roundabout centered on a stoic fountain of chiseled bodies pouring water on each other. You walk up toward the Museo Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, a big early twentieth century palace that houses Catalunyan art. It’s an old world scene for a new world phenomenon.

What was at Barcelona’s Comic Con?

Well there were plenty of people dressed as their favorite characters. And waffles. And crepes, in a school bus just outside the entrance. I didn’t take many photos of the cosplay, but some remarkable costumes included Iron Man and Captain Planet. This isn’t my photo, but these are the brave ones who acted out this or that on stage in front of what I can only assume to be critical eyes:

Source: La Zona Muerta

The space was huge, with two floors covered from wall to wall in kiosks. There were video games, a costume design kiosk, original artwork on display, a Star Wars section, Game of Thrones fan art (did you know that Dorne is Spain?), a Playstation demo area, lines for autographs here and there, and then a very crowded area where local comic stores had set up shop. Lots of Walking Dead mixed in with Spain’s nationally popular comics like the ubiquitous Mortadelo y Filemón.

Looking at the Barcelona comic con kiosks from the cosplay stage

Alright, here are just some photos to round up what I saw at Barcelona’s comic con:

There were some good Stars Wars Cosplays… nope, this is a mannequin

This was neat: props from Pan’s Labyrinthe.

The comic that appeared on Barcelona’s Comic Con banner

Batman in Barcelona: Protecting drunk British tourists from themselves.

A view toward the museum, in line for omic con tickets

La entrada al salo del comic Barcelona!

Is it worth it to go?

Yeah it was interesting. I’d never been to a comic con before, but I’m sure this pales in comparison to big ones, like the San Diego Comic Con. If you want to stay current on Barcelona’s con, like this facebook page.

Anyway, it was mostly big name fantasy and sci-fi comics. There were a lot of comic stores, a few authors signing autographs, and then of course all the video games. Being a gag comic artist, I would’ve liked to see a lot more small-time comic artists and artist from other humor genres. This comic con was mostly a tribute to the multinational titles of superheroes. I was kind of hoping I’d find Joan Cornella there. Maybe there are some other events around here I should check out. One thing I don’t plan on missing are the Holi celebrations here in Barcelona.

Here’s some juicy news from other Comics Cons…