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Delhi Comic Con is all about pizza, chai, cosplay and merchandise. This year, there is also a ‘star’ attraction from Game of Thrones.

The Delhi Comic Con is not really a comic convention. Think of it as more of a merchandise haven — desi, American and rip-offs.

For the uninitiated, Comic Cons are comic book conventions where fans, writers and artists meet. The New York Comic Con was the first such official event to be held in 1964.

Unlike the mega multi-genre San Diego Comic Con where Hollywood stars, directors, writers and fans gather by the thousands, the Delhi Comic Con welcomed just Vladimir Furdik, the actor who plays the Night King in television drama Game of Thrones. Frankly, he could have been anyone, since the Night King is a largely CGI and prosthetics character. There were also a few artists present from the Marvel and DC universe, but unlike the Doritos being given at the entrance, their autographs weren’t free — perhaps why their stalls looked mostly empty.

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Though the number of cosplayers has increased in the last few years, it seems India still cannot get over Heath Ledger’s Joker, Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, and of course, Harry Potter. During my trip this year, I spotted at least four Wolverines and six Jokers (only one of them looked convincing) and about a dozen Hogwarts-bound men, women and children. Of the more encouraging trends, women are cosplaying as well and not just as Harley Quinn.

The focus of Delhi’s Comic Con is not just comic books and mangas but also pop culture — which is why it has turned into a merchandise haven. You can buy just about everything — from pyjamas to posters, caricatures to clocks, t-shirts to toys. For the discerning action figure collector, who can shell out anywhere between Rs 2,000 and Rs 15,000 for one, finding the right piece among the run-of-the-mill Deadpools, Batmans, Wonder Womans can be quite the task.

Look through all the commercial stalls and you may find a great Indian graphic artist quietly drawing away.

After spending the day at Comic Con in the national capital, if there’s one thing to learn about Indians it is this: We are great at jugaad. Too long a walk from the main entrance to the Comic Con grounds? Keep e-rickshaws ready. Cosplaying Harry Potter but have no props? Your everyday jhadu becomes a broom. Can’t find anything edgy to wear? Your New Year devil hair bands can come to the rescue.

The Delhi Comic Con has become one grand family event. Buy some toys, play some games, pose with Aquaman and sit in the lawns after with your family. Pizza, chai, cosplay — what else does one need?

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