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Although “Comic Con” is a well-known event in America (New York Comic Con, San Diego Comic-Con). The event is fairly new to The Netherlands, in the matter of fact. We had our first edition of Dutch Comic Con last year in the Jaarbeurshallen in Utrecht, and it became a national success. This year, Dutch Comic Con is back in Utrecht, and it’s bigger and better than ever (all photo credits goes to Heather Taatgen).



For the comic and game-loving Dutch, the 26th and 27th of March 2016 have nothing to do with Easter, but more so with this pop-culture experience. Any ways, the 2015 edition of Dutch Comic Con welcomed over 25.000 visitors and had more than 160 exhibitors and dealers. Personally, I had a totally different experience of Dutch Comic Con than last year. As I wasn’t clad from head to toe in a Ghost Rider cosplay.

Due to the terrorist attacks in Brussels, security was tightened and bags were mandatory searched when entering the Con. This led to longer waiting lines, but most people respected this security measurement. Furthermore, the organizers listened to feedback from previous year’s Con goers. And added more walking space in the dealer’s room, and more chairs and places for people to sit and rest. The Con also added an extra hall to create more space.

This year you could meet up with your favorite actors like Billy Dee Williams (Lando, Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back, Return Of The Jedi ), Ian Beattie (Ser Meryn Trant, Game of Thrones), Peter Shinkoda (Nobu, Daredevil), Stefanie Joosten (Model of Quiet Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain) and many others. However, sadly enough Ernie Hudson and Anthony Carrigan had to call off Dutch Comic Con 2016 due to the Brussels attacks.

Of course, there also were a lot of comic artists and writers like Mike Grell (The Warlord, Green Lantern / Green Arrow), Steve Scott (Batman, X-Men Forever JLA, Marvel Adventures Hulk), Tony Moore (The Walking Dead) and many more. Gamers were not disappointed either with many gamebooths, arcade areas, show matches, master classes and eSports. You could enter a Hearthstone Tournament and win a Tavern Hero Tournament (Spring Championship) qualification and other prizes. You could also enter the FIFA 16 Tournament which also had money and gamegear prizes.

Although more seating areas were added, it was still rather hard to find a spot to sit. The waiting lines for photo booths and food stands were very long, but that was to be expected. The diversity of things to do and see was enormous, and you could definitely entertain yourself for some hours. Adding that extra hall and widening the exhibition and dealer-room alleyways were a good call, although it was still very crowded at times. In overall DCC 2016 was a great experience, and I can’t wait to see what the organizers and cosplayers come up with next year.

So, if you’re interested in visiting Dutch Comic Con next year? Then keep an eye out on the easyfairs website and their Facebook page. Greetings, Heather

Heather Taatgen

The Gaming Ground

Twitter: @MsMarvel1987

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Tags: Comic-con, Dutch Comic Con, Dutch Comic Con 2016, Gaming, Holland