Daily Times

KARACHI: Following the tradition of comic cons around the globe, Team Dawat hosted the much awaited comics-based event, the Ultimate Comic Con Karachi 2017 at a local hotel.

UCC Karachi provided comic fans with an opportunity to celebrate their favourite comic heroes and brought together related fields such as merchandise, toys, games and films along with fans from all age groups under one roof. UCCK, the brainchild of Maryah Miandad and Anza Saqib held true to its promise of delivering authentic Comic Con experience for the first time in Pakistan.

The event managed by Taha Memon and his team at Dawat, started with a video recorded message by US Consulate General Karachi Information Officer Sharlina Hussain Morgan greeted the audiences, who explained the whole concept of Comic Con and where it originated.

The venue transformed into a comic paradise had much to offer to indulge the comic fans of the metropolitan. Some of the highlights that even the celebrities enjoyed thoroughly were the iron throne at the Game of Thrones niche, taking pictures suspended in mid air at the Harry Potter niche, accompanying Luke Skywalker and Yoda with Darth Vader and lightsabers at the Star Wars area, appreciation of the vintage statues and comics showcased at the DC & Marvels niche, the VR gaming area, the Lego display by Toy Bricks and the official merchandise sold by Comics Zone and Digital Realm.

After the Scavenger Hunt, there was a video shown about how the team at UCCK had invited the special children of PVA-UJALA school a week before the event by uniquely dressing up as superheroes and distributing action figures to the children and spreading the message of “the greatest superpower is love”. PVA-UJALA school was presented a cheque of Rs 50,000 as a small token of appreciation for these children who they felt were the real superheroes and vowed to dedicate a significant percentage of the profits to UJALA.

The highlight of the event was the Cosplay competition presented by Quetta Gladiators and hosted by the very bubbly, chirpy and hilarious Faiza Saleem who loved interacting with the audience and left people in fits of laughter. The cosplay involved a recreation of Cosplay which is actually a performing art known globally. There were many cosplayers that walked the ramp in character; some highlights were Generator Rex, Sven, Professor Zoom, Katniss of Hunger Games and Storm from ‘X Men’. The three winners decided by the judges’ panel comprising the seasoned fashion journalist Zurain Imam, Stylist Alishay Adnan and Jahangir Khan were judged on the basis of their authenticity, effort and creativity. Noman Mateen came first and Usman Zahid came second. However, two show stoppers stole hearts. First one being the youngest cosplayer in the history of Pakistan, a 2-month old baby dressed as the Flash, and Shuja.

After the Cosplay competition, a finale happened with the world class Pakistani MMA sensation Ahmed Mujtaba being officially launched by the Quetta Gladiators team initiated with Javaid Miandad as their brand ambassador.

Mir Muhammad Ali Khan spoke about encouraging such initiatives and appreciated the team. Gauher Aftab of CFX comics reiterated that such events help promote local artists and comic book illustrators. The event ended on a successful note with the team thanking the sponsors and their partners and the volunteers. With Cosplay competition, comic merchandise and special guests, there was much to look forward to this year’s Ultimate Comic Con Karachi 2017. Chief guest MNA Shazia Marri appreciated the organisers and contestants and took pictures with the cosplayers and at the niches.