FANTASY BASEL – The Swiss Comic Con has built up a huge fan base across Europe in recent years, welcoming visitors from all over the world. Film and series stars such as Itziar Ituno (House of Money), Chuku Modu (The Good Doctor) or Sean Biggerstaff from the “Harry Potter” universe delighted fans with the stage talks, autograph sessions and photo shoots. Long queues of fans also formed for many female comic artists and fantasy illustrators.
The film industry also paid respect to FANTASY BASEL: exclusively selected visitors were among the first in the world to watch the new film SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE by Sony Pictures. This under the highest security standards.
“That such an exclusive screening could take place during FANTASY BASEL – The Swiss Comic Con” is a huge honor for us.”
Martin Schorno, Organiser Fantasy Basel
The anniversary ceremony for the “Swiss Garrison,” an offshoot of the worldwide “Star Wars” fan group, was no less international. Greetings from the USA, even from Lucasfilm employees, surprised the Swiss fans. They could imagine themselves in the middle of the film in an exhibition with huge Star Wars objects and sets by the fan group ProjectX1. Over 200 Stormtroopers, Jawas & Co were available for photos. Other highlights included the international line-up of stars from the cosplay scene and the daily cosplay competitions.
In the large gaming hall, a LEGO® king-sized Bowser was a unique eye-catcher in the Nintendo Zone and was literally besieged as a photo subject. The latest gaming devices were presented as well as the latest Swiss games. The Ovation Esports booth was also very busy, with Esports stars such as Noahreyli and Katoo in attendance. The “Creators Lounge” was the meeting place for streamers and content creators. Retrogames and VR games were presented in a second hall.
Science fiction and space fans were offered a top-class program on space and space travel. Renowned personalities such as the Swiss astronaut Claude Nicollier or the astronomer Dr. Seth Shostak, known as an alien hunter, gave lectures on the Space Stage. The interactive exhibition of the Swiss Space Museum, “Out There Beyond the Limits”, delighted experts as well as families.
Due to the great success, the organizers are already planning a further expansion. Next year, FANTASY BASEL – The Swiss Comic Con will take place again at Messe Basel from May 9 – 11, 2024. Advance sales will start in October. The same organisers also host the festival ZURICH POP CON & Game Show from 30.09. – 01.10.2023 in the Messe Zurich.