Portsmouth Comic Con celebrates Free Art Friday with a final ‘mega-drop’

ARTWORK by some of the best comic book talent around will be on the streets for lucky fans to find as part of the build-up to this weekend’s Portsmouth Comic Con.

Ahead of the con at Portsmouth Guildhall on Saturday and Sunday, there will be an ambitious, synchronised mega-drop of artwork around the city in the finale of its Free Art Friday events, which have been taking place over the last two months.

As a huge advocate of local independent artists and comic art, Portsmouth Comic Con has been shining a light on indie talent from across the region by placing stunning pieces of artwork across the city for people to find and keep, with the opportunity to then meet the artist and have their piece signed at the con.

This Friday’s mega-drop will see eight pieces of art up for grabs, which will be hidden across the city in a range of places, each with a map giving clues to the whereabouts of the other pieces.

Local artists featured and appearing at the con include Stevie Hunt, Dan Cooke, Clark Bint, Fiona Simpson, Jonathan Scott, Victoria Wilton, Megan Woods, Jasmine Howard and Malu Santamaria-Benavente.

The two-day gathering will celebrate Star Wars Day, Game of Thrones, Dr Who and the 80th anniversary of the Dark Knight, Batman.

It will feature some of the best comic artists and writers from across the globe alongside stars of the screen with a packed programme of panels, displays, workshops and the largest collection of props and characters from cult TV series and films in a visual feast.

Visitors can get hands-on in the Immersive Tech Zone with VR, motion capture, simulators and robots, enjoy retro and board gaming, a steampunk deck and be amazed by the creativity and imagination of the daily Carnival of Cosplay competitions.

It is open from 10am-6pm both days. Under-14s from £8, adults from £16. Under-fives are free. For tickets go to portsmouthcomiccon.com.