The island paradise of Barbados, known more for its aqua blue waters and tourist filled beaches, played host recently to thousands of pop culture enthusiasts during AnimeKon VI: Fantopia. Held during the August 15-16 weekend, the two-day event featured local artists, writers and cosplayers. Also on hand were international cosplay stars Yaya Han and Kamui Cosplay, master sculptor and prop artist Calen Hoffman, actor Christian Howard (Street Fighter: Assassin’s Fist) and horror writer Lucy A. Smith.
Cosplay was a big part of the weekend and many of the patrons flowing through the halls of the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre came dressed as some of the most popular characters in pop culture including Iron Man, Poison Ivy, Lady Spawn, Spider-Man, and the Joker. Cosplayers happily posed for pictures and there were cosplay competitions that had those in the audience on their feet cheering.
Barbados isn’t a big island but there is an emerging creative force looking to make its mark in the world of comics. AnimeKon provided local artists and writers with an opportunity to showcase their creative talent before an appreciative audience. Several creators had their indie projects on display including Beyond Publishing Caribbean, an independent comic book company. They have several titles already on the stands including Life and Death in Paradise, Offset and Hardears. Life and Death in Paradise has even been compiled into a trade edition.
Just outside of the main hall, which housed the vendors, gaming stations and celebrities, there was an author’s lounge hosted by Chattel House Books, a local book store. The featured author was Lucy A. Snyder, a Bram Stroker Award winner. Snyder, the author of Spellbent and Soft Apocalypses, signed copies of her books and participated in Q and A sessions with local authors.
According to those in attendance, this year’s AnimeKon, was the biggest and best in the expo’s six year history. The convention’s ability to draw international pop culture stars and to increase its attendance is evidence that the hunger for modern pop culture is a world wide phenomenon, even on island paradises like Barbados.
