Spring is back so that means you can go to FACTS Spring Edition too! Belgian’s biggest Comic Con returns this weekend and we checked it out. We’ve been covering FACTS for more than ten years now, so it feels a bit like coming home but what can you expect to see this time? We’ll give you five reasons to come.
Geek Market
As per usual, the geek market is the beating heart of the convention and takes up most space at Flanders Expo. There’s a lot of variation when it comes to the vendors and it’s nice to see that the organization found the right balance between the bigger shops and the smaller collectors who want to sell their impressive stuff during FACTS. The geek market offered a surprisingly large amount of Pokémon vendors, which was something we of course could only applaud. As big Pokémon fans, we enjoyed going through all those Pokémon folders, looking for that one card we miss in our collection. It doesn’t stop there, from retro games to collectible anime swords and official merch, the geek market is the place where you’ll probably spend a lot of your money. Spending a couple of hours browsing through all the stores and comparing some of the prices is a fun activity, it’s also worth pointing out that not all vendors sell at a higher convention price, you can certainly score some nice deals here! The Geek Market should be one of the main reasons to come if you’re into gaming, anime, horror, Japanese culture, and more.
Gaming
As a gaming website, we always look for gaming activities. Compared to the October edition, the Spring edition offers fewer gaming experiences mainly due to the lack of bigger players like Nintendo. You won’t find a Nintendo booth this weekend but that doesn’t mean you can’t play some games. You can play a special Fortnite map on the Proximus booth to win a PlayStation 5, you can play some retro games in the smaller halls, you can play high-end PC games on incredible gaming PCs, or you can jump in a special VR rollercoaster with Meta Quest 3 headsets at the new Education zone. Not as prominent as other editions but gaming certainly still plays a role and if you keep your eyes open, you’ll certainly enjoy some virtual adventures. It’s also fun to see all the gaming merchandise on the Geek Market of course. It’s a perfect weekend trip for gaming fans without a doubt!
Cosplay
The magical element of FACTS has always been the Cosplay Scene! It already starts on the highway on the drive to FACTS itself where you can spot your favorite characters in cars beside you! Once you arrive at Flanders Expo there’s no denying you’re in the right place. From movies and anime to even the most obscure book, all characters come to life and you can take part in it yourself. That is the true beauty of cosplay! Whether you’re showcasing your very first costume or you’re showcasing the amazing foam and epoxy skills of a professional, everyone feels at home here. The many cosplay groups facilitate the gathering of supplies and they take their time to help you from resewing a loose thread to teaching you how to craft EVA foam or sharing 3D printed designs they proudly share with the great community. Beginners and international pros are welcome on the many stages and shows hosted by the community themselves. It’s great for kids and grownups to meet their heroes and if you ask nicely a cosplayer will always say yes to a picture with their fans! FACTS and cosplay have been soulmates since the very beginning and the scene really shines on the platform provided by FACTS!
Meet your heroes
FACTS Spring Edition is the place to be if you want to meet your heroes, this edition has some impressive names, including Christopher Judge, Joseph Quinn, Teri Hatcher, and tons of great artists and writers. Lining up for an autograph might take some time since the waiting lines are pretty big but in the end, you’ll go home with an autograph or picture to cherish for the rest of your life, seems like a great deal if you ask us! Besides the artist’s alley, you’ll see some of the bigger names on the gorgeously created stage where you can hear them talk about their journeys and can even ask them a question if you’re lucky!
Unexpected fun
Besides the usual but welcome suspects on this con it’s also a great place to find that special niche in the FAN EXPERIENCE ZONE. It’s a great hall to see the community driven builds like magical LEGO creations or full scale replicas from sci-fi series or even KIT from Knight Rider! The FAN VILLAGE is especially great to take pictures with your kids or friends and immerse yourself in the magical worlds and props these groups created. Pure passion! If you’re more into action there’s a huge bouncing castle track with the fitting name “BOUNCEZILLA” so you can burn the delicious calories gained in the food hall where you can eat the popular “onigiri” and lots more. If you’re more into speed you can race in the augmented reality karting provided by SUPERCUBE! There are a lot of other great booths and people you’ll find here at FACTS SPRING EDITION. There’s a little bit of magic for everyone! FACTS is still open tomorrow on Sunday so hurry up and be a hero!
