Jaipur : The inaugural edition of Jaipur Comic Con, presented by Maruti Suzuki Arena and powered by Crunchyroll, officially kicked off on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at the Jaipur Exhibition & Convention Centre (JECC). Organized by NODWIN Gaming, with support from the Government of Rajasthan under its AVGC policy, the event was hosted alongside the state’s flagship initiative, DigiFest.
Day 1 of the Jaipur edition started on a spectacular note with the presence of two international comic book legends including Bernard Chang, known for his work on Marvel’s Sorcerer Supreme and as co-creator of DC’s Monkey Prince, and Yanick Paquette, the Eisner-nominated and Shuster Award–winning Canadian artist whose acclaimed credits include X-Men, Wolverine, Batman, Swamp Thing, Wonder Woman: Earth One, and The Incal. Both artists were seen engaging with fans and sharing insights into their creative process.
The maiden edition also featured an interactive meet-and-greet session with 13 renowned Indian comic book writers and illustrators, including Savio Mascarenhas (Amar Chitra Katha), Faisal Mohammed (Garbage Bin Comics), and Alok Sharma (Indusverse), highlighting the imagination and creative thinking behind Indian storytelling. Adding a strong regional touch, the inaugural edition showcased the work of 14 young local creators from Rajasthan, such as Aditya Vaishnav, Abhilasha Bhartiya, Vibhuti Pandya, and Samridhi Kavia, brought by the Rising AVGCXR & Media Association (RAMA Rajasthan). These talented artists displayed their work to an enthusiastic crowd and shared stories from their journey and interacted with the audience during a dedicated panel.
A diverse range of cosplays featured fan-favourite characters such as Akaza from Demon Slayer, Sung Jin-woo from Solo Leveling, and Toji Fushiguro from Jujutsu Kaisen. Gaming icons like Ghost from Call of Duty, Scar from S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky, and Izanagi-no-Okami from Persona 5 Royal added to the excitement. Classic and pop-culture favourites including The Joker, Harry Potter, Wednesday, and Iron Man were also spotted, making the cosplay scene a vibrant celebration of creativity and fandom.
With a strong focus on nurturing creative talent, Jaipur Comic Con will host cosplay contests across all three days, where participants will showcase their skills and compete for a prize pool of ₹30,000. Day 1 also hosted the Jaipur Qualifier, with the winner taking home ₹50,000, making the platform inclusive for both emerging and established cosplayers. Entertainment took center stage with the Comic Con Comedy Showcase by Inder Sahani, followed by a high-energy live performance by Naam Sujal. The first day also featured a vibrant musical celebration by Geek Fruit, blending iconic stories with unforgettable beats in a performance that resonated with fans. Fans explored exclusive experience zones by Maruti Suzuki Arena, Crunchyroll, and the NODWIN Gaming Arena, offering interactive activities and immersive installations.
The first day was especially exciting for gaming enthusiasts, with the Royal Challenge Packaged Drinking Water booth hosting leading Indian gaming YouTuber Sc0ut (Tanmay Singh) for a fan meet-and-greet, alongside the brand’s Challenger Gaming Zone featuring an immersive VR cricket experience. With workshops, panel discussions, gaming experiences, merchandise access, and creator interactions, the convention provided audiences with opportunities to learn, collaborate, and engage deeply with the pop-culture ecosystem. A dedicated merchandise zone featured collectibles, apparel, and original artwork.
As Jaipur Comic Con continues over the next two days, fans can look forward to an exciting and diverse lineup of sessions and performances. The upcoming schedule includes an insightful session with Alpha Book Publishers and a special deep dive into India’s iconic storytelling legacy with Amar Chitra Katha. The stage is set to buzz with laughter with Appurv Gupta and Jaspreet Singh bringing sharp observational humour and hilariously relatable stories inspired by everyday Indian life. Music lovers can look forward to electrifying performances by singer Celinedee Matahari, fusion band KY Collective, and rapper K!llSwitch, promising a vibrant blend of music and styles. Adding to the excitement, illusionist Karan Singh is set to spellbind audiences with mind-bending magic that challenges reality, ensuring an unforgettable experience for fans across all ages.
With its mix of fandom-driven experiences, creative showcases, and interactive engagements, the inaugural Jaipur Comic Con is shaping up to be an accessible and exciting gateway into the world of comics, pop culture, and digital creativity for fans across Rajasthan. The debut edition of Jaipur Comic Con will continue until Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
Quote by Shefali Johnson, CEO, Comic Con India, Bringing Comic Con to Jaipur for the very first time is immensely special for me. Growing up here, I always dreamt of seeing my city host a celebration like this. As someone who has been an ardent lover of comics for as long as I can remember, watching fans, creators, and families experience this world in Jaipur feels incredibly emotional. The city has always been rooted in art, culture, and imagination, and Jaipur Comic Con feels like a natural extension of that legacy, and we’re deeply grateful to the government of Rajasthan for their support and guidance. While providing an unforgettable experience to pop-culture lovers is paramount to us, we also hope this edition is equally inspiring the next generation of creators and giving them a platform to dream bigger, right at home!
