The fourth-ever Comic Con Africa is just over two weeks away now, and the guest announcements are still dropping. If you’ve missed our updates in the site’s Weekly News Round-up, which drops every Friday, below you’ll find a recap of everyone announced so far – and we’ll continue updating if and when more names are added.

These actors, voice artists, comic creators, cosplayers, YouTubers, writers and industry professionals will be joining the ranks of previous high-profile guests, like William Shatner, Troy Baker and Jamie Campbell Bower, who also made the trek to South Africa to interact with local fans.

For the record, Comic Con Africa is taking place at the Johannesburg Expo Centre (AKA Nasrec) over four days, from 21 – 25 September. While four-day passes are sold out for the Heritage Day long weekend, single day tickets are available online for R200 (R220 at the door, if available), while children under 5 attend free.

Actors

It has to be a challenge sourcing famous faces in the middle of a Hollywood strike, but the CCA 2023 organisers have managed to entice two science fiction icons from the UK, one returning guest who has made his career in genre fare, and up-and-coming local performers.

In a massive score for this year’s Comic Con, Jack Harkness himself is coming. Translation: Doctor Who and Torchwood star John Barrowman is on the way, appearing for three days. The LGBT+ icon has also played Malcolm Merlyn (AKA the Dark Archer) in the CW’s Arrow and its crossovers with Legends of Tomorrow and The Flash. Barrowman will be joined by Anthony Daniels, another British actor who made the transition from theatre to screen. And if that name doesn’t ring a bell, how about C-3PO? Daniels has performed the anxious protocol droid in all of the Star Wars movies, and various spin-off media.

Also on the international actor front, The Walking Dead, MCU and Invincible’s Ross Marquand returns to South Africa for the second time this year, having initially been a guest at the first-ever Comic Con Cape Town in April. Joining Marquand as a last-minute international actor addition is Denim Richards, from hit ensemble western Yellowstone, and Netflix film The Chickasaw Rancher. Richards will be at CCA 2023 for its last 2 days.

On the local front, actor and filmmaker Cameron Scott (seen notably in The Kissing Booth 3) will be in attendance, especially to talk about his upcoming dystopian short The Ring of Beasts with costars Hungani Ndlovu and Bonko Khoza. Plus, just announced, is Steve John Ward, riding high on his role as swashbuckling Dracule Mihawk in Netflix’s hit live-action One Piece. Ward will be appearing on the Saturday only.

Vocal performers

Voice artists have an unusually prominent presence at CCA 2023, with the highlight being actress Veronica Taylor, who voiced Ash Ketchum (and various other characters) for the English language dub of Pokemon, from 1998 to 2006. Taylor also voiced April O’Neil for the 2003 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot series.

For video game fans, meanwhile, look out for Martin Copping, who is Lucas Riggs from Call of Duty: Vanguard, as well as Mozzie in Rainbow Six: Siege. Then there’s the last-minute addition of Jeff Teravainen, a before-and-behind-the-camera performer (check him out in Canadian sci-fi series Dark Matter and Utopia Falls) who has voiced many characters for Ubisoft games, including none other than the legendary Sam Fisher in Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege.

For the record, Chad Michael Collins, who voices Alex in Call of Duty was also announced back in July, but there’s no longer any indication of his planned attendance on the Comic Con site.

Comic creators and writers

As usual, Comic Con Africa has managed to secure a mix of international and local talent in the comic, and other literary creations, department. Representing South Africa are some of the country’s biggest names, who have built careers with a global following. Look out for artists Sean Izaakse and Karl Mostert, who have not only created their own comics, but also work internationally for DC and Marvel on titles like Green Arrow and Thunderbolts (Sean), and various Batman books (Karl).

They’re joined by fellow artists Warren Louw, who is highly sought after for his cover work, concept art and poster designs, and Jason Masters, who has worked on a celebrated James Bond comic run, along with big titles like Captain America and Batman.

Coming from overseas, meanwhile, is independent artist and designer HaiNaNu “Nooligan” Saulque, who has notably designed multiple statuettes for DC Comics in his distinct post-modern style. Then there’s Sebastian A. Jones, the president of Stranger Comics and co-creator of the fantasy world of Asunda, a rich and inclusive universe. Jones worked on the series’ spotlight title Niobe, with Amandla Stenberg and Ashley A. Woods. More Niobe comics are coming, made in collaboration with The Woman King star Thuso Mbedu.

The international comic talent roster was looking a little sparse until a week before the con, at which point four more creators, from across the globe, were unveiled. These include Eisner-nominated Marvel colour artist Jason Keith from the US; Mozambican born Canadian Marco Rudy, who has worked for Image, DC and Marvel, in addition to releasing his own graphic novel; and France’s Stephanie Lavaud with a distinct watercolour style. Finally, there’s freelance artist Guile Sharpe (AKA SpiderGuile), also out of France, whose diverse career includes work for Marvel and French independent comics publishers, concept art for Ubisoft, and various magazine cover illustrations. All four of these creators will be around for the duration of CCA 2023.

Finally, there are South African authors Dale Halvorsen and Sam Beckbessinger, who are at CCA 2023 to talk about their first collaborative novel Girls of Little Hope, which has been described as “If Judy Blume wrote Twin Peaks.” Ideal for Stranger Things fans, Girls of Little Hope brings together teen friendship, dark mystery, monsters and the 90s. Both Dale and Sam are already accomplished writers, and, in the former’s case, a book cover designer and comic artist as well.

Cosplayers

Cosplay is a big part of Comic Con Africa, and this year attendees can expect to rub shoulders with local favourites and special international (and South African) guests. Coming to the Rainbow Nation for the first time are Netherlands based Sakuraflor, and Har_Fie (AKA Harry Field) out of the UK.

Update: American Lindsay Elyse was originally announced for CCA 2023 but is no longer attending.

Locals will also be able to meet South Africa’s very own Princess Sachiko, who has close on 900K YouTube subscribers and a mass global following. Out of interest, all of these cosplayers are also popular streamers and content creators.

Content creators and YouTubers

CCA 2023 has a special focus on Japanese popular culture and anime, and driving that point home are the two international guests arriving for the StreamerCon portion of the show. Real-life couple Aki Dearest and The Anime Man (AKA Joseph Bizinger) will be at Comic Con Africa for all 4 days. Between the two content creators, they have over 6 million YouTube followers.

StreetCon artists

Over in the StreetCon section of CCA 2023, presented by Palladium, you can catch South African urban artists and designers showing off their talents. High-profile guests here include disruptive graffiti artist Pay Attention, and illustrator, muralist and big brand collaborator Leigh Le Roux.

One final comment is that guests are exciting but they’re also icing on something much bigger. Icing catches your eye, it tastes great, but it’s one part of that irresistible, multi-tiered chocolate cake. Which is a roundabout way of saying that while we’re pumped for all the performers and other creators coming to Comic Con Africa, they’re just one ingredient of a multi-flavoured experience you should savour.

If you’re heading to CCA 2023, try out tabletop roleplaying for the first time, enter various casual gaming competitions for great prizes, support local artists and crafters, take photos with cosplayers (after asking permission!), stock up on KFC sauces, and say hi to the con crowd you only meet up with these events. Mostly, enjoy the positive shared energy that only geeky events like Comic Con Africa deliver.