We went to Dutch Comic Con Winter 2024

Dutch Comic Con Winter 2024 at the Jaarbeurs in Utrecht more than delivered on its promises. This year, the event was again an awesome blend of cosplay, comic book artists, iconic film and TV stars, merchandise, activities and everything a pop culture enthusiast could dream of. As avid fans, we never miss an edition and this one was no exception. We were beyond excited, especially with the mission to meet none other than Joseph Morgan

The moment we stepped into Dutch Comic Con on Saturday morning, we noticed the atmosphere was amazing. The first thing that caught our eye was the excitement of Matthew Mercer’s panel. Known for his roles as a voice actor, especially in the gaming world with Critical Role, Matthew drew in a massive crowd.  His presence, kindness and anecdotes made it clear why he’s a fan favorite.

Determined to explore, we wandered through various halls: from the lively Entertainment Hall to the Dealer Hall, the Comics Area, Activities Hall, Gaming Area, and the immersive Experience Hall. We stumbled upon a stand for the new game "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle". This game promises to take players on a thrilling archaeological adventure, blending history with a touch of mystery. We even got to solve a puzzle and succeeded. WHOOP WHOOP

Our excitement peaked at the Nintendo stand, especially with the pop-up store. Carola, fresh from a trip to Tokyo, couldn’t resist the chance to shop again. The store was a delightful addition, although it was crowded. So we decided to return later. In the Experience Hall, we snapped a cool photo with the "Star Wars: Skeleton Crew" setup—a new series set in the Star Wars universe, exploring the journey of a group of younglings lost in space. Another highlight was the Ubisoft stand featuring "Star Wars: Outlaws", an open-world game set in the Star Wars universe, offering players a chance to live the life of a galactic outlaw. Both setups were awseome, perfect for photo ops. Excited is an understatement! 

We also visited the Intertoys stand and the Bolero stand. At Bolero, Carola won a drink bottle and we were able to taste some Bolero. 

Next on our list was Paul van Loon. Famous for his  awesome books, Paul always attracts a massive crowd at Dutch Comic Con. His stories, blending horror and fantasy, have captivated readers for years. Liv, armed with her book for a signature, was thrilled with her signed book.

We then moved to Olivier Richters’ panel. Known as the "Dutch Giant", Olivier’s humble and approachable demeanor was wonderful to see. Olivier has made a name for himself not just as an actor but also as a bodybuilder and entrepreneur. Following this, the panel of Joseph Morgan and Persia White was a highlight. Joseph, known for his role as Klaus Mikaelson in "The Vampire Diaries" and "The Originals", and Persia, a talented actress and musician, were engaging and entertaining. Our excitement to meet Joseph, who ranked high on our list, was awesome. Both panels were engaging, and it was fantastic to see them up close.

Returning to the now quieter Nintendo pop-up store, we bought Pikmin shirts and a Zelda shirt. We totally love Pikmin, with its cute characters and strategic gameplay, and Zelda, with its epic adventures. We also stocked up on more Bolero drinks—these drinks were so delicious. Visiting the Japan Holland Link booth in the Dealer Hall, as always, was a pleasure. 

Liv had decided to get an autograph and photo with Olivier Richters, marking a perfect end to the first day.

The only thing that was really, really missing this comic con edition, was the waffle booth! We álways eat a waffle at DCC, and these are so delicious. And now.... there. were. no. waffles. We're desperately hoping to see waffles at the next edition! 

Sunday kicked off with a return to the Experience and Gaming Halls. We posed with Totoro, the iconic character from Studio Ghibli’s beloved film My Neighbor Totoro, and two Pokémon, adding to our collection of fun memories. The stand for LOTR: The War of the Rohirrim was another must-see, showcasing the latest in the Lord of the Rings franchise, promising epic battles and rich storytelling. 

Our photo op with Joseph Morgan was the weekend’s hightlight—meeting him was truly amazing.

Later, we attended another Matthew Mercer panel and grabbed a photo with Mario at the Nintendo booth. Mario, the timeless character from Nintendo, always brings a smile to our faces.

Jason Paige’s performance was a burst of energy. Known for his electrifying presence and as the voice behind the original Pokémon theme song, Jason never fails to uplift spirits with his music. His performances are always a highlight, filled with nostalgia and high energy.

A thrilling "From" experience followed. "From" is a mysterious and chilling series we definitely recommend to watch. The experience was fun! You had to find items in a room and then at the end let them know how many of these specific items you found. Then we went to House of Wax. As always, they surprised us with new and fascinating themes, keeping the experience fresh and exciting. 

After these awesome experiences, we had an interview with Jason Paige. We chatted about his projects, his advice for shy fans, and his experience at the comic con and in the Netherlands. Jason’s enthusiasm and genuine passion were infectious.

Proceeding the event with another Joseph and Persia panel was perfect. The dealer hall, with its array of collectibles and unique finds, was the final stop. There were again so many dealers and we had fun looking around and buying things. We left Dutch Comic Con with bags full of merchandise, A TikTok full of concept videos, many stories on Instagram and again the most awesome memories. We can't wait for the next edition!