It is no secret that, over the past couple of decades, the geeks have inherited the earth. Whereas once superheroes and comic books were an underground concern, they can now be considered juggernaut IP that is the source for the most successful films, TV and merchandise around. 

In 2011, Scotland had one comic con. Just six years later, this had swollen to around 40 events, infiltrated by people from all walks of life. Among the largest out there are Comic Con Scotland (October, Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh), ACME Comic Con (March, SEC, Glasgow), Glasgow Comic Con (June, Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow) and Capital Sci-Fi Con (February, O2 Academy, Edinburgh). These events see thousands of comic book and film culture fans cosplaying as their best-loved characters in huge convention centres alongside displays of movie props and sets, video gaming and tabletop games areas, as well as aisles of trade stalls. 

The commercialism inherent in the association with mainstream media brands can mean that the original attraction of comic books and fiction can be overwhelmed by brash merchandise and celebrity sightings. While the bigger events do retain artist and author sections, some events focus less on big screen superheroes and more towards the creative and literary roots, not least WorldCon, which sees sci-fi writers and artists from around the world gathering in Glasgow in August for the 82nd World Science Fiction Convention. 

The real antidote can be found in zine fairs. Characteristically inexpensive to make, zines have a charming DIY aesthetic of art, writing and publishing. Eclectic in their subject matter but often conveying an activist message, zines are designed to be swapped or sold for the small cost of printing. Scotland is fortunate to have major, community-led events take place in its central belt: Glasgow Zine Festival (May) and Edinburgh Zine Festival (February), both of which programme accessible, progressive workshops in conjunction with their vibrant markets. 

The rise of comic cons and interest in zines may also reflect a covid effect. While subscriptions to media-streaming services rocketed during isolation, the vast archive at Glasgow Zine Library (organisers of Glasgow Zine Festival) nearly doubled at the height of the pandemic. It’s something the library interpret as an ‘organic response to people’s need for personal, meaningful creativity and activism’