Melbourne
March 29-30, 2025
Melbourne Showgrounds
Growing up, I’d always been a bit of an odd one out in my family, with a love of reading and an overactive imagination. As I progressed into my teens and continued to discover my identity, I went full-on geek, falling in love with comics, anime and sci-fi, especially Doctor Who. While my family didn’t share my geeky inclinations, at least not to my extent, they never tried to dissuade me, and my Mum was especially supportive. Similarly, my high school friends didn’t share my level of enthusiasm for the geek arts, except for one or two of them. This is all to say that although I didn’t realise it at the time, I longed to find my people and a place where I belonged. Then in 2010, the year after I finished high school, I found it.
I’d always been fascinated by comic book conventions when I’d seen them in movies and TV shows. Although they were usually the subject of mockery, I thought they looked incredible and longed to experience one for myself. I first heard of Supanova when I saw it advertised in the back of some Phantom comics and I was pretty certain it was exactly the kind of thing I’d been dreaming of. Now, I was not very internet savvy back then, so those ads were all I had to go on, but it stuck in the back of my mind for years. Then in what must have been circa 2005 or 2006 I discovered somehow (I honestly can’t remember how) that my favourite anime’s latest movie would be having a premiere at Supanova in Sydney. I was so excited by this idea and would have really liked to go, but suffering from a lot of social anxiety, I never really broached the subject, opting to just dwell on what it might have been like. It was also around this time that I was introduced to the world of cosplay through galleries on the Internet.
Anyway, all of this preamble has been to set the scene for that fateful day in June, 2010 when my world was changed forever. A friend had asked if I’d like to go to Supanova and I jumped at the invitation, excitedly telling him that I’d always wanted to go. As soon as we arrived, my mind was blown and something awakened inside me. Cosplayers. Cosplayers everywhere! And unlike those silly ill-fitting costumes I’d seen in TV depictions of conventions, these people looked incredible. It was the first time I’d seen anything like it, and I knew right then and there that I’d found my people. I vowed to myself that not only would I return the next year, but I’d be in cosplay. And that was before we even went inside.
I’m not exaggerating when I say that day changed my life – I can still distinctly remember the way my face beamed as I took it all in. I was home. After a lifetime of being an oddball, I’d found a place to belong. Everywhere I looked, there was merchandise and artwork and costumes from my favourite shows and movies. I discovered the Doctor Who Club of Australia; I saw people cosplaying characters from Doctor Who and Fullmetal Alchemist; I saw a Dalek and R2-D2 roaming the floor. It was like I’d stepped into another world and I didn’t want to leave. Back then I’d never really taken photos, my mother and other family members had usually handled that. I didn’t have a camera and my phone was a crappy little Nokia with a camera that was only marginally better than an Etch-A-Sketch. Still, that was the first time that I felt compelled to whip out that crappy Nokia and take whatever shots I could get.
In case you were wondering, I lived up to my vow. I returned the following year in cosplay and I’ve done so for every Sydney in Supanova since, plus one in Melbourne, for a total of fifteen Supanovas over fourteen years. It has become such a core part of my identity and one of the highlights of my year. In 2014 I had my first celebrity guest encounters and they’ve been an integral part of my experience every year since, while 2015 was the first time I attended for the whole weekend. These days Supanova is the event of the season for me and I go all out, getting there before the doors open and not leaving until they kick me out, making sure I cram in as much as possible.
Then, just over two years ago, Supanova and I took our relationship to the next level. It was a match made in heaven: They were looking for writers and I was desperately looking for somewhere to write. Writing for Supanova has been a wonderful experience, giving me opportunities to improve my writing and flesh out my portfolio. I’ve had opportunities I never would have expected, like conducting an international Zoom interview with director, Charlotte Brandstrom for The Continental, or getting early access to shows such as The Winchesters and Cobra Kai. It’s also just given me a creative outlet; a place where I can write about topics I find interesting. I’ll forever be grateful for these opportunities and I hope to continue my working relationship with Supanova for many years to come.
I really can’t overstate how big of an impact Supanova has had on my life. It might sound like hyperbole, but Supanova really has helped me grow into who I am today. From helping me explore my geeky side and come to terms with my identity, to getting me into cosplay, to helping me grow as a writer. Not to mention the friends I’ve made along the way. From that first experience fourteen years ago to now, Supanova has been my happy place and I don’t see that changing any time soon.
To all of the people who work tirelessly to make Supanova what it is, congratulations on 100 Supanovas! Here’s to many hundred more to come.
Now, let’s hear from some of our other contributors:
COURTNEY HOPE
Evil Dead Rises
What do you enjoy most about writing for Supanova?
I love getting the opportunity to interview people and explore the world behind an upcoming entertainment project. Writing about horror is such a big passion of mine and I love being able to share that with other fans.
Favourite article: Alyssa Sutherland & Lily Sullivan Talk ‘Evil Dead Rise’
Interviewing Alyssa Sutherland and Lily Sullivan for the new Evil Dead Rises movie! Being a horror writer, getting a chance to talk to the people who picked up the iconic chainsaw in the series was a dream come true!
KRISTY A.
What do you enjoy most about writing for Supanova?
I was a regular attendee of Supanova, and had also been an assistant stallholder in the Created Collectables section for a few years before my application to be a writer with Supanova was approved. I already wrote pop culture themed blogs as a hobby, so becoming a member of Supanova’s writing team has been a dream come true! Writing for Supanova has given me the opportunity to truly be a part of an event I already loved, and I know brings so much joy to Australia’s wider fandom community. Having my articles occasionally be noticed by Supa-Stars like Amy Acker and Veronica Taylor has also been a highlight!
Favourite article: Times Piper & Leo Were ‘Relationship Goals’ In Charmed
Charmed was my first ‘grown-up’ favourite show, and still holds a special place in my heart. Writing on it was a big moment for me, and meeting Holly at Melb 2020 was the icing on the cake!
LIAM O’SULLIVAN
What do you enjoy most about writing for Supanova?
I’ve been an attendee since the first Brisbane Supanova in 2003, where a much younger version of myself had the chance to meet the real-life Darth Vader and Chewbacca (Rest in Peace, David Prowse and Peter Mayhew). My teenage mind was blown, and I’ve been a fan ever since! Being a contributing writer gives me the opportunity to give back some love for all the great experiences I’ve had at Supanova over the years. I’ve been lucky enough to interview a range of interesting and talented people whom I admire, which is something that never would have happened otherwise.
Favourite article: Matt Reeves Says Working On ‘The Batman’ Was A ‘Dream Experience’
What resonated with me most personally was speaking to director Matt Reeves about The Batman. My wife and I met on message boards for his film Cloverfield, and when I thanked him and told him about it, he lit up and said how happy he was that we found a connection through his work. It was such an incredibly nerdy — but infinitely cool — moment I’ll never forget.
SAMMY MCGREGOR
What do you enjoy most about writing for Supanova?
The things I enjoy most about writing for Supanova include getting to go deeper into my nerdy passions through attending panels, reviewing books and games, and discussing upcoming events with other writers. I also enjoy the people I write with. Supanova really is a convention run by fans, for fans. When I submit a writing piece is it always such a joy to discuss the topic with the writing team and learn their thoughts.
Favourite article: A Beginner’s Guide To Stephen King
I love Stephen King and am always quick to get his latest release, so when I had the opportunity to write a beginner’s guide to his works you best believe I did a happy dance and jumped at the chance!
TC PHILLIPS
What do you enjoy most about writing for Supanova?
I’m just the kind of guy who loves getting excited about the types of movies and TV shows that warm the cockles of my little nerd heart. Writing for Supanova allows me to share that excitement with like-minded others and gives my friends and family a break from my incessant geek info dumps. It’s also really cool that I’ve had the opportunity to speak to some of the world’s most exciting creative minds. Over the past few years, I have had one-on-one chats with Marvel and Lucasfilm execs, movie stars, directors and Academy-award-winning cinematographers. I can’t complain really.
Favourite articles?
I rather enjoy writing the various Fact or Fiction articles like my most recent one on Tay Tay joining the MCU, mainly because social media is notorious for spinning out some truly bizarre rumours and I like digging in to see where they all started. For my absolute favourite articles though I have to give the nod to So They Cancelled Your Favourite Show… Now What? and the other times I’ve waffled on about The Magicians for the site. I’m still getting over the show ending to be honest.
THEODORA VATUBUA
What do you enjoy most about writing for Supanova?
Funny enough I’m going to say putting together the interview questions and doing the interview. My writing experience has always been reviewing films or TV series which I love in having the time to craft together your thoughts and perspective, but the possibility of interviewing never entered my mind (especially being an introvert).
When I did my first interview for Supanova, it was like a light bulb switched on in realisation that my passion for pop culture and my minor experience in the film industry combined gave me the advantageous perspective of how to shape my questions for the person being interviewed.
Interviewing is an adrenaline rush because you want to ask all your questions in the allocated time but at the same time you can’t help but enjoy the conversation of chatting and hearing the perspectives from actors, directors, producers, writers and even composers. Supanova made me learn that I can adapt very quickly in situations which I didn’t know about myself.
Favourite article?
Too many to pick from but I’m going to be biased and say my first feature article for Supanova about disability representation in pop culture. It was the first time I’ve written my experience and published in a public space. It was nerve-wracking but I enjoyed the experience and learnt a lot from it.
WILLIAM MINAZZO
What do you enjoy most about writing for Supanova?
Credit: Parisa Taghizadeh
The freedom to write about what I am passionate about in the geek and pop culture landscape. I’m amazed that I have had the opportunity to interview film directors like Adam Wingard (Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire) and Carlos Saldanha (Harold and the Purple Crayon) and conduct film reviews (Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a legacy sequel done right). I’m happy to report that all my articles were a joy to write. I appreciate every opportunity Supanova has given me to grow and expand my horizons. There’s something super about being a Supanova writer.
Favourite article: ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ Is A Wonderful Sequel To The 1988 Classic
I am torn as each article holds a special place in my heart, but for the sake of this article, I will say my film review of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Tim Burton and the crew resurrected Beetlejuice, and he’s as chaotic as he was back in ’88. Just an amazing legacy sequel I can watch and review again (and again).
ZACK PHILLIPS
What do you enjoy most about writing for Supanova?
I love writing for Supanova because it gives me an outlet to write about topics that I’m passionate about. It’s so rewarding to know that you can share that passion with thousands of like-minded Supa-Fans nationwide! There’s no such thing as “nerding out” or “droning on” about the exciting stories and pop culture moments, because both the audience and editors are equally hyped for what’s being written. Writing for Supanova has provided the opportunity to meet so many incredible people, talents and creators, and given me a chance to express my passions for everything superhero, television and comic like I never thought possible.
Favourite article: Rewatchability & Michael Schur: How The Sitcom Legend Keeps The Audience Wanting More
I love writing articles about the DC universe, but my favourite article I’ve written has to be Rewatchability & Michael Schur: How The Sitcom Legend Keeps The Audience Wanting More. I wrote this in the heart of the pandemic at a time where so many people were seeking comfort and an escape, and what better way than through our favourite sitcoms?
With only 2 days to go until Supanova Comic Con & Gaming’s milestone 100th event, grab your tickets to Brisbane’s three-day extravaganza now via Moshtix!
