2020 and 2021 saw virtual events quickly knocked together to keep a semblance of normality going, but comics perhaps more so than books pander to an audience that thrives on direct engagement, not to mention cosplay, and the opportunity to dust off those crazy costumes one more time has clearly won out against lingering concerns about the coronavirus.


Back in 2019 the Taiwan Comic Expo attracted a respectable crowd of 135,000, before the Pandemic put Taiwan’s publishing calendar on hold. But the 2022 revival looks likely to set a new record, with 90,000 visitors clocked on just the first day.

The event runs July 28 through August 1 and so far it is running a visitor count ahead of the February Taipei International Comics & Animation Festival, which pulled in 82,000 on its opening day.

2020 and 2021 saw virtual events quickly knocked together to keep a semblance of normality going, but comics perhaps more so than books pander to an audience that thrives on direct engagement, not to mention cosplay, and the opportunity to dust off those crazy costumes one more time has clearly won out against lingering concerns about the coronavirus.