Supanova is one of the biggest pop culture conventions in Australia, and it has well and truly kicked off. After what looked to be an amazing weekend in the Gold Coast last weekend, it was Melbourne’s turn.
With cons, it never feels like there’s enough time in the day to do everything you want to do. In between guest panels, gaming, heaps of opportunities to buy merch, and trying to get a photo or autograph with your fave, the day flies by.
Amongst everything else that was going on at the convention, one of the biggest and most exciting events of the weekend (for me at least) was that the cast of the original Avatar the Last Airbender were in attendance.
Here are some of the highlights from our time at Melbourne Supanova 2026.
Exhibition Hall for the Ages
The exhibitor hall has something for everyone. Popcultcha was front and centre as soon as you walked into the exhibition hall, featuring an abundance of Funko pops, figurines and knick knacks for any fandom you could think of. You could get anything and everything at the exhibition hall, including comic books, collectible cards, blind boxes, fidget toys, dice, cosplay, shirts, even cookies! The list is endless and it’s almost inevitable to walk out of Supanova with some kind of merch.
Gaming
It isn’t a convention without dedicated gaming spaces. Riftbound League of Legends had dedicated tables set up for guests who wanted to play along with fellow fans, as well as computers set up for e-sports tournaments to watch and participate in.
Artist Alley
Supanova gives local artists the opportunity to showcase their work to likeminded fans. While there are way too many talented artists to count, here are some faves from the weekend.
- bluedwn
- meiosis_p
- fumifrosch15
- vincrows
- jessicajane.illustration
- elleellenic
- melscribbles
- messy.beee
Miniature Painting Competition
Something unexpectedly exciting was the “A Battle of the Brushes” panel at the Tabletop Gaming Stage. The hobby has recently made itself known in the zeitgeist of mainstream pop culture in more recent years, with workshops popping up wherever you look. Watching these expert hobbyists pay incredible attention to detail and create something so spectacular and seeing how hyped up audiences were getting was a thrill.
An Avatar Packed Weekend
The cast of Avatar the Last Airbender was extremely popular over the weekend. Olivia Hack, Jack De Sena, Zach Tyler Eisen, Michaela Jill Murphy, and Jennie Kwan were in attendance at a panel on Saturday speaking all things Avatar after celebrating 20 years of the beloved TV show last year.
The nostalgia of the show and the ability to resonate with fans so many years later was evident in the jam packed room full of cosplaying fans. Insightful questions from the audience saw the cast speaking to their experiences growing up voicing these characters and the influence it had on how they approached their careers in future, questions on their feelings of the longevity of the show, and questions on their favourite quotes from the show, with De Sena hilariously quoting “Maybe it’s friendly! FRIENDLY MUSHROOM! MUSHY GIANT FRIEND!”
The best part about conventions is the shared sense of community. As amazing as it is to be around all the fancy booths, merch, and incredible guest stars, being around people where you’re never made to feel ashamed of what you love is the best part of these conventions. The experience of being a part of fandoms in a safe space is one that I will always be fortunate enough to have.
Supanova continues throughout the year in Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, and Brisbane.
