Why Comic Con?

I've been to the London MCM Comic Con three times and each of them has been heaving with thousands of fans which got me thinking - what is it that makes this event so popular?

1. You get to spend the day walking around stalls bursting with unimaginable amounts of merchandise from your favourite fandoms. The variety is endless, it's one of those times when spending money is just a little bit too easy but dear lord does it feel good at the time.

2. There's always a whole troupe of talented people more than happy to share their abilities. It's a perfect chance to admire (and purchase) others craftsmanship, find inspiration and become sick with jealousy at all the things you'll never be able to do..... Just me?

3. You get the opportunity to meet some of the stars of stage, screen and game. If like me you tend to place those in the spotlight on a bit of a pedestal and so enjoy meeting them - even if  on doing so you internally (and on occasion externally) become reduced to what can only be described as an incoherent marshmallow - this is your universe my friend.

I personally adore listening to people talk about their passions and seeing there eyes light up with childish excitement. It saddens me that it seems less and less common place for people to let go and show their joy but in today's society it's almost frowned upon to be enthusiastic.
To counter this all you really have to do is talk long enough to someone and you'll find that one thing that makes someone regress and it's the best. That's what's at the heart of Comic Con, the idea that no matter what you're interest might be to be welcomed all you need is to unapologetic ally love something.

So I have come to the conclusion that that's what makes Comic Con so special and that's what keeps people coming back time and time again. A feeling of being yourself and thus belonging, safety and at home-ness (yep that's 100% a word).

Have you ever been? What was your experience?

Side note: This is my 100th post awoo hoo.









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London Comic Con - MCM Expo.

This weekend I attended London's comic con which occurs twice a year and this was in fact my second time going. If you're unsure of what Comic Con is it's all in the name - comic convention! It all started in America where such things tend to begin, and is a big celebration/meet up for all things nerdy, culty and down right awesome.

Although originally aimed at comic and graphic novel fans (thank you Stan Lee) it has grown exponentially and now includes anything you could possibly think of, video games, anime, super hero films, collectibles, TV shows (such as GOT and SPN) and everything in between.

The first time I traveled to London for MCM we only did the one day so had to do the journey twice within that day - tip: do not do it all in one day if it means having to get up at 6am! This time around we thought it out more and planned to do the entire weekend and get a room in London. I went with a work colleague who gets just as fanatic about things as I do! We got on the train straight from work on the Friday and arrived at the hotel at about 6.30pm and then went for Wagamamas which of course was stunning.

The Saturday morning was chilled and so different to Octobers counter part! We started the con at about 10.30 and left by 3.30 although we really didn't manage to see an awful lot we knew we had the following day to take our time and make the most of it.

For me one of the best parts of the day are the cosplays, people are so talented and I just love when you can identify characters from your favourite shows, games or films. This time around I noticed a LOT of Disney princesses which made me very happy.... and very jealous! Speaking of cosplay me and my partner in crime went as genderbend Thor and Loki which went down really well!

Other than some fantastic creativity there is so much to take in, there are 100's of stalls selling the most incredible and clever merchandise. I managed to hold back a bit and not go crazy, but believe me it wasn't easy. I WANT ALL THE THINGS.

I have been trying to find a funko pop Gandalf for quite sometime now and sadly still am yet to purchase one however I found this beauty and there was no way I could resist and I think you can see why! 

I do have a feeling this may become a slight obsession which my bank account will not appreciate one little bit.

Sunday was spent inspecting each and every table in great detail, and yes I bought a few more bits....

We tasted Japanese sweets and drinks which turned out to be delicious and washed them down with noodles. If there's on thing this expo is not short of it's a variety of tasty food.

Other things to expect from the day/weekend are guests, which can be voice actors, actors (Shane Richie, Sylvester McCoy, Felicia Day, Iain de Caestecker), singers, writers, cosplayers (Jessica Nigri), panels (Jekyll and Hyde and Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell) and even youtubers (Toms Ridgewell, Jack Howard, Dodie Clark). There's also stages where you can watch performances of other fans and also previews of up coming films and TV shows (E.g San Andreas, Jurassic World and Terminator).

We then ended the day with pizza and cake before passing out, exhausted but oh so happy!

There is always an incredible atmosphere at Comic Con and you can't help but feel at home, surrounded by 1000's of indiviuals all there for the same reason - to have fun, meet like minded people and show their love for whatever their chosen fandom may be. 

What ever your fandom you will be able to find someone that shares it and will enjoy everything that Comic Con is, The next one is in October at Excel London (there are others throughout the country) so please, please go and if you do let me know if you're cosplaying and have the best time!

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