Comic Con Countdown

As October rolls around once again, the countdown to one of East London’s biggest pop culture events, MCM Comic Con, has begun.

During the next few weeks I will be covering many aspects of the convention, detailing various notable features and attractions, and exploring just exactly why it continues to be among the most popular pop culture events in London.

In particular, I will be delving into the gritty, nerdy underbelly of Saturday night’s after-party. Armed with my camera, I aim to show and tell what really happens after dark, when the drinks start flowing, and the costumes are finally removed.

But what is all the fuss about, anyway? The convention itself, MCM London Comic Con, is a gathering of thousands of people with a passion for nerd culture. It made its debut way back in May 2002, and it has been held twice a year (May and October) ever since. Newcomers are welcome, however!

Now is a good time to be in on it, because this year MCM is bigger and better than ever, with the Excel Centre opening up all its exhibition space to accommodate the masses of people coming to celebrate all things nerdy.

The event contains memorabilia and merchandise from all of the major nerd-niches that you could think of, ranging from comics and literature, to gaming and films. Lasting three days, there is a lot on offer, and you would be hard pressed to find another event as perfectly chaotic, colourful, and vibrant as this—barring San Diego’s gargantuan Comic Con which is known to be especially riotous (in a future article, I will compare the two). London’s Comic Con has its own infamously wild party on the Saturday evening, where attendees can let their hair down, and rub elbows on the dance floor with Luke Skywalker or share a drink with Lara Croft. Dressing up—cosplaying, as it is referred to—is a massive part of Comic Con’s appeal, and it is staggering to see just how many people put so much time and effort into their costumes, simply to celebrate the franchises that they are most passionate about.

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Guests are also a large part of MCM. Famous writers, actors and cartoonists attend each year, allowing anyone to meet them, get an autograph, and take photos. This year, MCM is host to some notable celebrities such as Colin Baker—the sixth Doctor, and the prestigious comic book artist—mostly known for his contribution to the Iron Man series—Bob Layton.

With nerd culture on the up, there is no better time to get in on the act.