Alessandro Carrara walks through the pros and cons of numerous nerd conventions taking place annually in East London.
When it comes to nerd conventions there is a startling amount on offer, and to the uninitiated choosing the right “Con” can be quite a daunting task. Where do you even begin? Here’s Rising East‘s simple and easy to understand buyer’s guide to getting the most bang from your buck.
East London has become the unofficial nerd central of London and the very best conventions are thrown on this side of the city. MCM London Comic Con, Super Comic Con and the Japanese-themed Hyper Japan are the clear stand out events of the year. Having thoroughly researched and reported on each we’re here to give the verdict on which one stands the tallest.
What? MCM London Comic Con
Where? ExCeL convention centre
How? A one day general entry ticket costs £15, available here
Why? First up in the ring is MCM Comic Con, the heavyweight champion which pulls in a staggering 110,000 fans each year to the docklands ExCeL convention centre. If you are looking to see the true spectacle of nerd culture then look no further. Witnessing such a sea of dressed up participants is definitely something you won’t be able to glimpse anywhere else. MCM is filled to the brim with personalities and writers, so getting close to normally out-of-reach cyber celebs is a highly persuasive factor.
MCM is the jack-of-all-trades when it comes to what you can spend your money on during the weekend. The variety of goods is dizzying, ranging from a wide selection of retro games, comic books, literature and toys. On top of that, the event offers more distractions and diversions such as staged events and a rather awkward afterparty. It’s hardly a deal breaker, but be prepared to trundle along the venue at a snail’s crawl as you navigate your way around the crowded stalls.
What? Hyper Japan
Where? Tobacco Dock
How? A one day general entry ticket will set you back £13, available here
Why? Hyper Japan does not have as much heft as its titan competitor, but it certainly won’t be going down without a fight. Taking place at East London’s Tobacco Dock it is a much more accessible event to the un-nerdy. The majority of guests are not fully signed up to nerd culture; they are there primarily to buy quirkier Christmas gifts. As the name of the event suggests most of the merch on offer here will be Japanese-inspired, so keep that in mind when you’re planning your poké-themed Christmas presents.
Above all, Hyper Japan does food right. Nowhere else will you be utterly surrounded by the heavenly scent of fried Japanese food. Free tasters are scattered around the venue, so make sure you sample as much as you can (again, it’s free!). While the shopping is great, and the food even better, you don’t get the action packed itinerary of MCM. Couple this with the ticket cost and you might find Hyper Japan at the bottom of your to-do.
What? London Super Comic Convention
Where? ExCeL convention centre
How? Tickets start at £18.50, buy them here
Why? If you’re looking for a convention that’s downright dedicated to comic books then we recommend London’s Super Comic Con. It’s the smallest of the three, but it’s your best bet for a peaceful day out. Its slower pace allows you to appreciate a venue brimming with intriguing comic artefacts and artistic talent. Make sure to check out “artist’s avenue”; it’s got the best display of video game art we’ve ever seen. Also check out Super Comic Con out for caped crusaders and fictional heroes who’ve taken a realistic turn.
Our Take
For sheer variety and entertainment, go with MCM Comic Con. It’s a full-on, action-packed weekend guaranteed to leave you with a smile on your face and an agonising 12-month wait for next year’s adventure. Hyper Japan drops into second place; Its less frantic, more culture attitude is indeed something to hype about. For comic super-fans, opt for Super Comic Con. Last but by no means least, it’s got charm and inspiration that will keep you musing for hours.