mcmLDN18: comics take over MCM London Comic Con, next weekend

With the biggest lineup of international comics guests in one lineup ever for an MCM show, ReedPOP are making a definite statement about the profile of MCM Comic Cons, going forward...

By
Leonard Sultana
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Back when we were An Englishman In San Diego, when ReedPOP announced their taking over of the MCM brand here in the UK in November 2016, we put to the team that we hoped that influence of the company that puts on arguably the biggest Artist Alley on the planet (at New York Comic Con) would be shown at forthcoming shows. Little did we know how much of a change would be implemented, showcased with the immense lineup at next weekends MCM London Comic Con (ExCel Centre, 26th-28th October 2018).

For sure, the roster of media guests that make up the attractions at the show are impressive to say the least (even with the unfortunate dropping out of headliner GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY star Dave Bautista, one week before show starts) but the invited comics talent pool, on top of an already well curated Comics Village, is pretty seismic, shifting the entire focus of the show and putting it on the same pedestal as some of the best purely comic-led conventions in the country.

It really is a case of ‘Where The Hell Do We Begin?’: we can’t help but highlight the sheer number of international guests: from creative powerhouse Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner, to X-MEN icons Chris Claremont and Frank Tieri; from art dynamo Tess Fowler to cover art geniuses Mark Brooks, Frank Cho and Jorge Molina; from yer actual comics rock gods such as Tim Sale and John Romita Jr., to the entire DKIII: THE MASTER RACE creative team (shy cover artist Jim Lee, naturally), including writer Brian Azzarello, artist Andy Kubert, colourist Klaus Janson and of course, the cherry on top of this particular cake, the legend that is Frank Miller.

Indeed, it could be argued that the U.S. line-up does over weigh the home-grown talent by quite some considerable margin… but the U.K. still holds up and represents, with Frank Quitely and Adi Granov, meeting and greeting fans in the Comics Village this show. And I happen to know that Tess Fowler wants to move over here anyway so I’m claiming her for the Brits. (Well, the Scots, actually. She loves Edinburgh to death, she just needs someone up there to adopt her legally…!)

“We’re thrilled to bring an increased amount of talented comic creators into MCM London Comic Con, it’s been our focus to return to our roots to build up our Comic Village areas and bring a fantastic mix of programming to fans as well. Comics are an integral part of pop culture and we’re keen to continue bringing the best the industry has to offer to MCM London Comic Con.”

Kristina Rogers, MCM’s Exhibition Director

The panels for the show will be announced shortly – mostly taking place in the dedicated Comics Village Stage (which, full disclosure, I’m one of the principle hosts for so, if you intend to drop by, do say hi!), but the biggest comics panel of the day will be held on the Main Stage, and for good reason: DC Comics are presenting A CELEBRATION OF THE DARK KNIGHT, an all-star behemoth of a panel featuring – deep breath! – Frank Miller, Brian Azzarello, Andy Kubert, Tim Sale, Klaus Janson, Jimmy Palmiotti, John Romita Jr. and Frank Quitely! Damn! Talk about launching all of your big fireworks off in one blast! Find me down the front – this one will, if there’s any justice in the world, standing room only.

Let’s go down the list of the comics guests announced already for next weekend’s show:

The commissions and signings prices of each of these world-class names can be found on the Special Guests page of the MCM London Comic Con website – there’s no consistent pricing or arrangements across the board so do check that page out if you’re wanting a doodle or Hancock from your favourite comics superstar.

And don’t forget, all of these names – with one or two obvious exceptions – will be found in the Comics Village area of the show, along with some of the best home-grown independent and small press creators the country has to offer: the full list of that will be found within the MCM Comic Cons App, available for iOS and Android, shortly.

MCM London Comic Con by ReedPOP is the flagship show in the MCM suite of pop culture, comics, anime and manga, cosplay and gaming celebrations, held across the U.K.. 

Held twice in the year at the massive ExCel Centre in London’s Docklands – once in the Summer, once in the Winter – the show has become the premier comic con in the country, drawing record crowds of hundreds of thousands of avid fans from across the globe.

ReedPOP is the biggest organiser of comic con events across the globe, with shows held in North America (New York Comic Con, Emerald City Comic Con, PAX West, EGX, C2E2, Star Wars Celebration and more…), Europe (Paris Comic Con, EGX Berlin, Vienna Challengers Arena…), and beyond (Mumbai Comic Con, Delhi Comic Con, Shanghai Comic Convention, Oz Comic Con, Singapore Toy, Game & Comic Convention, Seoul Comic Con…) – the list is endless.

Now, with the MCM brand under their umbrella, ReedPOP bring their extensive expertise and experience to the shows held in London, as well as the satellite events in Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow. Find out more at: https://www.mcmcomiccon.com/

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