The MCM London Comic Con (formerly known as the London MCM Expo) is a multi-genre fan convention held in the London Borough of Newham twice yearly, usually on the last weekend in May and October. The convention mainly focuses on anime, manga, video games, sci-fi, cosplay & popular media from the United Kingdom, United States and Japan.
History and organization
The MCM (Movie Comic Media) Expo Group are organisers of the London, Birmingham, the Midlands, Ireland, Belfast, Manchester and Scotland MCM Comic Cons. It was founded in early 2001 by Paul Miley (ScifiShows) and Bryan Cooney (Wolf Events), both well known organisers within the convention entertainment industry.
The convention is held twice each year, usually on the last full weekend of May and October. There have occasionally been exceptions to this; May 2009 being one of them.
The event started as a single day and has now expanded to run across three days attracting attendance and involvement from industry luminaries such as: Universal Studios, Twentieth Century Fox, Manga Entertainment UK, NEO Magazine and Marvel Comics, amongst others.
Show features
Exhibit Hall
The MCM London Comic Con features a large floor-space for dealer stands and exhibitors which include media companies such as film studios and TV stations. There is also a theatre space that includes a large stage with projection monitors on either side and seating for approximately 1000.
Guests
Guests from popular media are commonly invited to the show. They take part for a variety of reasons. Often, this is to promote their latest product or production whether it be movie, TV or print. Sometimes it can be to raise awareness and funds for a charity or cause important to them. It is common to see television and film personalities selling autographs and interacting with their fans both in person and on stage during Question and Answer sessions. Along with panels, seminars and workshops with comic book professionals, there are previews of upcoming television and feature films, portfolio review sessions with video game companies.
Autographs
The event also includes an autograph area where big names in movies and TV will sit and sign items for the public.
Cosplay
Ticket holders are allowed to, and in many cases encouraged, to take part in cosplay. Cosplaying has become one of the most popular parts of the show. This can be to show off the costumer's latest work, just to show devotion to their favourite characters or engage in role-play with other cosplayers in the same series, as well as just meet new people with mutual interests.
Comic Village
Comic Village is an area of the show that is co-ordinated by Gary Howe, a member of the MCM Expo Group. This area hosts approximately 200 tables, where amateur as well as professional artists/writers/publishers sell their comics as well as prints. This area also has a signing area where big names in the comic industry come and sign for members of the public, previous guests have included Gail Simone, Kevin Eastman, Frazer Irving, Antony Johnston, Karen Gillan and many more.
MCM Fringe Festival
In 2010, MCM Fringe Festival was re-vamped and given a new logo. The main purpose of Fringe is to allow cosplayers to organise photoshoots, meet-ups, picnics and get togethers. Organisers are more easily able to create their own event within the Expo and broadcast it. At the same time, the rest of the Expo Attendees can search the website and decide to go to it. Photoshoots will be more successful and likely to get more people from the same anime or game to take part. Previous events have included picnics, dances and video gaming tournaments.
Eagle Awards for Comics
The Eagle Awards were founded in 1977 and are the longest running fan voted awards for the comic industry. They were held at the MCM London Comic Con each May until 2011, since when the Eagle Awards no longer run.
VidfestUK
VidfestUK is an area of the expo dedicated to online visual media, such as animations, vlogs and various web series. Notable guests include YouTube partners such as TomSka and MrWeebl.
MyM magazine
MyM's stand hosts celebrity signings, which are available to anyone who purchases a copy of the magazine at the event. Past signings have included voice actors Mark Meer (Mass Effect’s Commander Shepard), Courtenay Taylor (Resident Evil: Damnation, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic) and D. C. Douglas (Resident Evil: Revelations 2, Transformers: Rescue Bots).
Show information
Ticketing
In May 2010, in answer to a large number of non-paying attendees, the Security and Ticketing System was given a complete makeover. Wristbands were put in place and given to everybody when they handed in their ticket. Wristbands were needed to enter the Expo Hall and Expo Theatre, and Security were enforced to make random spot-checks.
In October 2010, stronger wristbands were given to weekend ticket holders. This was due to Weekend Attendees having to wear them all weekend; Wristbands are unable to be removed without voiding them. The paper version of advance tickets were also scrapped. Advance tickets are now only available as an e-ticket which must be printed and taken to the event.
As of October 2013, the MCM London Comic Con occupies multiple halls within the ExCeL and valid documentation is required in order to enter the majority of the centre's facilities, including the central boulevard.
In May 2015, tickets for Saturday were completely sold out (General and Priority Entry) for the first time in their history.
Location and dates
MCM BUZZ
MCM BUZZ is a website in association with MCM, bringing all the latest in media related news from movies, comics, interviews with celebrities and a live podcast.
See also
- List of multigenre conventions
- Convention (meeting)
References
External links
- Official event website
- Official MCM Comic Con website
- Official MCM Expo Group website
- MyM on MCM Buzz
- SyFy.co.uk - London MCM Expo Review 2009
- Forbidden Planet review & MCM Expo Pics and round up… 2010