Filed under: Features | Tags: ComicConsOf2015, Edinburgh Comic Con, Glasgow Comic Con, Granite City Comic Con, Leam Comic Con, LFCC, LSCC, Melksham Comic Con, NICE, Nottingham Comic Con, The Lakes, Thought Bubble, True Believers
With 2014 almost at an end…..I thought I’d take a look ahead to some of the UK Comic Cons that are on offer in 2015. Some I’ll return to and some new additions I’ll try for the first time.
January
First up in 2015 is Digi-Con at Doncaster Racecourse with a mix of TV/movie guests as well as comic book names – it’s got to be worth a look. An A-Team van, KITT & many more make an appearance with an impressive roster of Cospayers in attendance too…..take a look at their website to see just what’s on offer at this one. A great way to start the year!
February
A new addition to the Comic Con calendar is The True Believers Comic Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse and while they initially boasted Neal Adams as a guest of honour they’ve recently announced that he won’t be attending. While that may have been a big pull for some, there are still some good guests on offer and there will be more announcements on the run up to this event.
March
After 3 years of going from strength to strength London Super Comic Convention has become a permanent fixture on my list of go-to events as the mix of big guests, small press, cosplay & more comes together for the 2-day event. The countdown to March 15th & 16th is already on as the impressive guest list already boasts some BIG names & regulars with loads of time for more to be announced. Small press, great panels also on offer over the weekend too so LOTS to look forward to.
April
The Something Bloody Awesome Con in April this year marked the start of the Hero Conventions new addition to the annual con line-up and after really enjoying it last year I’m looking forward to heading through to Edinburgh again in April. Some pretty good guests announced so far with the likes of Kev Hopgood (Iron Man), Dan McDaid (Vandroid), Jim Cheung (Young Avengers) already confirmed as comic book guests there will surely be more to come as well as some TOP TV guests too. Panels, vendors and more on offer too and I’ve got high hopes again for this year’s event on 11th & 12th April.
May
A first for Aberdeen as we see Granite City Comic Con hit on the 30th May with Alan Grant, Monynero & Shane Rimmer already announced – the guest list is shaping up pretty well. A trip to Aberdeen for probably only the second time in my life may be on the cards but with a strong focus on comics from the team behind this……it could be another addition to my con list.
July
Glasgow Comic Con is my local con and thankfully the easy access isn’t the only thing that keeps bringing me back year after year. Stretching from a 1-day event to a 2-day event and increasing in size quickly to cover multiple venues was initially a concern for me but the BHP team are a well-oiled machine and the guests remain a constant draw year on year and the local small press titles that appear or even debut at the event are amazing. Hopefully sunny weather again this year…..I can hope right??? 🙂
LFCC last year had it’s flaws which many people were quick to jump on but I had a blast for the 3-day event and with someone like Stan Lee in attendance as well as a sea of comic writers/artists and a who’s who of SciFi TV & Movies – there was LOADS on offer. The small press was well represented too which is always one of the main draws for me and I got to catch-up with some great creators that I’d been purely in touch with via email/Facebook/Twitter. There’s a change of venue for this year and hopefully that will help ease most of the concerns from 2014 but I think this is one that I’ll be heading to again this year.
August
Next year’s Melksham Comic Con is in the early planning stages but a look back at guests, exhibitors & events at this year’s con shows promise and with this being a 2-day event with tables filling up fast….that’s a good omen for the 2015 event on 29th & 30th August. Early days for their new website but there Facebook page has regular updates in the meantime…..one to consider now and add to the calendar.
September
A new event for me as I made it to this year;s event and after an enjoyable 2-says in Bedford….I’m hoping to make the trip back this year too. Early announcements include Brian K Vaughn on the guest list and after an impressive guest lineup in 2014…..it’s looking like they’re aiming to match or even better that who’s who of comic artists & writers who will be in attendance. A small venue but they optimize the space well to give this a chilled-out feel to it….no crammed halls or elbows in the face when checking out those long boxes….one to keep an eye on.
October
Another comic event that’s been on my “to-do” list has been The Lakes who always seem to gather some pretty big guests for it and have a jam-packed schedule of talks, exhibitions & screenings over the weekend event. Hitting on the 16th-18th October this year there’s sure to be something in there to grab most peoples attention and I’m sure we’ll see more announcements as 2015 progresses.
With this year marking the first Leamington Comic Con after a successful kickstarter campaign the team behind it are back to bring us more comic focused con shennanigans. Small press & local/national talent are all part of the groups core element for this event and with a community feeling to it – this could be another surprising event for this year too. Hits the 17th October and this is a definite option for 2015.
After being pretty impressed by this year’s event – this could be another permanent fixture on my Comic Con events list for the year. Packed with small press & comic boxes and boasting one of the best venues for a con I think I’ve been to….the chilled out vibe and space to wander or just sit and read the comics you just bought is a breath of fresh air when compared to some of the sell, sell, sell events that slap you in the face with merchandise. 24th October is a date you should save and keep an eye out for guest announcements as 2015 progresses.
November
Thought Bubble is probably THE benchmark for most Comic Cons in the UK as it’s mix of guests and it’s focus on small press and the comic medium in general makes this a must for me….and surely other comic fans. A week-long series of events ends with the 2-day con which fans & creators always seem to get a kick out of as their is a real sense of comic community across every minute of the event. Minor reshuffling over the last few years has resulted in 3 venues being required but that’s down to the sheer popularity of the event for all involved. Early days for announcements but keep that mid-November weekend clear for this one.
The truth is, that’s only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the Comic events in the UK as Cons, Marts & exhibitions are popping up all the time so if you can’t make any of these…..try checking out your local comic shops for other possible events. As 2014 was a fairly busy year of Comic events I may not get to the same number but I’m sure I’ll take in some of the events that impressed throughout the year….and at the very least it gives me a chance to pick up more small press gems that are sure to make an appearance. Go buy some con tickets now 😀
G-Man
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