Here’s the thing – Ive never been to a comic convention in my life. So when me and Denis ‘Small Press’ Mallon received press passes for the Newcastle Film and Comic Convention I didnt know what to expect. I’d only ever seen footage of the huge American comicons and presumed that this one would be a small, quiet affair. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
We arrived after an epic 3 hour trip to see the longest queue I’d ever seen however Denis assured me that only the STD clinic was comparable. Too many people had arrived and the venue was operating a one in, one out, policy. Which obviously pissed off most of the attendees. Not a good start.
After showing our credentials to the gatekeepers we entered to a carnival of ridiculously dressed patrons. It was just like the American conventions but with Frank Bruno and Peter Beardsley (the David Beckham of his days, watch out ladies!). Which brings me to the guest list. Two words – Carl Weathers. Action Jackson himself. Apollo Creed in the flesh. Master of making stew out of leftover party food. There were also two Doctors – Sylvester McCoy and Paul McGann, Kenny Baker (R2D2), Julian Glover from Game of Thrones, and some people from Stargate or Farscape or Starscape or whatever it’s called.
Strangely the only thing that was lacking was, have a guess, yep it was comics. For a Comicon comics were underrepresented. We saw some great ones and chatted to Steve Penfold co-creater of a crazy comic called Moon. Moon tells the tale of the Moon which takes human form and kills bad guys. No really. And the art in it is amazing. Check it out.
Being a comic convention virgin I wasn’t sure of the etiquette that was expected. Do you just grab a celeb and stick a recorder in their face? Should journalists refrain from drinking? Should we stay out of photos? Then it hit me. I don’t care. So I proceeded to the bar and had five pints of overpriced beer which calmed my nerves. After this we met a lovely guy called Andy – a relatively new cosplayer who was in an excellent Assassins Creed costume with two scary looking hidden blades.
Cosplay was definitely the overriding theme of the day. The arena was packed with all kinds of wacky and wonderful outfits. Lot’s of Doctor Who characters, Batmans (Batmen?), and even a whole family dressed as Adventure Time characters. The Newcastle cosplayers really outdid themselves and made the day for me.
I’ve blethered on too much here so you should just look at the pics from the day. So what did I think of my first ever comic convention? I loved it, the people were so nice and friendly and made the day excellent. And best of all we got to sit on the Iron Throne. There were nerd-boners all round and two very satisfied customers. Looking forward to next year!
Screenkicker! 
This looks awesome. It is a shame you burned my ticket in front of me and made me eat the ashes.
Where is the Carl Weathers pic? Please tell me you did the ‘arm shake’.
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Yeah sorry the tickets explicitly stated ‘no house-hunters’. Sorry mate.
Of course I did the ‘arm shake’! I’ll show you the pic next time you’re round to get embarrassed at FIFA
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Looks like you had an amazing time! And good call on the beers, journalistic integrity be damned! You can’t con without beer. That’s a fundamental rule of cons. Or maybe just a personal rule of mine, who’s keeping track anymore anyways?
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After my beers I offended a guy who was supposed to be Kurt Cobain by telling him I liked his Freddy Kruger costume. I don’t know who that says more about!
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Hahahahaahaa, that is the best thing I’ve ever heard!
Why would anyone go to a con dressed as Kurt Cobain, that makes no sense.
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I know! He’s hardly a modern day superhero!
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This looks awesome mate, looks like you had an amazing time. Would really like to go to one of these things at some point.
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Yeah it was pretty surreal but everyone was really friendly. But make sure you request a press pass or you could be queuing for hours!
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Yeah you definitely should. It’s a surreal experience!
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*snicker-snicker* eheh. . nerd boners. . . .
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You know what, I’m very much iniecnld to agree.
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Action Jackson Carl Weathers – I am jealous! 🙂
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Haha Carl Weathers is the man!
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What a fun post, Mikey! Comic-con is a lot of fun, love your pics here. I went to the San Diego one a couple of years back and got to meet Captain America himself Chris Evans. I won a raffle for an autograph signing. That was a lot of fun, wish I could go again but I couldn’t even get tickets last year 😦
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Wow you seem to meet everyone! First you grope Gerard Butler and now you’re harassing Chris Evans! Excellent work 🙂
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Ahah, well I didn’t exactly grope GB. I barely even touched Chris Evans though, I didn’t even say a word when I came up to him. He just said ‘how’re you doin’?’ And I replied back, ‘Good, how’re you?’ LOL! I was a little too polite w/ Chris, definitely not as um, unhinged as I was when I saw GB.
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very cool post mikey! Sounds like you had fun.
Never been to one either 🙂
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You should try one. Very strange experience
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Next time I hear of one here in Israel, maybe I’ll check it out. How does one get a press pass?
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what an awesome opportunity! Being a huge game of thrones fan, the last picture was my favorite. That Moon comic looks pretty freaky – dude with a cratered golf ball for a head? haha! Glad you had fun. If I were surrounded by that many people for that long I’d drink 5 pints, too!
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Yeah it was great fun although I must not be as big as a need as I thought because I didn’t recognise a lot of the costumes! Need to do more research for next time 🙂
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Simply magical. Looks like you boys had quite a time! P.S. I have a picture in the Iron Throne, too. Tell Denis this means war.
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I’ve already beheaded him and taken the throne. I propose an alliance. I think you should invade the IPC again with my tactical knowledge and thirst for blood
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Cara should totally invade again!!
#foreshadowing
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AN EXCELLENT PLAN, SIR. Just don’t double cross me. I have dragons.
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I wouldn’t dream of it Khaleesi
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Looks like fun!!
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Aww – you had to say who Kenny Baker is? That’s about the only one I knew. ; ) Glad you had fun! Nerd. ; )
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I think 99% of the people who go to these are just looking for an excuse to dress in costumes and not get laughed at.
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