5 Things we learned at MCM London Comic Con 2017

Calling all cosplayers and comic book fans, MCM Liverpool Comic Con returns in the new year!

As The Guide Liverpool’s resident comic nerd, we sent our Kate down to ExCel London to check out MCM London Comic Con, the UK’s biggest comic convention ahead of it’s return to Liverpool in March 2018.

Having staged it’s second Liverpool show earlier this year (and sold out tickets for the second time) MCM London Comic Con took over ExCel London this weekend as pop culture and comic book fans from around the globe jetted in for three days of fun. The colossal ExCel Centre offered up two gigantic halls bursting with activity from live eSports matches and cosplay celebrations, to celeb meet and greets, movie photo opportunities and of course, tonnes and tonnes of merch!

Watch: MCM Liverpool Comic Con 2017 highlights above, can you spot yourself?

As a lifelong Marvel and DC fan, our Kate was made up to don a Catwoman costume and go on the prowl for Batman. Here’s 5 things she learned from MCM London Comic Con…..

1 – Costumes are EVERYTHING!

You can’t half arse your costume when it comes to Comic Con. Most venues have a cloak room (and the staff are so lovely) so you can afford to build that Optimus Prime or R2D2 outfit and get changed when you get there. Want to dress as Maleficent? Shrek? Ursula from The Little Mermaid? The Hulk? Go for it! The bigger the Disney princess dress the better! The best I saw at MCM London Comic Con has to be this incredible Jabba the Hut from the Star Wars franchise! The tail has wheels!!!

2 – Bring the Kids!

MCM Comic Con shows are family friendly and at some venues kids under a certain age go free! MCM Liverpool Comic Con has a great kids section where the little ones can chill out on bean bags, get crafts making masks, capes and wands and obviously they make awesome cosplay companions!

3 – A Creative Marketplace

Image Credit: MCM Comic Con Liverpool

If you’re an artist, comic book creator, special effects creator, lookalike, make up artist, costume designer, script writer….whatever! MCM Comic Con could launch your career. The comic art marketplace offers the chance for you creative geniuses to display and sell your work, so why not look into booking a stall? Get cracking, MCM Liverpool Comic Con is just a few months away. Find out more here.

4 – Cosplay Community

I wont lie, having had three kids I was a bit reluctant and squish myself into a skin tight catwoman costume and get on the tube, however the MCM Comic Con community is so unashamed and welcoming, you really do feel like you’re part of a family. Different characters from cult classic movies, tv shows, cartoons, music franchises and groups of friends come together like families at Christmas and the atmosphere is just brilliant. Prepare to go through thousands of pics on your way home!

5 – The Celebs

Image Credit: MCM Liverpool Comic Con

MCM Comic Con lines up some pretty sweet guests as it tours the country, this weekend alone saw Sherlock baddie, Moriarty, actor Andrew Scott and the infamous Warwick Davies appear alongside the cast from Red Dwarf, Harry Potter actor, Guy Henry and many others. Don’t forget to check ahead of your MCM Comic Con event and book your chance of a lifetime to meet and greet your favourite stars. More info here. Yep that’s Flash Gordon!

MCM Liverpool Comic Con returns to the Exhibition Centre on 10th-11th March 2018 and tickets, starting from £15 are available to buy online. Head to www.mcmexpostore.com to get yours and get busy on that costume now!

If you can’t wait that long for a comic fix, head to the Victoria Gallery & Museum, Ashton Street on Saturday 18th November for the Comic Mart and stop in to see the superb Beyond Dredd exhibition featuring the work of scouse artist John Higgins. More here.