I've been attending MCM London Comic Con almost since inception in 2002, when the show was founded by Bryan Cooney. Over time it has come to be an important mainstay of the UK calendar for fans of comics, anime, television and films. Expanding to fill venues in Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham, it's an important occasion for fans and promoters of popular culture.
The last event I attended, in October 2017, was incredibly impressive. With Marvel attending to showcase costumes from Thor Ragnarok and Black Panther, 4 halls filled to the brim with traders and signing booths, it was an event at the height of its powers. Which is why the show this weekend seemed positively anemic by comparison.
It's no surprise that the show would see changes. Clearly, new management would bring new working practices, but having interviewed some of the stallholders, including MVM, it appears that some of the changes have actually driven down attendance by exhibitors. The reason? Higher charges for event space. This is no surprise given that ReedPOP probably paid handsomely for the event, but it is rather telling that several major names from previous shows had decided not to attend.
But this isn't bad news for everyone. Though October's MCM was far larger, the amount of stalls that were selling the same goods was positively damaging to some. The number of Viking horns available for sale last year, as well as gaming goods and Sci-Fi memorabilia, was dizzying. With only so much money to go around, it seems that it was almost impossible for some exhibitors to make enough money to justify attending, and by hiking up the charges, ReedPOP has limited the field and concentrated customer spending onto the remaining firms willing to attend.
I have to admit, I struggled to find things to spend my money on. Usually I'd peruse the anime stalls, but I'm up to date in that department. That left me with collectables and comic art, but most of the comic attendees I spend money with took plenty at last year's Thought Bubble, and merchandise of genuine quality/rarity was thin on the ground. Even Goodsmile, not short of a few quid, had retreated from their usual glass displays and posters to a small table and a storeroom. It was almost impossible to spot, sadly. Thank goodness for Neon Martian, who had a terrific deal on Kotobukiya's Bishoujo line which netted me a Street Fighter Sakura for a measly £45, and after agonizing over a moral dilemma, I even bought my first Funko Pop, the rather cute D-Va with mech. I am both ashamed and very happy at the same time. I hope it doesn't turn into a habit...
So this all sounds very dour doesn't it? Smaller show, not as much there, struggling exhibitors and so on. But as usual, what really made the show was the public. Not for nothing were there prominent banners proclaiming "We are the fans!"
As ever, cosplayers were abundant. I am sad to say I failed to get a picture of the most amazing Venom I have ever seen, but believe me when I say Tom Hardy's new film has much to live up to! Likewise, we had amazing wookies, two Ancient Magus Brides cosplays and many, many DC and Marvel characters, each with the creator's own unique spin. If the show itself held little appeal, then just walking around and drinking in the ambience was ambrosia enough to justify entry.
Thankfully there were some cool things to see too. James Nesbitt was on hand to promote his Lucky Man series, and Bryony seemed to enjoy that panel. There were some exceptionally cool celebrities on hand for signings, not least of which two of my personal favourites, David Hayter (most well-known for playing Metal Gear's Solid Snake, but also a voice-over artist on several anime series and a successful screenwriter) and Kevin Conroy. Who IS Batman. Amazing. Also on site were members of Deadpool II's cast, Tom Ellis from the wonderful Lucifer and Michael Frikkin' Biehn! Plus plenty more, but this is a blog so I only have to list my favourites!
So guest-wise, the show didn't disappoint. There were some stand-out exhibitors left standing too - Nintendo had an amazing booth with live tournaments, PQube did a spectacular job on their stand, showcasing the superb looking Blazblue crossover title, Cross Tag Tournament and there were a couple of Escape Rooms, which had I not been suffering with the worst hay-fever I can remember thanks to the cranked-up air conditioning, I would have enjoyed with Bryony. Sadly I just wasn't in a fit state to work out anything short of getting from A to B and remembering people's names!
The show had some personal highlights too - it's always great to touch base with Tony and Matt from MVM, who I've been working with for nearly 20 years apparently, and I also got to meet up with Tom watson, who will be doing some great stuff for the ol' UKA in the future - I think Bry summed it up perfectly when she described him as "lovely" :)
So where does MCM May 2018 stand in the pantheon of MCM Expo's? Honestly, it feels like it's at a crossroads. Clearly changes behind the scenes have had a marked effect on exhibitors, but so long as fans continue to clamour to the show, and those exhibitors that do attend can reap the benefit of the more concentrated access to fan-cash, it should be fine. Spidey-sense may be tingling, but it's not a full-blown Symbiote attack yet!
- With thanks to everyone, exhibitors and fans, who caught up with me and said hi. Love to you all.
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