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The Best UK Comic Conventions

We love attending comic conventions however, there are loads to pick from. That being said there are only a few companies that host these comic cons every year so it’s important to know what company does what and which are the best. Of course, this list is personal preference and this is how we’d list the best UK comic cons.

Some of these comic cons are so good that people have literally travelled from all over the globe to visit them, that’s how great they are. It’s important however to keep in mind that comic cons are very expensive. You have to buy tickets, pay for autographs, merchendise and food & drink so most people won’t be able to visit more than one a year so it’s important to find the best United Kingdom comic convention before making a choice.

UK Comic Con Companies

In the UK there are four main comic con companies that are worth following. Some are bigger than others but they all offer something unique.

MCM Comic Con: MCM Comic Con is the largest and most well-known organiser of Comic Cons in the UK. They have events in London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Scotland. MCM Comic Con typically features a large number of celebrity guests, panels, workshops, and gaming events.

Showmasters: Showmasters is another popular organiser of Comic Cons in the UK. They have events in London, Birmingham, and Manchester. Showmasters Comic Cons typically feature a smaller number of celebrity guests than MCM Comic Con, but they offer a more relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere. If you’re thinking about going to Showmasters make sure the event is still running, they have a habbit of pulling out of locations last minute, like they did with the Bournemouth comic con.

Wales Comic Con: Wales comic con has gained popularity over the last few years. They have amazing guests that you wouldn’t have seen at other comic conventions. They are normally based in Wrexham although due to size and popularity they sometimes host their conventions in Telford.

Starfury Convetions: Starfury conventions are more niche, their conventions are based around a certain category. In the past they have had Once Upon A Time, Stargate and Outlander conventions. These events are for people who want to get close and personal with celebrities and spend one on one time with them.

It’s important to ensure you do your homework on any convention you buy tickets for. Take a look at these questions you should ask yourself before you buy any tickets.

  • Are tickets refundable?
  • What do you get with your tickets?
  • Do you have to pay for extras?
  • Do you get early access?

Which Is The Best UK Comic Con

As we’ve said, this is based on personal preference and what we thought about the comic conventions. Each company hosts various conventions over the year, although Wales Comic Con mainly hosts two conventions per year although there are rumours of them branching out and hosting smaller conventions.

We can only comment on the comic conventions that we’ve been to. If you’ve been to any that you highly recommend we visit, let us know and we’ll see about going!

Showmasters Collectormania

Collectormania events offer attendees the opportunity to meet and interact with celebrity guests, including actors, artists, and other industry professionals. These guests often participate in autograph sessions, photo ops, and Q&A panels, allowing fans to get up close and personal with their favourite stars. Collectormania is help in Birmingham at the NEC which is a huge venue and offers ample space for more than other conventions.

Additionally, Collectormania events feature a wide range of exhibitors, offering merchandise such as comics, collectibles, memorabilia, artwork, and more. Fans can browse through vendor booths and discover unique items related to their favourite franchises. One of the issues with the stalls at most comic conventions is that there are a lot of repeat stores that sell the same items such as Funko pops and this seems to be one of the issues with larger conventions such as Collectormania.

Showmasters Collectormania Guests

Some of the celebrity guests that have been announced for the Birmingham event include:

  • Sean Bean (Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings)
  • Michael Shanks (Stargate)
  • Ming Na-Wen (Mulan, Marvel Agents of Shield)
  • John Barrowman (Torchwood, Doctor Who)
  • Daniel Portman (Game Of Thrones)

Showmasters Collectormania Tickets

Tickets are priced as follows:

  • Adult (16+): £15 in advance, £20 on the day
  • Child (5-15): £10 in advance, £15 on the day
  • Family (2 adults + 2 children): £40 in advance, £50 on the day

Ticket prices may change from the prices shown above. There are also Gold Pass – Saturday & Sunday tickets available which are priced at £195. Always make sure you know what you’re getting with your tickets before you purchase them.

Collectormania is our favourite comic convention, it was a lot of fun and there was loads of room so it didn’t feel like we were canned in like sardines. They also have ticketed queues so you can grab a ticket and go back when it’s your time, saving standing around in a queue like you do with other conventions.

We did find that the food and drink sold here was expensive but that seems to be the normal thing for all UK comic conventions. It’s our most recommended comic convention and you should give it a try. Let us know if you’ve been to the Showmasters Collectormania and what you thought about it.

Wales Comic Con

Wales Comic Con is a annual comic convention held in Wrexham, Wales. It was organised by Mercury Promotions Ltd. and had become a popular event for fans of pop culture, including comics, movies, TV shows, video games, and more.

Wales Comic Con typically featured a mix of celebrity guests from various realms of entertainment, including actors from popular TV shows, movies, and anime. Attendees had the opportunity to meet these guests, get autographs, take photos, and participate in engaging Q&A sessions. Keep in mind that these sessions do come at a cost and you either have to buy your tickets online or on the day. We would suggest buying tickets in advance in case they sell out and you can’t purchase any on the day.

Throughout the event, there were often cosplay contests, where attendees could showcase their creative costumes and win prizes. Panels, workshops, and interactive activities were also part of the convention’s program, providing fans with an immersive experience and a chance to learn more about their favourite franchises. A lot of UK conventions don’t have these competitions which makes Wales Comic Con unique.

One thing we love about Wales Comic Con is the fact that the stalls aren’t all the same. They have a diverse offering for attendees to buy from, it’s great because you have more availble but terrible because you’ll end up spending more money. A little tip, if you find something you want, look online first to see if you can buy it cheaper, everyone does it.

Wales Comic Con Guests:

Wales Comic Con have had some amazing guests in the past and continue to get great guests at their events. If you’re looking to meet some of the best celebrities in the acting industry, pick Wales Comic Con. That being said, more amazing guests means higher prices and more to pay.

Take a look below at some of the amazing guests Wales Comic Con has had in the past;

  • Jason Mamoa (Game of Thrones, Stargate Atlantis, Aquaman)
  • Gareth David-Lloyd (Torchwood, Dragon Age)
  • Alyson Hannigan (Buffy, Angel, How I Met Your Mother)
  • Rebecca Mader (Once Upon A Time, Lost)

Wales Comic Con Ticket Prices:

  • General Admission: £15 (Saturday), £12 (Sunday)
  • VIP: £30 (Saturday), £26 (Sunday)
  • VIP Weekend: £55
  • Child (11 and under): Free

Prices for Wales Comic Con may change, they also offer more expensive packages that include more so check them out if you have the money to spend. In order to join photo opportunities you will need to also buy this online, prices are all different depending on guests.

All tickets are sold on their website, don’t get scamed by buying tickets somewhere else, it happens.

We have a couple of videos on YouTube if you want to get an idea of what happens at these events, take a look below and don’t forget to subscribe.

Wales Comic Con December 2018 Video

Showmasters London Comic Con

Showmasters London Comic Con is a biannual fan convention held at Olympia London in West Kensington, London. The convention typically features a wide variety of panels, workshops, gaming events, and celebrity guests. The convention also has a large Artist’s Alley, where attendees can meet and buy from local artists and creators.

Showmasters London Comic Convention is one of the most popular conventions in the UK. This is mainly due to the calibre of their guests. However, in recent years more of the high-profile guests that would normally appear at London Comic Con have decided to attend other conventions such as Wales Comic Con which is why it isn’t one of our favourites.

We mainly go for the guests however, London comic con does offer a range of stalls that you can buy some amazing merchandise from. That being said, they do have a lot of stores that are the same and can get a little boring.

Showmasters does have their amazing Artist Alley. An area dedicated to comic book artists, illustrators, and writers where attendees can meet them, purchase artwork, and get their favourite comics signed. Something that other conventions haven’t been able to replicate.

Past guests at Showmasters London Comic Con

  • Tom Felton (Harry Potter)
  • Jodie Whittaker (Doctor Who)
  • Ewan McGregor (Moulin Rouge)
  • Elijah Wood (Lord of the Rings)
  • Patrick Stewart (Star Trek)

Showmasters London Comic Con Ticket Prices

Showmasters London is one of the more expensive Showmasters conventions so you’re looking to spend a pretty penny. Due to the convention being in London it also means that accomadation, food and travel are also going to be more expensive.

Friday General Admission (16+) £22
Friday General Admission (5-15) £18
Saturday General Admission (16+) £28
Saturday General Admission (5-15) £22
Sunday General Admission (16+) £28
Sunday General Admission (5-15) £22
Weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) (General Admission 16+) £52
Weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) (General Admission 5-15) £44

Friday VIP £30
Saturday VIP £35
Sunday VIP £35
Weekend VIP £95

Family (2 adults, 2 children) Friday £87
Family (2 adults, 2 children) Saturday £99
Family (2 adults, 2 children) Sunday £99

Prices for Showmasters Comic Convention may change, these prices are correct for 2023.

Things To Remember When Attending A Comic Con UK

If you’re thinking about going to a convention then it’s important to make sure you get it all right, there’s a lot that goes into attending a comic con. When we first visited a comic con we had no idea what to expect but now we like to think of ourselves as semi-professional comic con attendees.

  1. Tickets: Purchase your tickets in advance to avoid long queues and ensure entry. Check the event’s website for information on ticket types, pricing, and availability.
  2. Plan Ahead: Study the event schedule and plan which panels, workshops, and guest appearances you want to attend. This will help you make the most of your time and avoid missing out on things you’re interested in.
  3. Cosplay: If you plan to cosplay, make sure your costume is comfortable and safe to wear throughout the day. Be aware of any specific cosplay rules or weapon policies at the event.
  4. Comfortable Clothing and Footwear: Comic Con events can involve a lot of walking and standing, so wear comfortable clothing and supportive footwear to stay comfortable throughout the day.
  5. Hydration and Snacks: Bring a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated, as well as some snacks to keep your energy up during the event. However, be aware of any food and drink restrictions at the venue, there are also bag searches and you don’t want your comic con snacks confiscated before you even enter the premises.
  6. Cash and Cards: Bring a mix of cash and cards as some vendors may not accept card payments. ATMs may have long queues, so it’s best to have cash on hand. We would recommend taking cash to comic con, the celebrities take cash for selfies and autographs and there isn’t always an ATM on site.
  7. Respect Personal Space: Comic Cons can get crowded, so be mindful of personal space and respect the boundaries of others. It’s also important to wear deodorant, it can get hot and sweaty!
  8. Stay Organised: Carry a bag to hold your purchases, event programs, and any promotional materials you collect. We recommend an amazing Disney bag!
  9. Autographs and Photos: If you plan to get autographs or photos with celebrity guests, check for specific signing times and photo op schedules. Some guests may require vouchers or additional fees.
  10. Follow Rules and Guidelines: Adhere to event rules, policies, and guidelines to ensure everyone’s safety and enjoyment. Check the comic con website for rules, contact them if you’re unsure but don’t leave it till last minute as you might not get an answer to your question in time.
  11. Charge Your Devices: Bring portable chargers or power banks to keep your phone or camera charged for taking pictures and staying connected.
  12. Have Fun and Be Respectful: Comic Cons are all about celebrating pop culture and fandoms. Enjoy the experience, meet like-minded fans, and be respectful to fellow attendees, guests, and event staff. Comic con is a no judgement zone and treat everyone like a family member, that you actually like and get on with!
the best uk comic cons

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