It almost feels odd to be writing about conventions again after such a long Winter without one, but I can safely say that con-season has officially kicked off with another spectacular offering from the guys and girls at London Super Comic Con. Only three years since it’s creation, it’s hard to imagine LSCC has been around for such a short time. Yet last weekend saw it’s return with such style, it was almost as if it had been there for years!
For those of you that didn’t catch up with my last stellar review of LSCC, it’s basically the closest we UK con goers can get to an American style comic con, outside of, well, the USA. It’s two whole days, of stalls, panels, special guests and cosplayers – all uniting together in one big ol’ family that shares a love and appreciation for the comic book world.
It’s one of those places that is so warm and accommodating, you don’t have to feel intimidated or nervous about attending. I actually dragged my friend along for her first ever convention, and I think LSCC really has made her a convert to the cause now. You make lasting friends here, you bond with like minded people and there’s something really unique about that. It’s an experience that stays with you, because it feels wholly personal when you have enough breathing room to manoeuvre and experience the con for yourself, without wall to wall people, or some elitist whispers in your ear telling you to go home.
From the minute I arrived at LSCC, I knew it was going to be good. The staff were helpful, streamlined and well organised despite the amount of people they were dealing with. Ticketing was honestly a joy to undergo, and if MCM takes note of a similar system ready for it’s return in May with the ever popular London Comic Con I can definitely foresee it being a vast improvement on the chaos of last time. So, passes acquired it was off into the halls to do some sleuthing for bargains and geeky gems!
I don’t actually usually spend much time looking at stalls at conventions, usually because I don’t have the patience to navigate all those crowds, so LSCC was a lovely change of pace to have everything so evenly spaced and easy to wander around. After clearing out my bank balance on a selection of prints (honestly, my favourite has got to be a gorgeous Vega one by Manos Lagouvardos) and I definitely had a spring in my step as I came away as the proud wielder of many signed goodies and ventured off to the other side of the hall to explore a little more.
Highlights for me, included a long chat to the guys behind Art Heroes with their ever so brilliant comic Halycon & Tenderfoot (seriously go and check it out, it’s adorably heroic!), a clothing recommendation and half hour chat with the legendary Jamie Tyndall (who’s art books are essentially the best thing I bought all weekend) and a lot of silly face pulling as I discussed the intricacies of the X-universe and utter Magneto appreciation with the lovely Christeeny! (I’m still not convinced by Rogueneto, I’m sorry Chris!)
And that’s before I even get started on the cosplay. It’s one of the things I do enjoy about the convention scene, and that’s simply because the amount of effort and enthusiasm that goes into becoming your favourite character is astonishing. This was all the more encouraged by the attendance of cosplay legends Yaya Han and Riki LeCotey – Riddle, alongside the UK’s very own Tabitha Lyons, to judge this year’s inaugural cosplay competition!
It was quieter than I’d perhaps expected, but I think that worked well in LSCC’s favour, because it meant there was a lazy relaxed atmosphere to the days, which allowed for a far better con going experience. You had room to move, to relax and to breathe. You could get clearer shots of your favourite cosplayers and take your time without fear of being run down by a small stampede of people chasing after their favourite celebrity.
But as always, it wouldn’t really have been a proper con without the customary trip to the Fox bar afterwards, to wind down amongst friends and just share stories of what had taken place that day. Who did you meet? What did you buy? Which cosplay had been your favourite? There’s a real sense of camaraderie there, and solidarity too for that matter, which is why I can’t wait for LSCC to return next year and prove once again, what a good con is supposed to feel like.
Some photos from LSCC 2014
