Posted in: Comics, Recent Updates | Tagged: Birmingham MCM Comic Con, breaking bad, Brodie's Law, Comics, David Burchill, entertainment, R.J. Mitte

A Full, Well-Organized End To Con Season At Birmingham MCM Comic Con, Plus Photogallery

By Olly MacNamee

Granted that the end-of-year MCM Comic Con here in Brum is less to do with comics and more to do with general film, TV, gaming and Anime, but it was an excellent opportunity, one last time this year, for cosplayers from across the region (across the country?) to dress to impress and strut their stuff across the huge expanse that is Birmingham's NEC.

I got the chance to catch up with some friends, sit in on the RJ Mitte (Breaking Bad) panel and even caught a glimpse of a few of my A Level students too, who were clearly enjoying themselves as much as anyone else. A few years ago, the students I teach would never have even considered going to a con, but that is changing, suggesting that there is still growth within this area, as evidenced by the new and successful cons in just this neck of the country that have sprung up this year alone (Leicester and Leamington Spa followed in April next year by a further new edition to the Midlands' con season, Birmingham Comic Festival)

The place was jammed and the organization was brilliant, and considering how busy it was that's no mean feat, and the dealers I spoke to were doing brisk business across the two days. And there was still chance to bag a bargain on Sunday afternoon too. So everyone was happy. This is clearly a convention where cosplay and consumerism does go hand-in-hand unlike some of the reports we have recently featured arguing against cosplayers at cons. Maybe the US can learn a thing or two from us Brits?

Still, another year of conventions have gone out with a bang, and for me it was fitting that the first artist I befriended in February (when I first started to drink the BC Kool-Aid), David Burchill (Brodie's Law) was also the last person I spoke to yesterday too, bringing a certain sense of closure for me ahead of my winter hibernation.

While I am sure I will find plenty to write about between now and the New Year, covering cons for BC has been a blast so far and I am already looking forward to the next round of cons and cosplayers too.

And on that note, here then is a selection of photos from the weekend. Enjoy.

Olly MacNamee teaches English and Media, for his sins, in a school somewhere in Birmingham. Some days, even he doesn't know where it is. Follow him on twitter @ollymacnamee or read about his exploits at olly.macnamee@blogspot.co.uk. Or don't.

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