Posted in: Comics, Recent Updates | Tagged: captain america, london, london super comic convention, marvel, stan lee

London Super Comic Convention: Day One

Published Sat, 25 Feb 2012 12:21:32 -0600

Last updated Sun, 26 Feb 2012 11:26:36 -0600

Currently sat in the Fox bar with friends, some of whom I haven't seen for a decade. The London Super Comic Convention has brought many faces out of the woodwork for a comic convention that is actually about comics again. No movie studios, no TV stars, it's all comics, and thousands came out to check it out.

Okay, many of them were here for Stan Lee, this is expected to be his final show in the UK, and he hasn't been here for a while. So Britain came out to see him.

The convention basically started as off Stan Con, but after autographs and photos, the crowd made their way over. And found George Perez, Bill Sienkiewicz, Glenn Fabry, Simon Bisley, Jim Cheung, Howard Chaykin, Brian Bolland and so many more waiting for them. I have heard squeals of delight from some.

IDW put on a good show as well, announcing projects, showing off exclusive art, and entertaining the troops. Chris Ryall seems to have been reviewing portfolios all day long and has reported some very interesting finds.

Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie have been fending off screaming lovelies, delighted in the news of Phonogram: Immaterial Girl.

But when Stan Lee walked across the show, the show walked with him. It was like watching a queen bee surrounded by drones. The man has a schedule that puts everyone else at the show to shame. The Captain America above, being held by Stan? He was crying moments later from jubiliation.

What complaints there were, seem to be over queue management. For some creators, they were just too popular, and Mark Buckingham was among those who found himself swamped with adoring fans willing to queue for hours. CreatIRS, vendors and publishers I spoke to reported brisk business all day and a lot of big sales. Multiple times what they'd expect at other shows.

It's a hit. It seems such a simple thing to do, yet no one has done it for over ten years in London. The biggest names, just comics, and a willing public. I have no idea how they will follow Stan Lee for future shows but I'm looking forward to finding out. I'm meant to be interviewing Stan tomorrow… all my digits are firmly crossed.

I'll be back tomorrow. Here's a look at what was going down…