Posted in: Comics | Tagged: Comics, crowdfunding, Dan Maillier, entertainment, Leamington Spa Comic Con

Things To Do At A Crowdfunded Con In Leamington Spa This Weekend If You Like Comics

Published Wed, 15 Oct 2014 05:30:00 -0500

By Olly MacNamee

With the advent of such online ventures as Kickstarter and Indieogogo allowing for publicly funded projects to become reality, it is good to see that one such project, an independent Leamington Spa Comic Convention in the heart of the British countryside, has been backed successfully to the sum of a mere £1,800 and is scheduled for Saturday, October 18^th at The Pump Rooms in Leamington Spa, opening their doors at a sensible 10.30am. A rather prestigious location as the Pump House is celebrating its 200^th year anniversary this year, given you an idea of the history Leamington and its surrounding areas have. Hopefully then, this new comic-con can become a part of the legacy too in years to come, thanks to the man behind it all, local lad Dan Mallier.

Like previous cons, I have been fortunate to cover for Bleeding Cool, this one is small-scale and new to this particular town, including plenty of fun activities for the whole family including a themed photo-booth (hmm, I wonder what that theme might be?), face painting and a magician to boot (in the shape of Jester Styles). Cosplayers, get you thing on too, as you are more than welcome, regardless of the current debate surrounding the bigger American cons and whether cosplay is killing the con. My experience of these smaller cons is that cosplay can be a benefit, especially as it draws the eye of the casual Saturday shopper who may very well take a punt on the con and venture in. These guys and dolls that spend a great deal of time and money on their costumes can act as unofficial mascots to these events and promote comics indirectly.

With all advance tickets having sold out weeks ago, there will only be a limited amount available for purchase on the day, so hurry if you are considering going, especially if you are travelling from out of town as I imagine many will.

As for the day itself, you can expect a good range of both local publishers (Time Bomb Comics, for example) and some from further afield too (including Bleeding Cool's friends from the South, T Pub as well as Borderline Press who give a stage to the best in new and unpublished European talent). During the day Neil Gibson, from the aforementioned T Pub, will be presenting a talk focused on '5 ways how comics can help you study' with a follow up Q&A hosted by Mike Garley (Adventure Time and Wallace & Gromit comics). Something, as a teacher, I would be keen to be in on. Comics in the classroom can really benefit both reluctant readers as well as the less able and allow them an access to the curriculum they may not have achieved otherwise.

With the presence of the Star Wars costuming group UK Garrison as well, there will be very few dull moments over the day and plenty of smiles no doubt. A comic-con that remains committed to small and independent publishers, writers and artists while delivering a day that many won't forget. Dan Mallier himself has been 'blown away' by the support from Leamington Spa, 'from donators, traders, the local press and those willing to give up their spare time to help spread the word2. Well, consider the word spread, Dan. See you on October 18^th.

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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