MCM Comic Con returns with all things pop culture
March 10, 2023
When superheroes parade the streets and Jedi crowd the commuter line, you know who’s back in town… MCM Comic Con, the ultimate celebration of pop culture, returns with three unforgettable shows this year, rolling into London twice, in May and October, and rounding off with Birmingham in November.
Devoted fans and cosplay addicts won’t have to wait long, as the first dose of MCM is right around the corner, with the UK’s biggest Comic Con event soaring into ExCeL London 26th – 28th May.
The place to be for hardcore gamers, lifelong collectors, cosplay legends and movie geeks, there is so much to discover at the shows this year. Expect a jam-packed programme of your favourite celebrity talent, captivating panels, exclusive previews, live performances, independent creators and more.
Kicking it off with Harvey Guillén and Kayvan Novak, stars from the applauded mockumentary series What We Do in the Shadows, who will both be emerging from the darkness to greet fans all day Saturday and Sunday, with Kayvan appearing in-character as the infamous Fonejacker on Sunday for photos and autographs.
Pokémon fans rejoice! MCM will be hosting an English dub cast reunion with actors Veronica Taylor, Jay Goede, Eric Stuart and Rachael Lillis to celebrate 25 years since the UK release of Pokémon: The First Movie, and will be available for photos and autographs all weekend.
Fan favourite Curran Walters, best known for playing Jason Todd in DC’s Titan will also be appearing all weekend, and Hale Appleman from fantasy TV show The Magicians will be casting his spells Saturday and Sunday, ready for meet-and-greets.
The iconic British actor David Bradley, best known for his stellar performances in Harry Potter, Doctor Who and Game of Thrones, will be gracing the show floor on Friday and Saturday. What’s more, Kevin McNally, famous for portraying Joshamee Gibbs in the Pirates of the Caribbean films, along with roles in Doctor Who and dark fantasy drama Supernatural, will batten down the hatches all weekend, meeting and greeting fans.
For the book worms out there, over fifty incredible authors will be attending MCM in May, including New York Times bestselling fiction author and Star Trek novelist Una Mccormack who will be appearing at the show for panels and book signings. Adrian Tchaikovsky, science fiction author and winner of the Arthur C. Clarke Award for Best Science Fiction Novel, will also be making an appearance, along with bestselling author, illustrator and comedy content creator Lewis Hancox.
What’s more, Natasha Bowen, author of Skin of the Sea and Soul of the Deep, along with Samantha Shannon, New York Times and Sunday Times-bestselling author of The Bone Season series, will be meeting and greeting across the weekend.
The gamers among us will be spoiled for choice in the Side Quest area, home to an endless library of nostalgic retro classics, modern consoles, and family favourites. Whether you’re going head-to-head with mates or battling it out solo for a new high score, you’ll be covered. The much-loved Tabletop Realm is moving to the Platinum Suite for MCM’s biggest tabletop gaming area ever, where you can lose yourself in cardboard games and trading card favourites, or dive into the exciting world of Dungeons and Dragons for the ultimate fantasy adventure.
Community is at the heart of MCM, and meeting people who share your passion is what makes the event so special. Geek out with fellow cosplayers at one of the Official MCM Photo Meets before snapping a group photo that will stay with you for a lifetime. New for this year, The Legend of Zelda Cosplayers UK are aiming to set the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people dressed as The Legend of Zelda character on the Saturday, so what are you waiting for?
Get ready to party at MCM’s outdoor Fringe Stage for incredible live music, dance performances and comedy, where you can soak up the fun festival vibes for a cosplay spectacle you won’t forget.
Explore new worlds in the Pop Asia zone and immerse yourself in a vibrant culture of jaw dropping performances, interactive games and delicious food. Why not drop-in to one of the creative workshops and try your hand at the ancient craft of origami, or put pen to paper and bring your wildest imaginations to life in a Manga drawing session.
Climb into The Treehouse area and discover a world to keep the kids entertained all day, including creative kids crafting, face paint makeovers, colouring fun and more. Plus kids 10 and under go free with an adult ticket holder!
It wouldn’t be MCM without cosplay, which is why the much-anticipated Cosplay Masquerade is returning to the Main Stage on Saturday and Sunday for a chance to witness some of the most impressive handmade costumes at the whole event. What’s more, the Cosplay Showcase and Kids Cosplay Showcase are open to absolutely everyone; it’s a fantastic opportunity to strike a pose on the Cosplay Central Stage and show off your cosplay skills. If you have a costume crisis don’t panic; the Cosplay Hospital will be on hand throughout the whole show, ready to stitch you back together completely free of charge.
If all of that’s not enough, there’s time to do it all again with MCM Comic Con hitting up ExCeL London again in October and NEC Birmingham in November.
Teresa Heitor, Event Director at MCM Comic Con said: “We’re thrilled to be bringing MCM Comic Con back to London this May. Stay tuned, as we’ll be announcing even more incredible guests, panels, and exciting features over the coming months. Don’t forget to grab your tickets, and we’ll see you there!”