mcm manchester comic con 30-31 july

Well, it's that time of year again (perhaps slightly delayed), but as promised in my last post, here is one of my favourite posts to write every year; our weekend at Manchester MCM Comic Con.

As usual, this post doesn't require much thought - it was a blast! And even more so, (self plug coming) because I made the costumes myself and they turned out pretty splendidly. Or so I hope you will agree. Below you can see Ben in the same ensemble that he wore to Star Wars Celebration (I might have insisted that he wear it more than one day). And, as mentioned in my Baby Glaceon post, here I am in my 'human form' kimono (inspired by this) with ears, wig and Glaceon herself in my hand.

This year, Sophie (she of the infamous constantly-mentioned-thank-you-for-your-patience cardigan) came with us on the Sunday, dressed as Mad Alice from the video game. She was suitably scared of Ben, who looks remarkably unimpressed with the whole situation (he is just so into character! I'm pretty sure he had a good weekend too.)

The stuff
We were *reasonably* conservative with our shopping this year at comic con: we really wanted some Japanese crockery from a wonderful stall that is there each year, so we made sure to save up for that; a top and a jumper each; and only one or two other bits or bobs. This didn't stop us from wandering around a drooling over everything we saw! I was really sad to find that Gametee weren't in attendance this year however, I always love buying stuff from them at comic con, but they have a lovely online shop at least.  

The steampunk Storm Trooper helmet was also with a steampunk Yoda head and Darth Vader helmet, and the level of detail and thought was fantastic. There was a section of the convention devoted to steampunk; designs, costumes, art, that sort of thing, including a mini stage where discussions took place. I am not really into steampunk myself, but that didn't stop the 3 of us on Sunday having a very careful look over everything on display. I do really enjoy the level of detail that steampunkers (correct term?) take their costumes and props to and it's always a wonder to see what diversity can be made into this style.    The cosplay
What would any comic con be without the exceptional cosplayers? We didn't make the same mistake that we did at Star Wars, and this time we took the better camera. We managed to get some really good pictures of some of the best cosplayers and costumes there. You've already seen mine and Ben's costumes and I am happy to report that we were stopped for plenty of pictures ourselves; I was particularly delighted that people actually knew what I was supposed to me - all that hard work paid off eh?

Dark Magician Girl from the Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card game was probably my favourite, as she also happens to be my favourite card! I asked for this picture on the Sunday afternoon so the lady dressed up was a little bored I think (I believe she was working on the Yu-Gi-Oh! stand rather than attending the con and so had probably been stopped so very many times). 

You can never go wrong with a Disney Princess cosplay, as indeed I went in one myself to the first comic con we attended (Belle's everyday wear, rather than the ball gown). That also happened to be a costume I made myself, but I could totally improve on that now ... Belle and Aurora, and the gowns were really splendid to view at the convention.

I love when I ask someone for a picture, and they pose in character. I would like to think I could do that, but I am not confident enough quite to feel I would be loyal to the character. But then again I do like to smile in the pictures which is a pose in itself. That's the great thing about cosplay though - the costume, and the atmosphere, gives you so much more confidence than you realise, so that any other day I don't like having my picture taken, but it's almost a game to see who can have their picture taken the most. And the smiles and costumes just really egg you on and everything is so enjoyable.

This was the funniest cosplay of the weekend - Deadpool Trump. Please, USA, please please please make the right choice come November .... I mean, if it was Deadpool there is no contest, but it isn't. So it's not. 

Ben commented that there weren't quite as many Star Wars cosplayers as we might have expected at comic con this time, which was a pretty fair point given how popular The Force Awakens, and the upcoming Rogue One, are. I pondered that this was because comic con covers so much more than just Star Wars that perhaps it wasn't too much of a surprise? Perhaps because we were only just at Star Wars Celebration two weeks before this it felt much more different than usual. 

Well, as ever MCM Comic Con was absolutely splendid and I am only sorry I have to wait so long in between the conventions!! I am really eager to go back to London, and try the October con one year, but that will probably have to wait a little while now. This last week we moved into our rented house, and good gracious I have just been so busy! We also most likely won't have internet until the end of the month now, due to a mix up with the order :'( so I've popped back to dad's this weekend to get some posts prepared so I don't leave you lovely people wanting :)
In the meantime, do enjoy this picture of a Sith Lord, exploring his inner Pokemon.