Cultured Vultures at Wigan Comic Con

Wigan Comic Con

When you think of comic books and the subculture that comes with it, the last image to come to mind will probably be of the town of Wigan in the north of England. If this amazing convention is anything to go by, it won’t be long before the two become very much synonymous with each other.

Wigan Comic Con

It has to be said, I wasn’t expecting the world from the event situated at the Robin Park Arena because Wigan Comic Con is relatively new on the convention calendar, meaning that it might not have quite the same draw and audience as similar occasions. I was glad to be proven wrong within ten seconds of getting inside.

There’s something that catches the eye wherever you look from the second you enter through the main door with the cosplayers keenly showing off their superb costumes. Though I’ve attended larger-scale conventions like Wales Comic Con in the past, Wigan Comic Con easily trumps it in terms of cosplay as there’s a character wherever you look – you’ll seldom see Lara Croft and a roving band of zombies from one glance to another anywhere else.

Wigan Comic Con

There was a very welcoming aura to the occasion with a sense of family and togetherness pervading throughout, something that is sorely lacking from the larger conventions. Costumed strangers could often be found talking to each other over a burger upstairs, just a few feet way from the special guests who were of a great pedigree considering how young this burgeoning convention still is. Colin Baker was in particularly high spirits and was more than happy to talk to enthusiasts throughout the day. The 6th Doctor shared the majority of the limelight with Jeremy Bulloch: best known for his work as Boba Fett. Other famous faces included Femi Taylor, the almost tireless Kenny Baker and various famous authors and artists. We also asked Laurence R. Harvey of The Human Centipede 2 fame for his scariest pose. He certainly did not disappoint.

Laurence R Harvey

Stepping outside certainly did not mean the end of the attraction. The eager attendees waiting in the admittedly long queues had plenty to keep them entertained, thanks to the famous cars and the almost funny sight of seeing Darth Maul cool down with a handheld electric fan.

Back in the main hall and the real beating heart of the whole event. The stalls offered a fine selection of the geekiest goods and nerdiest wares and a great photo opportunity or two. A lot of praise has to be given to the volunteers at Wigan Comic Con as without them, there would have been no way the unexpected volume of visitors would have been dealt with quite so well. It seemed as if the 2500+ fans of Wigan Comic Con on Facebook (and their grandmothers) had turned up all at once so kudos to the organiser Paul for keeping it all together.

Wigan Comic Con

If there’s to be one criticism of this year’s event, it’s that perhaps the venue was too small for so many visitors. Though never uncomfortable, there wasn’t much breathing room in the main hall but after recognising this, the organisers have moved quickly to secure a venue three times the size for the return of Wigan Comic Con on December 7th.

We can’t wait.

 

Check out all our photos from Wigan Comic Con below. See anyone you know? Be sure to tag away.

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