Liverpool Comic Con: ‘Outside of Conventions, I don’t usually get the opportunity to share interests with people- that’s why Comic Cons are so important’

Bethany Hemmings | 14th March 2018

Every year Liverpool’s exhibition Center transforms into a Sci-Fi lover’s heaven, when the city it hosts its very own Comic Con.

Tickets for Liverpool’s 2019 Comic Con have been released recently and organizer and founder of this year’s Con, Andy Kleek assures 2019’s event will boast as much extravagance, fun and family friendly activities as this year’s.

He said: ”Comic Cons over the years are known for their geek crowd. [This year] We’ve tried to cater for families and the general masses, that’s why a lot of our shows are pulling good numbers”.

Across the weekend at Liverpool’s 2018 Con, thousands of like-minded individuals from across the galaxy were able to mingle and take photos with Sci-Fi’s most famous cult stars.

The line-up included, Lou Ferrigno (body builder and the original Incredible Hulk), Joonas Suotamo (the man behind the furry mask of Chewbacca), Verne Troyer (Mini- Me from Austin Powers) and many more exciting appearances. 

Watch: Former WWE Champoion Gail Kim talks about her extensive career and gives her opinion of Liverpool’s Comic Con 2018

Unlike many other Comic Cons around the country,  there were life-size replicas of some of Sci-Fi’s most famous space ships like, the bat-mobile, the X-Wing and The Tardis. It also featured some retro- arcade gaming cabs and bouncy castles.

Ian McNeice who played Churchill in Doctor Who and Fulton Greenwall in Ace Ventura said: ”Most Comic Cons just have the venders, but this seems to have gone one step further in bringing a lot of other attractions, which is great”.  

Gail Kim, former WWE champion and now producer for Impact Wrestling added: ”This one is smaller [than other comic cons], which is great because I love the intimate feeling of it all. It seems there’s more fun things to do like video games, bouncy castles and lots more interactive things which are so fun”. 

Attendees were also able to purchase limited edition memorabilia and props from their beloved TV and film series’ and to take their photo with all the life-size ships and props- free of charge.  

 

Watch: Jeremy Bulloch aka Boba Fett from Star Wars talk about being in The Empire Strikes Back and his opinion of Liverpool Comic Con 2018

 

The aberrations of Liverpool’s Con were plentiful. Along with photo and signature opportunities with celebrity guests, fans were also treated to Q&A sessions with their heroes.

The seats surrounding the main stage were quickly filled and oodles of others gathered around on foot when Joonas Suotamo aka Chewbacca was answering questions.

An out of this galaxy experience occurred during his session, when the Navy Thunder Ranger from Power Rangers, portrayed by Jorgito Vargas Jr and also a featured guest at Con, posed a question in Chewbacca’s native tongue. The ever- expanding crowd of fans roared and rose from their seats with jubilance when Chewie replied in the same tongue. It was a truly inspired moment that was synonymous to the magic of Comic Cons.

 

 

This year’s con was not short of imaginativeness from its cosplay enthusiasts and comic book aficionados. In fact, the work that went into some of the outfits was astounding. 

From children as young as seven imitating anime and manga characters, to folks in their elder ages in Star Wars and Marvel gear, Liverpool’s Con was the perfect place for fans of all ages to pay their homage to their favorite heroes.  

 

 

Not only did the event host a plethora of eclectic artistry from fans, there was a warm and welcoming energy that flowed through the gargantuan space of the Exhibition Center. It was an energy that would even warm Mr. Freeze’s heart and made all your fellow comic book aficionados feel like life-long comrades.  

Everyone was your cohort and it is hard to believe that the event was orchestrated in just two- months, a real achievement by founder Andy Kleek. 

Late last year, previous organizers MCM announced that Liverpool’s Con would be dropped from the UK bill after new owners took over the brand. 

Kleek saw this as an opportunity and said ”it was a shame for the comic con to go, there’s a massive demand for it and I saw that”. 

 

Watch: Ian McNeice from Doctor Who and Ace Ventura Talks about working with Matt Smith and Liverpool’s Comic Con in previous years

 

Although Kleek could not reveal to Viva next year’s guests, he did tell us exclusively that next year’s Con will include a live orchestra and will be expanding into the BT Convention Center next door.  

After witnessing the masses of zealous Sci-Fi fans of all ages descend to share a weekend of frivolity and fun, it is clear to see the value of Comic Cons. It enables advocates to share their passions with like-minded individuals and to feel a part of something extraordinary.  And now that Liverpool’s Con is secured for the next three years, may the force be with you. Always.  

 

 

Tickets for Liverpool Comic Con 2019 are on sale now via their website liverpoolcc.co.uk

Visit Viva’s YouTube channel for exclusive interviews with Ian McNeice, Gail Kim, Jorgito Vargas Jr and Jeremy Bulloch.