TOP 5 THINGS TO DO AT A COMIC CON.

 

Ah, conventions. Easily the cornerstone of everything wrong with our society today. No wait, that’s clubbing. Anyway, this is being typed on September 26th 2017, meaning MCM Scotland’s just come and gone. Now for those who are thinking of going to their first comic con in the near future, here’s some helpful tips to ensure the maximum chance of pure enjoyment. For convention veterans, it’s not a bad thing to look at this list. Anyway, let’s just get on with it:

 

5: FRESHEN UP – It goes without saying, you’re going to be at a day-long event (regardless of how long you stay, you could be in the convention hall for just 5 minutes and this will still matter), there’s going to be a lot of people and more often than not you’ll find yourself in a tight crowd (much like the Tube), and NOBODY likes being right next to someone who reeks. Shower/Bathe for an hour, brush your teeth for 10 minutes, and use 40 cans of deodorant (and take 10 with you). Granted, all of that was exaggeration, but still, bring some deodorant with you – be a good Samaritan and help someone out who probably hasn’t seen a list like this.

4: BE RESPECTFUL OF OTHER PEOPLE’S INTERESTS – As in, it’s fair enough to have opinions regarding a web series or an anime that might differ with the opinions of others, but don’t be outspoken and constantly shut someone down if they decide to dress up in a costume inspired by whatever they feel like. The general point of quite a large number of conventions is for people who may be a tad introverted to meet other likeminded folk and make friends. Join them!

3: SAVE YOUR WALLET - 

Conventions tend to be quite pricey in certain (usually ALL) areas, so you’re going to want to learn the tricks of the trade. Basically, when saving up for a convention, save as if you’re going to buy 10 Nintendo Switches. From CeX. And even then, try and not spend that much. Don’t do what I did and buy all your food for the day/weekend there. Pack some stuff, like Nutella sandwiches and maybe some 7up. Do your research on what you want to do while you’re there – if you’re after Pocky, try and go around every stall that sells them and then buy from the cheapest, don’t buy it when you first see it. If you’re going to buy a plushie, aim for 2 at most, preferably a dog plush to give to that special someone to fawn over it 24/7, plus a Cosmog/Nebby plushie from Pokémon so you can make your own “Get in the bag” memes. As for everything else, only go for pictures with celebrities, and even then, limit yourself. If you want to buy anything else at the convention, don’t. Union Street in Glasgow sells literally everything else available.

 

2: TO COSPLAY, OR NOT TO COSPLAY, 

THAT IS THE QUESTION –  

 And here’s the answer; Whatever floats your boat. Whether you want to join the ever-present community of Deadpools, go with whatever’s relevant (Harley Quinn in 2016, Pennywise in 2018, perhaps Samus when

Metroid Prime 4 gets released), or just dress up as Pink Dress Ciel from Black Butler, just go with whatever you’re interested in, it’s a great way to make friends if you cosplay as something you’re a fan of.

 

1: HAVE FUN – It’s literally the entire point of going to a comic con, regardless of whichever one you choose to go to.

Follow these (kinda) simple suggestions and suddenly you’ll find yourself wanting to never leave the community surrounding it. You’ll find yourself going again and again, and you might end up going to a convention in another city just to see what it’s like. As for where to start going to conventions, I’d recommend your local MCM, it’s the best place to start. For those wanting the best convention experience in the UK, go to MCM London, take it from me, it’s up there with San Diego.

 

That said, this weekend wasn't without faults. Among other things, I was a little concerned that the entire weekend went with the SECC not having fences. Like, what's up with that? You can't just ruin one MCM location for people and not ruin another, guys. That's just not fair.

And don't get me started on the ticket prices. £24 for the weekend? That's the complete opposite of extortion! I expect to pay out of every limb and my backside for a quality MCM experience, not essentially dig into my wallet for loose change for a wristband!

And finally, the guest list. I expect MCM conventions to be less-than-stellar with their choice of guests! But this weekend had Ash Ketchum, Flash Gordon and the Fifth Doctor plus two of his companions! To whoever runs these conventions: Are you guys mad?

All in all. It was fun. Sunday was definitely better than Saturday (Saturdays are just as crowded in Scotland as they are in London), but I think I'll be taking a break for a bit. Got college/gaming stuff to worry about.

(TL;DR - Con was good. But please, MCM, make stupid choices from now on, alrighty?)

That said, this weekend wasn't without faults. Among other things, I was a little concerned that the entire weekend went with the SECC not having fences. Like, what's up with that? You can't just ruin one MCM location for people and not ruin another, guys. That's just not fair.

And don't get me started on the ticket prices. £24 for the weekend? That's the complete opposite of extortion! I expect to pay out of every limb and my backside for a quality MCM experience, not essentially dig into my wallet for loose change for a wristband!

And finally, the guest list. I expect MCM conventions to be less-than-stellar with their choice of guests! But this weekend had Ash Ketchum, Flash Gordon and the Fifth Doctor plus two of his companions! To whoever runs these conventions: Are you guys mad?

All in all. It was fun. Sunday was definitely better than Saturday (Saturdays are just as crowded in Scotland as they are in London), but I think I'll be taking a break for a bit. Got college/gaming stuff to worry about.

(TL;DR - Con was good. But please, MCM, make stupid choices from now on, alrighty?)

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/mcmcomiccon/

https://www.facebook.com/events/1678802352170190/

 

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