The Rising Popularity Of Comic Cons

Comic Cons have come from humble beginnings. San Diego Comic Con International, the most-attended comic convention in the world, started in 1970 when a small group of fans put together the first “mini con,” a one-day convention held at the U.S. Grant Hotel in downtown San Diego.

The convention saw about 100 attendees and the interest prompted the first three-day convention in August of that same year. Today, the San Diego Comic Con has reported attendance upwards of 130,000 people!

Fans from around the world descend on the San Diego Convention Center for four days of vendor exhibitions, celebrity appearances, sneak previews of new movies, cosplay, and just general all-around geeking out.

Comic Cons: Popularity Has Given Rise To Smaller Cons Worldwide

The populatiry of Comic Cons has given rise to smaller cons around the United States and the world, including MCM Comic Con in England. This is in no small part thanks to the boom in interest in CGI superhero blockbusters since the turn of the millennium and the emergence of Marvel as a Hollywood power player.

Cosplay – The Signature Of Comic Con Many people who go to Comic Cons take part in cosplay – a Japanese import that has become a signature of Comic-Con. Cosplay is an art, an inclusive hobby and a creative pursuit – and, for an increasing number of people, it’s a way of life.

Popular costume options at 2017’s conference included: Deadpool, Wonder Woman, The Joker and Harley Quinn, Dr Strange, Beetlejuice, Moana, Ghost Rider, Lando Calrissian, Gomez and Morticia Addams, Shredder and Krang, the Demogorgon and “Make the Empire Great Again” Storm Troopers with Donald Trump hair.

Revellers brave the sweltering summer heat to pose for pictures in costumes that are cheered for their ingenuity, effort and attention to detail, the best invited to take part in a ticketed catwalk “masquerade” to model their outfits.

Comic Con has been praised for the atmosphere of friendly inclusivity it fosters but those less enamoured have satirised it as “Line-Con”, a complaint about the amount of queueing required for everything from fast food to signings to entry to the hallowed Hall H, where Henry Cavill and company hold court.

The Commercialisation Of Comic Cons

Comic Cons are big biz! And like Glastonbury, Coachella or SXSW, the massive commercialisation of Comic Con has also attracted criticism.

Comics publisher Mile High announced they would no longer attend in 2017 after 44 years due to the rise in the cost of a booth, stating in a blog post that the price of reserving one had ballooned from $40 in 1973 ($232 or £176 today) to $18,000 (£13,655).

The cost of attending Comic Cons is high, especially when the price of hotel rooms and parking (up to $50 a night) is factored in with the price of tickets: $63 (£48) a day for adults, $31 (£24) for under-17s on the busy Thursday, Friday and Saturday instalments.

Nevertheless, Comic Cons inspire huge loyalty and provide a rare opportunity for fans to see sneak previews of highly anticipated new movies and encounter the likes of Gal Gadot (pictured left), Chadwick Boseman and Tom Holland in the flesh.

The unstoppable rise of Comic Cons show no signs of letting up any time soon and Comic Cons have come to rule pop culture world!

MCM London Comic Con – October 2018

It’s not long now until MCM London Comic Con which takes place on 26-28 October at Excel.

If you are a Comic Con fan and are off to MCM London Comic Con this October download Shout to chat with Superhero fans near you plus discover lots more cool features to make your experience of the event even more fantastic!

About Annie

Annie is a superhero copywriter, events organiser and virtual PA helping to put London based tech startup Shout on the map! If you need help writing copy for your website, blog, crafting engaging social media posts or any other writing projects, please get in touch – annie@bijouconcierge.co.uk.