London Film & Comic Con organisers Showmasters have pulled off a major coup by arranging the first non-US convention appearance by comics legend Rob Liefeld, co-creator of DEADPOOL and creator of YOUNGBLOOD, X-FORCE, SUPREME and many other iconic superhero creations.

It’s hard to believe that Liefeld has not attended a show outside of his native United States and neighbouring Canada but that’s simply the case – and for Showmasters to have convinced him to get on a plane and journey to London in July is a staggering achievement.

London Film & Comic Con will be once again taking over the entire of the mammoth Olympia conference space over the weekend of Friday 26th to Sunday 28th July and already have an impressive comics creatives line-up in place, including Mark Buckingham (FABLES, MIRACLEMAN), Simon Bisley, (LOBO, SLAINE), Emma Vieceli (LIFE IS STRANGE, SUPERGIRL), John McCrea (BATMAN, THE PUNISHER), Laura Braga (WITCHBLADE, DC’s BOMBSHELLS), Arthur Suydam (MARVEL ZOMBIES, BLACK PANTHER) and many more. More guests will be slated between now and the event but unless something truly spectacular is announced, Liefeld will most certainly be the cherry on this particular cake, the biggest guest on the bill this year

Rob Liefeld is, of course, a titanic force in the world of superhero comics, with his stellar career starting literally as he was fresh out of high school, hired by both DC Comics and Marvel Comics from the age of 18. Transforming the fortunes of ailing title X-FORCE in his early 20’s, Liefeld cemented his impression on comics by introducing a stunning range of dynamic characters including Shatterstar, reaper, Wildside, Warpath, Bridge, Feral and of course Cable and everybody’s favourite Merc With The Mouth, Deadpool.

Indeed, X-FORCE #1 went on to become the second biggest selling comic book of all time, shifting over five million copies in the United States alone, making Liefeld a superstar in comics and a household name in pop culture, putting him in high demand. Liefeld responded by joining other comics legends Todd McFarlane, Jim Lee, Marc Silvestri, Erik Larsen, Jim Valentino and Whilce Portacio in forming Image Comics, breaking records and selling millions on their own.

Liefeld continues to draw and create today, with much of his work appearing across multimedia platforms including cartoons, video games and films – it’s a testament to his energy and his creativity that he is still seen as a monumental force in comics in 2019, with his return to X-MEN comics this year with the ‘Major X’ miniseries showing he’s lost none of his scope, ambition and style after over thirty years in the business.

We at The Convention Collective – and prior at An Englishman In San Diego – have been charting the rise and prestige of comic creative guest appearances at UK conventions over the past decade, seeing how shows and organisers have continually pushed for the best Special Guest lists that they can, especially from the US and internationally. These guest lists have only continued to improve with the manoeuvring and structuring of major players in the UK con landscape, and especially with the buy-out of MCM Comic Con by ReedPOP in October 2017, showcased by the stellar line-up MCM put out at last October’s event at the ExCel in London’s Docklands (headlined by the likes of Frank Miller, Chris Claremont, Amanda Connor, Jimmy Palmiotti, John Romita Jr. and others).

However, the announcement of Rob Liefeld – finally breaking his cherry of an international convention – very much puts Showmasters and London Film & Comic Con on to a whole other level and demonstrates the incredible commitment they have in bringing a potentially once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of meeting a creator of Liefeld’s calibre to a UK audience.

We don’t have any details as yet as to what days Rob Liefeld will be appearing, prices for meeting Rob, any opportunities for signings or sketches or how much they will be, but we shall amend this post the second we get any updated information.

UPDATE: VIP Packages / Private Experiences (ooh err Missus) are available separately through Rob Liefeld on his own site – note, this does not include the initial price of your LFCC ticket, this is an additional charge:

LONDON FILM & COMIC CON VIP (EARLY BIRD PRICING), $159.99 INCLUDES:

1 Signed Rob Liefeld Deadpool #1 variant comic

1 Signed Rob Liefeld Deadpool #10 variant comics!

2 Signed Rob Liefeld Major X #1 Variant comics!

1 signed Rob Liefeld Domino #1 Variant comic!

1 signed Rob Liefeld Deadpool print

1 selfie photo with Rob

http://robliefeldcreations.com/shop/vip-package/london-film-comic-con-vip-package/

LONDON FILM & COMIC CON PRIVATE EXPERIENCE – $399.99, INCLUDES:

1 Signed and Remarqued Major X #1 (first print)

2 Signed Rob Liefeld Deadpool #10 variant comics!

2 Signed Rob Liefeld Major X #1 Variant comics!

1 signed Rob Liefeld Domino #1 Variant comic!

1 signed Rob Liefeld Deadpool print

1 selfie photo with Rob

http://robliefeldcreations.com/shop/vip-package/london-film-comic-con-private-experience/

LONDON FILM & COMIC CON is the crowning jewel in the Showmasters convention portfolio, which includes events held across the country. The event will be held this summer at the Olympia exhibition space in London, over the weekend of Friday 26th to Sunday 28th July 2019.

You can follow them on their social media including Facebook and Twitter, as well as seeing a full listing of all the current invited guests at their official homepage.

Tickets for the show are available, here.