Whitechapel - Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-24T13:53:54-07:00

Well, that's clearly going to be the Southern comics show to do, for the foreseeable. No big booths, no big publisher presence, but the sort of mix of creators that'll eventually make for the sort of cross-pollination we saw in the Eighties.

Really kind of wish I'd done Friday-Sunday now.

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-24T14:05:10-07:00

Good to hear it was a positive experience.
The really wide mix of fans and genres was what made Anime Central in Chicago such a positive and lucrative show for me a few weeks back, and it sounds from the reports that this had a similar mix.

Honestly, I think this kind of show should be more the model of what comicons should aspire to, rather than narrow-casting. The manga/anime crowd sure seems more open for growth in multiple directions than a majority of the comic-only crowds. If nothing else, it sure seemed to be more creator-centric, rather than focusing on WWF Wrestling stars and such.

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-24T14:28:06-07:00

Very much the same vibe you spoke of, yes.

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-24T15:04:12-07:00

It was absolutely brilliant - wonderful impression to have made for my first comic-themed event. Despite numerous closures, I managed to make it from Ealing in good time, although this was helped by cunning queue manipulation by some lovely people I befriended on the train (friends already there, tickets at hand, didn't have to wait in the colossal fucking line).

To @Everyone who watched the webcomics talk with Duffield, Ellerby and co, If you waited around long enough to hear/see someone asking something like "For those of you who don't rely on illustration for your income...." only to be suprised by the loudness of the microphone, that was me. @Steaming Badger, the guy who said "holy shit why did it take so long for me to notice that you're dressed as KK!?", that was me too.

@warrenellis - You should've heard the murmurs in the signing line as you took a break. "He's probably going for a smoke. Wait, he's taking his bag! OH SHIT HE'S LEAVING!". Thanks so much for turning up. The fact that you recognised me from here was just.... Fucking hell, it was a weird feeling. And cheers for putting up with me returning for a photo, and for getting me out of Scotland for a day.

@Paul Duffield - Thanks so much for the sketch!

This amused me, for some reason -

Webcomics panel -

I'll most definitely make the trip again.

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-24T15:14:01-07:00

i very much enjoyed the panel as well. i asked the random question about guest strips (if anyone cares!)

the thing that struck me most from both years was the sheer amount of random crap to buy. i wish there were more writers/artists or stuff more relevant that just merch. but i guess that is how these things function a lot of the time. that being said, both years i've found stuff by people that I had never heard of before but enjoyed. (Swanzeus is SO very wrong in the head but hilarious).

it is always lovely to see how absolutely nice people are, patient and gracious when you ask them ridiculous questions or to do a sketch. @Paul Duffield, as before, you are a very lovely person! I hope you had fun being a fan :D

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-24T15:18:05-07:00

@warrenellis - You should've heard the murmurs in the signing line as you took a break. "He's probably going for a smoke. Wait, he's taking his bag! OH SHIT HE'S LEAVING!".

I'd literally done cab-train-cab-convention-table, bang bang bang, skipping the whole "go to the hotel, check in and put your bag down" thing. I had to break after the first hour because I hadn't had a chance to eat yet.

They put the time down as 2pm because the travel sitch was so fucked. Luckily I got an excellent cabman in Romford, and was able to start signing before 1pm.

Someone could have told me that my shirt in that photo was so rucked up that I looked like a fucking walrus.

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-24T15:18:55-07:00

@Sillypunk - I heard that question - I remember thinking "Gosh! That girl's awfully quiet!"

What was weird was, I bought the Liquid City promo (which came in a little plastic pocket), and left it in my bags thinking I'd read it on the plane. I went through security, got on the flight, took it out to read, and within it was a smaller bag with two little mint green pills in it. I'm guessing it's a gimmick to do with the book, but fuck! If i'd been stopped at security, I would've been utterly buggered.

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-24T15:20:45-07:00

but fuck! If i'd been stopped at security, I would've been utterly buggered.

Anna P was saying the same thing last night.

Huge applause, by the way, to Anna Petterson and Emma Vieceli for organising so well.

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-24T15:29:35-07:00

@warrenellis - Someone could have told me that my shirt in that photo was so rucked up that I looked like a fucking walrus.

Nobody knew whether or not you had your Tactical Defense Pen with you. With that mixed feeling of awe and terror in the air, we're not exactly going to approach you saying "you're shirt's fucked, mate.". It wasn't noticable, anyway.

I might actually risk letting curiosity get the better of me and take one, now. I thought to myself "Maybe the author just took a dislike to me....", but if it's happened to someone else I can assume the pills are safe.

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-24T15:29:45-07:00

@ Encephalo Ray & Warren

That picture of you two is soooo sweet! He looks so fluffy and innocent next to rugged uncle Warren!

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-24T15:30:53-07:00

why i live so far away? =(

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-24T15:34:07-07:00

@icelandbob - i was thinking the same thing :D

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-24T15:36:51-07:00

@icelandbob - My expression was a little warped by the thoughts "Is that Anna from Ellberbisms taking my photo with Warren Ellis!?"

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-24T15:43:40-07:00

My expression was a little warped by the thoughts "Is that Anna from Ellerbisms taking my photo with Warren Ellis!?"

WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-24T15:48:30-07:00

Does anyone have, or know of, any footage of the web comics talk?

I'd be interested in hearing it since I didn't make it to MCM on Saturday. The cost of the train from the Midlands and the public transport issues scared me away.

My next con is Alcon, a local anime con, so I'm hoping it'll have a similar vibe.

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-24T15:50:20-07:00

ha ha. Jon Scrivens just mentioned on Twitter that there is another one in October. I will be a freshly minted 28 year old so I figure that's a good a reason as any to traipse about the expo and spend another £80.

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-24T15:50:53-07:00

I hope you all realise that the reason i'm so childishly starstruck by actually conversing with Marc Ellerby, Jaimie McKelvie, Warren Ellis and Paul Duffield on top of being photographed by Anna Petterson is that, well, it was my first time doing anything of the sort.

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-24T15:54:26-07:00

@Encephalo Ray

It´ll be something to tell your grandkids while getting all moist-eyed...

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-24T15:56:29-07:00

Unfortunately, in the excitement, all of my sperm exploded.

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-24T15:57:36-07:00

Oh dear. You might want to go see a doctor on Tuesday about that.

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-24T15:57:51-07:00

@Encephalo Ray - it gives a great first impression for cons then! :D

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-24T16:02:14-07:00

@sillypunk - It does indeed. I think clenching in horror at every single furry I saw might've had something to do with it, though.

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-24T16:25:41-07:00

I hadn't realized before that Mr. Ellis was a walking contraception bomb. We should drop him in the middle of a convention of christian fundamentalists.

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-24T20:02:25-07:00

i like that pic. Love Swami is all like "WURD UP!"

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-24T23:56:33-07:00

Had a small fight with the girlfriend about being made to miss the show. Moreso angry at tube engineers who futz with 40% of the lines on the bank holiday weekend (and every other weekend).

Sounds like a wonderful time, and I'm sorry to have missed it.

Seeing as I'm leaving this lovely ~~miserable fucking~~ island today, I guess I'm bound for Baltimore Comic-Con in October to molest Brian Wood.

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-25T03:41:57-07:00

It was a great show for all concerned I felt, it left me sitting on the train home wanting to draw immediately!

Much like Thought Bubble in Leeds it didn't just focus on the big names, they made us little guys in webcomics and small press feel a little more welcome.

Despite the show seeming to be buried in cosplayers, the majority of them did seem eager to look at something other than the latest tokyopop book releases.

@warrenellis Was good to meet you, hopefully it wont be another decade before your next UK con appearance :D

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-25T04:50:25-07:00

I'm so tired, but it was wonderful. Warren and Paul were both lovely, Warren even shook hands with my 4 year old, who was very impressed. (He was quite keen to meet 'the man who made mummy's special books I'm not allowed to touch'). I was in the queue with a *wonderful* Miki cosplayer who I burbled at excitedly for quite some time, I did take her picture but haven't uploaded my photos yet. I was wearing an anime cosplay (a reasonably sensible one, I think) but spent more time in the comics section than anywhere else (apart from sitting on the grass out the front, which was lovely). It was just brilliant, and I keep stroking my FreakAngels book and looking at the signatures. Huzzah!

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-25T06:09:19-07:00

Yeah I've came back for my third time this year, I thought it was a really good show. Really good mix of guests, hopefully you'll come back in october.

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-25T06:43:37-07:00

Warren, your hair... is as mad science as my dad's. And he's had ~~half~~ twice as long to work on his.

Keep in mind, I am comparing you to the man that gave me the Demolished Man at age five when I complained the grade school readers were boring.

This is further proof to me you are the Internet Jesus.

Wish I could have been there.

(edit: the perils of posting before bed...)

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-25T07:31:07-07:00

You have no idea of the joy this thread gives me. ^__________^ <----biiig smile

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-25T08:40:46-07:00

I was stood at the back when @Encephalo Ray and possibly also @sillypunk asked their questions, but i missed the start and wandering off during, partly to buy the first books of Ellerbisms and The Everyday by Adam Cadwell from Adam himself (free badge!), as well as buying and getting Phonogram : Rue Britannia signed by Jamie McKelvie himself.

I picked through the books on sale and found two Transmet volumes and The Art of Paul Duffield (premium), which was wicked, after having got a ton of Ellis stuff signed by Uncle Warren.

Having done that, I was at a loss, so I wandered about a bit more, then sat outside, then went home for dinner - first con befuddlement methinks.

But Yay! Fun!

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-25T08:44:23-07:00

Oh, I think I stalked @steaming badger for a tiny bit too. Sorry, I didn't say anything, but I didn't swear either, so there's that.

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-25T08:53:58-07:00

Hi! Am back home now. It was great to meet Warren (hope I didn't waffle too much) and Paul (again, sorry for almost kicking over your table in my enthusiasm!) and thanks to both for allowing me to have my photo taken with you and for the book/comic signings. I'm glad to hear that you both didn't suffer too much there. Also my thanks to the lady on the stand with Warren who was organising things and very patiently put up with me nagging her for info on when Warren was coming and where Paul was. Very suprised to read that he didn't get a table even though the programme advertised him being there both days, but hey. It just meant I was walking round and round the Comic Village squinting at everyone's tables to see if I could recognise any of the art work as I didn't know what he looked like. You got a little booth in the end :)

It was also nice meeting other Whitechapelers.. Steaming Badger as my fellow KK! FilmFan as Jack! And I also met Reynolds (I think that was your online name?) Am just uploading photos and hope to post them soon.

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-25T09:40:25-07:00

^?

I'll take it as a compliment, but I don't think you mean me, unless I'm forgetting something - I didn't go as anyone!

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-25T09:49:00-07:00

What a fantastic day. I'm glad the comic book clan turned up in numbers to take on the might of the anime admirers. They may have had giant plastic swords but we had hangovers and hatred; no competition.

Hats off to Anna & Emma for such a well planned event!
Jamie McK your artwork has taken pride of place in my flat. I hope I managed to give you more compliments about Phonogram & Suburban Glamour than I did criticism about Cable.
Warren you were an absolute gent first time I saw you at the signing. You were even more accommodating when I saw you later, after 5 hours of drinking. Many thanks.

I have some of the photos from the expo on the previous expo thread.

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-25T10:46:54-07:00

Darn, who went as Jack then? :D Iirc I also met Sillypunk in the queue!

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-25T10:55:30-07:00

Ok, here are quite a few photos (I got carried away!) of creating the cosplay and of London Expo and Steaming Badger and Jack: http://www.flickr.com/photos/37836929@N02/sets/72157618697303313/

Here are a couple from the above album.

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-25T11:01:32-07:00

Great outfits!

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-25T11:29:11-07:00

Your costumes looked great guys, really cheered me up at my stall seeing some characters I actually knew :)

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-25T13:47:46-07:00

TWO KKs? Whitechapel can barely handle ONE of the lovely Kolfinnia Kokokoho Titching.

And I'd be half a second from a knife in the gut if she were real.

Well done, ladies. Right down to the logo on the back.

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-25T13:54:00-07:00

You didn't... You did NOT. You did not just do that.
*glares at you*

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-25T14:01:18-07:00

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-25T14:03:27-07:00

Eddie Current: [...] Kolfinnia Kokokoho Titching

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-25T14:40:28-07:00

Saturday was a lot of fun because everyone we met was so bloody nice. Despite having to go to work the next day feeling a bit hungover, I felt like a dog with two dicks.
Looking forward to the next one.

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-25T15:03:23-07:00

everyone we met was so bloody nice.

I agree wholeheartedly there - I ended up mates with about 7 people who i'd never met before this. Two of them were from Birmingham, and the fact that I met another four of them on the train meant I saved about 2 hours waiting in line, since they had some friends already there.

Heh, funnily enough the only aggression I encountered was when some people thought I tried to cut in line for Warren, when actually I'd just stopped to use my phone.

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-25T16:28:10-07:00

MCM expo was first convention type thing I have ever been to and was almost overwhelmed by it (That and my contacts were giving me motion sickness, sorry if I gave anyone a funny look because of it!). Plus- only other time I've attempted to get something signed was at the Green Wing Series 1 DVD thingmebob, so meeting Paul and Warren was a pretty big highlight to my geek fan life so far.
I was amazed that I managed to spend less at the expo than I did on my rail fare, I'm thanking the independent publishers and 30p comics for this. Dread to think how much the 2ft high stack of tokyopop manga cost I saw someone reading outside was...

I'm glad the outfit went down well, almost chickened out but realised it couldn't be as bad as the time I was dressed as Magenta on a train to a party (doesn't seem bad but pretty scary on your own). I had a slight sense of pride going about as a character that wasn't from some (no names mentioned) mainstream manga or anime.
What was the turnout for the drinking afterwards? Sounded like my kind of thing, attempting to drink people under the table that is. Maybe next time?

@Urban Angel Thanks for putting up the photos! Your craftsmanship on the outfit was amazing, wish I'd paid attention in textiles all those years ago now. Also, do you know who the Jack person is in relation to Whitechapel? I'm quite puzzled.
@Encephalo Ray I wasn't sure how many people in the signing queue were going to be familiar with FreakAngels at first so I'm glad someone got it!

I want to draw now but I really should be revising network topologies and database jargon instead. Bugger bugger.

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-25T16:40:31-07:00

Both costumes look damn good.

I believe that a 2ft pile of manga costs around about £175. Using a ruler, a copy of Scott Pilgrim and the assumption manga costs about £7.

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-25T17:11:00-07:00

Jack reporing in. Im in the photo with urban angel and our good man Warren.
Also, the costume still needed the right trousers. And a hair cut.

Im glad i did a bit of cosplaying. I bottled out at first, as people could see my nipples and the tattoo didnt come out as well. I got changed after lunch once urbanangel gave me a wave after spotting the tattoo.

Also, on reflection i think i should have bought my copy of Freakangels for signing. (I actually handed Warren the page he was in the leaflet to sign... deary me)

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-25T17:16:25-07:00

Consider your self lucky that you have cosplaying options. With my hair they're limited.

I could do Spider Jerusalem from the first few pages of Transmetropolitan, but I don't think anyone would notice anything different about me.

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-25T17:38:52-07:00

@warrenellis
In other words, the kids are being madder than usual. Again.

@UrbanAngel

I'm actually way too plump to play Kirk.

Koko Finny. (RUNS-- straight into the arse eel spawning pit!)

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-26T02:27:31-07:00

Ah so it was UrbanAngel I was queuing behind.

I had a very brief dive-in dive-out and wander as we had a thing the next day that needed organising.

I did however get my original page of Lazarus Churchyard signed by our erstwhile host. He seemed to like it.

The Expo freaked me out a bit. i've been going to Bristol for the last 5/6 years and this really brought home just how niche "comics" have become and how far away from "the kids" that niche lies. The number of costumes from Games/Films/Anime showed some real buy-in to the respective genres.

I did find the Free Hugs a bit creepy for some reason. Also the bearded men as Anime girls. But the less said about them the better....

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-26T03:00:06-07:00

The "Free Hugs" signs are there every year. We planned on taking a "Free Slaps" sign this year but never got around to it.

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-26T04:03:57-07:00

hee, last year there were signs directing people to McKelvie's table and when you got there, they had a sign saying something very different :D

i think they wrote 'no hugs!' or some such in my copy of surburban glamour as well. :D

i was amused anyway.

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-26T04:45:41-07:00

Mmm. The Free Hugs didn't bother me nearly as much as the heavily made-up children carrying signs reading "Free Emo" or "Hug the emo", shouting out to passers by in a put on American accent to mask the Londoner in their voice. Because, you know, it's cool to do that these days.

Does anyone know if that Ben Kennedy boy was found? "Ben Kennedy to S6 immediately"?

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-26T04:48:50-07:00

hee hee!!!

nothing like being paged by your mom.

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-26T04:58:03-07:00

Haha, I know! Marc Ellerby wasn't happy, though. The tannoy kept interupting him at the webcomics panel.

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-26T06:38:39-07:00

well thanks to W and Paul, was great to be able to get my stuff signed and have a chat with both.
it was dead funny though every time Ellerby got the mic the tannoy went off. By the end he was shouting we hate you!!! S6, S6!!!! dead amusing.

only met a few of the whitechapelers but had a good chat with urbanangel who was very nice :)
the free hugs stuff has been there for years... through the day you see signs degrade to free fluggles or what ever the chuff all the way to please just touch me....! i'm not sure its safe to be there in the later part of the day though i've not been attacked by a flood of teens looking for a hug or fluggle or whatever the chuff. i think the scariest thing was the fact that last year there was a hell of alot of people with wooden paddles?! scary!

@ Warren: Spider isnt retired.. never! he's just lurking!

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-26T07:01:04-07:00

all the way to please just touch me

Heh, one of them actually said something very similar.

Is this an annual thing, or is it bi-annual, or is it just whenever the organisers think it might be fun to hold?

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-26T08:52:01-07:00

warrenellis: Someone could have told me that my shirt in that photo was so rucked up that I looked like a fucking walrus.

A male walrus possesses the largest penis of any land mammal, both relative to body size and in absolute terms. It is up to 63cm (25in) in length.

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-26T09:25:00-07:00

Try taking your afternoon nap with THAT information and image in your brain...
Good night folks!

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-26T10:17:34-07:00

@Curiosity: i love that someone knows the facts on walrus penis lol :)
@Encephalo Ray: its bi yearly

Does anyone know who the lady that ran the comic village was (i've completely forgot her name)? She randomly came up to me and started chatting then introduced me to a few people and further came up to me later to ask how i was and remembering who i was etc... very rare at an event of that size but she should be thanked....!
she was awesome!

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-26T11:26:33-07:00

It's every May and every October. The same organisers also run Japan Expo which I've yet to visit. It was meant to be annual but appears to be once every two years.

Jimchud - pls post a piccy so I know who you are! I met so many people that day that I'm having difficulties remembering online and offline names!

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-26T17:00:11-07:00

As ever, the Expo was awesome, and it was good to catch up with people in the bar.

My favourite 'Free Hug' sign though was the young girl walking around with the 'FREE TIBET' sign. That made my day...

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-27T04:06:44-07:00

Yup - May and October. I'm afraid JapanEx was a one-off, not to be confused with Japan Expo in Paris ^_^
The same guys are behind the Telford expos though, and recently salvaged Memorabilia too....though it's a different sort of show.

And Jimchud, awww, that may well have been me. ^_^
If the lady looked a bit like a headless chicken, then yep - it was me. Anna, my cohort, was also around though....we were borg that weekend. XD

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-05-27T04:19:08-07:00

@emsie - I could swear Warren said something jokingly to me at his table about getting you drunk.

I think I misheard, though, and coming out with "Hopefully" as a cover-all-bases answer might not've been the wisest of things.

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-06-01T08:01:25-07:00

Buahaha - cheeky XD

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-06-05T15:12:04-07:00

London Expo pretty much became a social experiment for me outside of meeting Mssr. Ellis and loudly declaring I was terrified in a panicked manner. Got an effeminate emo acquaintance of mine to hold up various free signs and see what people would do. Turns out ANYTHING, from groping to biting to licking his face to making out with him..... I'm now officially scared of congoers

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-06-06T05:17:55-07:00

Is a congoer someone from the Congo?
-boom cha!

Post-London MCM Comics Expo Thing

2009-06-07T15:56:52-07:00

I feel somehow violated by the evident lack of writing skills i have just been called out on.... Mainly because it's true.
I need to learn to hyphenate