What is Comic Con Liverpool?

Thanks to the explosion of the likes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the vast majority of people with even a passing interest in cinema and comic books know exactly what a ‘Comic Con’ is.

The San Diego Comic Con has been taking place since 1970, albeit with an initial reputation as being somewhere for the geeks and nerds to get together and celebrate their difference from the rest of society.

Over the years, however, it grew and grew to the point that it is now the ‘largest convention of its kind in the world’, with other Comic Cons springing up in other players.

One such place is in Liverpool, a city that has always welcomed the outsider.

Slow Beginnings

For a time, Liverpool played host to the Movie Comic Media Expo Group, hosting it for the first time in 2015. They decided to call it a day three years later, however, which opened up room for Comic Con Liverpool to launch. The Exhibition Centre Liverpool approached the Chief Executive Officer of Monopoly Events, Andy Kleek, and asked him if he would be interesting in hosting an event, with the venue keen on giving the people of Liverpool something to look forward to once a week.

Although Monopoly Events is Manchester-based, Kleek knew that there would definitely be room for his company to do something on Merseyside.

GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT #ComicConLiverpool #MonopolyEvents #LivTyler

9 – 10 November 2024
Liverpool, UKhttps://t.co/gr7IKcz1vA@comconliverpool pic.twitter.com/oa3oWBOSQH

— European Convention Network (@EuroConNet) October 2, 2024

Monopoly Events are also responsible for hosting Comic Con events in Scotland. Wales, Northern Ireland, Manchester and Birmingham, as well as events aimed at fans of the likes of sci-fi, Mixed Martial Arts, cosplay and darts.

Initially, Comic Con Liverpool was run over three days, but Monopoly Events decided to reduce it to two in order to have a more condensed offering that would see lovers of numerous different comic book series get a chance to show their love for the different characters. There are celebrity guest appearances from many different genres that appeal to comic book lovers in general.

Celebrities Quickly Got Involved

Liverpool as a city is one that has long been able to attract major celebrities. From the moment that The Beatles changed music forever and Liverpool FC began to dominate football, the city has been one in which famous people are more than happy to show their faces.

The very first Liverpool Comic Con, for example, saw the actor Verne Troyer make his final appearance before his death a little over a month later. In the October of 2023, when the SAG-AFTRA strikes had a significant impact on the event, Helena Bonham Carter made her first ever appearance at a UK-based convention; albeit she was unable to discuss any of her projects.

@visitliverpool Comic Con Liverpool weekend! ✨ We went along to Comic Con Liverpool at the Exhibition Centre this weekend and loved seeing so many people taking part! Have you visited Liverpool for Comic Con before? Who was your favourite guest?? #VisitLiverpool #Liverpool #ComicCon #ComicConLiverpool #LiverpoolComicCon #LiverpoolComicCon2023 #ComicConNews #Cosplay ♬ Le Monde – From Talk to Me – Richard Carter

The celebrities in attendance will usually take part in a question and answer session at some point over the course of the convention, but the vast majority of their time is taken up with photography sessions with fans as well as autograph-signing. As is often the case with Comic Cons, a large number of those in attendance engage in cosplay, coming dressed up as their favourite characters from film and TV shows, especially those of the celebrities in attendance.

In 2024, stars like Orlando Bloom, Andy Serkis, Danny John-Jules and Chris Barrie came in the May, whilst Ralph Fiennes, Jason Isaacs and Liv Tyler came in the November.

Taking Over the City

Comic Con Liverpool has been held exclusively at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool at the King’s Dock. In the November of 2021, however, it was realised that more space was needed to welcome all of those keen on attending the event. As a result, the event expanded to include the adjoining ACC Liverpool, allowing for more guests as well as new areas.

The likes of props from movies as well as sets could be brought along, which proved to be a massive hit with those in attendance. It also allows for an area dedicated to young people, including fairground rides and children’s activities areas to keep little ones happy.

In 2021, it was accepted that Comic Con Liverpool was simply too popular to host just once a year. Instead, it was decided that the event would be moved over two points in the year, with May and November chosen as the relevant months. In 2023 the months chosen were April and October, but it was moved back to May and November in 2024.

Liverpool knows how to host major events, as shown with how well the city coped with Eurovision, so it is hardly a surprise that the bars and restaurants throw open their doors to welcome people for Comic Con Liverpool. As the lyrics go to Ferry ‘Cross the Mersey, ‘We don’t care what your name is, boy, we’ll never turn you away’.