COMIC CON CYMRU | EVENT PREVIEW
Cardiff is slowly but surely developing a well-deserved reputation for being a place where unusual, left-of-centre and yes I’ll say it, downright quirky events can flourish. Rather than assuming that something will fail, people are giving themselves over to optimism and uncynical joy.
Comic Con Cymru is a fine example of that approach. Not established anyway near the level of larger and commercially driven events in London or Birmingham, the willingness to do the hard graft is still evident, whether they will ever reach the giddy heights, or even want to, is debatable.
To a large degree though that is part of the charm. Smooth, commercial driven events have their strengths but the sense that someone actually gives two hoots about what is being created or being genuinely in love with the subject matter can’t be beat. So excited that they have got Dr Who (Colin Baker – third best of the Dr Whos young people!) that they can’t be bothered with the hard sell.
The same can be said of the plethora of comics or sci-fi related events bubbling in and out of existence in the youngest capital in Europe, such as Mini-Con Cardiff or the Cardiff Independent Comic Expo and the slightly more developed Film and Comic Con Cardiff. Comic Con Cymru is continuing that trend with artists Chris Baker, Dave Powell and Sarah Millman all in attendance giving a strong Cardiff artist flavour to the event. Equally marvellous and slightly scary will be the products of the talented L Gore SFX and the bizarrely uncomfortable furniture produced by Prop Maker Wales where you can get your photo sitting on the only HBO approved fan made Iron Throne from Game of Thrones. Pointy.
But despite all that loveliness what is a con without a guest or two? Wham bam thank you ma’am, I give you the mean and moody Colin Baker (or is that his version of Dr Who?), the surly and deadpan Norman Lovett (from Red Dwarf – god that was a long time ago!) and Torchwood’s Gareth David-Lloyd. Set phasers to fun.
Comic Con Cymru, St David’s Hall, Cardiff, Sat 16 + Sun 17 Jan. Tickets: £4.50. Info: www.comicconcymru.co.uk
words JEFF BAXTER
photo BEN SALTER