Usually I would do a big rambling review of a show with a few clever words thrown in like 'discombobulate' just to show how wordy wise I am.

See what I did there!?!

However on this occasion I am going to let this small sampling of pictures do the job for me with an additional paragraph or two.

Suffice to say I had a good time at the show.  Met a few newbies at this Transfest. Gender not the issue.  With a lot of the regular Transfans in tow.  I had a good time, did a few nice sketches and had a good catch up chat and laugh with many fine folks.  Fellow Artists and Attendees amongst them.


Big thanks to Nick Snowden for sorting out last minute table space & to all those that came for sketches.  Drum Roll Please!....

This was my 2nd time visiting Manchester Central as the MCM Comic Con Show came into town.  As I arrived I could see Scores of new culture fans surrounding the Manchester Central venue for what is a 'Now' annual event.  The last time I was there I thought it seemed quite busy.  This time was something else, as word about the show clearly had spread.


Once the show opened it was packed to its rafters with hordes of enthusiastic cosplayers, collectors and even just casual browsers out for a day of fun.  With lines of people queuing around the building from early morning the venue soon filled up.  Everyone I saw seemed to be extremely enthusiastic even as crowds flooded through the venue.


The line-up of guests was impressive considering Manchester's MCM Expo is only in its second year. Warwick Davis was there discussing his experiences in films and TV, with 'Merlin's' Tom Hopper and Torchwood actor Kai Owen in tow. They also had a selection of Video Game Voice Artists, though in truth I have been of the Gaming Wagon for many a year!


There was a lot there for Gamers too, which is probably the reason I was asked to do a Legend of Zelda 'MIDNA' sketch. This was my 1st ever Zelda sketch & I gotta say I quite enjoyed doing it!


Although I was in the Comics Village section, I do think being surrounded by Sci-fi and Gaming stands clearly had an influence the the requests that came my way.  After Midna was a 'What if' sketch. Captain James Tiberius Kirk as a 'Borg'.  So I duly 'Borgised' him.  Is that a word?  If not, I now claim it as my own.


Of course I had my usual favorites. TRANSFORMERS! A couple of which you can see pictured here. Some of course are far trickier than others. Optimus Prime, now I can do him in my sleep, UNICRON, Yep he is a bit trickier!  Trying to Instigram Pictures on your phone while also sketching is not the easiest thing to do.  Note to self : Must Buy New Camera!


I found The MCM Manchester Comic Con to be a nice balance between all the things you would expect to find at a ComicCon, and proved to me there is a growing and almost insatiable appetite for what I call 'New' culture throughout the UK.  What is 'New Culture'? Well it's everything you enjoy, without most of the stigma that used to be attached. I for one, say that is a good thing.


Next Year The MCM Manchester ComicCon it is going to be a 2 day event, so time I got organized.  I better start getting ready now then!

Last Sunday I was invited to be a guest at UNITY in Exeter which is a quite a distance from my Studio.  UNITY is a  family centric fun day for adults and children that raises money for charity.  So I jumped into my car nice & early for journey ahead of me.

I am glad I went early too, as this turned out to be one of the hottest days of the year thus far. For me it was nice and simple to get to. M5 South, turn off Junction 29 first left, take the slip road towards Rockbeare/ Sowton, then arrive at The Golden Pond, Rockbeare. Just look for it on your right.

No need for a pesky Sat Nav then!

The show included the involvement of the UKCM and Exewing costumers, which is a Star Wars sci-fi costuming group that help raise money for charity. This was not the day for costuming though! Just imagine wearing a full Stormtrooper body armor in the midday heat. Tatooine's got nothing on Exeter. Poor buggers!

Lets not forget, the guy in his full body ALIEN suit. Its okay though he ended up sitting in the kids paddling pool to cool down.

As for me it was sketch as usual, though this time I also got to chill out and spend some time with great people too. 

All in All it was a fun, relaxed & enjoyable weekend. Special thanks to Kai Geekmaster Wong for inviting me.

Over the weekend we also managed to raise £786 for the Exeter Leukaemia Fund & stop an Alien from dehydrating. 

I also got to hang out with the other 2 guests Georgina Burford (Dr Who) & Julian Lee Seager (WorldWar Z & MARVEL films), which was fun.

On the evening there was Geek Night, i.e a pub quiz for geeks. With (& I must say this) one of the finest & most filling All you can eat Chinese Buffets I have tried & trust me I tried!  5 plates isn't pushing it, is it?

The Next weekend I will be in Exeter on Sunday 12th July for UNITY which is a family centric fun day for adults and children alike. This includes the involvement of the Southern troopers, a Star Wars sci-fi costuming group, an array of Star Wars costumers who help raise money for charity, Exewing Fund raisers and their UNIT boot camp, a bouncy castle, face painting for the kids, & adults alike if you want! Plus Much more!

This is to support the Exeter Leukaemia Fund (ELF), for more information, to donate or to support the charity yourself check here:
www.elfcharity.org.uk/

I can draw Prime and Megatron in my sleep. Though I honesty I always still enjoy drawing both.  Spiderman verses Michelangelo was one of the more unusual requests, but also a lot of fun to do.  This along with Harley Quinn verses Optimus Prime was one of my favorites. 

(Yes that's right, Harley Quinn vs Optimus Prime!)

Unfortunately my camera decided to quit on me.  Many of the pictures came out blurred and many others decided not to work at all.  Time for new equipment I think, it has served me well over it's time, bless it.

The thing I really like about these shows are the people I meet.  Everyone is friendly and everyone does there best to go out of there way to be nice to each other.  All those on the outside that make disparaging remarks about these sort of shows or the people that attend, shame on them, the people with bad attitudes ruin things for themselves.  That is probably why they are so bitter.

I got to say I enjoyed the hell out of this show, even if it has taken the last two days to recover from it!

There was several cool things from this weekend for me, doing a Spiderman as Sherlock Sketch Cover, which Dan Slott the writer of Spiderman re-tweeted:

All in all what a great show and what great people.  Although I came away exhausted at the end of it, Ive also come away reinvigorated from the fantastic feedback and responses from con goers and fans alike.

While people enjoy the work and gain pleasure from it, who am I to deprive them.  It would be Criminal!

Here's a few of the happy folks I sketched for, apologies to those not on here, I will make sure I have a fully working Camera with me next time!

MCM London Comic Con.  Every time I think a show has reached a new limit, out comes another show and pulls the rug from under my perceptions.  I arrived early on Friday for set-up and I am glad I did.  The pressure of Setting up and interacting with the public on a Saturday morning whilst also trying to sketch is something best avoided.  Making Friday the best time to be prepared for the weekend ahead.

My what a weekend, I've seen busy before and this was something else.  I did this same show at the same time last year, but this had to be a new record.  A few people told me they had been queuing from  11.00 until 2.00 just to get in the main hall, & I gotta say that is dedication!

The nice thing about doing these shows is the complete mix of requests I receive.  It makes it challenging, but it also pushes me out of my comfort zone.  I gotta say this time I felt I took the sketches to a new level.  I spent a bit more time on each, but felt it was well worth it overall.

I had a lot of fun, due to the challenging requets!

Also getting a Gift of a Wolverine Sketch from Callum Crabb aged 6, whilst wearing his Spiderman Outfit.  He has one of my sketches above his desk, keep up the good work Callum!

Added to that a lovely message from Andrew Fernandes on my Facebook wall: