MCM Ireland Comic Con or Dublin Comic Con

gerarda

Hi all,
Not sure if this is allowed here but its my first time to go to the Dublin Comic Con and was wondering if the MCM show in the RDS is worth going to aswell?

Cheers

RobbingBandit

Billy West is at Dublin Comic Con, I wanna meet the voice of Zapp Brannigan and drink some champagne with him. Will probably go to MCM too as it's a while away. Have never been to either before myself.

MrWalsh

Looking forward to the Dublin Comic Con myself, but a bit peeved that they STILL havent updated the website with the list of attractions, sets, displays etc for 2015. Its less than 2 weeks away!

I think the prices for autographs and photo-ops are a bit of a rip off too.

I am going in costume of course.

gerarda

Costume should be compulsory!!:D

MrWalsh

gerarda wrote: »

Costume should be compulsory!!:D

Of course!

Kev W

DCC was terrific last year and looking to be better still this year. MCM in the other hand are a bit shoddy by many accounts, for some reason thinking faded pop stars and soap actors are appropriate guests. That's without getting into their poor treatment of artists and apparent unwillingness to provide promised prizes to competition winners. I wouldn't give them a penny.

Kev W

Also there was this nonsense from MCM a few years ago that people seem too willing to forget:

http://iandsharman.tumblr.com/post/12159259852/the-end-of-an-era

MrWalsh

Dunno what your agenda is Kev W - never even heard of the MCM comic con before, but I note looking at their website that they have Kristin Bauer there so not a faded soap actor by any mans standards!

Unless you have your own personal experience to relay?

Kev W

MrWalsh wrote: »

Dunno what your agenda is Kev W - never even heard of the MCM comic con before, but I note looking at their website that they have Kristin Bauer there so not a faded soap actor by any mans standards!

Unless you have your own personal experience to relay?

I don't have an agenda except to let people know about the shady dealings of mcm that are a matter of public record.
My reference to faded pop stars soap actors was about having Shane Richie at the last Belfast con and Hannah Spearitt last year.
I never claimed that was all they had.

gerarda

Kev W wrote: »

I don't have an agenda except to let people know about the shady dealings of mcm that are a matter of public record.
My reference to faded pop stars soap actors was about having Shane Richie at the last Belfast con and Hannah Spearitt last year.
I never claimed that was all they had.

I wouldn't watch Eastenders if you paid me! Hannah who?

Nervous Wreck

Since when does having an opinion = having an agenda?

I heard about them having people from Hollyoaks and Eastenders at the Belfast show; that was enough to turn me off going.

MarkHall

They both have their ups and downs.
Before we start I like my comic cons to have Comic people at em. Not a fan of TV /Movie folks who charge for autographs and pics.
Just a pet peeve. Dislike how the american style events are becoming more commonplace here.
But at the end of the Day Both events got a few thousand people who wouldn't normally do the comic scene to come out for the day. Which can't be a bad thing. Can it?

Both are fine if you like the Cosplay aspect. Lots of people to pose with at both.
Prizegiving issues aside.

Not a big fan of MCM it's very much a cookie cutter of a convention. They have a formula that works and can drop it anywhere there looks to be money. They don't really treat the Comic side of the show well from what I've seen with Comic pros being put into what they call a Comic Village.

The only reason its here is because DCC showed there was a potential market.

DCC has a bit interactive fun to it and if you got tired of the main hall at previous events you could go outside to the grass for some Zombie nerf hunting, or some archery tag.
Not sure how that will be done in the Convention center. But I've heard The Zombie lads are cooking up something special this year.


If you had to chose one I'd say support Local and go with DCC.
And if you are. Prebooking the tickets is a smart move. They sold out on the door both days last year.


Neither have a Patch on Thought Bubble. Which is in Leeds and the best Comic convention in Europe.

MrWalsh

Nervous Wreck wrote: »

Since when does having an opinion = having an agenda?

There didnt seem to be a personal opinion though, it was 2 posts in a row without any personal experience offered.

I still cant say from those posts if it is worth going to, which is what the OP actually asked.

Kev W

MrWalsh wrote: »

There didnt seem to be a personal opinion though, it was 2 posts in a row without any personal experience offered.

I still cant say from those posts if it is worth going to, which is what the OP actually asked.

In fairness I did link to someone's actual experience. I've never been to mcm myself because of its reputation so I have no first hand experience to speak of.

Also the two posts were because I realised after the first one that I had bad mouthed mcm without giving any real information so I felt I should back it up a bit.

MrWalsh

Kev W wrote: »

In fairness I did link to someone's actual experience. I've never been to mcm myself because of its reputation so I have no first hand experience to speak of.

Also the two posts were because I realised after the first one that I had bad mouthed mcm without giving any real information so I felt I should back it up a bit.

Fair enough, but linking to someones actual experience isnt your experience! Plus that person was working at it and it wasnt the Dublin one.

It just seemed weird that you jumped in with 2 posts slating the mcm con and nothing to relate in terms of experience yourself.

Tbh I never even heard of either comic con til the DCC one last year cos a friend posted on FB and I only heard of the MCM one from this thread. Id still like to hear peoples experiences who attended both.

Kev W

MrWalsh wrote: »

Fair enough, but linking to someones actual experience isnt your experience! Plus that person was working at it and it wasnt the Dublin one.

It just seemed weird that you jumped in with 2 posts slating the mcm con and nothing to relate in terms of experience yourself.

Tbh I never even heard of either comic con til the DCC one last year cos a friend posted on FB and I only heard of the MCM one from this thread. Id still like to hear peoples experiences who attended both.

I don't see what's weird about it. I'm trying to give an impression of the kind of people who run mcm. Some may find that the type of people running an event and how they run it are factors in wether they choose to spend their time and money there.

Also, linking to someone else's experience is still linking to an actual experience. I didn't link to a short story about what mcm might be like!

MrWalsh

Kev W wrote: »

I don't see what's weird about it. I'm trying to give an impression of the kind of people who run mcm. Some may find that the type of people running an event and how they run it are factors in wether they choose to spend their time and money there.

Also, linking to someone else's experience is still linking to an actual experience. I didn't link to a short story about what mcm might be like!

It seemed weird to me.

For all I know it is a short story. Its a tumbler blog!

Kev W

MrWalsh wrote: »

It seemed weird to me.

For all I know it is a short story. Its a tumbler blog!

With a link to a podcast, or is that a radio play?
Anyway by that logic anyone's story of their experience could be fictional.

MrWalsh

Kev W wrote: »

With a link to a podcast, or is that a radio play?
Anyway by that logic anyone's story of their experience could be fictional.

Sorry Kev if you can't see why linking to the tale told by an exhibitor at a London exhibition is not the same thing as a first hand experience by a poster here of a Dublin show then I can't make it any clearer for you.

Kev W

MrWalsh wrote: »

Sorry Kev if you can't see why linking to the tale told by an exhibitor at a London exhibition is not the same thing as a first hand experience by a poster here of a Dublin show then I can't make it any clearer for you.

Its perfectly clear. I never said it was the same thing. What's not clear is why you have an issue with my linking to a relevant story.

MrWalsh

Kev W wrote: »

Its perfectly clear. I never said it was the same thing. What's not clear is why you have an issue with my linking to a relevant story.

How is it relevant? It's not the Dublin show? It's not the experience of a visitor to the show? It's not your own experience?

It's the supposed experience of an exhibitor in a show in a different country.

Nervous Wreck

At a show run by the same company. Perfectly relevant.

MrWalsh

Nervous Wreck wrote: »

At a show run by the same company. Perfectly relevant.

Right, so the same people run it and the poster doesn't like the people who run it.

Now, is it worth going to or not? As that particular poster doesn't seem to have anything to offer on that front, do you?

GodlessM

Hi Mr.Walsh,

Went to MCM last year and both worked and attended DCC last year. Both are well worth attending if you can manage it. I know many people compare the two, and while they are both similar, they offer a different experience in my opinion. MCM is all about trade and merch. Especially given that the majority of the exhibitors are from England, it is a great place to find some cool nerd merch if that's what you are looking for. DCC has less variety in traders (highly skewed toward Stars Wars last year) but offers a more friendly, intimate, and interactive day/weekend out, and has some unique hits that you will not see anywhere else this side of the pond. All of the gear they show off is home made too. Well worth seeing.

Regarding guests, guests are a sell, but I don't think either case should be gone just for the guests. MCMs charge a little less, but both are still fairly expensive (there is a particular reason for this BTW that I won't get into as it doesn't effect your potential experience). I think in both cases the well of talent is equally thin and could expand, but at any convention in the world over interest in guests is always going to be to each their own. Don't let that swing it for you I would advise.

At the end of the day if you have to choose, if you want the full on heavy expo, then go MCM. If you want a more lighter and interactive affair for the sights, go DCC. That's the best way I can put it? But if you can, absolutely go both.

MrWalsh

Cheers Godless, great post.

Exactly the kind of thing I was wondering about as someone who has never been to either.

Have to say the DCC one comes across pretty amateur with the website being so poor, no updated detail and less than 2 weeks to go. Was wondering if it was gonna turn out to be a bit Father Ted carnival like on the day.

Whereas I never even heard of the MCM one but the site is a lot more polished, noticed the difference in price for pics and autographs alright. Plus the RDS is a very "legitimate" venue if you know what I mean.

Thanks again for the info.

Kev W

MrWalsh wrote: »

Cheers Godless, great post.

Exactly the kind of thing I was wondering about as someone who has never been to either.

Have to say the DCC one comes across pretty amateur with the website being so poor, no updated detail and less than 2 weeks to go. Was wondering if it was gonna turn out to be a bit Father Ted carnival like on the day.

Whereas I never even heard of the MCM one but the site is a lot more polished, noticed the difference in price for pics and autographs alright. Plus the RDS is a very "legitimate" venue if you know what I mean.

Thanks again for the info.

Now who sounds like they have an agenda?

MrWalsh

Kev W wrote: »

Now who sounds like they have an agenda?

I do have an agenda. I want to know which comic con is a better one for me to spend my hard earned attending.

Wright

Kev W wrote: »

I never claimed that was all they had.

That's kinda the picture you painted though, isn't it...

Fysh

MOD VOICE: For crying out loud, everyone stop with the Handbags At Dawn. I don't want to see any more squabbling or questioning of other's opinions in this thread.

Ian Sharman's experience at MCM in London a few years ago caused at the very least a bit of fuss on Twitter at the time (it may also have been picked up by Rich Johnston or someone like that, I recall it doing the rounds on a few blogs too) because a number of small press comics folk - some of whom already feel that the London shows treat comics as a bit of an afterthought despite their presence in the name - felt that the issue was badly handled by the show's staff, and he's not the only indie/small press person to have decided against attending MCM in person since then.

I've met Ian several times at various shows and he's always been a friendly, amiable guy who's really into his comics - so personally, at least, I'd be wary of dismissing his experience. Obviously it might not directly relate to what you experience as a punter, but if that's how some comics industry people (ie potential exhibitors at the show) feel, it's worth bearing in mind.

If you actually want to know more about the Dublin comic cons, do a search on this forum and you'll easily find plenty of posts from various people discussing their experiences. I've not been to any Dublin convention in years, but by all reports people seem to have enjoyed themselves.

GodlessM

MrWalsh wrote: »

Cheers Godless, great post.

Exactly the kind of thing I was wondering about as someone who has never been to either.

Have to say the DCC one comes across pretty amateur with the website being so poor, no updated detail and less than 2 weeks to go. Was wondering if it was gonna turn out to be a bit Father Ted carnival like on the day.

Whereas I never even heard of the MCM one but the site is a lot more polished, noticed the difference in price for pics and autographs alright. Plus the RDS is a very "legitimate" venue if you know what I mean.

Thanks again for the info.

Well do realise that nearly all cons here are technically amateur. The guys that run DCC pour a lot of heart and soul into running it and do so from their own backs. It is only their third year too but they are making huge strides each year. Running a con without financial backing or a business behind you isn't easy. That doesn't take away from the experience of the con though I can assure you.

Still, only you can really tell what you want, and if MCM appears better to you on appearance, then go for it.

MrWalsh

GodlessM wrote: »

Still, only you can really tell what you want, and if MCM appears better to you on appearance, then go for it.

I already have my ticket for DCC (got it ages ago) so was really wondering whether to go to MCM as well as.

Really glad to hear the DCC website is not reflective of the actual experience!

gerarda

Well, I ended up getting tickets for both to satisfy my own curiousity. These events are what you make them

MrWalsh

gerarda wrote: »

Well, I ended up getting tickets for both to satisfy my own curiousity. These events are what you make them

Will you post back after both?

gerarda

I certainly will. Bringing my two boys and will make the most of both!

wtlltw

MrWalsh wrote: »

I want to know which comic con is a better one for me to spend my hard earned attending.

Went to MCM last year, really enjoyed it (More so than NY comic con, I found that too overwhelming) and yeah Metroplex took all my cash

gerarda

wtlltw wrote: »

Went to MCM last year, really enjoyed it (More so than NY comic con, I found that too overwhelming) and yeah Metroplex took all my cash

Ive seen a few video's taken at the San Diego Comic Con, the people are packed into the place. Read an article warning people not to come in costumes that might cause over heating because of the large numbers!!

wtlltw

gerarda wrote: »

Ive seen a few video's taken at the San Diego Comic Con, the people are packed into the place. Read an article warning people not to come in costumes that might cause over heating because of the large numbers!!

Yeah SDCC is pretty crazy, would have love to have gone back in the days. I have friends that went every year since 2005, but stopped in 2012 due to the popularity levels.

oxygen

Any idea on Saturday day ticket price on the door? Website says Saturday is sold out,but there will be a limited number available on the door but also says they will be more expensive

brianregan09

Will there be many stalls selling action figures and the likes up at DCC i'm going Saturday

James Howlett

If a day pass was €16 online then I can't see it being more than €20 at the door, if it's even that.

Yeah there will be plenty of action figures and other merchandise available for sure.

I can't wait for the weekend. I was at the 2013 event for 1 day, did both last year and now I'm really looking forward to seeing what they can do with the CCD as a venue. I remember traffic being pretty chaotic last year. Public Transport might be the best way to go.

Any idea how much an autograph is?
I want to get something signed by Gates McFadden on Sunday.

Kev W

BrownFinger wrote: »

Any idea how much an autograph is?
I want to get something signed by Gates McFadden on Sunday.

Autograph prices are usually set by the guests rather than being a flat rate but they're usually in the region of 15-20 euro.

Kev W

Kev W wrote: »

Autograph prices are usually set by the guests rather than being a flat rate but they're usually in the region of 15-20 euro.

Thanks
And it'd be no problem bringing something of your own for signing?
I've never been to something like this

Kev W

BrownFinger wrote: »

Thanks
And it'd be no problem bringing something of your own for signing?
I've never been to something like this

That's generally no problem.

MrWalsh

Kev W wrote: »

That's generally no problem.

Whats the story with them selling autograph slots on the website? I presumed you could only get photo ops or autographs if you pre booked (which i missed).

Kev W

MrWalsh wrote: »

Whats the story with them selling autograph slots on the website? I presumed you could only get photo ops or autographs if you pre booked (which i missed).

You can order autographs on the site if you can't actually make it to the con, is that what you're referring to?

MrWalsh

Kev W wrote: »

You can order autographs on the site if you can't actually make it to the con, is that what you're referring to?

Ah I didnt realise the autographs were only if you couldnt attend.

Nervous Wreck

No, you can order the autograph and show up and they put you in a priority queue.

Zero-Cool

Nicholas Brendan and Michael Rooker (DCC guests) were just on The 7 o'clock Show (wonder how much someone got paid to come up with that name) on TV3. Marty the weatherman and your wan who used to be on RTE were a pain to listen to.

I wish DCC had announced their schedule before the tickets almost sold out, gonna miss the Xander/Enya Q&A on Sunday as I just got a Saturday ticket.

LuvSpudz

Going on Sunday to DCC, my first ever con so looking forward to it!!

The website is unfinished which I do find odd so close to showtime, and I can't see where I can pre-book autographs, if they were sold out it would be good to know.

Looked at the '13 and '14 cons and the improvements they made from one year to the next were great, looking forward to seeing what year three brings.

Hoping to get me a pic with good ol' Merl if I can :D

MrWalsh

LuvSpudz wrote: »

Hoping to get me a pic with good ol' Merl if I can :D

A pic of me with Merle while Im in costume - its just so rock and roll!!