Escapism UK 2011 - Kapowcon

[The_root_of_all_evil]

We Came, We Saw, We Cosplayed

You may have read about Kapowcon. [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/105703-Kick-Ass-Creator-Mark-Millar-Launches-UK-Based-Comic-Con]

Well, a group of us went - this is their story.
(And mine, since I left it too late to get the tickets and could only sit outside watching the cosplay)

Travelling down on the full train, as shown (I'm not daft enough to take an early morning train), I managed to meet up with the rest of the gang:
@Sky14kemea,
@Cpt_Oblivious (much kudos for grabbing me some Kickass stuff),
@The_Red_Spy,
@thenumberthirteen
While chatting we were accosted by the

Spoiler: Candy Robot

, probably after Sky for her insane candy spending. (You don't want to know...really - but they do sell Bacon Chewing Gum...mmmm)

Cap headed off to find some twins (^^) while the rest of us went to meet @Revelo. ( @Ultimateownage was also there, but we couldn't find him until Sunday)

Once we'd dumped all Saturday's goody bags in the hostel (Journeys - v. good for the price), we got lost on the underground on the way to see Suckerpunch on the IMAX. Chish and Fips were had by all because...We're British, dammit. Also met up with Emily...who is another forum goer who I can't remember the username of...possibly because I was drinking. Maybe.

Now, the IMAX...it's big. I mean you may think the walk down to the shops is big, but that's peanuts compared to the IMAX. We're talking a single screen that's as big as four double decker buses (70x50 feet - 20x15metres). Me and Revelo both got vertigo just looking at it.

But, ooooh sir, that's an astonishing film. Even Bob says so [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/escape-to-the-movies/2962-Sucker-Punch]. See eeeet.

Spoiler: Picture not related at all

Sunday writeup to follow.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Sunday

Hot nights in London are always a pain. Window open and it's too noisy. Window closed and you melt.

This is perhaps why when the TARDIS sounded at 7, no-one woke. Or Revelo's Klaxon at 7:30. Around 8 though, we stumbled off to get breakfast and head up to the con.

Spoiler: Possibly we should have got out of bed sooner:

Anyway, we managed the queue pretty quickly, got a group photo done (coming later) and then I headed off to catch the train home. (Work tomorrow, pah)

Spoiler: I did catch some cosplayers on the way there

I had a nice wander through the streets of London until I got tired and headed home.

Spoiler: But I did find out how fried egg rolls are made

Expect more piccies when the others get back

[Edit: Sorry it's not up to my usual loquacious delivery, but I'm dog tired.]

Remember though, we know who sells boxes.[in-joke]

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Dammit, I missed out on the Twinkies.

 

[Tharwen]

Was this an actual Escapism event or just close enough? I didn't hear about it (not that I was ever likely to go).

Now, the IMAX...it's big. I mean you may think the walk down to the shops is big, but that's peanuts compared to the IMAX.

Yay references!

 

[sky14kemea]

Awwwwh, no group pic up yet? :0 I'll post all the cosplayer pics I found in the morning!

And don't tell people about my candy spending habits D: They'll think I'm insane!

Mmmmm American candy...

 

[Eleuthera]

I hate you all, see you there next year

 

[Monkfish Acc.]

Awwwwh, no group pic up yet? :0 I'll post all the cosplayer pics I found in the morning!

And don't tell people about my candy spending habits D: They'll think I'm insane!

Mmmmm American candy...

You have a problem.

It is a good problem but it is still a problem.

 

[Cpt_Oblivious]

I went up on the Saturday pretty early and accidentally cutting into the queue with a couple of others. We only realised this when people from across the street came up behind us - they'd been to nice to complain. So if you saw some bastard in a Motorhead shirt with a mohawk cut in line, I'm sorry.
I then met up and milled around with the guys for most of it, playing a game of Operation Flashpoint: Red River with them. It was great fun, I met the team behind Least I Could Do [http://leasticoulddo.com/] and got into a few other little comics like Fetishman and picked up some swag, mostly t-shirts (I had 6 by the end of the day) and a free Inception DVD from IGN.

I also got to grips with Dirt 3 and Portal 2. They're great, by the way.

Now for some pics for everyone to gawp at (spoilered as they're pretty big):

Spoiler: Pics

Spoiler: Kapow!

Spoiler: The Candy Overlord

Spoiler: Batman Villains

Spoiler: The Cosplayers!

Spoiler: Sk14kemea

Hope to see everyone there next year, I may even dress up for it.

 

[EmzOLV]

Also met up with Emily...who is another forum goer who I can't remember the username of...possibly because I was drinking. Maybe.

THAT'S ME!!
Epic weekend. I got some good photos which I put up on my facebook.

It was a good weekend and a pleasure to meet up with several friends again, putting a shout out tp @EmzOLV who we saw briefly at the IMAX and at Kapow Con, she was the one who came up with the idea for going to IMAX so kudos to her.

Ta dude Sorry it gave you vertigo though!

I had an AWESOME weekend, my main activity was hunting down cosplayers and taking photos of them - some of them were awesome - There was a really good Judge Dredd and Bain.

Other than that, I pretty much accosted poor Dave Gibbons for an autograph for my friend because we didn't have enough time to stay on the Sunday and the autograph queue would have started after we left and taken like, four hours.

Would deffo go again lovely to meet everyone too will have to go to a proper escapist event instead of me being way over-excited and running off everywhere haha.

 

[Cpt_Oblivious]

Also met up with Emily...who is another forum goer who I can't remember the username of...possibly because I was drinking. Maybe.

THAT'S ME!!

What?! Why don't I get to meet the new people!

 

[EmzOLV]

What?! Why don't I get to meet the new people!

Aww, next time? I'm terrible though, I always forget to log on to the Escapist. Usually get reminded through facebook or Revelo texting me haha.

Snip!

Well, super glad we didn't wait then we had to get like four changes to get back home and it was a bit of a nightmare, I asked at my station whether there were engineering works and they said yes, but that direct trains were still running just few and far between. They hadn't said so far between there was an 8 hour gap! I was like, agh! We would have totally missed Dave Gibbons then. He is lovely

YES! More adventures, all good!

 

[EmzOLV]

Maybe next time we all meet up I will go as a Jedi, if I can work out how to make ro find a costume.

I've already considered making a Babydoll outfit after watching Suckerpunch. I know its so obvious a costume, but screw it, it would be fun!

And thats if it goes ahead again next year!

 

[sky14kemea]

Awww Oblivious... Why you post the moustache picture? xD

Ah well, it's fine. It was an awesome moustache. I'd post my pics of the cosplayers but I basically have the same people as him D:

 

[FamoFunk]

Looks like you had tonnes of fun, love the pictures

 

[thenumberthirteen]

What an amazingly fun time that was. It's a shame I never got to go to any of the panels. There was just so much on the show floor and so little time.

Here's a link to a gallery of Photos The Red Spy took.

<spoiler=Some people at the Costume contest>

I would have entered, but I was busy queuing for Dave Gibbons' Autograph
<spoiler=Bane doing Paperwork>

<spoiler=Escapism Posse>

(Left-Right: Sky14kemea, The_root_of_all_evil, Revelo, thenumberthirteen, The Red Spy
<spoiler=More Costumed Characters>

<spoiler=Revelo, Sky, and I at Euston station after the Con>

I really want to go again next year. Though my wallet sure feels a lot lighter.

Maybe next time we all meet up I will go as a Jedi, if I can work out how to make ro find a costume.

well I know where to get a lot of good Jedi stuff

I may go as Rorschach. Perhaps Dave Gibbons will be there again!

 

[sky14kemea]

<spoiler=Escapism Posse>

(Left-Right: Sky14kemea, The_root_of_all_evil, Revelo, thenumberthirteen, The Red Spy

Arrrgh, damn the sun in our eyes. xD I look grumpy.

Ah well, I was hoping for a pic where I'm still in full costume. =P

 

[thenumberthirteen]

<spoiler=Escapism Posse>

(Left-Right: Sky14kemea, The_root_of_all_evil, Revelo, thenumberthirteen, The Red Spy

Arrrgh, damn the sun in our eyes. xD I look grumpy.

Ah well, I was hoping for a pic where I'm still in full costume. =P

I wish I'd asked some of the people who took my picture to send me a copy. Particularly the one with me and Revelo.

Maybe next time we all meet up I will go as a Jedi, if I can work out how to make ro find a costume.

I've already considered making a Babydoll outfit after watching Suckerpunch. I know its so obvious a costume, but screw it, it would be fun!

And thats if it goes ahead again next year!

I hope it goes ahead again, and if you did Babydoll that would be so cool!

Though a year on it wouldn't be so obvious.

I'm pretty sure it'll be back next year. I mean the finances would have to be really screwed up for an event that totally sold out not to make a good profit. Now we need to plan for next year. Book in advance.