OurDek

Well, don't I feel stupid! Massive Doctor Who and Carry On fan and never realised this was the same person. Definitely one to venture out for.

Yes. Sheffield Comic Con has gotten smaller over the years but it is a great entry point for younger families. Showmasters really need to improve the guests, today there were only around half a dozen guests, most of whom are fairly common at events. When the show started it attracted some excellent names and had a really decent number of guests on both days. The dealers are also a lot less than previous years. This could be a major event for SM. The venue is large and perfectly placed off the M1 making it easy to get to. The fact that there was a steady, if not large, stream of people shows that it has following and fills a gap in the midlands area. There were a lot of small kids around cosplaying, because it isn't anywhere near the size of a Collectormania is perfect for the little fans. Maybe it's too close to LFCC but the event seems to have been generally ignored over the last three years, getting progressively less guests and dealers. That's a shame, because it should be one of the star events. I hope it continues but it either needs a date change or more investment, especially in the star names that will get people through the doors. Thanks for a fun morning.

Last year it was about 1/3 the size of Birmingham dealer wise, maybe less. It's a good event for picking up things cheap depending on what you collect.

For years we've shown our autographs and had the "why do you bother" looks and comments, then you mention a particular guest and they become interested. We've even converted a few into attendees because whoever/whatever they are interested in is covered. We've also had "how do you know they're genuine" on more than one occasion, our answer to which is "I hope it wasn't a fake (name guest) in front of us or aren't we idiots." Then we pull out the photo of the guest or a distance shot if it's no photos. It's worth it for the looks you get from the unbeliever.

Between us my son and I waited about 5 1/2 hours in Val's queue on Sunday, neither of us were big fans but the wife loves Willow and this was the ultimate signature for her book. Having been to most of his last events at which he has cancelled, ever since LFCC when he was first due to appear (I think at Wembley, that's how long ago it was!) and having had him cancel each time, we were skeptical initially about hanging around. We were in the holding area at just after 10.00 when they first announced he had taken ill and waited until just before 1.00 when we both had to go. My son went back just before 2.00 when Val was hopefully due back, now towards the back of the queue. When Val eventually returned I have to say the wait was worth it. We both have a newfound respect for him, he was visibly unwell but still made an attempt to communicate with us. We can't thank him enough for finding the strength to come back and sign for everyone. Oh, and the wife was really pleased with the signature in her book.

I have a double nephrostomy (bags from my kidneys bypassing my bladder) which need emptying every couple of hours but otherwise don't look disabled, although I have a blue badge for parking I feel like I'd be cheating getting an extra assistance pass even though I can only stand for an hour maximum before my back becomes unbearable and become tired very quickly. Not every disability is visible. I'm going to invest in a seat stick for next time because there will never be dedicated seating, as has been said we've been asking on the feedback survey for years. It would have been lovely to walk from the car park into the building instead of having to walk all the way around to the entrance.

Finally home after a 12 hour day, most of which we spent waiting for the marvellous Val Kilmer. To come back from being so ill to finish signing for everyone was admirable. I can't thank Nick G the crewmember enough for updating everyone in the face of little to no information. Ian Somerhalder and Charlie Sheen were lovely, saying hello to those of us waiting and the lady filming the documentary helped keep spirits up. The comic guests were great, especially Chris Achilleos who patiently signed all of my books. Big thanks for a different and exhausting day.

It's just been on the East Midlands news, St Pancras Station is closed to travellers from Nottingham and Sheffield on Sunday due to equipment failures. They are suggesting that other methods of travel be used, anyone travelling tomorrow should check with St Pancras and their local station so they don't get turned away or stuck.

It all depends on the guests. If the majority are DP guests then you're unlikely to get them, however if it includes lesser guests (ie £10 guests) then you have a pretty good chance. If you have a very low numbered DP you can use this as a VQ number thus increasing your chances. I'm coming on Sunday with 8 comic guests and 9 others and expect to get all of them.

We have a pretty long journey and usually arrive around 9-30-9.45, by then the lines have gone down nicely and we're in for around 10.00. It all depends on whoever is on the doors and how many scanners they have. Last time we came on the Friday but we're back to Sunday this year. We've never had a problem getting autographs and have on occasion gained them all by 11.00.

We have several friends who can't make events due to anxiety issues or other mental health problems and have been buying autographs for them for years. Just get a good idea of the type of photo your sister wants (GOT, Aquaman, Stargate etc) because there's nothing worse than getting a character they really don't like!

3 meetings so far, make sure you take this opportunity to meet a true legend.

I'm still waiting for responses to an item from LFCC over 3 months ago!

I'd love to see Jackie Lane from Doctor Who, any Star Wars actors and a bigger comic guests area please for starters.

I love this venue but do wish there were more guests on both days, there just isn't enough to do. We were there today and there were so few people in the queues when we arrived I almost thought it had been cancelled. I've never been to such a quiet, fuss-free event.

There are a few Sunday guests if you look at their days. Grant Hall, Larry Estrin and Mickey Lewis are all Sunday only guests. There's still a fortnight for names to be added to the list and several guests could end up doing both days.

Tried to book this morning and found it sold out, I need blue badge parking and there were some last year in the multi story. Wondered about the other one as it was only showing vans.

A pity but hopefully you can reschedule. On the plus side, more money for shiny things!

Would have added to my Cutthroat Island collection, oh well, not to be.

Met him years ago, a great guy and well worth meeting.

We arrived on Sunday dead on 9.00am, went inside the side room to get the bag check and hand stamp with the tickets scanned and then followed the guy rolling up his tape outside where we entered through the main entrance. Rather a strange way of doing things, last year we were allowed straight out of the scanning area into the hall which was the same as this year. First in the queue for Mark Williams, then Valene Kane, Beau & Dolly Gadson and Christopher Fairbank. Autos done so off around the dealer room where it was the now-usual layout of Funko - Funko - Lego - T-Shirts - Funko - artist - proper vintage merchandise - Funko. I know the things are popular but when a large number of stalls have the same item at the same price it gets a bit ridiculous. For those of us who've been in since the beginning (CM2) we miss the chance to find proper rare memorabilia. It's actually getting harder to spend money at these events outside of the autographs. Because I deal in film & TV memorabilia I used to be able to come to an event with a high 3 figure to low 4 figure budget and spend the lot, trading with a large number of dealers and coming away with a great deal of stuff to pass on. I now have four semi-regular dealers at these events and rarely find anything else worthwhile. Overall a great morning out because we'd done it all by 11.30. Collectormania is finding its feet again but it isn't a patch on the old Centre MK days. Still better than the competition by far though!

We came on the Sunday last year, arrived in the car park about 9.30, were funnelled through a side entrance for security checks directly from the outside and were in and meeting guests within 5 minutes, very smooth running compared to LFCC. Bearing in mind it was a fortnight or so after the Manchester Arena bombings the entry process was extremely well run, far better than Sheffield.

She was so lovely, had time for everyone and was genuinely interested in the more unusual items she was signing. We were looking forward to meeting her again, hopefully she has found peace after her problems.

Hope he has some Return To Oz photos.

Andrew Lincoln played Egg in This Life. But not smothered in chocolate with a bag of sweets. And I'm sure Egg was a chef/cook.