Thousands turnout for Wales Comic Con as stellar line-up brings huge crowds to the town

Thousands of movie, tv and comic books fans from across the world braved the wet and windy weather conditions over the weekend to visit Wales Comic Con.

The two day event, which takes place over various parts of the Wrexham Glyndwr University campus, brought its biggest ever line-up and offering to the town.

It was an event of two parts, with Storm Hannah on Saturday bringing torrential rain and strong winds to Wrexham; along with gridlocked traffic around the B&Q Roundabout and criticism over the lack of parking on site and in the nearby area. With a huge Wrexham home game taking place just a stones throw away at the Racecourse, the clash of two big events in one part of town meant these problems were further exacerbated.

However thousands of people still braved the elements to meet some of the biggest names in film and television, including David Tennant and Billie Piper (Doctor Who), Rupert Grint (Harry Potter), Kiefer Sutherland (24) and Jennifer Morrison (Once Upon a Time).

After taking on feedback from previous years, the weekend’s event saw a change in the usual format. Gone were the vendors from the sports hall – with criticism in previous years that the space wasn’t big enough to accomodate the stalls and the autograph / meet and great areas.

Instead the stalls were based in a large marquee on the university’s all weather pitch. The bad weather meant that the venue was used by many to keep dry on Saturday, causing queues outside until the crowds inside had died down.

However once inside the marquee visitors had the chance to view dozens of stalls selling everything from movie and TV prints, unique and handmade gifts, comic books, jewellery, retro games, t shirts, Harry Potter merchandise, fudge and much, much more! The new space also meant that there were far more stalls on offer than ever before – and going by the bags people were seen carrying, it was a change that was appreciated by guests!

For this event sports hall was dedicated solely for the chance to meet the guests, with cast members from Being Human, The Hunger Games, The Umbrella Academy, Red Dwarf and the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina on hand for autographs and selfies.

Sunday was a more colourful affair – with the drier and brighter weather meaning more people donned their Cosplay costumes for the event. One of the best parts and highlights of Wales Comic Con for many visitors is the way it brings everyone together and the way people interact with each other.

Walking through the university campus were the likes of Hagrid, Thor, Doctor Who the cast of Suicide Squad, Spiderman and Star Wars (to name but a few!) all posing for photos with visitors and children.

And despite the fact there were long queues both days to get in the signing hall, spirits were kept high thanks to Darth Vader and his team of Stormtroopers who were doing the rounds and speaking to the crowds. There were also the much appreciated free chocolate bars being handed out by the team at Kinder Bueno.

Elsewhere on the campus was the popular gaming section, Cosplay competition and the popular Question and Answer sessions with the stars of Gotham, Lord of the Rings, Stargate and The Hunger Games.

There were also a number of food vendors on offer, including the likes of Bank Street Social, Woody’s Pizza and Brockley Bean Cafe.

Feedback of the event has been mixed, with the bad weather on Saturday certainly putting a dampener on the spirits for some of those who were left standing outside in the rain. However the praise for the calibre of guests coming to Wrexham and the changes made on previous years due to guest feedback, mean that Wales Comic Con is still a firm favourite for so many visitors and for the town’s events calendar.