Superheroes, comic book characters and more at bumper Melksham Comic Con

THE third Melksham Comic Con has  been heralded as the “biggest and best” so far as thousands flocked to the town for the event.

Melksham Comic Con brought together illustrators and writers from all across the comic book industry, alongside comic book publishers and local and international businesses. Over 1,000 comic fans, many in fancy dress, came to Melksham Assembly Hall for the two day event which received rave reviews from guests, visitors and bloggers in the industry alike.

Comic fan Barry Hames said, “Great convention this year. Really inspiring and useful panels with great exhibitors, guest and retailers all contributing the healthy hole in my bank balance now. Can’t wait for next year!”

Another regular at the comic-con Gareth Cole said, “It’s amazing! I love comics and everything about them. I am already thinking about a costume to wear next year. Melksham Comic-Con rocks!”

And comic book artist Gary Eskine was also impressed. “Melksham is a  great family orientated con and very friendly: 10 out of 10! Thank you,” he said, while illustrator Andy Lanning commented, “Thanks for a great weekend, I will see you next year for sure!”

Organiser Hayley Spencer said, “We couldn’t have asked for a better event. The feedback we have had from guests and visitors to the comic-con has been amazing! We really did improve on last year and  not only because it was a two-day event for the first time, but also because we listened to what fans of the comic-con wanted and I think it worked.

“The whole team work tirelessly to make the event a success and I am grateful for the hard work they put in to make it enjoyable for everyone. Melksham Comic Con has taken off far more then we ever could have expected and the challenge now is to push on again and continue to get bigger and better.

“Next year we may host the event over two days again and will once again be looking at introducing more panels as so many guests wanted to get involved, although these decisions won’t be made until we have a post comic-con meeting. At the moment it seems space is the only thing holding us back and on feedback forms many were saying a bigger venue is needed. However, we want to keep it in the centre of Melksham where it can benefit the whole town.

“I have heard from other local businesses that they benefitted greatly by the extra people in the town for the comic-con, so the benefits are massive.”

Hayley is now encouraging people to fill in feedback forms, which are located in the back of the Melksham Comic Con programme and hand them in to Komix, situated in the Roundhouse.

“It was a great event, all the committee is so pleased,” she said. “I would like to say a thank you to all who attended – the artists, the exhibitors and all the Brians (they know who they are) the Assembly Hall staff, Melksham Town Council and Melksham Area Board.”