Monopoly Events’ Comic Con Wales returned to the ICC Wales in Newport for its fifth consecutive year, drawing crowds to this two-day gathering that unites film, television and gaming personalities with enthusiasts of all ages for a pop culture extravaganza.
I’ve made it along each year, occasionally for the full weekend though most recently just for a single day, and it’s always an absolute pleasure. For full transparency, all entry passes were purchased by me personally.
Parking proved significantly simpler than my previous visit, followed by a minibus transfer to the venue where early admission was permitted.
The exhibition floor featured a combination of familiar traders alongside newcomers providing additional variety to the merchandise selection. Dark Side Designs immediately caught my attention with their exceptionally crafted box designs.
The iconic Daleks make their appearance annually and consistently deliver an unexpected fright, and this occasion proved no exception.
The props on display were impressive. External attractions featured a full-sized road-worthy remote-controlled vehicle inspired by Toy Story, supplied by Dheanasaur, alongside a Jurassic Park jeep. Inside, visitors found a Grand Theft Auto V backdrop, a Deadpool figure, a snow speeder, a Police Academy podium and the unmistakable TARDIS among other displays, offering numerous photo opportunities for attendees.
Cosplay enthusiasts adorned in outfits representing diverse franchises consistently delighted, spanning Call of Duty to Japanese animation. I was pleased to notice increased numbers sporting costumes from Hazbin Hotel.
One major appeal of these conventions lies in meeting cast members from productions and gaming titles. My initial encounter was with Bart Johnson, portraying Coach Bolton in High School Musical. He proved genuinely personable, dedicating considerable time to each visitor discussing varied topics and offering embraces to everyone.
Our inaugural scheduled photograph session involved Ned Luke, Steven Ogg and Shawn Fonteno, who provide the voices for Grand Theft Auto V’s protagonists. While the photographic sessions moved swiftly, which is customary, sufficient opportunity existed for lighthearted banter, with Shawn amusing himself with my hairpiece.
Conversing with Felicia Day proved enjoyable as her enthusiasm became evident when discussing Fallout New Vegas, the character she voiced being Veronica. She expressed considerable excitement regarding the recently revealed remaster. Billy West stood out as particularly memorable. At his signing station, he customised autographs incorporating dialogue from his numerous characters while performing their voices as he inscribed them, all while maintaining an evident smile.
The WWE portion of the event saw me capture photographs with Trish Stratus and Mickie James. Both demonstrated warmth, engaging briefly with each person during the photography session.
The selection of playable games available included Simpsons Wrestling among various other titles.
Compared to typical years, the convention felt less crowded. Monopoly Events had announced Saturday’s tickets were nearly depleted, yet the atmosphere resembled what I’d expect from a moderately busy Sunday. Normally navigating the photography zone requires weaving through substantial crowds, though this proved largely unnecessary beyond the primary exhibition space.
Nevertheless, the day proved thoroughly enjoyable.