YALC At London Film And Comic Con

Every year, London Film and Comic Con brings a wonderful line up of tv, movie and wrestling stars, alongside some incredible artists and indie comic book writers. But, alongside this, LFCC also brings along the highly anticipated Young Adult Literature Convention with it.

YALC is a fantastic, much quieter zone of the con where book lovers and book writers alike can combine to meet, showcase and enjoy a much more slow paced and peaceful area of LFCC.

Book writers from all levels come around, from indie writers to popular writers. Publishers hold competitions for chances to win prizes, this year including simply picking up some free ice cream, tweeting about it with #FLORABANKS, and you could win an arc of The One Memory of Flora Banks by Emily Barr, due out January 2017.

This is also an amazing opportunity for fans to meet their favourite authors – authors present included Malorie Blackman (Noughts and Crosses, Chasing the Stars), Melvin Burgess (Junk), Maggie Stiefvater (The Raven Boys, The Scorpio Races), Patrick Ness (A Monster Calls, The Chaos Walking Series), V.E. Schwab (This Savage Song, Shades of Magic Series) and so many more.

On top of that, YALC is the place to meet your next favourite author – with tables upon tables of samples, posters, badges and hopeful young authors who are more than eager to present their work to you, it’s impossible not to find something you love there. Sample copies of some amazing books were being given, including a free copy of Rainbow Rowell’s short story Kindred Spirits, samples of thriller, horror, romance books, and a sample of Melinda Salisbury’s The King of Rats, the final in The Sin Eater’s Daughter series.

If you love Young Adult literature, or you want to explore some new genres, YALC is honestly the place for you. It’s a relaxed atmosphere filled with book lovers, stalls, a Waterstones, and plenty of kind and wonderful authors, who may just be the geniuses behind the next big read you fall for.

 

LFCC Presents “Suicide Squad” Costume Showcase

With Suicide Squad hitting cinema’s August 5th, London Film and Comic Con would be crazy to pass up on the chance to get involved – so this weekend, the con showcased all of the major costumes from the movie – the screen used, real deal costumes too.

Displayed in a penned off area, complete with giant cardboard cut outs, the costumes were displayed in glass cases, complete with manequinns shaped like the actors (including faces).

The costume show included Enchantress’s intricate and minimalist outfit, complete with completely creepy floor length black wig that we can only imagine wreaked havoc on poor Cara Delavingne’s (Paper Towns, Anna Karenina, Kids in Love) head.

Everyone’s favourite Harley Quinn, portrayed by Margot Robbie (The Wolf of Wall Street, Tarzan, Focus), was also present – this costume has many beautiful, detailed and intricate parts that the Con allowed you to see up close. This included the sparkly hot pants, belt, the fishnet tights, the high heeled sneaker style shoes, the jock-jacket – and, of course, the baseball bat.

Will Smith’s (I Am Legend, Men in Black, Independence Day) Deadshot was also there, complete with focus eye-piece, armour and weapons holsters. To also hold the line up included Captain Boomerang’s (Jai Courtney – Divergent, A Good Day to Die Hard, Terminator Genisys) costume, complete with lethal boomerangs, thick leather jacket and duct-taped up combat boots.

Costumes also featured included Katana’s (Karen Fukuhara – Suicide Squad), Killer Croc’s (Adewake Akinnuoye-Adbaje – The Bourne Identity, Thor: The Dark World, Lost), Diablo’s (Jay Hernandez – Hostel, Quarantine, The Rookie), and last but not least, Jared Leto’s (Panic Room, Requiem for a Dream, Dallas Buyers Club) The Joker – complete with suit, and jewel-encrusted cane.

To round off this amazing display is a giant cardboard cut out of the entire cast – with a gap large enough to fit pleased Comic Con attendees who want to chance to pose with the anti-heroes before they hit the big screen.

It’s clear from the incredible display, which allows you to be as up-close and personal to the costumes without touching them, that the costume designers on this movie put a lot of heart, thought, effort and a tonne of fun into creating individual and unique pieces that completely fit their characters.

‘Game of Thrones’ Kristian Nairn Found Out Hodor’s Fate from Finn Jones!

**This post will contain spoilers for Season 6 of Game of Thrones**

London Film and Comic Con has graced Olympia once again for 2016, and came with plenty of guests – including a huge chunk of cast members from Game of Thrones – even those no longer with us.

Joining fans this weekend at LFCC were Jack Gleeson (Batman Begins, All Good Children), Ellie Kendrick (An Education, Bloodworks, Misfits ), Kristian Nairn (The Four Warriors, Treasure Trapped, Ripper Street), Donald Sumpter (In the Heart of the Sea, Jekyll and Hyde, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), Natalia Tena (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, About a Boy, 10. 000 Km), Kae Alexander (Bad Education, Bloodworks, One of Us), Gemma Whelan (The Wolfman, Gulliver’s Travels, Hetty Feather), Joe Naufahu (Spartacus, The Last Saint, Go Girls), Daniel Portman (Outcast, The Angels’ Share), Sam Coleman (Leatherface), Faye Marsay (Pride, Need for Speed, The White Queen), Richard Brake (Batman Begins, Spy, Hannibal Rising) and Anton Lesser (The Girl in the Cafe, Miss Potter, Endeavour).

For the “LFCC Big Game of Thrones Talk”, the actors who were able to join the panel were Gleeson, Kendrick, Nairn, Gemma, Faye, Coleman, Portman and Lesser. After a brief introduction from the LFCC hosts, the mics were handed to the fans for questions from the floor.

Firstly, Sam Coleman, the Young Hodor, didn’t realise the part he’d been given. When he was given the part of an extra, he was excited as an outside fan of the show. Then he looked at his pay for the role and exclaimed “Crikey, that’s a lot for some extra role!” – and then he discovered exactly who he’d be. He said to be given the part was “a real privilege” and he hoped he did the character proud – which Coleman indeed did to, with the incredibly touching and tragic scene combining the reveal of Hodor’s past with the present in which he sacrifices himself for Bran. Clearly the panel also thought so, because his answer earns a massive round of applause.

Kristian Nairn takes the next question, being “Will Hodor return, either from the dead or as a White Walker?” – he heartbreakingly, but definitely answers that Hodor will not be returning. He then goes on to say that Hodor had “the perfect death, and it was exatly how he deserved to go” – so he hopes it isn’t sullied by Hodor returning, especially as a White Walker, but perhaps he’ll make some appearences in Bran’s flashbacks again.

The cast are then asked that age old question that everyone involved in Game of Thrones, from cast to fan are asked – who woud hold the Iron Throne? Kristian comes back with a unique answer that, after the years of horrendous ruling under the hands of conflicted and unprepared rules, he would like someone with some intergrity to hold the Iron Throne – and that’s why he would love to see Brienne of Tarth on the throne. Whilst not incredibly likely (though honestly, who knows.), it’s a new answer I’ve heard!

Meanwhile, Sam Coleman also comes up with a unique idea – to “scrap the phone, have a democracy – and Pod for Prime Minister!” – to which Daniel Portman delighted screams “YES!!!” Further shocks ensue as Jack Gleeson, the series most infamous little shit Joffery Baratheon, agrees with the motion, and wants Podrick for Prime Minister. I’d have to say, the UK could benefit from such democracy at this time…

When asked how they responded to their characters fates, the cast go on to joke about the Show Runners and the dreaded Phone Call that cast members have gotten to discuss their characters fate. However, unluckily for Kristian, he bumped into Finn Jones (Iron Fist, Sleeping Beauty, Life in Squares) and jokingly asked “So, did I make it?” – to which, Finn is completely unable to come up with an answer, and answers the question himself. So, at least the world now knows if you want some Game of Thrones spoilers, Finn Jones is your man.

“What is the strangest conspiracy theory you’ve ever heard about your character?” is the next question – and whilst only two have answers, they’re good ones. Faye Marsay, who played the utterly terrifying Waif in Game of Thrones (her common scenes were her tormenting Arya Stark, including hitting her with a stick after she was blinded for her training), answers that she heard an amazing theory that The Waif and Arya were the same person, a la Fight Club. However, given The Waif’s end at the hands of the youngest Stark, this theory is very much not true. But, it is interesting and easy to see why this theory would have some traction.

Jack Gleeson then chimes it “I heard this crazy rumour that, Cersei and Jamie are my real parents.” Over the laughter and cheers of the crowd he shrugs and shakes his head, exclaiming “it’s just crazy, the things people will make up, they must have a lot of free time.”

The cast all also apparently have the same question we do – how do we follow such an amazing finale from Season 6? All the cast mutually agree that Season 6 had the strongest season finale of the entire show, and that every moment, the script, the acting, the directing, the music and the plot, is flawless and amazing – and each and everyone of them are just as excited as their fans are to see how Season 7 plans to top 6×10.

When asked their theories on where Cersei (who is referred to as a Disney Witch by Kristian) will be in Season 7, the cast had some great (and potential spoiler dodging) answers, including;

“I don’t know.” (Faye), “To Hell!” (Alexandra Kae), “I don’t care what happens, as long as I survive” (Ellie Kendrick), “In the Ground” (Daniel) and finally, Sam theorises that Cersei will be crushed between a wall of frost and fire – wildly appropriate for a show based on a book series called A Song of Ice and Fire.

Finally, the cast are asked a dangerous question – “who do you think is next?”, meaning, the next to die. And the cast all nervously give the same response – they don’t know. And as it could be anybody, they don’t want to say it and be accused of giving spoilers in advance if it happens to who they mention. The tension is then broken by Kristian with “Jon Snow already died, didn’t he?”

Overall, the panel was extremely engaging and fun for Game of Thrones fans – with the cast, both recurring and no longer with us, still so invested in the show as much as the fans are, the show and characters are in the safest (loose word.) hands possible. And given the air date for Season 7 being pushed back so it can take place closer to Winter to fit the shows theme of “Winter is Here”, chances are we will see this cast again before that day – but hopefully Finn Jones won’t be present to tell us all the fates of the characters.

Jeremy Renner has “Some Really Cool Ideas” for Hawkeye in the Future

Friday 29th July – Sunday 31st July 2016 were the official dates of one of London’s biggest and most anticipated conventions – London Film and Comic Con. The Con has played host to some massive names in both the comic book and movie world, and this year was no different, with guests such as various members of the Game of Thrones cast, Famke Janssen (How to Get Away with Murder, X-Men, Hemlock Grove), Jeremy Renner (Thor, The Hurt Locker, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol) and several wrestlers, artists and tv/movie stars.

This Saturday featured a panel for Jeremy Renner, with a brief introduction and a few questions from the host – then the rest of the panel was taken to the floor for fan questions.

During these questions, Renner said that he still doesn’t consider himself an action hero. Despite his role as an avenger in the Marvel Studios releases, and his role in a Bourne movie (The Bourne Legacy), Renner says he always prefers the human side of his roles, and doesn’t focus on the action side of things. He then jokingly adds that he agreed to the role of Hawkeye because “he doesn’t fly around, have a suit, armour or lightening arrow – he has no friggin’ superpowers! I can do that!”

Upon being asked the question, would he consider a Bourne crossover with Matt Damon, Renner nodded eagerly and said he’d absolutely love to – but that unfortunately, a decision like this is out of his pay grade.

He also emphasised (when asked if he’s pressured by agents or producers to take particular roles) “I do what I wanna do, always.” He also mentioned that he has no favourite roles he’s ever played as he doesn’t believe in it. Renner says that every role is his favourite role (“or I wouldn’t have taken the job.)

When Jeremy was asked what his most difficult role to play was, he answers without hesitation that it was Jeffery Dahmer (Dahmer, 2002). “It was completely terrifying.” He says, talking sincerely about how difficult it was to get into that sort of headspace when he himself can barely comprehend the horrific crimes that Dahmer committed. He mentions how he worked incredibly hard to find a “way in” to that role, into that human’s headspace, and how he had to find the psychological way in to play him convincingly. And it certainly worked – the film holds mostly mixed to positive reviews, praising Renner for his performance.

On the topic of weirdness, Renner also explains that his strangest fan encounter (“It’s like picking a favourite role. I have a lot of these odd experiences.”) took place at a urinal – involving the person trying to take a selfie with them both at the urinal, and saying “But it’s for my son man!” – Renner says that the statement made the whole thing weirder. So he began using cubicles instead to try and retain privacy, which doesn’t always work. “I see this hand, coming up under the cubicle door, with an iPhone in it. And man.” Renner laughs, all good natured and lively.

A fan then puts their hand up and asks which life he’d prefer his character in The Avengers to live – the stay-at-home family man, or as the hero? Jeremy pauses, then grins and goes “Did you just ask me how I wanna die?” As the crowd laughs, Renner cuts in with “Dies a hero or daddy has a heart attack at home? Come on man!” – and then he says he hasn’t seen Captain America: Civil War yet and asks”Do I die in that?”

Renner then goes on to say that he loves playing Hawkeye, and confesses to the crowd that his role in the first Avenger’s movie (The Avengers/Avenges Assemble), actually made him incredible frustrated. “I was so excited to play this character and then he gets made into a lifeless zombie for the whole movie” – as a result of this, Renner had barely any room to find out more about Clint Barton. He says he prefers the later movies, such as Age of Ultron and Captain America: Civil War as he had much more screen-time and humanity to explore for the character.

The actor then laughs and says he isn’t done playing Hawkeye yet, so he doesn’t want him to die – he’s got “some real cool, real awesome” ideas coming up (earning a round of applause) – “amazing ways to die.” he quips, nodding to the fan who asked the initial question.

Asked if there’s any chance of a Hawkeye solo movie, Renner responds “it’d be kinda cool – but I don’t make those decisions” – sorry, Hawkeye fans! But maybe a Netflix series..?

Renner is asked more questions about his creative future. When asked if he always wants to just be an actor, or if he’d like to direct, Renner nods very eagerly. He explains he’d love to direct a movie – but when his baby (Ava Berlin) is older. His reason being it’s a huge commitment – that you have to be there “before, during the whole process, there for editing and the cutting room floor, and then all the press and premieres after” – and he wants to wait because his baby comes first.

Finally, the last question of the day is a fan who asks what we’re all waiting for – what more do we have to look forward to from Jeremy Renner? The actor responds that he’s currently working on a science-fiction movie with Amy Adams (Enchanted, American Hustle, Man of Steel) named Arrival. He explains it should be coming out in November, and that it’s a smart, thoughtful and very accessible alien movie, and that he’s very excited for the release.

Overall, it was a very informative and fun panel – despite doing hours worth of photo-shoots with fans in the morning and the afternoon, Jeremy Renner remains active, engaging and totally polite to his fans. He’s been a fantastic addition to the weekend line-up, and fingers crossed he comes back for another year!

@Marie_Silveiraa

San Diego Comic Con 2016 Funko Pop Exclusives! All Of Them!

Let’s face it, everyone loves Funko Pops, they are this generations version of the Beanie Babies. They are cute, collectible and there seems to be no end to them. I started collecting them forSkatronixxx Jr but stopped after realising that I’d never be able to collect them all. Would I still continue collecting them? Sure if I had the money, but alas I have temporarily put my Funko Pop collection on hold, it doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy looking at them though!

There are however hardcore Funko fans out there and  the company knows this, that’s why they are aiming to bombard those lucky people who are going to San Diego Comic Con or SDCC with at least nine waves of exclusive figures.

What’s more having the ‘Funko Limited Edition 2016 Comic Con‘ sticker is a prize possesion for any serious collector and a cool trinket for the causal fan.

On Skatronixxx.com I’ll be bringing you updates about the Funko Pop, with all the exclusives released, I thought I’d treat you to a slideshow of all the Funko Pops on offer 🙂

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San Diego Comic Con 2016 Funko Pop Exclusives! Wave 7

Let’s face it, everyone loves Funko Pops, they are this generations version of the Beanie Babies. They are cute, collectible and there seems to be no end to them. I started collecting them for Skatronixxx Jr but stopped after realising that I’d never be able to collect them all. Would I still continue collecting them? Sure if I had the money, but alas I have temporarily put my Funko Pop collection on hold, it doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy looking at them though!

There are however hardcore Funko fans out there and  the company knows this, that’s why they are aiming to bombard those lucky people who are going to San Diego Comic Con or SDCC with at least nine waves of exclusive figures.

What’s more having the ‘Funko Limited Edition 2016 Comic Con‘ sticker is a prize possesion for any serious collector and a cool trinket for the causal fan.

On Skatronixxx.com I’ll be bringing you updates about the Funko Pop waves this time it’s time for WAVE SEVEN.

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Funko 1 – Pop! TV: Game of Thrones – 6″ Mag the Mighty

Initial Thoughts? He’s kinda cute considering he’s meant to be ugly and a giant haha.

Funko 2 – Pop! Disney: Pete’s Dragon 2-pack – 6″ Invisible Elliott with Pete

Initial Thoughts? Both me and Skatronixxx Jr would love this!

Funko 3 – Pop! Movies: Suicide Squad – Underwater Batman

Initial Thoughts? I’m Batman.

Funko 4 – Pop! TV: Peanuts – Patriotic Snoopy

Initial Thoughts? Have you been in the shed again Snoopy?

Funko 5 – Pop! TV: iZombie – Olivia Moore

Initial Thoughts? Is it wrong to think a Funko is kinda hot? Let alone one to do with zombies?

Funko 6 – Dorbz: Stan Lee

Initial Thoughts? I’m still gutted I missed the Stan Lee Funko from LFCC *sighs*

Funko 7 – Book: World of Pop! Volume 5

Initial Thoughts? I want it, I want it, I WANT IT!!!

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That was the seventh batch of Funko’s SDCC 2016 exclusives, what did you think? Let us know, sound off on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram or comment below.

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An Interview With Cosplayer Lady Halestorm

Hi Readers

It’s time for another cosplay interview this time we meet Lady Halestorm. So far we’ve featured cosplayers from Australia, America and Peurto Rico, now it’s time to meet a British one. Lady Halestorm is a cosplay veteran and we even frequent the same con’s so chances are we’ve ran into each other in the past! Lets find out some more about Lady Halestorm

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1) How did you get into cosplaying?

I always loved to dress up as a kid and even as a teen, I’d convince people to have fancy dress parties just so I had another excuse to get a new costume. I never actually knew cosplaying was a real thing until I discovered Jessica Nigri! Once I found out about cosplaying, I went to my first con and was totally blown away by the talent that some people demonstrated. Before this, I’d buy a costume and wear it as it came, but these people made their costumes by hand and spent months doing so! It was then that I decided to give it a go, and I haven’t stopped since.

2) Where do you get your inspiration and ideas to cosplay from? Is it from programs you watch now or childhood programs or both?

I get most of my cosplay ideas from films and TV shows I watch as an adult. I’ll be watching TV and I’ll become obsessed with a character’s outfit to the point where I won’t rest until I have the same one! It’s the same when reading a comic book or playing an xbox game. I’ll see a costume that I love and I’ll spend the next few days planning how I can make it and if it’s a male character, I’ll see how I can gender-bend it. I’m a page model for @itsthenerdylife on Instagram and I sometimes scroll through their page to get inspiration too – the content on there is amazing.

3) How do you put your outfits together are they 100% from scratch and if so what’s been your trickiest part to date?

Unfortunately, due to me not having a sewing machine that works, I haven’t been able to make any costumes entirely from scratch (it’s something I’m saving up for!). I’ve tried to make a few things by hand stitching them, but they never turn into something I’m happy with. Rather than buying a fancy dress costume from a shop, what I usually do is buy some base materials and put them together and tweak until it’s perfect. I have bought a few cosplay pieces in the past, but it works out cheaper to make them myself. There was one costume I made from scratch which was Scarecrow from the Batman game “Arkham Asylum”. It took me three months to make the mask and glove and is still to this date, the most challenging thing I’ve ever had to do because I had to layer the base mask to give it the right expression. I do however, make most of my props from scratch. If I have a limited amount of time to get a cosplay finished then I’ll buy them, but I generally make all my props.

4) What’s your favourite cosplay to date?

I’d have to say my Lara Croft: Rise of the Tomb Raider cosplay. It was the first cosplay I actually took on a photo shoot and had loads of fun becoming the character. I hand painted the pistol and spent weeks practicing the make-up – it was my first big project. I got a lot of positive feedback from lots of different cosplayers including SuperMaryFace!

5) If you’ve cosplayed at a convention what was the experience like?

Every con I’ve been to, I’ve cosplayed as something. There’s no feeling like someone appreciating the hard work you’ve put into a cosplay and wanting to take pictures. It’s such a friendly community at conventions and each year just gets better.

6) Can we expect to see you at any conventions this year?

YES! I will be at LFCC on Saturday 30th July 2016 and London MCM on Saturday 29 th October 2016.

7) If you could cosplay as anyone and budget wasn’t an issue who would it be?

Definitely Amber’s Bunny Mech from Sucker Punch!

8) Do you have any words of advice for up and coming cosplayers?

First and most importantly, do it for you! Cosplay is all about expressing yourself and if you’re doing it just to get compliments or ‘likes’ you will soon lose your passion for it. There are famous cosplayers and yes they make a lot of money for what they do, but don’t aim for that. Do it because you love it, not because you want to be famous. Also, it is important to keep in mind that if you’re just starting out, your cosplays aren’t likely to be the standard of Jessica Nigri, and that’s ok! In the words of Jake the Dog “sucking at something is the first step to becoming sort of good at something”. It is a very expensive and time-consuming hobby. And lastly, HAVE FUN! It’s always satisfying when your cosplay looks super legit and as if it has been pulled out of a game/comic/film but it’s more fun to put your own twists on them. I personally love to think to myself “what would I look like as this character?” and create cosplays based on that. It makes it more personal and lets you express your creativity. Go take the cosplay world by storm!

9) Where can we find you online?

At the moment I’m only on Instagram as @lady_halestorm but I will be setting up a facebook page soon. I’ll announce when this happens so keep an eye out on my Instagram page for updates!

• Instagram – Lady_Halestorm

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There you go readers Lady Halestorm! Don’t be shy go say hi and say ‘Skatronixxx sent me!’

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