What’s occurring, Brum? The arena doors have swung open, and Comic Con Midlands 2025 is officially GO! 🙌 From the moment the shutters lifted, it’s been a glorious blur of capes, colour, collectibles, and chaos. We’re talking full-scale fandom overload — and it’s only just started!

Whether you’re a seasoned con warrior or a bright-eyed newbie here for the first time (welcome, you beautiful nerd 🌈), you’re in for a tidy ride.

🎟️ FIRST THINGS FIRST – YOU’RE IN! NOW WHAT?

So, you’ve made it past security (sorry about the bag check, Batman) and you’re inside the NEC arena surrounded by pure, concentrated geek energy. It smells like foam latex, printer ink, and enthusiasm. Let’s break down what’s happening all around you:

💬 PANELS GALORE

The panel schedule today is looking stacked — from Doctor Who Q&As to deep dives into anime worldbuilding to a full-blown Star Wars cosplay showcase, there’s something for every level of nerd.

And yes, the queue for the Stranger Things cast is already a bit mental, so get in early if you want that selfie with Eddie Munson 🖤🎸

👗 COSPLAYERS – YOU’RE SMASHING IT

The cosplayers have come to SLAY today 💃

Already spotted:

- 15 Deadpools (one of them juggling chimichangas)

- An entire crew of Mario Kart racers (with actual working wheels!?)

- A terrifyingly accurate Vecna — we’re sleeping with the lights on

- Three generations of Spideys doing a very emotional group hug 😭🕷️

Shoutout to the brave folks sweating through their costumes for the love of the craft — absolute legends. If you’re dressed up, make sure you hit the Cosplay Masquerade later — it’s the Olympics of nerd fashion.

🎨 ARTIST ALLEY – AKA WALLET DANGER ZONE

Warning: you will spend money here. From custom DnD dice and stunning fanart to those little plushies of anime characters you forgot you loved — Artist Alley is a treasure trove of handmade, nerd-approved goodness.

Top tip: Bring cash and support local artists. You’ll find original pieces you won’t get anywhere else (and probably end up commissioning a portrait of your D&D barbarian riding a velociraptor, let’s be honest 🐉)

🍔 FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD

If you’re hungry, don’t worry – the vendors have come prepared:

- Wookiee Burgers

- Totoro Taiyaki

- Butterbeer floats

- Vegan Thanos Wraps (balanced as all things should be)

- Pokéball doughnuts that are almost too cute to eat... almost

Also: Drink water, you sweaty little goblins. That costume armour doesn’t breathe, and neither do those 3D-printed Mandalorian helmets.

📸 PHOTO OPS – SMILE LIKE YOU’RE IN A MULTIVERSE

Get ready to strike a pose with:

- The actual Batmobile 🚗🦇

- A full-size TARDIS (bigger on the inside and also on Instagram)

- Ghostbusters firehouse display with functioning proton packs

- Stranger Things Hellfire Club table, perfect for dramatic brooding and dice-rolling

And yep, there’s a dedicated Pokémon battle stage where you can pose mid-attack. Pikachu not included, but enthusiasm very much required ⚡

🎮 GAMING ZONE – A PIXELATED PARADISE

Retro consoles, indie dev demos, VR madness, and more screens than a PC World sale — the Gaming Zone is packed. Smash Bros? On. Mario Kart? Chaotic. Street Fighter? Buttons are being mashed to hell and back 🕹️💣

There’s also a Minecraft building comp and a Beat Saber dance-off scheduled — bring your best moves and your fastest thumbs 🕺

💬 FAN VIBES – ABSOLUTELY LUSH

There’s just something special about Comic Con, innit? The way complete strangers shout “I love your costume!” at each other. The way every fandom crosses over. The way one minute you’re chatting about lightsabers with a Jedi, and the next you're crying over a shared love of Studio Ghibli.

It’s a community. A big, weird, beautiful, nerdy family.

So don’t be shy! Start conversations, compliment outfits, queue patiently, and be nice to the volunteers (they’re doing a proper job, butt 💪)

🧠 FINAL TIPS FOR SURVIVAL

- Wear comfy shoes — you will walk for miles

- Bring deodorant (your fellow con-goers will thank you)

- Plan your panels early — the good ones fill up fast!

- Keep snacks handy (yes, Hobnobs count)

- Take breaks! Sit down, breathe, and soak it all in — this day only comes once a year!

🎉 THAT’S JUST THE BEGINNING…

Comic Con Midlands 2025 is only just getting started, and the energy is off the scale. Whether you're here for the stars, the merch, the cosplay, the gaming, or just to yell “WAKANDA FOREVER” in public — this weekend’s going to be epic.

So get stuck in. Make some memories. Buy too many pins. Take silly selfies. Be unapologetically geeky.

And don’t forget to tag us in your best con moments:📸 #ComicConMidlands #BrumGetsNerdy #ConLife2025 #TidyConVibes

Now go forth, brave adventurer… THE CON HAS BEGUN! 🦸‍♀️🧙‍♂️👽🛸May your queue times be short, your loot plentiful, and your fandoms forever fierce 🤘 https://theriffreport.co.uk/12/07/2025/%f0%9f%8e%ad-comic-con-midlands-birmingham-2025-has-begun-%f0%9f%a6%b8%e2%99%80%ef%b8%8f%f0%9f%92%a5/