New Comic Con to materialise at STEAM this summer

Stars of the big and small screen will descend on Swindon, as a brand-new Film and Comic Con extravaganza comes to the STEAM Museum in June.

During the weekend of 18 and 19 June 2022, the event, run by Stars of Time, who organise the very successful annual Comic Con at the Tropicana in Weston-Super-Mare, will allow fans of Doctor Who, Blade Runner, James Bond and many more to meet and experience different aspects of their favourite universes.

Stars of Time ran their first Comic Con in 2010 and the event has grown year on year with eye-catching Sci-Fi displays and celebrity guests in attendance.

George Burrows, Event Organiser at Stars of Time, said: “We are excited to be bringing the event to Swindon for the first time this summer following on from huge demand at our other venues.

“The Swindon Film and Comic Con will bring ‘Sci-Fi’ magic to life with a variety of special guests, immersive displays, eye-catching props and vehicles. We already have some brilliant special guests lined up, including: fifth Doctor Peter Davison and his companion Janet Fielding. Also scheduled are Bond girls Madeline Smith (Miss Caruso, Live and Let Die) and Valerie Leon (The Spy Who Loved Me and Never Say Never Again).

“The guest list continues to grow, with more updates expected to be announced soon!”

Visitors to the event will be able to come face-to-face with some iconic villains including Daleks and Cybermen.

Extraordinary displays will allow visitors to immerse themselves in their favourite properties, including a massive animatronic Jurassic World Dino Zone; a large Doctor Who zone; Toothless the dragon; Zuul the Gatekeeper from Ghostbusters, and Falkor, the luck dragon from The Neverending Story.

For an extra charge, fans of Blade Runner can sit in the ‘Spinner’ and experience a virtual flight through the future.

Pop-culture fans attending the Comic Con are invited to arrive dressed-up as their favourite TV, film or other fictional character and will be able to enter a free cosplay competition during the weekend.

Thousands of collectables will be on offer in the form of an auction, and many more will be on sale from the UK’s top traders. It’s the perfect time for fans to get their hands on replica props, clothing and original artwork, plus cinema posters and banners from the movies.

Councillor Robert Jandy, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Heritage, Leisure and Town Centre Experience, said: “The popularity of this type of event has soared in recent years and, as a massive fan of both Sci-Fi and James Bond, I am absolutely delighted at the prospect of being able to enjoy Swindon’s own version!

“To have it at STEAM is such a bonus as the location means that, not only can people explore worlds of fiction, but they can also learn about the real world around them thanks to the excellent exhibits in the museum.

“I am proud of the amazing events we hold at STEAM and look forward to this becoming a regular fixture”

Admission prices are £16.50 for adults, £12.00 for children and £49.50 for family tickets (either 2 adults and 2 children, or 1 adult and 3 children). Under threes go free! Tickets include entry to the event, plus admission into STEAM’s award-winning museum displays.

The event is being sponsored by PodPad Studios Ltd, a model and prop-making company based in Swindon.

Tickets for the event are on sale now.