56-610: The MCM Comic Con London (formerly known as the London Movies, Comics, and Media Expo , London MCM Expo , and MCM London Comic Con ) is a speculative fiction fan convention held at the ExCel London twice yearly since 2002, usually on the last weekend in May and October. The convention primarily focuses on comic books , video games , sci-fi , cosplay , anime and popular media. The London Movies, Comics, and Media Expo
112-489: A signing area where big names in the comic industry come and sign for members of the public. Previous guests include Gail Simone , Kevin Eastman , Frazer Irving and Antony Johnston . In 2010, MCM Fringe Festival was re-vamped and given a new logo. The main purpose of Fringe is to allow cosplayers to organise photoshoots, meet-ups, picnics and get-togethers. Organisers are more easily able to create their own event within
168-536: A "no Martians " type of science fiction, "about things that really could happen." Speculative fiction is also used as a genre term that combines different ones into a single narrative or fictional world such as "science fiction, horror, fantasy...[and]...mystery". The Internet Speculative Fiction Database contains a broad list of different subtypes. According to publisher statistics, men outnumber women about two to one among English-language speculative fiction writers aiming for professional publication. However,
224-443: A Favourite Letterer category as well as the one-off category Favourite Comics-Related Merchandise. The 2006 Eagles saw the addition of a Favourite Publisher award, and the 2008 Eagle Awards added categories for Favourite Newcomer: Writer and Favourite Newcomer: Artist while dropping the long-running categories Favourite Character/Hero and Favourite Villain. The final set of awards, in 2014, were given in 28 categories. The following
280-476: A category ranges from ancient works to paradigm-changing and neotraditional works of the 21st century. Characteristics of speculative fiction have been recognized in older works whose authors' intentions , or in the social contexts of the stories they portray, are now known. For example, the ancient Greek dramatist, Euripides , ( c. 480 – c. 406 BCE ) whose play Medea seems to have offended Athenian audiences when he speculated that
336-446: A completely imaginary way or been followed by major new events that are completely imaginary (the genre of alternative history ). Or, it depicts impossible technology or technology that defies current scientific understandings or capabilities (the genre of science fiction ). Contrarily, realistic fiction involves a story whose basic setting (time and location in the world) is, in fact, real and whose events could believably happen in
392-510: A genre term has often been attributed to Robert A. Heinlein , who first used the term in an editorial in The Saturday Evening Post , 8 February 1947. In the article, Heinlein used "Speculative Fiction" as a synonym for "science fiction"; in a later piece, he explicitly stated that his use of the term did not include fantasy. However, though Heinlein may have come up with the term on his own, there are earlier citations:
448-418: A host of new categories were added: The Favourite Comics Related Website (Fan-Organized) category was dropped in 2002, but five more award categories were added: The 2004 Eagles dropped awards for the long-running categories Supporting Character and Character Most Worthy of Own Title, as well as the relatively new categories of British Small Press Title, Comic Strip/Newspaper Strip, and Comics E-Zine. It added
504-556: A piece in Lippincott's Monthly Magazine in 1889 used the term in reference to Edward Bellamy 's Looking Backward : 2000–1887 and other works; and one in the May 1900 issue of The Bookman said that John Uri Lloyd 's Etidorhpa , The End of the Earth had "created a great deal of discussion among people interested in speculative fiction". A variation on this term is "speculative literature". The use of "speculative fiction" in
560-456: A series of British awards for comic book titles and creators. They were awarded by UK fans voting for work produced during the previous year. Named after the UK's seminal boys' comic Eagle , the awards were launched in 1977 for comics released in 1976. "[S]et up and financed by a group of dealers and fanzine editors" with the intention of including "people with... diverse interests... to make
616-475: Is a comprehensive list of the Eagle Award categories and the years they were presented, many of which were divided into British sections and (North) American sections. These categories included: General categories not divided into U.K. and U.S. sections were: Finally, there were a few one-off awards: Alan Moore won this award an impressive eleven times (including sweeping the U.K. and U.S. categories in
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#1732783139368672-474: Is characterized by a lesser degree of adherence to realistic or plausible individuals, events, or places, while the umbrella genres of realistic fiction or literary realism are characterized by a greater degree of adherence. For instance, speculative fiction may depict an entirely imaginary universe or one in which the laws of nature do not strictly apply (often, the sub-genre of fantasy ). Or, it depicts true historical moments, except that they have concluded in
728-399: Is sometimes abbreviated "spec-fic", "spec fic", "specfic", "S-F", "SF", or "sf". The last three abbreviations, however, are ambiguous as they have long been used to refer to science fiction (which lies within this general range of literature). It is sometimes also known as "the fantastic" or as fantastika , the latter term attributed to John Clute who coined it in 2007 after the term for
784-614: The Eagle logo was perceived (as described by Burton) as "a standard of quality ... seldom reached" in early 1977, the Eagle Awards were named "with official blessing from IPC " ( Eagle 's former publisher). The Eagle Awards were launched at the British Comic Art Convention , the earliest British fan convention devoted entirely to comics (and usually known by the moniker Comicon ). The first awards ceremony
840-505: The London Comic Mart by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons . The 1984 Eagle Award nominations were announced in May with Howard Chaykin 's American Flagg! dominating the nominations – Favourite Penciler, Inker, Writer, Comic, Character ( Reuben Flagg ), Supporting Character ( Raul the cat ), New Comic, Single or Continued Story, and two nominations for Favourite Cover – and winning seven of them. The 1984 awards presentation
896-673: The MCM Award . The announcement prompted a public rift between MCM and the Conroys; as a result no Eagles were awarded in 2013. The Conroys decided to continue the awards separate from MCM, and in April 2014 it was announced that the award would be presented at the London Film and Comic Con (LFCC) and be named The Stan Lee Eagle Award , with the backing of Stan Lee in his last European convention appearance. In June 2014, however, it
952-579: The Oscars or the BAFTAs . The Eagle Awards were usually presented in a ceremony at a British comic book convention ; venues over the years included the British Comic Art Convention , UKCAC , Comic Festival , Comic Expo , and the London MCM Expo . Hosts for the ceremonies included such notables as Simon Pegg , Norman Lovett , Fraser Ayres , Billy West , and Anthony Stewart Head . Initially
1008-649: The subgenres that depart from realism , or strictly imitating everyday reality, instead presenting fantastical, supernatural , futuristic , or other imaginative realms. This catch-all genre includes, but is not limited to, science fiction , fantasy , horror , slipstream , magical realism , superhero fiction , alternate history , utopia and dystopia , fairy tales , steampunk , cyberpunk , weird fiction , and some apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction . The term has been used for works of literature , film , television , drama , video games , radio , and their hybrids. The umbrella genre of speculative fiction
1064-703: The Anime , Marvel Comics , and NEO magazine. The Movie Comic Media (MCM) Expo Group organises the London, Birmingham, the Midlands, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Belfast, Manchester, Liverpool, Scotland, Stockholm, Malmö, Copenhagen, Belgium, and Hannover MCM Comic Cons. On 23 October 2017, ReedPop acquired MCM and all of its events throughout the UK. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic , the October 2020 MCM London Comic Con
1120-476: The Bristol Comic Expo scaled back that year, and was not available for the evening awards ceremony. After attempting to go forward with the Eagle Awards as an online-only process, the Conroys were forced to cancel the 2009 awards due to a "lack of nominations." The 2010–2012 awards were presented at the London MCM Expo . At the 2012 awards it was announced that the award would in future be called
1176-721: The Eagle Award itself was a certificate; eventually the award became an engraved trophy. Notable repeat Eagle Award winners included Alan Moore , who won the Favourite Comicbook Writer award an impressive eleven times (including sweeping the U.K. and U.S. categories in the period 1985–1987); Terry Austin , who won the Favourite Inker award nine times; Alex Ross , who won the Favourite Comics Artist (Fully Painted Artwork) seven times in ten possible years; and Laura DePuy Martin , who won
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#17327831393681232-835: The Eagle Awards website; the five most popular became nominees for the awards. Over the course of their existence, the Eagle Awards were eventually awarded in more than 30 categories. The first ballot had nominations in 19 categories: The next year's ballot, 1978, had 21 categories, dropping Favourite British Fan Personality and Favourite Comic Publication "All Time," and adding categories for Inker, Villain, and Supporting Character. The 1979 ballot dropped categories for Favourite Comic – Dramatic and Favourite Comic – Humour and added categories for Cover and Character Most Worthy of Own Title. The nominations for Favourite Single Comicbook Story and Favorite Continued Comicbook Story were separate from 1977 to 1980 and then again from 2011 to 2014; they were merged as one category from 2000 to 2010. Similarly,
1288-788: The Eagles were replaced by the UK Comic Art Awards , and then from 1997 until 2003 (with the exception of the year 2000) were supplanted by the National Comics Awards . In 2000, on the 50th anniversary of the birth of Eagle , the Eagle Awards returned. The ceremony was held April 22, 2000, at the Bristol Comic Festival (known as "Comics 2000"); this time MC'd by actor/comedian Simon Pegg . There were no Eagle Awards distributed in 2001; voting for comics published in 2000 ended in October 2001 and
1344-530: The EuroCosplay championships which take place every October with one of the UK qualifying entries being decided at the May event. Comic Village is an area of the show that is co-ordinated by Gary "Wheels" Howe, a member of the MCM Expo Group. This area has approximately 200 tables, where amateur as well as professional artists, writers and publishers sell their comics as well as prints. It also has
1400-453: The Expo and broadcast it. At the same time, the rest of the Expo attenders can search the website and decide to go to it. Photoshoots will be more successful and likely to attract more people from the same anime or game to take part. Previous events have included picnics, dances and video gaming tournaments. The Eagle Awards were founded in 1977 and were the longest-running fan-voted awards for
1456-664: The Favourite Colourist award six straight times. 2000 AD won the Favourite (Colour) Comic award 12 times, while The Walking Dead won Favourite Black & White Comicbook seven straight times. Batman was voted Favourite Comicbook Character 12 times and Judge Dredd won the award seven times; while the X-Men dominated the Favourite Comicbook Group or Team category, winning it eight times in
1512-552: The Favourite Cover category was only divided into British and American sections from 1984 to 1990. Reflecting an interest in long-form comics, the Best Original Graphic Novel category was added in 1986. The Favourite Team category was dropped after 1990. With the revival of the Eagles in 2000, categories for Favourite Writer and Favourite Artist were no longer separated into UK and US sections, and
1568-546: The Phoenix"), Continued Comic Book Story (" The Dark Phoenix Saga ," X-Men #135–137), and Cover ( X-Men #136, by Byrne and Austin). The 1981 awards were organised by Burton and Conroy, and sponsored by Burton, Conroy, Colin Campbell, Bob Smart, and four UK comics retailers: Forbidden Planet , Forever People, Nostalgia & Comics, and Comics Showcase. After a hiatus in 1982, the Eagle Awards returned in 1983, presented at
1624-663: The Ramada City Inn in Bristol ; the Eagles were again not presented in 2005. The 2006–2008 awards presentations were held at the Comic Expo in Bristol, with the 2008 awards being notable for accusations of ballot-stuffing . Management of the Eagle Awards was transferred from co-founder Mike Conroy to his teenage daughter Cassandra Conroy in 2009 (although Mike Conroy stayed on as advisor). The previous years' venue
1680-709: The US, and character, continuing story and "character worthy of own title" in the UK (in which last category his works held all top three spots). The awards became almost fully annual in 1987, in conjunction with the United Kingdom Comic Art Convention (UKCAC); they were held at the UKCAC in 1987, 1988, and 1990. The Eagle Awards went dormant during most of the 1990s, as organizer Mike Conroy focused on his freelance writing (including becoming an editor of Comics International ). From 1990 to 1997,
1736-552: The comic industry. They were held at the MCM London Comic Con each May from 2010 until 2012, after which they were renamed the MCM Award in 2013. In the following year, 2014, the Eagle Award was presented under its new name – first The Stan Lee Eagle Award and then the True Believer Comic Awards – at the London Film and Comic Con . They have not been awarded since. VidfestUK is an area of
MCM Comic Con London - Misplaced Pages Continue
1792-452: The context of the real world. One realistic fiction sub-genre is historical fiction , centered around true major events and time periods in the past. The attempt to make stories feel faithful to reality or to more objectively describe details, and the 19th-century artistic movement that began to vigorously promote this approach, is called "literary realism", which incorporates some works of both fiction and non-fiction. "Speculative fiction"
1848-765: The creative design and generation of lore and mythology for works of fiction. The term's definition comes from its use by J. R. R. Tolkien , whose novel, The Lord of the Rings , demonstrates a clear application of this process. Themes common in mythopoeia, such as the supernatural , alternate history and sexuality , continue to be explored in works produced within the modern speculative fiction genre. The creation of speculative fiction in its general sense of hypothetical history, explanation, or ahistorical storytelling , has also been attributed to authors in ostensibly non-fiction modes since as early as Herodotus of Halicarnassus (fl. 5th century BCE), for his Histories , and
1904-450: The expo dedicated to online visual media, such as animations, vlogs and various web series. Notable guests include YouTube partners such as TomSka and MrWeebl . Now defunct MyM magazine does not have a presence at the event. 51°30′27″N 0°1′47″E / 51.50750°N 0.02972°E / 51.50750; 0.02972 Speculative fiction Speculative fiction is an umbrella genre of fiction that encompasses all
1960-451: The genre in some Slavic languages . The term has been used by some critics and writers dissatisfied with what they consider to be a limitation of science fiction: the need for the story to hold to scientific principles. They argue that "speculative fiction" better defines an expanded, open, imaginative type of fiction than does "genre fiction", and the categories of "fantasy", "mystery", "horror" and "science fiction". Harlan Ellison used
2016-477: The introduction of a "free vote . . . rather than pre-selected nominees," creating a "fairer reflection of fans' opinions – and some anomalous results, especially in the Roll of Honor category." The 2004 awards saw online voting for the first time; over 13,000 voting forms were "received via post, email and website counting centres." For the 2007 awards, nominations were made by the general comics-reading public via
2072-408: The percentages vary considerably by genre, with women outnumbering men in the fields of urban fantasy , paranormal romance and young adult fiction . Academic journals which publish essays on speculative fiction include Extrapolation and Foundation . Speculative fiction may include elements from one or more of the following genres: Eagle Award (comics) The Eagle Awards were
2128-716: The period 1985–1987), with Chris Claremont winning it four times (all in the span 1977–1981). Mike Mignola won this award three times while Frank Miller won it twice. Multiple winners of this award included John Byrne , Brian Bolland , and Alan Davis with three wins; and Neal Adams , John Bolton , George Pérez , Bill Sienkiewicz , Frank Miller , Brian Talbot , Frank Quitely , and J. H. Williams III with two awards apiece. Terry Austin won this award nine times in an eleven-year span (from 1978 to 1988). Alex Ross dominated this award, winning it seven times in 10 possible years. Laura DePuy Martin won this award six straight times from 2000 to 2008. 2000 AD 's Tharg
2184-456: The poll as impartial as possible," the Eagles were described as "the first independent [in the UK], nationally organised comic art awards poll." The hope was that the Eagle Awards would "become a regular annual fandom event," and indeed, they were the preeminent British comics award in the 1980s and the 2000s (being mostly dormant in the 1990s), variously described as the country's comics equivalent of
2240-402: The public. Ticket holders are allowed, and in many cases encouraged, to take part in cosplay . Cosplaying has become one of the most popular parts of the show. This can be to show off the costumer's latest work, to show devotion to their favourite characters or engage in role-play with other cosplayers in the same series, as well as to meet new people with mutual interests. The show also hosts
2296-608: The sense of expressing dissatisfaction with traditional or establishment science fiction was popularized in the 1960s and early 1970s by Judith Merril , as well as other writers and editors in connection with the New Wave movement. However, this use of the term fell into disuse around the mid-1970s. In the 2000s, the term came into wider use as a convenient collective term for a set of genres. However, some writers, such as Margaret Atwood , who wrote The Handmaid's Tale , continue to distinguish "speculative fiction" specifically as
MCM Comic Con London - Misplaced Pages Continue
2352-689: The show. They take part for a variety of reasons. Often, this is to promote their latest product or production whether it be movie, TV or print. Sometimes it can be to raise awareness and funds for a charity or cause important to them. It is common to see television and film personalities selling autographs and interacting with their fans both in person and on stage during question and answer sessions. Along with panels, seminars and workshops with comic book professionals, there are previews of upcoming television and feature films, and portfolio review sessions with video game companies. The event also includes an autograph area where big names in movies and TV sign items for
2408-759: The span of 11 years. Wolverine won the Favourite Comicbook Character category three times, the Favourite Supporting Character award three times, and the Character Most Worthy of Own Title twice. In 2014, in connection with Stan Lee , the Eagle Awards were renamed, and presented as, the True Believer Comic Awards . They have not returned since then. The Eagle Awards were set up by prominent British comics enthusiasts Mike Conroy , Nick Landau , Colin Campbell, Phil Clarke, and Richard Burton . Because
2464-500: The term to avoid being pigeonholed as a science fiction writer. Ellison, a fervent proponent of writers embracing more literary and modernist directions, broke out of genre conventions to push the boundaries of speculative fiction. The term suppositional fiction is sometimes used as a sub-category designating fiction in which characters and stories are constrained by an internally consistent world, but not necessarily one defined by any particular genre. Speculative fiction as
2520-591: The titular shamaness Medea killed her own children, as opposed to their being killed by other Corinthians after her departure. Additionally, Euripides' play, Hippolytus , narratively introduced by Aphrodite , Goddess of Love in person, is suspected to have displeased his contemporary audiences, as his portrayal of Phaedra was seen as too lusty . In historiography , what is now called "speculative fiction" has previously been termed "historical invention", "historical fiction", and other similar names. These terms have been extensively noted in literary criticism of
2576-521: The winners were announced in June 2002 (at the Comic Festival , which had replaced UKCAC), so news reports announced these variously as the 2000, 2001, or 2002 Eagle Awards. The Eagles again went dormant in 2003 (replaced by the National Comics Awards ). The Eagle Awards returned in 2004 (sponsored by the retailer Ace Comics) and were presented at the inaugural Comic Expo , held November 6–7, at
2632-486: The works of William Shakespeare , such as when he co-locates Athenian Duke Theseus , Amazonian Queen Hippolyta , English fairy Puck , and Roman god Cupid across time and space in the Fairyland of the fictional Merovingian Germanic sovereign Oberon , in A Midsummer Night's Dream . In mythography the concept of speculative fiction has been termed "mythopoesis", or mythopoeia . This practice involves
2688-409: The world, and responds to it by creating imaginative , inventive , and artistic expressions. Such expressions can contribute to practical societal progress through interpersonal influences, social and cultural movements , scientific research and advances, and the philosophy of science . In its English-language usage in arts and literature since the mid 20th century, "speculative fiction" as
2744-414: Was again organised by Burton and Conroy, and sponsored by Burton, Conroy, Colin Campbell, Forbidden Planet, Nostalgia & Comics, Bob Smart, and Comics Showcase. Marvel 's X-Men comic and creators dominated the 1981 Eagles, winning Favourite Comic Book, Artist ( John Byrne ), Writer ( Chris Claremont ), Inker ( Terry Austin ), Character ( Wolverine ), Single Comic Book Story ( X-Men #137, "The Fate of
2800-445: Was already both practiced and edited out by early encyclopedic writers like Sima Qian ( c. 145 or 135 BCE–86 BCE), author of Shiji . These examples highlight the caveat that many works, now regarded as intentional or unintentional speculative fiction, long predated the coining of the genre term; its concept, in its broadest sense, captures both a conscious and unconscious aspect of human psychology in making sense of
2856-466: Was announced that the new award would be called the True Believer Comic Awards . The inaugural True Believer Comics Awards were presented July 12, 2014, at the LFCC, with host Anthony Stewart Head and a special appearance by Stan Lee. They have not been awarded since. At the outset of the Eagle Award, ballots were made available to "most dealers, shops and fanzines." The initial method of casting votes
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#17327831393682912-653: Was at the Birmingham Comic Art Show. By the mid-1980s the work of British authors often dominated both the UK and US categories. In 1985 Alan Moore won favorite writer in both categories, and in 1986 (presented on June 1 at the Birmingham Comic Art Show), the awards "proved to be a virtual clean sweep ... by Alan Moore ," who not only again won "favourite writer in both the US and UK categories," but had his work win for favourite comic book, supporting character and new title in
2968-430: Was cancelled. It returned on 22–24 October 2021 with new safety measures in place. The MCM London Comic Con has a large floor-space for dealer stands and exhibitors which include media companies such as film studios and TV stations . There is also a theatre space that includes a large stage with projection monitors on either side and seating for approximately 1,000. Guests from popular media are commonly invited to
3024-550: Was designed to be inclusive and straightforward, with completed forms able to be returned to the same place, rather than a centralised location. An initial ballot formed a list of nominees, from which the voting ballot was created and disseminated in the same manner. The awards for 1983 used an open voting system, with no pre-selected nominees. In 1984, the Eagles introduced a new nomination system composed of "prominent British fans, publishers, dealers, and artists," which put forward three names in each category. The 1986 Eagles saw
3080-478: Was founded in early 2001 by Paul Miley (ScifiShows) and Bryan Cooney (Wolf Events). The convention is held twice each year, usually on the last full weekend of May and October. There have occasionally been exceptions to this, such as May 2009. The event started as a single day and expanded to run across three days, attracting attendance and involvement of representatives from Universal Studios , Twentieth Century Fox , MVM Entertainment , Manga Entertainment , All
3136-686: Was held on 3 September 1977, at the Bloomsbury Centre Hotel, London. The 1978 and 1979 awards were also presented at the British Comic Art Convention. Almost from the beginning, the awards included separate UK and US sections. The 1980 Eagle Awards (for comics published in 1979) were sponsored by Burton, Conroy, Colin Campbell, Dark They Were and Golden Eyed , Steve Dillon , Forbidden Planet , Forever People, Nostalgia & Comics, Bob Smart, and Valhalla Books; and organised by Burton and Conroy. The 1981 edition
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